According to a new survey from Worktopia, corporate meeting planners are cautiously optimistic about the market for small meetings in 2010.
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Mimegasite - Recent News
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Survey: Economy Motivates Rise in Virtual Meetings, Strategic Meetings Management
1 Jul 2009 | 5:00 pm -
Marriott, Starwood Hotels to Install Telepresence Tech
1 Jul 2009 | 5:00 pmMarriott International and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide have announced separate plans to introduce Cisco's telepresence remote conferencing technology to several properties this year. -
Podcast: Challenges and Opportunities for the Hospitality Industry
30 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pmBjorn Hanson, clinical associate professor of the Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism and Sports Management at the School of Continuing and Professional Studies at New York University, discusses strategies for new hotel brands, the lodging industry's response to consumers' new frugality and when things will start getting better for the industry. -
MPI Launches Virtual Access Pass for WEC
30 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pmMeeting planners who cannot attend MPI's World Education Congress this month will be able to access conference content virtually for a limited time by purchasing a Virtual Access Pass. -
J.D. Power: Airline Customer Satisfaction Falls
30 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pmAirline customer satisfaction has fallen to its lowest level in four years, according to a J.D. Power and Associates survey on North American carriers.
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Mimegasite - Featured Articles
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Omni Refunding Cancellation, Attrition Fees If Space Resold
1 Jul 2009 | 5:00 pmOmni Hotels in May launched a meetings contracting initiative that makes a resell clause automatic to meeting buyers and a policy of quicker sales team response to meeting requests for proposals. -
Team-Building Charitable Activity Adds To Meeting ROI
30 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pmPremium Event Services president Michelle Yurcak this year designed events tying team building to charity. -
Melbourne Debuts New Convention Center
29 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pmMelbourne, Australia, opened its new convention center on June 22, a project that features 32 meeting rooms, a grand ballroom, a 5,000-seat plenary hall and an entry-level foyer equipped to hold up to 8,400 visitors. -
Viewpoint: Industry Should Hold Itself to a Higher Ethical Standard
28 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pmJoan Eisenstodt of Eisenstodt Associates discusses fair business practices in a down economy. -
On Site: Crowne Plaza Times Square
28 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pmWriter Corrie Dosh recounts her recent stay at New York's new Crowne Plaza hotel in Times Square.
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Meetings Podcast
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Extra! Interview with Vicki Hawarden Vice President of Knowledge & Events at Meeting Professionals International #wec
30 Jun 2009 | 10:29 pmThe Meeting Planners podcast source for what’s new and exciting in meetings and events industry! Mike McAllen of Grass Shack Events Media http://www.grassshackroad.com/ Mike McAllen interviews Vicki Hawarden? Vice President of Knowledge Management with Meeting Professionals International about the upcoming World education Conference in Salt Lake City Utah They discuss the - -Exciting new initiatives/programs at [...] -
Extra! Jon Gets Ready for the #WEC!
24 Jun 2009 | 9:33 amJon gets some new recording gear and sends out this MPI WEC teaser! -
Extra! Interview With David Shenberg of BusyEvent.com
22 Jun 2009 | 8:48 pmThe Meeting Planners podcast source for what’s new and exciting in meetings and events industry! Mike McAllen of Grass Shack Events & Media Interviews Please leave us a question or comment, which we will try to address on the show ASAP! Email us at meetings podcast@gmail.com or here on the MeetingsPodcast site. www.MeetingsPodcast.com Music by the http://www.delgadobrothers.com/ Audio mixing [...] -
Extract sound files from PowerPoint
18 Jun 2009 | 2:25 pmExtract sound files from PowerPoint Listen to this article. Powered by Odiogo.com Do you want to extract sound files from PowerPoint? -
Meetings Podcast Show 43- Mike McAllen talks Top 10 Mobile Applications for Meetings & Events
18 Jun 2009 | 2:00 pmThe Meeting Planners podcast source for what’s new and exciting in meetings and events industry! Mike McAllen of Grass Shack Events Media talks about some nifty mobile applications for your phone for meeting planners and production peeps! Easiest way to read more about these is to open up your itunes store and cut and [...]
