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

30 Jan, 2017

When you want to plan an event that will leave everyone in awe, turn to the party professionals at Bowlmor and Bowlero, New Jersey’s leading venues for inventive corporate fun. Bowlmor Green Brook and Bowlero North Brunswick offer guests a modern spin on the traditional bowling experience, combining classic competition with modern luxuries, exceptional menus, and world-class laneside service. Conveniently located off Route 22 in Green Brook, Bowlmor’s immense setting raises the bar on every

30 Jan, 2017

As Event Professionals, we are always looking for creative concepts and new ideas for our attendees.  Have your attendees ever performed with the circus? Club Med, the brand that pioneered the all-inclusive concept over 60 years ago, and Cirque du Soleil, which reinvented circus arts and reshaped it into a groundbreaking entertainment company, partnered to create a unique concept in experiential travel with Club Med CREACTIVE by Cirque du Soleil. Attendees have the opportunity to learn many of

23 Jan, 2017

What is Brexit and how is it affecting the Meetings and Events Industry? The United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union in a nationwide referendum in June 2016. Now the negotiations begin; will the Government adopt a ‘hard Brexit’ in which Prime Minister Theresa May takes the tougher route and asks for trade privileges but no freedom of movement? Or will the UK politicians negotiate a ‘soft Brexit’ in which they accept that with free trade comes free movement. Certainly the EU member

23 Jan, 2017

In a recent study, the global value of business travel was estimated at having almost doubled in size since 2009, according to a Tourism Economics study.  Canada’s share of this lucrative sector is estimated at approximately $2.6 billion USD.  The global meetings marketplace continues to evolve. Each year new destinations that offer sophisticated new product for planner consideration join the already competitive landscape. Fortunately, Canada is well-regarded and well-positioned as a safe and

07 Jan, 2017

1. Your most important goals must be yours.   Not your spouse’s. Not your child’s. Not your employer’s. Yours. When you let other people determine your definition of success, you’re sabotaging your own future.   2. Your goals must mean something to you.   When you write down your goals, you must ask yourself, what’s really important to me? What am I prepared to give up to make this happen? Your reasons for charting a new course of action give you the drive and energy to get up every morning.

05 Jan, 2017

As an experiential marketer, nothing excites me more than innovation. Perhaps the buzzword of 2016, and sure to have staying power in 2017, innovation is what allows event professionals to continually up the ante on their productions. And in our industry that’s paramount – because just like the experiences we create, which are living entities, so too are the demands our clients face year after year.  Innovation allows us to reinvent tried and true event formats to best deliver on evolving client