Explore creative new ways planners are using F&B to boost virtual event engagement. Meet innovative F&B teams and learn about solutions they have developed for virtual events.
With everyone connecting digitally more than ever, attendees are looking for event experiences that offer more than just another video to watch. Event engagement is top of mind for planners and food and beverage has emerged as a surprising event enhancement to online experiences.
Shiloh recently hosted some of the innovators in event F&B who are helping planners bring unique f&b experiences to their virtual events. Watch the full video to hear interviews with our guests and see their demonstrations.
Guest Speakers
Patrick Hamilton is with Foxtail Catering, a full-service, event production house. They are known around the San Francisco Bay Area for their commitment to groundbreaking design, outstanding cuisine, and unparalleled service.
Info@foxtailcatering.com
Samantha Remboldt is the Founder of Fancy Sips, a virtual mixologist on a mission to empower people to be their own bartender.
sam@fancysips.com
Alex Sobal is Co-owner of Hedge Coffee a mobile and virtual-first coffee catering team from San Francisco that brings the experience of specialty coffee to your doorstep.
coffee@hedge.coffee
In addition to the questions answered in our live event planners who attended wanted to know:
What are these virtual food and beverage experiences like for attendees?
Foxtail
Currently, we are offering Cooking Demos/Classes in partnership with our Chef Demo partner, who hosts/moderates classes and creates dynamic environments that pair with our menu and kit offerings. These education courses range from knife skills, ‘mothersauces’, to how to toss a pizza and other awesome ‘chef tricks’ that guests can use from then on while cooking at home We are also filming Cocktail demo classes with our internal beverage department, so we can offer an educational component in a pre-recorded manner, which is more economical for smaller groups.
We initially did this (virtual demo/hosting component) ourselves, and recognized the importance of bringing in a production partner, such as Shiloh, who can coordinate and execute an event on a professional and polished level.
Fancy Sips
First, we’ll show guests how to use professional bar tools. We understand that not everyone has tools at home, so we’ll also show them how to use everyday kitchen items (like a mason jar or wood spoon) as well. Then, we’ll show guests how to prepare all of their ingredients. After that, we’ll make each cocktail from scratch. There’s plenty of interaction and time for Q+A at the end of class.
Hedge
Our goal is to keep people engaged! If everyone has a set of tools to brew coffee, we believe the experience is very engaging and informative.
How much time do you allow for shipping throughout the country?
Foxtail
We always deliver our kits the day before a meeting, so that we have extra time for our third party shipping partner to get something to a recipient. Generally we are using 3-day air because it has better insurance coverage should your recipients box be lost in transit. As it stands, we are averaging a 97% success rate of delivery from our team and UPS, though there have been issues. Best practice is to plan to have kits arrive early, and require that the recipients fill out their delivery information so you IE the host or client, isn’t responsible for chasing people down for correct information.We initially did this (virtual demo/hosting component) ourselves, and recognized the importance of bringing in a production partner, such as Shiloh, who can coordinate and execute an event on a professional and polished level.
Fancy Sips
Because of covid-related shopping delays, we ask for 3 weeks to ship goods. We can make magic happen in less time, but 3 weeks is much easier.
Hedge
If shipping across the country, we give ourselves at least a week. Shipping in the Bay Area on average takes two days.
How much lead time do you require from guests for these virtual engagements?
Foxtail
Generally we need all your recipient addresses and final counts 8 business days before your event, so 2 weeks lead time is pretty standard. We do have a “anytime anywhere” box that is shelf stable and already assembled, so we can drop ship up to 50 boxes within 4 days of an event, but rush shipping fees may apply based on recipient locations.
Fancy Sips
Our virtual classes are all booked online, so we don’t need much lead time (usually 7 days is fine). The kits have a short 3-week lead time but if the time slot is available for a mixology class, we can schedule it online with a few days lead time.
Hedge
Depends on the content of the box. Our virtual events don’t even require any boxes, but ideally, we want everyone to at least to have the same coffee. We roast all the coffee to order, so a week’s notice is required.
Is there a minimum quantity of boxes that can be sent?
Foxtail
Generally we have a 15 box minimum, but we also off an “anytime anywhere” box that we can do for any count, it just doesn’t offer as many customization options.
Fancy Sips
Our MOQ for kits is 10 boxes.
Hedge
We have no minimum! However, we wave a webinar fee ($200 for an hour) if 50 + coffee bags are ordered.
Does your shipping come with email notification? I would hate to get something that would sit for awhile or get snagged by porch pirates.
Foxtail
Yes, our shipping has tracking numbers with UPS and our delivery to the bay area has text/email notification, and we generally won’t leave until you receive your package. Bay area recipients will also get a heads up 2 business days before their delivery, with a 4 hour window to be home. We also offer insurance for our UPS shipped kits as well to help cover costs for packages lost by UPS.
Fancy Sips
We don’t send email notifications but that’s a great idea. We’ll look into adding that for 2021.
Hedge
Yes, we can provide tracking numbers.
Are you hosting these virtual events through zoom or are you utilizing any other platforms such as Instagram or Facebook or anything?
Foxtail
Currently, we are only offering our boxes as an asset to your meeting or event, rather than as a full production partner. We have our product used in events on Facebook Live, Webex, Zoom, Google Meet, and all manner of platforms. A great thing about our product is the versatility of applications, as it is all in the messaging!
Fancy Sips
We offer a private Zoom room for our mixology classes, but we can always use a customer’s Hangouts, Teams, Webex, or other meeting software.
Hedge
We are offering events through Zoom.
Do you print the branded menus/stickers in-house or do you outsource?
Foxtail
We use a printing operation in the bay area to do all of our menus, stickers and custom swag. We do virtual mocks for all of our events, and have a tiered system of charging based on the complexity of the customization.
Fancy Sips
We design all marketing materials in house and use a 3rd party to print (for the highest quality).
Hedge
We design graphics in-house but outsource the production.
I would love to learn more about the holiday theme kits.
Foxtail
2020 Holiday content should be live on our website starting in September. Please contact us directly with any other needs in the meantime. Boxes will feature a mixture of sweet and savory food, a Mocktail themed to each box, portioned to serve two guests. Additionally, there will be thematic party favors and entry branding for your company to relay where the gift came from, and a note to recipients are included in this entry package. All kits are available for nationwide shipping, and we are also able to develop custom kits for groups over 100 recipients Holiday party boxes start at $130.00 per guest pre tax.
Need help creating a unique attendee engagement plan for your virtual event?
Contact Shiloh to get started today.
408-899-5464
events@shiloh-events.com