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BizBash National News
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CHICAGO - EVENT REPORT: Ultimat Vodka Brings Nightclub Atmosphere to the Peninsula
It's not every night that go-go dancers perform atop illuminated cubes in the ballroom of the Peninsula Chicago, but such was the case on Tuesday night, when Ultimat Vodka overtook the venue for its Ultimat Summer Soiree. Intended to create buzz for the vodka, which was launched in the Chicago market last year, the cocktail reception drew some 775 members of the local nightlife industry, including bartenders, bar owners, and brand retailers. When it came to choosing a location for the affair, "We didn't want to give one of the large bars [that carry our product] preferential treatment, so we… -
NEW YORK - EVENT REPORT: City Marine Corps Recreates Traditional Dinner With 1920s Menu and Fund-Raising Fines
There's pretty much only one hard, fast rule at most fund-raising events: donate some cash. The Marines, however, don't really play like that. Potential infractions that could be committed at the second annual New York City Marine Corps Council's "Mess Night" benefit on Tuesday evening included "placing elbows on the table," "consulting the time," and "arriving late to appointed places." Should any of the many violations be noticed by the evening's enforcer, "Mister Vice," the Mess president determined an appropriate fine to be paid by the renegade guest. For the uninitaited, the proceedings… -
NEW YORK - EVENT REPORT: Interactive Circus Performers Lighten Mood at Cancer Fund-Raiser
Nasty weather—not to mention the economy—threatened Tuesday’s Cancer 101 benefit, but in the end neither put much of a damper on the cocktail party fund-raiser. The planners of the event, where guests included cancer survivors and their caregivers, settled on a circus theme because “we wanted to celebrate all the people who do survive,” said Susan Shin of Shin Advisors, which co-produced the event with Bon Vivant. “Plus—and you’re going to laugh—we liked the alliteration of Big Top at the Bowery.” The evening’s entertainment at… -
LOS ANGELES - EVENT REPORT: BET Hosts Opulent, Crimson-Toned Awards Pre-Party for 350 at Drago Centro
Like the show they celebrated, the flurry of parties around Sunday’s Black Entertainment Television Awards was both haunted and energized by the memory of the late Michael Jackson. BET’s artists and colleagues reveled and remembered the King of Pop at many of the more than two dozen bashes around town, which kicked off Wednesday and included Friday’s tribute to Keri Hilson (who went on to win for best new artist) at a private dinner hosted by Timbaland and Polow Da Don, produced by New York-based MVD Inc. With budget concerns limiting BET’s post-party to an internal… -
CHICAGO - EVENT REPORT: Pureology Showcases New Finishing Products Amid All-White Fashion Show
On Sunday night, a sea of hairstylists dressed all in white gathered in River North's Ivy Room for Pureology's similarly hued hair show. To showcase its latest collection of hairstyles and the finishing products needed to create them, the L'Oreal-owned product line gathered some 50 stylists from around the country to witness the show, where the brand's devotion to purity was underscored by an all-white dress code and decor scheme. According to Nichole Rescildo, senior events manager for Redken, the guest list was a sampling of "our educators, who are out there representing the brand." The…
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Michelle Rago, Ltd.—Blog
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A Wedding in Rome!
1 Jul 2009 | 2:42 pmIn August we are doing a wedding in Rome. I just returned from the site inspection and over the next few posts I am going to share my thoughts and inspirations with you. There is no more magnificent city than Rome~you could get lost for days. Below is the church for the ceremony. Can you imagine Bach being played over the organ there as you process down the aisle! We are such a young nation. Can you imagine the church was built in the 1600’s. Chiesa Nuova-Santa Maria in Vallicella The church of Santa Maria in Vallicella was begun in 1575 on the initiative of St Philip Neri, founder of… -
A Huge Apology!
25 Jun 2009 | 6:43 amI owe everyone a huge apology…I have been so busy the past few months I have hardly blogged! I have just returned from the Engage09 Wedding Summit at the Ritz Carlton in Grand Cayman and had so many people say to me…WHY AREN’T YOU BLOGGING!!Life is always a balancing act and not only do I miss the interaction with you-it is also a big part of my inspiration and creativity! I leave for Rome this afternoon for a site inspection for an August wedding and can not wait to be inspired by the beautiful country of Italy!! Thanks for all your enthusiasm and support and I am back on… -
The Flight of Spring
28 Apr 2009 | 2:08 pmBirds and cherry blossoms are the true harbingers of spring. I am excited to share a special twist on spring’s bounty with you at Manhattan’s magnificent landmark building, Cipriani 42nd Street. There is a wonderful old wedding tradition in Japanese culture called sembazuru. It is when the bride and groom fold one thousand origami cranes to be dispersed throughout the wedding site. The time and energy used to create the mass of cranes symbolizes the patience and trust necessary to sustain a happy marriage. The couple chose to incorporate these beautiful paper ornaments… -
Get Organized!
27 Mar 2009 | 10:16 amOrganizing a wedding on your own can be overwhelming. There are plenty of tools out there to assist you with the planning process. I recently did a panel discussion and book signing with Ann Chertoff at The White Dress by the Sea & Stonington Papery in Connecticut and was blown away at the her recently released Wedding Planner. Ann published it though russell+hazel and it’s available for $75.00. Trust me it is worth it!! She has put her heart and soul into creating the information and it is so comprehensive. Here is the list of what is included: printed and… -
Celebrate your First Anniversary on the Ritz Carlton!
19 Mar 2009 | 2:54 pmAs a planner I am always on the look out for special opportunities to share. This is just too delicious to be missed! Ritz-Carlton Caribbean and Mexico properties are offering a Reconnect package that gives newlyweds the opportunity to celebrate their first year anniversary at the Ritz Carlton property where they shared their vows compliments of Ritz Carlton Caribbean & Mexico properties! WHAT IS THE OFFER ?: This exclusive offer is for a complimentary wedding ceremony in addition to a complimentary three-night first anniversary stay when booking a wedding on the Reconnect package…
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READY 2 SPARK
