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Avtar Singh Dhillon – Rebel With a Cause

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True to the form of his riding predecessors, Avtar Singh Dhillon took a stand for his beliefs and transformed British Columbia laws in the process.

Dhillon emigrated to Canada in 1970 and, as a baptized Sikh, stood out in crowds thanks to his traditional turban and beard – signs of the Sikh faithful. Throughout his early tenure in Canada, Dhillon was challenged many times, bouncing from job to job due to his inability to adhere to safety codes. As a practicing Sikh, Dhillon is forbidden to remove his turban and thus could not wear hardhats at construction sites, limiting his ability to work to only low paying jobs while trying to provide for his family.

Dhillon could also not ride since a motorcycle helmet cannot fit over a turban either. After feeling the freedom and thrilling exhilaration of riding in his home state of Punjab, Dhillon attempted numerous times over the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s to obtain a BC motorcycle license but was turned away each time for a lack of a helmet. During this time, Dhillon petitioned to the government but was ultimately unsuccessful.

Finally, in 1995 Dhillon filed a complaint with the BC Human Right’s Commission and, backed by the support of the Sikh community and the British government (who had allowed turbaned Sikh riders to enjoy the open road since 1976), Dhillon challenged the BC Ministry of Transportation and Highways.

The hearing took place March 18-20, 1997 at the Vancouver Art Gallery and generated a lot of interest from the community in general, the Sikh community specifically and members of the Vancouver and Surrey Senior Centers. In the end, the Human Rights Tribunal ordered the Government of BC to amend the motorcycle helmet law to accommodate for Sikh’s wearing a turban. This significant victory lead to the amendment of the Motor Vehicle Act by the Provincial Government, accepted on July 19, 1999.

Due to his tireless efforts, determination and Sikh faith, Mr. Dhillon not only changed the laws of our land but also changed the way we see riders today. Members of the BC Chapter of the Sikh Motorcycle Club can be seen on the streets today proudly riding the streets, with their faith intact. After 30 years of perseverance and dedication Avtar Singh Dhillon stands as a great example of one man making a change because of what he believes in.

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A Brief History on Hill-Climb Motorcycles

Harley Hill Climber DAH
hill climber HD
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Many argue that motorcycle hill-climbing got its start in the early 1900’s thanks to Indian Motorcycles. Taking a motorcycle from the bottom of a steep hill, up and over, was a way to prove the power and strength of that motorcycle, and it was the method used by Indian to show off their latest models. These displays were often done at some of the steepest hills in Springfield, Massachusetts and eventually drew a crowd. Soon enough it became a sport for thrill seekers, and motorcycle companies began manufacturing hill-climb-specific models to meet the growing market of racers. Triumph began competing in 1905, with Harley Davidson joining the races five years later. The sport and the specific bike models both thrived together, with racing creating a demand, and new hill-climb models drawing in new racers.

hill-climb harley davidson

The 1920’s saw the biggest boom of the sport, with more and more competitors in hill-climb races and more motorcycle companies manufacturing hill-climbers. The sport was particularly popular in Southern Orange County, with its ideal terrain. Unfortunately the sport’s popularity did begin to wane, especially with the rise and prominence of other forms of racing, like flat track. The sport almost died out altogether until 2008, when the Daytona Motorsport Group took over from AMA, creating a 21st century resurgence in hill climbing popularity.

As part of our commemoration of unique bikes over the past 100 years, The Deeley Motorcycle Exhibition has on display a 1930 Harley Davidson Hill-climber. One of only thirty built, this unique bike was first introduced by Harley Davidson in 1929, during the height of hill-climbing popularity. This DAH with its overhead valve v-twin engine produces over 60 horsepower. First bought from the factory by Fred Deeley Jr, the bike was later gifted to Trev Deeley who had considerable success at hill-climb events throughout the Pacific Northwest.

hill-climb modern day

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A Brief History of BSA

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Coming out this month is the fourth season of the hit BBC show Peaky Blinders. The show takes place in Birmingham, England after the First World War and follows a gang through all their debaucherous endeavors. One of which, featured in the first season, was the accidental stealing of arms from a BSA factory. Not many know of the military sector of the Birmingham Small Arms Company, but many do know the name through their history in manufacturing British Motorcycles.

