NYC space rental can very tricky, and it’s definitely not a task for the faint hearted. There can be so many applications, conversations, and miscommunications that it feels near-impossible to find a great space rental. Your best tool against this is inquiry. Asking more questions gives you a chance to not only go over any possible disaster situations and prepare, but it also helps you find out information you may not have known otherwise. Lucas Hall, a contributor to Landlordology, says “While some renters ask the “right” questions, they often do not ask them in the most beneficial way. Since most of the pricing, location, and utility information will likely already be available in the NYC space rental ad, I think you should focus on extracting the information that a landlord doesn’t necessarily want to share.” And how do you do that? We’ve compiled a list of sample questions that can help you navigate this tricky subject.

Questions About
Money:
“Are there any deposits or non-refundable fees, and what are they for?”
“What payment methods do you accept?”*
“What’s your late fee policy? Do you offer grace periods?”

Facilities:
“What furnishings/appliances are included?”
“What is the situation with parking?”
“Are there handicapable exits?”

Miscellaneous:
“Are pets allowed?”
“Is there a guest policy?”
“How safe is the surrounding neighborhood?”

Of course, this isn’t an exhaustive list of questions you could ask all potential leasers, as there are a million more inquiries one could have about an NYC space rental. However, this should give you a good idea of the kinds of questions you should be asking, amenities to look for, and red flags to avoid. If you’re looking for more information on things like what documents to bring and other factors to consider, check out this article by Curbed New York for more!

Yesterday was Valentine’s Day, which means we ought to show lots of love in every way we can. It’s especially important today, and every day, to show love to the one thing that helps us all: the environment! We get warm sunshine, refreshing rain, and brisk snow from it, so the least we can do is give a little something back. We’ve gathered some tips and suggestions on how you can transform your private event space in NYC into a mean, green, waste-fighting machine!

Save on Printing
Between contracts, emails, and reports, most office spaces use a lot of paper on a daily basis. This is a big problem, because every year, Americans use 90 billion c of paper, or about 700 pounds per person. That’s a lot of trees! To combat this, make sure that you’re always printing paper on both sides, as well as using recycled paper. The combination of these two practices will save you a ton of money–and trees!

Green Your Lunch
Cut back on plastic waste by bringing your own lunch to work, rather than purchasing takeout. Using a reusable lunch bag and cutlery cuts back on the bag, napkin, and container trash that often comes with purchased meals. If you’d like to take it a step further, purchase fresh food and others goods from your local farmer’s market! Supporting locally grown food not only helps the environment, but it’s also a great way to find great food near your private event space in NYC.

Save Energy By Using It
Between the Early Bird getting a jumpstart on their day, and the Night Owl burning the midnight oil, the light bulbs in your private event space in NYC probably get a lot of use throughout the day. If they’re standard incandescent bulbs, see if you can change them for CFL or LED bulbs. Additionally, you can start an initiative to take the stairs, and encourage your fellow coworkers to do it as well. You can stay fit so you look good while you save the environment!

Want to go even further to help the environment? Check out this article from The Balance for even more information!

Everyone loves the main event, but very few see the hard work that goes into organizing food, music, and venues in NYC. There can be a thousand moving parts to an event, and it takes a lot of hard work and determination to execute it perfectly. Whether you’re planning a huge gala, company conference, or your next birthday party, these tips will help you succeed!

Keep an Events Binder
If you ask any event planner what their greatest weapon is, they’ll likely all say the same thing: The Binder. An events binder can be an exceptionally helpful tool when it comes to event planning. Binders are particularly crucial during the planning stage, because they give you a space to keep all of your ideas and plan for your event in one place. Binders also make following itineraries and cataloguing invoices easier! Having physical copies of important documents makes sure everyone is on the same page.

Use Organizing Software
You shouldn’t just rely on The Binder, however. As an event planner, you’re always on the go dealing with last minute crises, and you need to have all of your information at the ready. You don’t want to get to your venues in NYC and realize you’ve forgotten something important! Take advantage of free organizing software like Google Drive and Dropbox. On these sites, all you need is a username and password to be able to keep digital copies all of your important documents handy. 

Keep a Checklist
Checklists are great way to keep track of what’s been done, as well as stay on top of tasks that still need to be completed. Create a list for each facet of your events–food, staff, venues in NYC, etc.– and as you make each list, makeyou establish a solid foundation. Throwing an event can be fun, but it can quickly turn overwhelming if basic things like contracts haven’t been confirmed. Keeping a checklist ensures you stay organized!

Take at look at this article from QC Event School for more tips and tricks to stay on top of your event planning game!