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marshmallow . treats
29 Jun 2009 | 2:56 pmWhen I saw these marshmallow treats on Notcot's blog, all I could think about was how amazing these would be as a wedding gift. Just imagine, monogrammed marshmallows handed out at an event finished off with a big bonfire!Lara McCulloch-CarterAuthor of the Special Event blog ready2sparkDirector of Marketing - Regal Tent ProductionsPresident - ISES Toronto. Follow me on Twitter. Connect with me on LinkedIn. Become my Peep at EventPeeps. Befriend me at Events Network -
locavores . this one's for you
28 Jun 2009 | 2:57 pmWe're all becoming much more conscious of where our food is coming from. Gone are the days when we reveled in incorporating the rarest of fruit into our favorite recipe, flown to our local supermarket from a remote village over 15,000 miles away. Since 2005, we have seen a new trend toward healthy, fresh, locally-grown foods. Here, in Canada, a movement called the 100-mile Challenge is taking the country by storm. Just like it sounds, the concept is to challenge people to eat foods grown, produced and sold within 100 miles of your home. The idea started from a blog, blossomed into a book and… -
first impressions . are everything
23 Jun 2009 | 4:09 pmHow many of us have heard: "You never get a second chance to make a first impression."? The way we dress, how we hold ourselves, whether we smile, if we have a big piece of spinach in our teeth...all of these factors (and many others) influence what people think of us. And people decide, very quickly, whether they like us or not, if they can trust us, and most importantly, if they want to talk to us again.Now apply this thinking to first impressions in Social Media. In a few very short seconds people will determine whether or not to follow you. It's your job to tell them why it's worth their… -
love it or hate it . the go plate
22 Jun 2009 | 4:20 pmYes, it's true. Your prayers have been answered. Now you can hold your beer bottle and your plate in the same hand...thanks to the Go Plate. Just don't try to drink your beer when your plate is full.Not to be confused with its classier version the James plate by Olaf Kiessling. The question of the day: Love it? Or, Hate it?Lara McCulloch-CarterAuthor of the Special Event blog ready2sparkDirector of Marketing - Regal Tent ProductionsPresident - ISES Toronto. Follow me on Twitter. Connect with me on LinkedIn. Become my Peep at EventPeeps. Befriend me at Events Network -
crystal velon
20 Jun 2009 | 6:00 amWhat's black and white and clear all over? It's one of the industry's hottest new product: Crystal Velon. The uber fabulous and always creative Mr. Robert Fountain launched this product last month. And from what I hear, the feedback has been incredible. Think tent walls, the underside of clear chargers, table tops, ghost chairs, vases...and virtually any other surface under the sun. Basically it's a clear substrate that can be custom printed with patterns, prints and logos.If this piqued your interest, be sure to check out other new products from Mr. Fabulous on his newly launched blog. Image…
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Life Design Event Planning :: An Event and Wedding Planning Blog
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Fabulous 4th!
2 Jul 2009 | 8:30 amHappy Early 4th of July! I am so excited for this weekend, as 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays. Relaxing with friends & family, beautiful fireworks, lots of delicious red, white, and blue colored food, some summer weather thrown into the mix, and you can't go wrong with that combination! Most importantly, 4th of July reminds me of how lucky and proud I am to be an American. Whatever your plans are, I hope your 4th is extra fabulous this year! Wilson PyroIf you're staying here in Phoenix, there are many different options to choose from to make your 4th extra fun. Here is a taste… -
Playboy's Giggliest Bunny Ties the Knot
1 Jul 2009 | 5:46 pmImage from Us Weekly The Playboy mansion made a spectacular backdrop for Playboy bunny Kendra's wedding to NFL player, Hank Baskett. Check out the clip below of Kendra's walk down the aisle and inevitable giggling when she flubs her vows:The next celebrity to strut their way down the aisle? Kevin Jonas! With all that Life has to offer,Sarah -
Life's News
30 Jun 2009 | 9:00 amDo you enjoy reading our blog and are interested in staying in the Life loop? Look for our e-newsletter, "Life's News!" Our July edition was recently sent out, and we want to include all of you too! If you would like to subscribe to our e-newsletter, let us know my emailing us here! With all that Life has to offer,Cicely -
HairStyle Bliss
29 Jun 2009 | 7:49 pmThere are so many different ways for brides to wear their hair today, the choices really are limitless. Up? Down? Halfway? Flowers? Straight? Curls? Wavy? There are so many different wedding hairstyles as well as wedding hair accessories that choosing a flattering wedding hairstyle for your face shape and type of dress can be rigorous. Figuring out your wedding hairstyle may not be on the top of your to do list but keep your eyes open so you don't wait until the last minute to figure out the look you want to go for. Here are some helpful hints to get you started.Look at PicturesBrowse the… -
The ABC's of Wedding Planning :: B is for Bridal Bartering
29 Jun 2009 | 8:44 amBartering is something that we as a civilization are very familiar with. Caveman says, "Ugh. My meat for you wheel. Ugh". (bad impersonation) So, when brides and grooms think about bartering for their wedding services, the talent can be so natural. Don't get me wrong, I am not calling them cavemen (or women) but we all can get pretty unruly when we really want something and most times, especially during wedding planning, will do whatever it takes to get it. I did some research online and found websites like :: BarterQuest.com, Barter.net and Tradeaway.com which included wedding services to…
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Event Manager Blog
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10 Alternative Business Models for Events
2 Jul 2009 | 9:58 amA lot of discussion took place over the past week about free vs paid, reality is that there is much more out there than just charging a fee to attend. It’s no new topic, we know. But lately Chris Anderson re-introduced it, Malcom Gladwell made a big deal out of it and Seth Godin gave the final word. On our end, Jeff Hurt asked us all a question and we are here to do our small bit. Reality is event professionals are challenged by the current market conditions. The ‘I charge you 800$/€/£ entry ticket’ superb marketing technique apparently does not work anymore. Possibly… -