Many of BSA’s factories were situated in Birmingham, also known as the workshop of the world. The company manufactured just about everything from military and sporting firearms, to bicycles, to cars, to tools, and of course to motorcycles. The first motorcycle officially manufactured by BSA was the 3 ½ H.P. Built in 1910, this bike was first displayed to the public at the 1910 Olympia Show in London, with the bike being made available for the 1911 season. Needless to say, this unique bike led to entire production being sold out.

As the brands motorcycle division grew, the company began to market their bikes as affordable and easily handled by beginners. Additionally, reliability, availability of spares, and dealer support were emphasized. A majority of BSA motorcycles were used for commuting; the models having a mixture of side valve and OHV engines. However, BSA made a push to have their motorcycles recognized in the racing realm as well. In 1954, in an attempt to improve U.S. sales, BSA entered a team of riders in the 200-mile Daytona beach race. In the end, they won 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th.

At its peak, BSA’s motorcycle division was the largest motorcycle producer in the world, owning smaller motorcycle companies such as Triumph, Ariel, and Sunbeam & New Hudson. Unfortunately, the company did not take seriously oncoming competition from the Japanese motorcycle companies. With Honda overtaking the company in 1959, BSA saw a dramatic decline in the 1950’s and 1960’s in sales. Inability to foresee Japanese competition and poor management led to the downfall of the company’s motorcycle division in the 1970’s. In 1972 there was a last-ditch effort to save the company by combining it with Norton-Villiers and Triumph, but that plan failed, with the last official BSA motorcycle being produced in 1973.

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Preparing Your Bike for Winter Storage

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As the days get shorter and the nights get longer; as the leaves turn to orange and you dust off your coats, it’s time to start thinking about preparing your bike for winter storage. Of course there may be a few more months of good riding left, but these days, the weather is unpredictable. It’s a tough call to make when to tuck her away, but when you’re ready, here is a checklist for prepping your bike for storage.

  • Wash your bike
  • Wash thoroughly, making sure to dry the bike very well after. Don’t forget to lube the chain and wax any chrome afterwards as well.
  • Remove and clean the spark plugs, change them out if necessary
  • Change the oil – This helps to ensure your bike is ride ready come spring.
  • Fill the gas tank – This helps prevent rust from forming inside the tank
  • Remove the battery and connect it to a charger – This maintains the battery life through long periods of inactivity
  • Make sure to store the battery in a clean and dry place away from any heat sources or chemicals
  • Cover the exhaust pipes – This prevents moisture from collecting inside, as well as keeping out any curious critters
  • Find a dry storage location and cover up the bike
And lastly,
Sigh with longing for the spring when you can ride again!

 

 

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10 Things to Keep In Mind While Planning Your Corporate Event

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Organizing a seminar, conference, brand promotion, or the launch of a product is not a cake walk. In such a situation, paying attention to the minute details is very important to make an impact on the customer or other corporate houses. This article aims to acquaint you with the know-how of planning a corporate event.

The devil resides in details they say, and it is this devil you need to cater to when planning a corporate event. Such an event, unlike an informal event, needs a lot of prior planning and proper execution to avoid losing out on customers. This means, one has to begin ahead of time and get everything in order before the D-day approaches. Well, that is a whole lot of work at hand for the one planning the event to make it a success.

The success of a seminar, conference, or even a customer appreciation day depends on the details. As a planner, the responsibility of making it a memorable event depends wholly on you and your proper execution. These are the following points you need to bear in mind.

