18 Sep, 2017

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in the Pocono Mountains is expanding its all-under-one-roof, beyond-expectations venue! Opening late 2019, 134,000 square feet of meeting and convention space, including a 38,000-square-foot ballroom and a 9,000-square-foot junior ballroom will join our state-of-the-art convention center, for a grand total of 234,000 square feet. Other new features include 39 total meeting spaces, enormous pre-function spaces, enhanced load-in and load-out capabilities, and

08 Aug, 2017

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in the Pocono Mountains has everything you need to make event planning effortless, and now there are even more reasons to plan your meeting with us: In late 2019, we will open an additional 134,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, bringing the total size of the convention facility to 234,000 square feet. The expansion boasts 39 total meeting spaces, two incredible ballrooms, an exclusive executive conference center for up to 400 guests, enormous prefunction

25 Jul, 2017

You may think I'm an alarmist, but really, I'm crazy-optimistic most of the time. Right now, though, I'm worried for our industry and the salespeople in it. Here are five reasons why the sellers' market you're enjoying is going to come to an end (and how you can prepare): 1) Political unpredictability. There's a crazy train in Washington DC, and it's barreling the hospitality industry toward disaster. Travel bans, laptop bans, challenges to NAFTA, and disruption to long-standing political

12 Jul, 2017

The first Baby Boomers have retired if they can afford it. Late arriving Baby Boomers are leaving the work force at an increasing rate. Gen X and Gen Y employees are in the middle of their careers being of college age around the turn of the century/millennia. So,  who are the employees now joining the job market in the greatest numbers? Correct. The Millennials. How do you attract the best talent available from the pool of Millennial individuals currently joining or rising in the corporate

14 Jun, 2017

Music, in its many forms, satisfies different needs for different people. For some meeting planners, it is a tool that we wield with precision and flair, and for some of us it is a mysterious artifact that we are completely at a loss for how to control (think “arc of the covenant”). This article will shed some light on how to use music as a collaborative tool without having to unravel the mysteries of the ages. It is reasonable to say that music has universal appeal. Also, research by

09 Jun, 2017

Forget “unlimited” vacation time; some companies have found that the only way to get employees to unplug is a vacation “minimum.” The importance and benefits of taking time off from work are well-documented. Without downtime, you and your team are likely less creative and more likely to burn out. But Americans just can’t seem to unplug. Between 2000 and 2014, the number of vacation days U.S. workers took declined steadily from a long-term average of 20.3 days to 16. And while the number of

08 May, 2017

Meeting and event planners are always trying to find new ways to add value to their events and better compete in the industry. More often than not, they’ll opt for bigger speakers, more technology, or some other gimmick that “wows” their audience but might not do much to increase the genuine value of the event for attendees. One solution which provides a clear value for attendees and vendors alike, is the inclusion of a hosted buyer program (sometimes known as a “supplier showcase”). If you’re

01 May, 2017

Our lives revolve around food. We see it on TV. We read about. We write about it. We fight about where it should come from and how it should be made. We create, bake and cook it. And, most importantly, we eat it. Having safe and healthy food to eat is a right, not a privilege. Eating is also a major life activity. It is a given to most. Something that we take for granted each and every day. However, there are millions of people who struggle with finding something safe and healthy to eat because

26 Apr, 2017

Traditionally, July and August are the slowest months for hiring. This also makes them the slowest months for “active” job search. This makes the summer months the perfect time to redirect your efforts to a “soft search”.  Here are some tips and action steps you may consider: Use the summer months to network.  Call industry colleagues, schedule 15 – 20 minute informational interviews.  Use this time to seek advice from those in the know on career direction, resume tweaks, etc. Take them to

24 Apr, 2017

I consider myself lucky to have spent 20+ years in a career I truly believe in, one that adds value to an organization by drawing upon our key strengths and knowledge of the hospitality industry to plan and execute meetings and events.   I firmly believe it is not just one person who makes a meeting or event happen, but rather a well led TEAM of dedicated, enthusiastic, talented individuals who come together to do what they do best to help organizations exceed program objectives and make them

24 Apr, 2017

For the most part of my career I have been either working for a corporation or owning my own business. In both worlds, I noticed the most important prerequisite for success is a positive attitude. A positive attitude in the workplace is the key ingredient. Whether you are an employee, manager or entrepreneur, you must have a positive attitude to deal with adversity, circumstances, co-workers or employees. A positive attitude is the basis for achieving the goals set by the company, owner or

10 Apr, 2017

Teambuilding Past … For many decades, teambuilding events have played an important role in developing and enhancing cohesive and functional groups within profit and nonprofit organizations.  From high ropes courses in rural and wooded areas, to city scavenger hunts in the largest metros around the globe, to ballrooms and meeting spaces in any hotel or conference center with an applicable space, team-building programs have established their place in the corporate world and beyond. Historically,

