Total Party Planner Blog

Posted On October 7, 2010 by Total Party Planner

Total Party Planner Catering Software Hosts Educational Webinar

(10/7/2010) Total Party Planner recently hosted a free online webinar with culinary expert Denise Vivaldo.  The “How to Sell Your Catering and Events” virtual event produced a large turnout of caterer’s interested in hearing Denise’s marketing and sales tips stemming from her 20+ years of experience in the industry.

Denise cheerfully led us through her presentation of twenty five do-it-yourself sales and marketing tips, all the while sharing personal stories from her many years of hard work in the catering industry.   Many of her tips consisted of how to get into the local media spotlight, as well as joining local organizations like the chamber of commerce, or becoming a guest speaker at local colleges or business groups.  We concluded the webinar with a great and answer session where Denise fielded individual questions from the audience.

Here at Total Party Planner, we have received excellent feedback from those in attendance and will host more events like this in the future.  We were thrilled with the opportunity to provide a valuable experience for our clients and others in the industry, one that everyone could take something away from to apply in their own company.

Denise Vivaldo is the founder of Food Fanatics, a catering, recipe-development, and food-styling firm based in Los Angeles, California. She is a product consultant, spokesperson, teacher, featured guest, culinary producer, and author of numerous books, including How to Start a Home-Based Catering Business featuring Total Party Planner.

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Posted On July 19, 2010 by Shannon Sullivan

Total Party Planner to Sponsor the Catersource Conference and Tradeshow

(7/19/2010) Total Party Planner is pleased to announce that we will once again be returning to the annual Catersource Conference and Tradeshow in Las Vegas as Crystal level sponsors!

Coming off of an extremely successful year at the 2010 tradeshow, Total Party Planner is very excited to have the opportunity once again to stay in front of the industry by sponsoring the event.  This will be our 7^th consecutive year returning to exhibit.

Onsite product demos will be available with a knowledgeable member of our staff to see the latest enhancements to the Total Party Planner program.

Each year, thousands of catering and event professionals, operators, industry leaders and suppliers gather at the conference and tradeshow to gain valuable education, network, and showcase products and services.

Stay tuned to our website and blog for more information as we get closer to the show.  We hope to see you in Vegas February 27 – March 3, 2011!

For more information about Catersource and the annual conference and tradeshow, visit them on the web at www.catersource.com.

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Posted On June 7, 2010 by Shannon Sullivan

News Release – Catering Software Translates into Big Gains in Time and Profits

(6/7/2010) Richmond, VA – If you’ve ever doubted how far technology and automation have brought catering in the last couple of decades, consider these statistics:

95% of users of the catering software Total Party Planner saved an average of 8 hours in their work week—that’s a whole work day!
80% of small businesses polled said that the transparency of being able to manage their P&L for each event down to individual menu items has literally saved them and gotten them through these tough economic times, as clients cut back on events.

Steve Binks of Tiddledybinks in Niagra Falls, NY, said he “up-sold more than 200 thousand dollars in event revenues because the software we are using is so easy that it allows us to focus on the customer—not the computer screen … [TPP is] a big part of our success.”

In other words, by automating client proposals, kitchen lists, and invoices, software is helping catering and hospitality professionals keep a better eye on their bottom line—and still have more time to build more personal relationships and events with their clients.

To be even more business friendly, TPP has just announced their partnership with the email marketing tool Constant Contact, making it even easier to stay in touch with current, past and potential clients, so you are always first on your clients’ mind, catering to their every need.

Catering software like Total Party Planner is enabling caterers, restaurant and hotel managers, night club owners, event planners, schools, and anyone who works in hospitality and food to do more for their clients in less time, while keeping better track of their profit margins on contracts, menus, or even individual menu items.

What makes TPP stand out is that their software is all inclusive—you pay a flat fee and get all the features. No paying extra for the really good stuff! And it’s the only catering software that’s accessible by mobile phone (including iPhones), meaning you can use it on the go to check details or close new events.

And they stay on the cutting edge. They use a state-of-the-art SAS 70 data center. They have the highest data encryption to ensure the security of all of your most personal client and business information. They are constantly making improvements (which are included in your purchase with no extra fee!), including interfacing with Constant Contact and QuickBooks Online. Upcoming upgrades include credit card processing and shopping carts.

TPP is made even easier to use with the free education they constantly offer for all clients, starting before you even purchase the software. There are free live demos with your free 30-day trial. “If you’re not using the software fully or at all, then you’re not going to see the amazing returns our other clients are getting. TPP is built for your catering success, and we’re here to support you being successful. If you’re not supported, we’re not doing our job,” says John Cohen Director of Operations.

They are so dedicated to the success and education of their clients that they will be hosting a series of upcoming webinars with industry professionals. Keep checking www.totalpartyplanner.com for more details, as they become available.

Total Party Planner is the total catering software package. Lisa Puteska with The City Catering Company sums up her experience this way:

Total Party Planner has been an indispensable tool for our business. We have been using your system since 2004 and in that time our business has doubled. This would not have been possible without TPP. Aside from the obvious uses as an interface between us and our clients, it has also aided us in menu planning, event planning and has been a terrific staffing tool. TPP has definitely helped us to become more organized and ensured that our team all has the same useful information … the coolest thing has been the ongoing and constant updates that you regularly make to your system. I have been so impressed with “your concern for my concerns”. It is clear to me that you guys have a ton of integrity and really care that you are putting out the best catering software product out there. And you are!

Software does seem to be the tool of choice for successful, busy hospitality workers and caterers, perhaps due in large part to its easy-to-track ROI and the high level of organization it brings to events. Having the right software that matches your business seamlessly saves time, saves money, and lets you focus on the important details instead of chasing paperwork.