1. DECIDE ON THE THEME

The most important point to be taken into consideration when planning an event is to decide on the theme. This just means that you need to first conceptualize your idea. You also need to bear in mind the targeted audience for the particular event. Based on these two main aspects, i.e., the audience and the theme, you need to plan and accordingly execute the corporate event.

2. CROSS-CHECK THE CALENDAR

To make an event successful, ensure you cross-check the calendar to rule out any clashes with other events. For a better turnout for your event, assure that your guests are not preoccupied with another event. Collaborate the event in such a way that it does not hamper your guests’ routine; rather make it convenient for them to remember your event. Take care that it does not clash with a holiday or festive celebration when the turnout for your event is sure to dwindle.

3. VIEW POSSIBLE LOCATIONS

After drawing a rough estimate of the number of people you expect at your event, venture out to hunt for the possible locations. Make it a point to discuss the cost pertaining to room rentals, the number of hours you can have access to it, and the added benefits of the place in question. Do make sure to visit a couple of places and talk to a handful of competitors to get the best deal for the event. Also, see to it that you book the caterers, bartenders, and security beforehand.

4. BOOK THE SPEAKERS

Book your key speakers, guests of honor, and other important people well in advance. Doing this will ensure that you are not let down at the eleventh hour, and your guests are not left hanging in thin air. Besides, those attending the event would benefit from knowing who would be addressing a particular subject, thereby, increasing the turnout if the speaker is well-known.

5. ADVERTISE

Once you have your location and guest list ready, make it a point to advertise your event. Send out the invitations, reach out to your guests and the media if need be, and book them in advance. Getting your audience interested in the event beforehand is of utmost importance to have a good turnout.

6. GET SPONSORS

Sponsors are an important part of any event―they not only fund the event, but are also crucial for the success of the event. Treat your sponsors like royalty, and at the same time, be sure of what you want from them and of what they can expect from the event.

7. DELEGATE RESPONSIBILITIES

It pays to know your resources well, and it will only help you delegate the responsibilities well in advance. Remember, it is always best to have designated people to do respective jobs rather than taking it all on your shoulders. Distribute the work evenly, and keep backups just in case there is a last-minute slag. Most importantly, collaborate the event with them at all times.

8. REGISTRATION

The only means to generate revenue for your event is to set up a registration fee. Ensure you have enough registration forms sent out along with the invitation cards. It will help collect data that’s necessary for marketing and promotional activities after the event. Make sure you have incentives ready for the early birds who register. You can set up a site for online registration to have an idea of the turnout. Giving discounts to those who have participated in earlier events is sure to attract and keep the customer satisfied. If possible, keep a counter at the entrance for last-minute registrations.

9. BADGES

A corporate event requires the attendees to sport badges. Hand out customized badges to everyone who is attending your event. Make sure to keep extra badges just in case you need them on the day of the event.

10. D-DAY MANAGEMENT

A day prior to the event, make sure you have everything in place. You could visit the venue a couple of hours prior to the event and check the sound and light system. Ensure that the arrangements are proper and everything is looked into. Handing out programmed brochures to the guests is sure to make the event seem more organized. Remember, the first impression is sure to leave a lasting impact on your guests. To do this, you would have to ensure that the entry management is efficient and well-organized.

Last but not the least, ensure there are no snags and delays in your event that will put off your guests. Also, remember to place your guests’ safety and satisfaction at the helm of all your efforts. By keeping all these things in mind, you are certain to leave your guests with a smile, which will translate your event into a huge success!

 

 

 

Thanks to Buzzle for “10 Things to Keep In Mind While Planning Your Corporate Event”

 

 

 

 

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Bringing Honda to Canada

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Many know Trev Deeley through his connection to Harley Davidson and the legacy he brought to the company by being the first distributor of the Milwaukee company in Canada, but not many know that he was also the first distributor of Honda motorcycles in the English-speaking world. In 1957, four years after being appointed general manager of Fred Deeley Motorcycles, Trev came upon an article about a U.S. soldier who had fought in Japan who brought back with him a 250 cc motorcycle made by the Honda Motor Company in Tokyo.