Tweetcamp ‘09 and Unconferences
30 Jun 2009 | 10:17 amThis video was shot during Tweetcamp ‘09, an unconference style event held in London (UK) Tweetcamp 09 from Julius Solaris on Vimeo. You can check all the tweets from Tweetcamp here You can find the Flickr pics here Blog Posts: TweetCamp London 2009 Internal Communications at TweetCamp Tweetcamp 2009 Impressions of TweetCamp Tweetcamp – My first Unconference TweetCamp Tweetcamp: Online network moves to offline community And Audioboos: http://audioboo.fm/boos/34228-impressions-of-tweetcamp http://audioboo.fm/boos/34225-review-tweetcamp-london-09… -
twitter Enters Presentations
24 Jun 2009 | 4:36 amKeynotetweet is a major step toward online/offline integration, with a touch of twitter coolness. Photo by smannium via Flickr The much discussed role of twitter during presentations, led us to believe that some piece of software was soon to be released. And there we go, keynotetweet has appeared. It is an open source Applescript that syncs with Keynote and sends a tweet of the notes associated with a slide when that particular slide comes up on the screen. This is a major breakthrough towards online/offline integration and engagement. Death by Powerpoint is a sad reality. keynotetweet… -
10 Useful and Free Mac Applications to Run Events
23 Jun 2009 | 4:06 amNo secret we love Macs and Apple when it comes to getting things done. If you are a member of the Apple tribe, here are few applications that will help in running your event. We had a blast with iPhone earlier this year. Now the time to show you how your Mac could become an extreme productivity tool and get your events done. 10. Mindnote Successful events are carefully planned. Mind Mapping initiates the process of planning. It helps in skimming ideas and identifying KPIs. Mindnote is a great tool to draw nice looking and effective mind maps. It comes with a free version which covers all the… -
The Difference Between Flavors and the Real Deal
20 Jun 2009 | 12:10 pmThis post investigates the reasons why you should be careful in playing with event concepts. Photo by Funadium via Flickr Picture a cheap, insipid detergent brand. Imagine the marketing team struggling to find a new flavor for their boring product. Our studies say that Marseille Soap is perceived as natural and refreshing. We should flavor our detergent with that. Some customers will be definitely attracted by it, they will give it a go and buy it. Later on, with the same easiness of mind they will switch to some more appealing flavor. Now picture using the real deal. Savon de Marseille. As…
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being SOCIAL
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Real Wedding: Meredith & Eric
30 Jun 2009 | 7:39 amMeredith and Eric, from Columbia, got married at St. John's Lutheran Church and had their reception at the Historic Rice Mill on a beautiful Sunday in May. Their style is eclectic and artsy, their wedding elements definitely echoed their unique tastes! Meredith is a graphic designer and not only did she design her invitation suites, but all her printed material had her own personal touch. Like this menu card, below. The long dining tables were draped in ivory linen with different patterned runners on each table brining in the couple's colors of tomato red and a touch of turquoise in the huge… -
Let's hear it for the boys & pups!
15 Jun 2009 | 7:31 amIt's HER big day, but THEY have to look good, too! Twigs & Honey by Myra Callan is quickly becoming the go-to for unique and gorgeous adornments for the bride, and now the groom and four legged friends. In addition to her famous hair accessories, Myra's also started designing beautiful belts and other dress embellishments. Her Etsy shop is burnin' up!photos: Twigs & Honey -
New Photographer Friend
26 May 2009 | 2:50 pmIt's rare that you immediately heart a vendor you've just met at a wedding, but when Ashley Brokop and I got to talking this weekend, we dished about how our bride's style was what we both loved (photos to come, I promise)! Ashley is a former military combat photographer who has a knack for capturing every fleeting moment and apparently flattering lighting, too. She's out of Columbia and available everywhere, these are a few of my favorite shots from her blog. The wedding we worked together this weekend was at the Rice Mill and I'll post photos as soon as I get them!On a side note, some of… -
Out of this world!
18 May 2009 | 7:14 amWowza, ever wonder how they party in other countries?! I've always wanted an inside look into how they throw weddings across the ocean.Metrophotography is out of the Phillippines and this beautiful beach wedding took place in Boracay. Talk about sand in between your toes!photos: Metrophotography, Amorphia Photography -
Yum.
5 May 2009 | 7:28 amI've been so MIA. April had us working a lot and also catching up with family and friends to show off our new little baby toy. Back to the grind stone!!! Love the look of this pendant lamp, visualizing it for our next project, tent and party design for a Harbor Club reception. Think stylish Southern cosmopolitan Charleston peninsula party. It will be fun to work with beautiful Kendall in Michigan on her fabulous day. Okay, way more soon, we've got weddings in the next few weeks at the Rice Mill and on Fripp Island!
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About.com Event Planning
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Meeting Place Berlin Scheduled July 2-5, 2009
30 Jun 2009 | 11:00 pmWith 104,000 events held in Berlin in 2008 and 8.15 million participants, Berlin is definitely a contender for hosting conventions and other business events. Interestingly, Berlin was listed as number... -
High Speed Rail Increases in Popularity for European Business Travel and Events
29 Jun 2009 | 8:45 amHigh speed rail in Europe is seen as a flexible transportation option for business events and travel. What should the U.S. market consider high speed rail -- particularly Spain's Renfe... -
Team Building Ideas for Wine Tasting Activities and Events in Wine Country
24 Jun 2009 | 5:40 amPerhaps one of the more popular incentive or meeting destination options with attendees is a program held in wine country. Whether you're looking to Napa Valley or other wine regions... -
Wedding Planners Must Have Strong Organizational Skills
16 Jun 2009 | 11:00 pmContinuing with my series for those interested in pursuing a career in wedding planning, this week I thought that I'd highlight the skills that it takes to become a wedding... -
Highlights of Business Events Tweets from My Twitter Page
15 Jun 2009 | 8:54 amSeveral weeks back I mentioned that I developed my twitter page. I thought that I'd take a look at some of the latest "tweets" of those who I follow and...