01 Apr, 2017

Benefits of Adding Compelling Video / Visual Technology to your Events As everyone knows, talking heads and basic PowerPoint presentations at meetings are almost extinct.   EVERYONE (not just Millennials) wants to be entertained and be brought personally into the meeting experience.  This has been proven to be most effective with carefully planned video pre-production and on-site live streaming.   You can make the once a year meeting live on for the entire year through the use of professional

28 Mar, 2017

Meeting Planners can create unique and memorable experiences for their attendees by taking advantage of the history surrounding their meeting venue. Connecticut is one state that has fascinating history and venues available for themed events, receptions, luncheons, dinners, and interactive events. Connecticut’s Historic Venues Make for Revolutionary Off-Site Events… Mark Twain “To us our house was not unsentient matter--it had a heart & a soul & eyes to see us with…” American author Mark

26 Mar, 2017

Every five years the CIC (Convention Industry Council) conducts a survey and review of what skills and knowledge are required for competency in the meeting and event profession. This is done by a survey of people in the industry asking them “What do you do…. now?” We know that most industries change and with them what people do and what they need to know. Based on the information they get back it is reviewed and put into context and an updated view is created. At that time the CMP framework,

Are you thinking of earning your CMP sometime in the next 5 years? Even vaguely thinking of it? Here is a step that will save you an amazing amount of time—a true strategic move! Go to the Convention Industry Council Website www.ConvenionIndustry.org and set up your CMP account. In the upper right hand corner, it will say “Log In”. Go to that page and if you do not have an account the instructions are there to create one. If you think you have made an account anytime in the past, log into that

20 Mar, 2017

You know you had a great conference or meeting when the relationships and ideas are hot long after the event is over. But at any event, you only have a short time to make your story “stick.” To maximize your return on investment and keep the momentum going, you have to be memorable. Powerful storytelling tools like virtual reality, augmented reality, and wearable technology can help you create a memorable experience for attendees. At Pixel Light Digital Media, we produce custom brand content

12 Mar, 2017

A national holiday that’s celebrated in more countries than any other, St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland was originally a day of religious feast. The celebratory day falls during Lent, which often meant abstaining from personal indulgences, but St. Patrick’s Day allowed for a break, and its since evolved to include a host of activities and events from live music to colourful parades in celebration of the nation’s patron saint. Ireland is steeped in a rich cultural heritage – it’s a land of saints

08 Mar, 2017

The Benefits of Holding your Meeting at a “Green” Hotel Holding a meeting at a “green” hotel can provide a unique experience for your attendees.  You can actually bring the beauty of nature inside. 1 Hotels, the mission-driven luxury lifestyle hotel brand, cultivates the best of eco-conscious design and sustainable architecture with extraordinary comfort and an unrivaled level of service. There are many benefits and opportunities to holding a meeting at a sustainability venue…   Organizations

27 Feb, 2017

How Technology Can Increase Your Event Sponsorship The event sponsorship game is changing and with technology at the top of every event prof’s agenda it’s essential to not only look at what event technology can do for us and our attendees, but what it can do for our sponsors too. Sponsors are looking for a clearer, more measurable ROI and in today’s high-distraction, digitalized world, attendees demand more immersive, experiential and innovative events, forcing us to look at audience engagement

20 Feb, 2017

Deciding on your Next Meeting Venue? Consider the Overall Offering of the City -  Subvention is only a Small Part of the Equation The saying goes that ‘money talks’ but in our industry, I don’t believe this should ring true.  With many cities now having access to similar subvention offerings, the overall offering of the city as a complete business events destination should be the key area of focus for meeting planners when deciding where to host their next meeting. The capability of the CVB and

16 Feb, 2017

The proven value of including décor elements and decorative displays at your meetings is that it creates a positive impact on the attendees’ overall experience.  Design elements ensure a meaningful connection and enhances relationships – just the kind of brand-building loyalty every planner and their client desires. We all know how much modern technology has changed our lives, so of course its effect on meeting and event décor is the same. And, it’s also allowed some visually complex,

13 Feb, 2017

A key challenge for event organizers is motivating the participants to invest their energy into the experience you have in store for them; to buy the ticket and take the ride. I was recently involved in organising ibtm world, and thought I’d share some tips on what I found to be most effective. If your aim is driving technology adoption at your events, try these 5 methods. 1.  Align event tech with the objectives of attendees and stakeholders The success of technology adoption depends upon

30 Jan, 2017

MGM GRAND DETROIT The Midwest’s Premier Destination Detroit, Michigan Plush accommodations, business facilities, lounges and restaurants create the Midwest’s premier meeting destination. Located in the heart of the Detroit entertainment district, MGM Grand Detroit is just 18 miles from Detroit’s Metropolitan Airport. MEETINGS BLUEPRINT: A multi-year recipient of the Pinnacle and Gold Key Award, MGM Grand Detroit specializes in everything from large events and trade shows to intimate black tie