Intrigued, Trev sent a letter to the president of the Honda Motor Company indicating that British Columbia and Japan shared some similarities which could make for a profitable market for the company. This led to a correspondence with the company that resulted in Honda sending Trev a free 250 cc Honda Dream. Regardless of struggling to convince Fred Sr. and Jr., Trev was impressed with the craftsmanship and performance of the bike and became the first distributor of Hondas in the English-speaking world, primarily ordering 50 cc Honda Cubs.

With the Deeley Motorcycle Exhibition’s new exhibit “100 Years of Motorcycling”, we hoped to highlight motorcycles that have made some sort of mark over time, and both the 1960 Honda Dream and the 1963 Honda Super Cub are glowing examples, being the first two models of a Honda Motorcycle  tested and distributed by Trev Deeley to an English-speaking market.

Although the 1960 Honda Dream holds significance for being one of the first models of Honda motorcycles to come to the Western world, the Honda Super Cub, which Trev first began distributing, has made great strides, becoming the most produced motor vehicle in history with production passing 100 million units in 2017.

Come check out these incredible bikes and learn a deeper history at the Deeley Motorcycle Exhibition’s newly installed display, “100 Years of Motorcycling”!

 

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100 Years Later

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July 2 marks the 1950 grand opening of the East Broadway location of Fred Deeley Ltd. Previously located on West Broadway, Fred Deeley Limited actually got its start all the way back in 1914 with the opening of “Fred Deeley, The Cycle Man,” on 1075 Granville Street. Continuing the same business he had in England, Fred Deeley initially sold bicycles before starting the sale of motorcycles in 1916 with imported BSA’s. Before long, motorcycle business was booming and the sale of motorcycles and bicycles were separated, with a distinct motorcycle shop opening on West Broadway run by Fred Deeley Jr. It wasn’t long until a young Trev Deeley joined the team in 1935 as a mechanic, eventually becoming an integral member of the team. It was Trev’s decision to move the shop’s location in 1950 to its iconic spot at 606 East Broadway.

The Deeley family name has not only been influential in Canadian motorcycle history, but also holds great significance in the history of Vancouver. A racer, a collector, and a philanthropist, Trev Deeley’s distinguished personal collection of motorcycles can be appreciated at the Deeley Motorcycle Exhibition.

2017 marks 100 years since the Deeley family placed their faith in an almost unknown motorcycle company from Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Harley Davidson, thus becoming the first distributor of the brand in Canada. To celebrate such a milestone and the evolution of other motorcycle brands throughout the past 100 years, the Deeley Exhibition will be opening its new exhibit, “100 Years if Motorcycling,” on July 5 2017 and we cordially invite you to stop by. With all types of brands and models, there is something for everyone!

 

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Yes, Motorcycle Chariot Racing Is a Thing

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Mirrored after ancient Roman chariot races (the kind that tripped horses and sent men flying into the path of oncoming hooves as in Ben Hur), motorcycle chariot races followed the same principle, and the same level of danger and thrill. The sport of motorcycle chariot racing caught on during the 1920s and reached their peak in the 1930s. It’s not quite clear where the sport began: Australia, New Zealand, America, and parts of Europe all claim to have been founders, however an article from the United States in 1922 is the first real record about motorcycle chariot racing.

The first records of the sport indicate that only one motorcycle was being used, often carrying a chariot constructed from large wine barrels. However, the sport since grew in popularity and the amount of motorcycles pulling the chariot grew as well: four motorcycles appearing to be the pinnacle. Early versions of motorcycle chariot races included riders on the motorcycles themselves, simply pulling along the chariot which features a rider dressed in finery befitting the Roman Empire.

However, a majority of the sports’ brief history did not include a rider, with the charioteer driving the motorcycles themselves. This was done using a couple of methods: One method saw the charioteer using a leather chord as reigns which was attached to each individual motorcycles throttle, controlling both motorcycles simultaneously and at different speeds if need be. Other designs included rigid extensions that came off the handlebars, only allowing the rider to go forward in one gear, with the issue of braking unaddressed.