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Unique Venues
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Pueblo Convention Center
2 Jul 2009 | 11:32 amPueblo, Colorado has long been a center of commerce within the state, from its steel production to government publishings. As such, it’s a popular meeting and convention location. When your aspirations are to find a really unique place to host your event, whether it’s a business conference, a romantic occasion or a family gathering or reunion, the Pueblo Convention Center is certain to be able to provide you with far more than you hope for, and exactly what you need. The Center’s 16,200 square feet of convention facilities, exhibit and ballroom space, 3000 square feet of… -
1770 Sherman Street Event Center in Denver
1 Jul 2009 | 11:12 amTake a step back into more elegant times. The 1770 Sherman Street Event Center is a truly unique time capsule. Once only ever seen by members of the Shriners, this Byzantine-themed grand ballroom, with its full-surround mezzanine is just one of the many magnificent features of this amazing venue. An auditorium that seats 500 is another such feature. There are many more. As you can see, this is an event venue of vast proportions! The Denver event facility 1770 can accommodate up to 1200 guests within its 8 meeting and event rooms, up to 600 at a time in a classroom environment, and all 1200… -
University of Illinois Conference Center
29 Jun 2009 | 6:43 pmThe University of Illinois at Chicago’s Conference Center is in a truly unique position, able to offer seating for any size group from a handful to 10,000 people, for anything from a small business meeting to a televised music concert or basketball game! WiFi, high-speed internet and even satellite communications are all set up already! For your guests’ dining pleasure, the campus’ private catering services are available, or you can choose from any of the myriad restaurants and caterers available in the wonderful Windy City. There’s simply no more diverse a public… -
ASCE Bechtel Conference Center
24 Jun 2009 | 9:16 amThe Bachtel Conference Center is the essence of convenience, providing guests with a focus-oriented meeting facilities for up to 200 attendees. Literally minutes from Washington’s Dulles airport, less than half an hour from Washington D.C., the nation’s capital, there are few meeting locations that are so well placed. What’s more, this facility is available on a short-term basis, offering full and half-day rates, as well as hourly arrangements. Technologically, they’re state of the art as well, offering both broadband and WiFi connections throughout the facilities, as… -
European Crystal in Arlington Heights, Illinois
22 Jun 2009 | 6:39 amIf it’s a truly unique experience you’re after for your next meeting or event, European Crystal, in Arlington Heights, can give you that picture-perfect storybook location! Styled in the period of the Italian Renaissance, this space really is exceptional, and well worth the attention it has been receiving. Some of the spectacular features you and your guests will enjoy include two massive ballrooms (totaling over 10,000 square feet,) generous lobby, parlors (each with its own private foyer,) a twenty-three foot gold foil ceiling in the lobby. The pillars as you enter make the…
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Let's Party with Percy Sales Events
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Farewell Friday: RIP Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett
26 Jun 2009 | 10:53 amYesterday, June 25, 2009, the world lost two pop icons, Farrah Fawcett (expected) and Michael Jackson (unexpected). Both contributed to the lives of many, Michael with his music and Farrah with her smile and passion for life. I grew up with both of them. I watched Charlies Angels religiously and loved Farrah's, Jill Monroe, character best. Additionally, my passion for dance is attributed to the man and the music, Michael Jackson. Both will be missed but never forgotten.It's funny, someone said yesterday that they now know what their parents felt like when Elvis died. For some of us we saw… -
Icon Bride: Marilyn Monroe
19 Jun 2009 | 12:00 pmNorma Jeane Baker better known as Marilyn Monroe was the ultimate sex symbol. She was married three times, the first as Norma Jeane to James Dougherty in 1942, the second as Marilyn Monroe to baseball great Joe DiMaggio in 1954, and finally to playwright Arthur Miller in 1956. For the purposes of my "Icon Bride" blog, I am focusing on her final wedding to Arthur Miller.Marilyn and Arthur met in 1950 and married in a hushed civil ceremony in a White Plains, New York on 6/29/1956. Two days later, 6/1/1956, they were married in a Jewish ceremony at the home of Miller's agent. Raised Catholic,… -
Trend Thursdays: What's Hot in Bridal Gowns
18 Jun 2009 | 11:01 amEvery bridal season we are wowed by the designs that are created by fabulous designers. There's always a handful of trends that is a must have for that year. In the past we have seen colored ribbon sashes, Swarovski crystal embellishments, the mermaid dress phenomenon, and even colored wedding gowns. So what's the must have look this year?Here's my trend alert for the remainder of the 2009 bridal season, which will carry over to the early part of 2010.1) Empire (ŏm-pîr') Waistfrom left to right: Vera Wang, Priscilla of Boston, Jenny Packham, Alvina Valenta2) Flower Powerfrom left to right:… -
Love is Love, Period. The Best Love Songs Ever Written.
17 Jun 2009 | 10:47 amIn celebration of the 18,000 same-sex couples who legally got married in California between 6/16/08 at 5:01pm and 11/5/08 12:00pm, and to the thousands of other couples who love but are denied the right to marry...I have compiled a list of the best love songs ever written. This list was made by asking my monthly question to my friends on Facebook and Twitter.Happy Anniversary to the same-sex couples, like myself, who legally got married on this date last year (06/17/08), the first day GLBT couples could legally get married in California. Here's to hoping that marriage equality will be… -
TIPsy Tuesday: What's All the Bustle?
16 Jun 2009 | 11:05 amBrides often ask me on what type of bustle they should get for their gown. This is a loaded question, because my preference is the understated French bustle, but depending on the gown and the effect one wants, than there are a myriad of things to consider.Here's a list and descriptions of the different types of bustles out there. (Click on highlighted bold names for a photo of the bustle):The Over Bustle: Blends the train in the gown into one seamless looking ballgown. This effect is made by putting in a row of buttons (covered) or hooks at the waist level of the gown where eyelets on the…
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Tradeshow Week - Behind The Story
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Shock and Awe Is So 2008ish
The good news out of the Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum is that most leaders of the tradeshow industry remain optimistic about their fu... -
E³ Mission Accomplished
My colleagues Joalien Johnson and Rachel Wimberly came back Wednesday from E³ Expo with their expectations confirmed: The old E³ is... -
Go Take a Flying Paradigm Shift
At an industry meeting I attended not too long ago, a session panelist said, “Don’t let a good recession go to waste.” Like most... -
The First Quarter Revealed
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research has released its first-quarter index of tradeshow industry performance. The quick headline version is, ... -
Life at the Bottom of the Top
For the last week or so we’ve been slicing and dicing the 2009 Tradeshow Week 200. While there aren’t too many surprises – ever &...