For more information on how catering software that’s built for your catering success can make a profitable difference in your business, please visit www.totalpartyplanner.com or contact Total Party Planner at (866) 868-7526. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

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Posted On July 21, 2009 by Shannon Sullivan

Latest Poll Results Show Astounding Numbers

In a recent poll of all TPP users (desktop & web-based), we were astounded by the results of a time savings survey.  We posed the question:

How much total time do you save per week using Total Party Planner (as compared to your old method of managing events)?

36% of our user base stated they were saving up to 6 hours a week using Total Party Planner
26% were saving between 6 and 10 hours per week
19% were saving between 11 and 15 hours per week
19% were saving OVER 15 hours per week

What would you do with an entire day of EXTRA time on your hands per week? 64% of TPP users are finding out!  Three of those categories above is 1 DAY OR MOREof time savings!

In a tightening economy, our user community has expressed thanks for having the extra time over old methods of managing their companies.  One client was quoted as saying “I have more time now for marketing and development of the business. Some weeks I simply spend the extra time with my family.”

For more information on the time saving features and benefits of Total Party Planner, please visit www.totalpartyplanner.com .

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Posted On March 17, 2009 by Shannon Sullivan

Sysco Central PA adds Total Party Planner to iCARES Program

Sysco Central Pennsylvania has officially added Total Party Planner to their iCARE’s program!

On March 13th, the TPP sales team traveled to Harrisburg, PA to demonstrate Total Party Planner to the great team of Sysco Marketing Associates.  During the presentation, we focused mainly on the programs strength and flexibility in food costing and menu analysis.

On March 31st, the team travels back to Harrisburg as an iCARES vendor at the annual food show.  It will be at this show that the Sysco clients themselves will learn about both our desktop AND web-based applications. The MA’s noted how exciting it will be to bring their accounts over to show them the value, and time savings, that TPP will bring to their catering and banquet management businesses.

Total Party Planner is proud to expand our presence within the iCARE’s program.

To note : iCARE is a collection of value-added resources offered exclusively bySysco to it’s customers.  The philosophy of SYSCO’s program is about providing their customers with tools and services that will ensure the success of their operations.

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Posted On March 3, 2009 by Shannon Sullivan

New Program Design and Contact Manager a Huge Hit at Catersource!

The Catersource 2009 show was the perfect venue for the Total Party Planner team to unveil it’s new CRM functionality - along with an enhanced web-based program design!

With the new CRM utility, we showed companies how to stay organized and on top of things like never before. Create tasks and notes related to your clients, events, or both and set email reminders to keep you on track.  Quickly view ALL your notes and tasks through our new ‘Task Manager’.

People loved our new look!  The design team implemented some great new features to make the interface more attractive and even easier to use.   The new quick access options on the welcome page makes for fast and easy navigation.

Along with the new contact manager and enhanced design, the team demonstrated other great new additions to the program. One of them being the bulk emailing functionality. Both current and prospective clients agreed this would be a tremendous value for their businesses. Creating a detailed query to bulk email specific contacts for marketing initiatives enables you to achieve marketing goals faster, and better, than ever.

If you could not make it to the show this year, feel free to contact our sales team.  We will be happy to share with you everything that “Happened in Vegas”!

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Posted On February 12, 2009 by Shannon Sullivan

The Total Party Planner Team Wants to Meet You At Catersource 2009

Coming to the 2009 Catersource Conference and Tradeshow?  We are very excited to be exhibiting again for the 5th straight year!Whether you are a current customer or simply looking into software, the Total Party Planner team wants to see you!

Come watch a live personal demo of the software, network with other TPP users, get introduced to our cutting-edge new features, sign up for a FREE 15-day trial, or stop by just to say hi.

And while you’re at it…

Enter to win $500 towards a Total Party Planner web subscription!  Drop off your information at our booth to be entered into our drawing.  One lucky winner will win $500 towards a new or existing TPP web subscription!

Make sure to visit us at booth # 1659. Total Party Planner is excited and determined to make this our best tradeshow yet!

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Posted On January 4, 2009 by Shannon Sullivan

New Website Launched

The entire Total Party Planner team has always been dedicated to cutting edge design, innovation, and superior customer service. It quickly became apparent to the corporation that the old website was a far cry from reflecting that philosophy and dedication.

On Sunday January 4th, 2009, after months of development, Total Party Planner launches it’s new website. The enhanced design is now consistent with Total Party Planner’s reputation as the leader of the catering software industry.

Director of Operations John Cohen says, “Vastly improved navigation and new features such as the free video library, self registered training, and purchasing the software directly online makes for a better user experience.”

To see the new website, please visit www.totalpartyplanner.com.

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Posted On September 1, 2008 by Shannon Sullivan

Staff Members Added To Team

We are happy to announce that Susan Daughety and Michael Duncan have accepted positions with the expanding Total Party Planner team.

Susan joins our team as the newest Sales and Support Specialist.  Her main objective is to work closely with the Director of Sales & Support to ensure both our current clients, and prospective clients in trial, have a 100% positive experience when interacting with our team.  Susan’s impressive resume of customer service, marketing, and software knowledge clearly made her stand-out among the many candidates interviewed.

Susan can be reached at (804) 550-0505 ext. 115 or via email atSusan@totalpartyplanner.com.

Michael takes on the challenging role of web-based Application Developer.  Our interview team clearly saw that Michael would be the perfect addition to the cutting edge team when he ‘aced’ the application test – something not many candidates have been able to accomplish!

Michael can be reached at (804) 550-0505 ext. 113  or via email at michael@totalpartyplanner.com.

Welcome aboard Susan & Michael!

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