Although motorcycle chariot racing eventually died out in popularity, there are still some enthusiasts around trying to keep the sport alive, even using choppers as their steel horses.

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Featured Female Rider – Anke-Eve Goldmann

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A fashion icon, a racer, a journalist, and a writer, Anke-Eve Goldmann was a pioneer for female motorcyclists, both in Germany and in the United States. In most images, the over-6-foot, dark haired German beauty can be seen riding atop a BMW R69, at the time the fastest Bavarian flat-twin roadster, sporting a leather cat-suit. Although she was never officially sponsored by BMW she almost solely rode bikes produced by the company, displaying the flashy letters of BMW on her classic pudding basin helmet. Her riding gear was designed by herself, with the help of the German manufacturing company Harro, winning her the title of the first woman to wear a once-piece leather racing suit, and aiding female riding fashion in the process, as her designs were approved for public distribution.

 

Goldmann was often ridiculed and barred from racing due to her sex but that didn’t stop her from competing wherever she could. She participated in speed circuits and endurance races, with her modified for speed BMWs. Unfortunately, she was barred from competing at higher levels or in Grand Prix’s, possibly driving her to help found the Women’s International Motorcyclists Association in Europe in the late 1950’s.

Her passion for racing fueled her journalism career, with articles written for motorcycle magazines such as Cycle World, Moto Revue, and MotorRad. Most notably, Goldmann broke social taboos of the time by crossing into East Germany in 1962 while the Berlin wall was under construction, to document soviet women’s racing. Cold war tensions stopped articles written during this time from being published in European magazines, but they were accepted in American magazines, despite the growing tension of the Cold War Era. Rumor has it that due to her connections and mobility in East Germany, Anke-Eve was approached by the CIA to be a spy, but she refused and stopped traveling to the Soviet Union.

Goldmann’s fast paced and fashionable persona became the influence for André Pieyre de Mandiargues 1963 novel, The Motorcycle. The novel later was adapted into the 1968 cult classic The Girl on a Motorcycle.

Although Anke-Eve stopped riding following the death of a close friend from a riding accident and has stayed out of the public eye since, her legacy lives on through riding fashion, equality, and film.

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You’re Charging Me What?

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Your company has tasked you with finding a unique venue for a new product launch or business meeting.  You have a budget.  You have a few event venues in mind.  But before you call venues for information, make sure you know all the elements your event will need.  While the venue and catering costs are usually the largest part of any budget, many overlook the other, expected professional services required for putting an event together.  Make sure when you call a prospective venue, you ask what services are available and what are the costs so you can avoid any surprise cost overruns!

  1. Set up fees

Depending on the venue and depending on your set up requirement, there may be additional labour or rental charges billed for room set up.  Some events set ups take 4 hours or even more.  If this is required the day before or even the day of, this will require the venue to be available to you, which costs the facility either lost business opportunities or overtime labour charges.  The duration of a meeting or event does not start when guests arrive and leave. . . Be realistic about how much time your event needs, from the load in to the tear down, and ask the venue what they charge.

  1. A/V

Depending on the level of your speaker’s requirements, A/V can be as simple and inexpensive as using your company’s portable projector or can run thousands of dollar if you need to hire a professional A/V company to set up, run and tear down your presentation.  Sometimes a venue will have high quality, built in A/V.  Determine what your expectations will be – a portable projector may work for a small, internal meeting but for a larger meeting or event, a more robust, high quality, professional set up is expected.  Don’t underestimate the costs for A/V.

  1. WiFi

In this connected world, access to WiFi is an expectation of guests but free W-Fi is never good and good WiFi is never free!  Ask your special events venue if there is an extra charge for WiFi.  If free WiFi is available, make sure it will meet the needs of your meeting.  If your presenters require the internet to show content, free WiFi may not be sufficient.  Always make sure what you need and expect.