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Tradeshow Week - Event Tech Blog
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Six Really Bad Trends For Twitter
With a large number of speaking requests for social media, a hot topic of great interest is the enigma of Twitter. Is it a viable busines... -
MTO Summit UK Social Media Presentation
If you are in London this morning, stop by Earl's Court #2 and join Arran Coole of ASPEvents, Todd Turbo Watson with IBM, Heidi Williams of Tarsu... -
Posting from London
I arrived Saturday, June 20th, in London for the preparations for the MTO Summit UK. I have it on best authority that there are still some ... -
CIC 2009 CMP Conclave
The Convention Industry Council 2009 CMP Conclave hosted "The State of the Meetings Industry Power Panel" this morning in San Antonio, ... -
The Significance of Gathering Industry Professionals
Anyone who has engaged in a face-to-face interchange on a show floor or in a conference hall will admit that no technology can replicate the rela...
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TradeShowWeek News
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Javits Expansion Gets Green Light
2 Jul 2009 | 11:33 amNew York Gov. David A. Paterson announced the Public Authority Control Board approved a plan that will add 100,000 square feet to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York. -
Moscone Plans to Add More Space
30 Jun 2009 | 1:49 pmThere’s a plan on the table to add 110,000 square feet of exhibit space and another 180,000 sq. ft. of mixed-use space to San Francisco's Moscone South, according to Joe D'Alessandro, president of the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau. -
UFI, SISO Get a Little Closer
29 Jun 2009 | 10:47 amUFI, The Global Assn. of the Exhibition Industry and the Society of Independent Show Organizers have agreed to share knowledge and information among their respective exhibition industry members. -
UFI Makes 2010 Management Changes
24 Jun 2009 | 10:31 amJohn Shaw, president of UFI, The Global Assn. of the Exhibition Industry, announced that Vincent Gérard, UFI managing director since 2001, will leave his position July 31, 2010. -
Toy Fair, Engage! Expo Collocate
22 Jun 2009 | 1:03 pmThe Toy Industry Assn.'s American Intl. Toy Fair will collocate with Show Initiative's Engage! Expo, previously Virtual World Expo, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York in February.
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MEETINGSNET | NEWS
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Trade Show Auctions Off Space on eBay
1 Jul 2009 | 2:06 pmWith a trade show that has long been sold out, one event producer decided to auction off the last spot for charity–on eBay -
Exhibitions See Declines in 2009
1 Jul 2009 | 1:45 pmThe majority of exhibition producers are seeing their events shrink this year, and many are employing new strategies to try to boost the numbers -
AMA Again Rejects CEJA Report
30 Jun 2009 | 6:42 amThe American Medical Association once again sends the Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs back to the drawing board on its commercial support report -
PCMA and ACTE Form Strategic Alliance
29 Jun 2009 | 2:14 pmAfter two years of consulting with each other on the content for their annual meetings, the Professional Convention Management Association and the Association of Corporate Travel Executives announced plans for a strategic alliance that will expand their educational offerings, create opportunities for joint research -
Making the Brand: How to Create a Brand That Strengthens Your Organization and Events
29 Jun 2009 | 8:45 amThe following is adapted from a tutorial given at RCMA 2009 by Bill Oechsler, president of XLER Marketing & Brand Consultancy
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Exhibitor News Network
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Corporate EVENT Named Among Nation's Most-Improved Magazines of 2009
30 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pmThe American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) recently named Corporate EVENT magazine among the top three finalists for the society's M... -
MPI Launches Virtual Access Pass for 2009 World Education Congress
30 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pmMeeting Professionals International (MPI) will now offer a Virtual Access Pass for the World Education Congress (WEC) in Salt Lake City, Utah this Jul... -
SAWLEX 2009 Sets Exhibit Space and Attendance Records
30 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pmOrganizers of SAWLEX, The Sawmill and Logging Expo, announced today that the popular business-to-business trade show for the logging and sawyering indus... -
Moss Reorganizes Operations for Increased Efficiency
30 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pmMoss Inc., a provider of tensioned fabric structures, printed graphics, and display hardware is reorganizing its operations in order to leverage its... -
UFI and SISO Forge Alliance
30 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pmUFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, and SISO, the Society of Independent Show Organizers, have agreed to share knowledge and infor...