  1. Labour

Unless you have a team of volunteers, labour is not free – not for your company and not for the venue.  Determine what assistance you will need to plan, set up, execute and tear down your event if you are managing it yourself.  If you require assistance with your event, expect that there will be labour charges and staff appropriately before your event.  Never underestimate how much help you will need – not having adequate coverage on the day of your event will be either very stressful for you or may impact the success of your event.

  1. Parking

If parking is not free, what will that cost your company or how will it impact the success of your event?  If you are hosting a company meeting and bringing employees to a central location, will employees expense their mileage and parking to the company?  If you are selling tickets for a training seminar, will a high cost of parking impact registration?  If you are hosting a reception to clients, will paying for parking impact their decision to attend?

 

If you are hosting your meeting in downtown Vancouver, be ready to pay for parking in one form or other.  In fact, if your company is paying for parking expenses, the cost of the parking can often exceed the cost of the venue.  This overlooked expense is typically not included in a meeting planner’s budget but is nevertheless part of the total cost.

Remember, in most venues, the fee for rental space is just for space.  Don’t make the mistake of expecting that all the elements you need will automatically be included in the venue rate.  Also, budget realistically . . . both with your time and money.  Venue and F&B selection may be the easiest elements to decide when planning an event. . . don’t underestimate the resource and staffing requirements for a successful execution.

If you are looking for a central Vancouver or Burnaby event venue with free parking and reasonable WiFi and AV costs, call the Deeley Exhibition for your free site visit at 604.909.6234

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RECAP: The 3rd Annual Vancouver Vintage Motorcycle Show & Shine 2016

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On Sunday June 26th, the Deeley Exhibition presented its third annual Vancouver Vintage Motorcycle Show and Shine. The event was blessed with fantastic weather and well attended with over 60 registered motorcyclists including collectors, builders, vintage motorcycle clubs members and those enthusiasts who just love riding old bikes.  With over 150 people in attendance, riders and non-riders alike got to view some amazing motorcycles while grabbing a delicious bite to eat off the Grill.

This year we saw a few more choppers and customs along with mint old stockers, and some very unique builds, most notably Paul Brodie’s Excelsior board tracker. Built entirely by hand, Brodie’s beautiful Board Track replica was a work of art.  If you’re into vintage bikes or frame building, you’ll want to check out Paul’s website http://flashbackfab.com/.  It offers a wealth of information along with some great stories.1919 Excelsior Boardtrack Racer

The event was attended by a good grouping of Indian motorcycle enthusiasts, including a couple of fully decked out Chiefs on show. Back again this year was a particularly uncommon vehicle – a 1934 Harding Deluxe Model B invalid carriage – brought out by Dave Liversidge. This type of motorized tricycle wheelchair (it can either be driven with the hand pedals or the Villiers motorcycle engine) was given to injured veterans by the British government after WWII. Finding one in any condition today is a rarity, especially a well restored, running version!

As we do every year, the Deeley Exhibition brought out a few rarely seen motorcycles from storage to display including the very unusual ‘Norton’ motorcycle powered by an NSU car engine, a rare Harley-Davidson rotary engine military bike, an early Honda Goldwing, and a 1948 Velocette Mac.

Other standouts this year were a Paul Smart Ducati racer, a Kawasaki H1 and a 1935 Harley-Davidson with side car. The Harley with the sidecar was a cool runner with perfect patina – A few lucky people even got a chance to get a ride around the parking lot in it!   With so many great bikes and particular stand outs on display, there were many favorites to choose from!H-D with sidecarCrowd shot-PS-cropped and colour corrected

We look forward seeing what amazing motorcycles come our way at our 2017 Show & Shine and constantly seek to improve our community event. . . If you have any feedback about this Show and Shine, be on our e-mail or call list for next year or would like to share your ideas with us, please email us at info@deeleyexhibition.ca

We look forward to seeing you at Vancouver Vintage Motorcycle Show & Shine 2017!

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Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free & Vegetarian – How to Plan for Special Diets

A table filled with platters of food, champagne flutes filled and guests mingling in the background.
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Diet restrictions and food allergies are increasingly common as people are becoming more aware and health conscious. Figuring out an event menu can turn into a major obstacle for a lot of event planners. You need to be prepared for all of the special diets that you might be faced with.

Follow our guide on how to plan for special diets.

Planning Ahead

Know the basics

Before you decide on a caterer or build out your menu, get to know some of the basic diets restrictions that are out there. Although there are many different types of sensitivities, the main diet restrictions to consider before selecting a menu can be gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and vegetarian. Consideration should also be made for religious diets such as Kosher or halal, as well as common allergies such as nuts and shellfish.

Types of Diets

  •      Gluten-free – A diet that excludes the protein gluten. Gluten is found in grains such as wheat, barley, rye, and a cross between wheat and rye called triticale.
  •      Dairy-free is a diet that is free from milk-based ingredients.
  •      Vegan is a diet where one does not eat or use animal products.
  •      Vegetarian is a diet where one does not eat meat, and sometimes other animal products. Some vegetarians eat eggs and fish, so it’s important to clarify how strict they are.

What to expect

With the growing popularity if some of these diets, always expect and plan for some kind of restriction. Around 10-25 percent of any group may have some limitations on what they can eat, so make sure you take that into account before committing to anything.

Ask

Remember to ask the group during registration. This can easily be done in the invitation; that way you will know what to watch out for, and can plan accordingly.   Make sure that all special request meals are submitted to the caterer at least one week before the event.  If a guest makes a special request and decides that they wish to eat something they did not order, their choice may impact other guests.

Sensitivity vs preference

Guests often provide special requests based on their eating preference rather than an actual allergy.  If a guest provides a complicated food request or substitutions, you may want to inquire if the guest has a food allergy or a dietary preference.   Caterers and chefs are very careful that their food offerings will not cause a guest to become ill.  For special orders, they are often prepared in special sanitized areas to avoid any cross contamination (ie. Nuts, gluten).  Special requests may be subject to additional charges due to the product and labour costs related to ensuring the request is executed properly.  To avoid adding costs to your F&B, it may be prudent to ask such guests what they can eat and have the chef provide alternate options that will satisfy the needs of the attendee.

Selecting a Menu

Stick with simple

The more guests you have could mean the more restrictions you will encounter. Keep the menu simple and select a variety of menu options to accommodate everyone, rather than providing a separate meal to everyone with a special diet. Weigh your options and keep it as simple as you can, only providing a separate restricted meal option if it’s easier or better for your event budget.

Ensure flavour

Be open, and test out the special dishes. One of the biggest complaints is that the special meals tend to lack in flavour.

Ask for recommendations

If you’re having trouble with any of your guests’ restrictions, be sure to ask the chef or even ask the guest for assistance. If their request is overly restrictive, ask them what meals they tend to eat and try to make a plan around that.

Just in Case

There are so many things that are going on during the day of your event. In order to avoid any issues that might come up, remember to:

  •      Label everything – By labeling things GF (gluten-free) or V (Vegetarian) you will save your guests from having to play the guessing game, or being asked the same question ten times over.
  •      Have the ingredient lists on hand – Knowing what is in everything will stop you from running around looking for the chef when guests have questions.
  •    Have a backup  – Calculate a safety net. Sometimes people forget to voice a restriction, or someone might favour a meal that wasn’t intended for them. Moreover, you may have a guest that requested a special meal only to decide to eat the “normal” menu.  You may want to order additional portions to ensure that all guests are satisfied, regardless of their ultimate choice.

Here at Deeley Exhibition we work with our vendors to be as accommodating as possible. To learn more about our catering options, give us a call. We are experienced, professional, and happy to provide assistance in planning your private or corporate events.

fine dining event venue with draped tables and professional servers holding platters

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