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Special Events
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Do-it-yourself Strap Kits Available from Fastenation
1 Jul 2009 | 3:13 pmDo-it-yourself Strap Kits Available from Fastenation -
Glowing Tumblers Debut from GlasShine
1 Jul 2009 | 3:10 pmGlowing Tumblers Debut from GlasShine -
Cengage Offers "Dessert Architect" Book for Chefs
1 Jul 2009 | 3:02 pmCengage Offers "Dessert Architect" Book for Chefs -
Santa Monica's Pacific Park Debuts Seaside Pavilion Event Space
1 Jul 2009 | 2:59 pmSanta Monica's Pacific Park Debuts Seaside Pavilion Event Space -
"Gone With the Wind" House Offers New Exhibits
1 Jul 2009 | 2:42 pm"Gone With the Wind" House Offers New Exhibits
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BLUE SKY COLLABORATIVE
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Top 10 Reasons Why Your Nonprofit Should Have A Viral Fundraising Campaign
2 Jul 2009 | 9:12 am"In a time when major donors and sponsors have decided to run and hide, viral fundraising programs have increasingly become the fundraising apparatus of choice for orgs that need to cost effectively raise a lot of money in a short... -
SWEET Viral fundraising platform hits Canada
2 Jul 2009 | 8:25 amViral fundraising campaigns are becoming vital components of nonprofit fundraising portfolios. And it's not just in the form of walkathons and events. The Darling Home for Kids, http://www.darlinghomeforkids.ca/, in Milton, Ontario started a viral fundraising campaign using SWEET software to... -
List of 100 Charities That You Should Not Donate To.
25 Jun 2009 | 7:25 amPerhaps. I came across a thought provoking list the other day called the The Cone Nonprofit Power Brand 100. You can view the top 10 here http://www.coneinc.com/nonprofitpowerbrand100release and get the full report if you give Cone your email address. Mini-reports... -
Nonprofits and Social Networking Tools
19 Jun 2009 | 9:28 amFrom the Chronicle of Philanthropy blog http://philanthropy.com/giveandtake/index.php?id=1079 "Nonprofit Groups Outpace Businesses in Adopting Social-Networking Tools. " Although it pains me to respond to a post on the Chronicle's soporific blog, i do think this time they've posted about an interesting... -
Successful dog walkathon fundraiser raises more money despite bad economy
27 May 2009 | 8:10 amMore than just cute. Friends for the Dearbon Animal Shelter raised over $50,000 this year with its dog walkathon, Dearborn Mutt Strut. To date, that's a 67% increase over last year. Bad economy and all. "Friends" is a smart organization...
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WORDPRESS TAG: EVENT-PLANNING
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Very Excited about HelmsBriscoe
2 Jul 2009 | 3:40 pmI am very excited to be a part of HelmsBriscoe, the global leader in meeting procurement. Through my training process, I have become familiar with all of the benefits of utilizing us for site selection as well as other aspects of your meeting. Not only do we have over 1,000 associates all over the world, but our reputation and buying power make it so much easier for meeting planners to focus on the meeting and not on the details because that’s our job, and there is no cost to our clients for our services! I learn more about this dynamic company every day, and I believe that in order to… -
Introducing a Convenient, New Tool to Help You Save!
1 Jul 2009 | 7:18 pmGrow your business and establish brand loyalty with professionally screen printed and embroidered it -
5 tips for Greener Meetings and Events
1 Jul 2009 | 1:05 pmBy: Jeanne Dasaro, Plan-It Green Consulting and Events Whether you are planning a birthday party or a large conference greening your next meeting isn’t as complicated or costly as you might think. Here are 5 simple and low cost changes that can have a big impact. Try going paperless: There are countless ways this can be done. Try distributing presentations on electronic devices (for example a flash-drive) or via an event web site versus printing manuals for each participant; Go for electronic registration and email correspondence; and advertise using the web and/or email as opposed to… -
Tips for Planning Corporate Events – part 9/15
28 Jun 2009 | 9:44 pmIf you need equipment such as microphones, projectors, speakers, a video camera, etc., make a list of the things you will need and make sure that you have someone on site who can fix any technical problems which may come up during the event. Test everything before guests arrive. It’s embarrassing and frustrating to realize that your LCD projector isn’t working in front of a hundred colleagues! Remember that acoustics change between rehearsal and presentation. (An empty room allows more echoes; a room full of people absorbs more sound.) Lighting may be different, too. You may walk… -
Captioning: a first for the Grand Ole Opry
26 Jun 2009 | 1:27 pmOne of the events at the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) Convention 2009 was a night at the Grand Ole Opry, a radio show that began in 1925. Before the show, several of us were treated to a backstage tour of the Grand Ole Opry, including the back entrance where the artists enter, the mailroom, the green room and historic Studio A—where the music variety show Hee Haw was filmed. At the end of the tour, we got to stand in the background on stage during the first performance by Little Jimmy Dickens and the Opry Square Dancers. Although we weren’t allowed to shoot…
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A Delightful Day - Event Planning - Blog
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Bride's Night Out
1 Jul 2009 | 9:16 pmWhen do bride's ever get the opportunity to come together for cocktails and share about their wedding plans??? Ashley's Bride Guide has co-created and sponsored a night for engaged brides to connect, vent, and share about their personal wedding planning journey's. The event will be hosted at ALoft hotel in Cool Springs, an uber-cool, modern hotel that is perfect for an intimate event like this. Catering will be provided by Down South Delights and ALoft will be hosting the bar with fusion cocktail tasting. See more information here and register. Happy Planning! ~ Mary Alice,… -
Nashville Wedding Vendors
30 Jun 2009 | 11:19 pmBrides are always looking for a way to make their event fun for their guests. One of my favorite ways to make your wedding reception a blast, and takes people back to their childhood, is renting a old fashioned photobooth from PhotoBooth Nashville. Meet Amy, the owner, and see fun pictures of the photobooth in action! Name: Amy LysyczynBusiness: Photo Booth Nashville This adorable picture taken by Mary Claire Crow, was a wedding of ours from December '07 that you can see here. Your Site Address and/or Blog Address: … -
Lack of blogging...
29 Jun 2009 | 8:03 pmI apologize for the last few days and not having the plan a wedding in 30 days up... will post updates tomorrow! More planning to come! ~ Mary Alice, Nashville Wedding PlannerA Delightful Day -
Nashville Wedding Vendors
29 Jun 2009 | 4:35 amYour florals that you choose from your bridal bouquet, to ceremony arrangements, to reception decor truly speak about your style and can transform a space. Having a great, and creative, florist is worth every penny in my opinion and one of my favorites in Nashville is Chase Rivers of Eye Design Floral. Get to know who he is and see some of his gorgeous work! Name: Chase Rivers Business: Eye Design Floral/Chase Rivers “flair”Your Site Address and/or Blog Address: www.eyedesignfloral.com/chaserivers.comHow would you describe your style or work: outside the… -
Vote A Delightful Day as Music City's Best Blog!
24 Jun 2009 | 6:35 amWe are honored to be nominated as one of Nashville's Best Blog by www.ToastofMusicCity.com!You can vote for A Delightful Day by selecting the check mark next to our name at the following link:http://toastofmusiccity.com/category/169/default.aspx
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EVENTive Ideas by banquetevent.com
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Environmental Graffiti
26 Jun 2009 | 9:04 pmSince 1983, colourful giant animals have been spotted around the world. Some seem to emerge right out of the water, while others hang in the balance like some kind of animal laundry between close-knit buildings. Still others stand guard atop historic landmarks and downtown balconies while top predators revert to their basest instincts in a bid for survival. Created using recycled plastic bottles by Cracking Art Group, these animals represent the art collective’s strong social and environmental ethic while bringing accessible contemporary art to the masses. The art group, which consists of… -
So Take A Seat . . . . . .
23 Jun 2009 | 8:24 amChoices - afterall isn't that what it is all about? This is one of those areas where there are more choices than uses possibly. Looking for something for the office, the deck. the conference room, the lobby or anyplace else for that matter . . . then you are in luck. Prices are better than they have been in a very long time and your options are endless. Between the addition of new woods and fibers, framing and recycled metals it is almost an ideal alignment for your needs. To temp you with reaching outside of your comfort zone, so to speak we picked some fun and useful and comfortable pieces. -
Take Your Dog To Work Day
15 Jun 2009 | 11:00 pmBy Guest Blogger Mark VernerJune 26, 2009 is annual Take Your Dog To Work Day. First celebrated in 1999, Take Your Dog To Work Day was created to celebrate the great companions dogs make and to encourage their adoption from humane societies, animal shelters and breed rescue clubs. This annual event encourages employers to experience the value of pets in their workplace for this one special day to promote pet adoptions.Get involved! Please go to http://www.takeyourdog.com/ to get more information on Take Your Dog To Work Day. You can register your company on the website to show your… -
Ideas . . . . Ideas . . . . .
15 Jun 2009 | 12:01 pmWhat to get? The most relative question for the most relative of people . . . Dad . . . Father . . . . Pop . . . . Daddy . . . or maybe it's a first name because he's like a Father to someone. We are here to see if we can add to the confusion of possibilities circling in your head. If nothing more, maybe we can spark an idea. We captured options from the ridiculous, to the sublime, to well - see for yourself and read on!For now, Inada’s Sogno sets their chair as the pinnacle of massage chair development with a highly refined program starting with an infrared scan to allocate your… -
Seattle Dog Show 2009
11 Jun 2009 | 8:27 pmThis past April Seattle held the annual Seattle Dog Show. It is rumored Seattle has more dogs than children, so we felt we should provide all of the animal lovers and more especially the dog lovers a look at some of the nicely coif-'furred' entrants this Spring.This is a great event to attend and if you have a dog, are even considering getting a dog, or even need to educate yourself about particular breeds, this is a show you should jot down on your calendar. Recently in the news we have had so many negative images of these incredible friends of ours, we wanted to persuade everyone to see the…
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HotelChatter -
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We'll Be Kicking Back With Some Summer Cocktails on Independence Day
2 Jul 2009 | 3:54 pmWe're taking off early for the Fourth of July! See you guys again on Monday! SUITE: New Summer Cocktails at Hotels The W South Beach Has FINALLY Opened! Omni's Got A Sweet Summer Amenity: Flip Video Cameras ALSO: W Washington DC to Highlight Emerging Artists HOSTEL: Starwood Announces St. Regis Bermuda, Opening...In Four Years The Remnants of the W Las Vegas Dream Still Remain -
A Festive Cocktail For the Fourth From Andaz WeHo
2 Jul 2009 | 3:11 pmWe've kicked off our Summer Cocktails series where we profile fun new summer drinks that hotels are making. Got one we should know about? Send us the recipe with a photo of the drink. Otherwise, enjoy and @reply us when you're wasted! Happy Fourth! Well, almost. Doesn't the whole world have tomorrow off? Anyway, if you're still at work and still reading this, staring longingly at the empty cubicles and getting increasingly frustrated as you realize that nobody is returning your call cause they're already on vacay, you're probably thinking a cocktail sounds real, real good right about now,… -
Maui: We Go Cuckoo for Pupus at The Fairmont Kea Lani’s New Luana Lounge
2 Jul 2009 | 3:03 pmOur most memorable childhood meals were bite sized delights served on a beverage napkin with frilly toothpicks, so it’s no wonder we swoon for the pupu. These island-style hors d’oeuvres are a staple of Hawaiian luaus and happy hours, every bit as much as the Mai Tai, Piña Colada, Blue Hawaii, and Lava Flow. The Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui celebrates the pupu at its new Luana Lounge. (“Luana” is the Hawaiian word meaning to be at leisure, enjoy pleasant surroundings, to live in comfort and ease.) The new lobby bar features a new theme, new menu, new bar, new décor and new… -
Herradura: Hotel Villa Caletas Needs To Quit It With Those Ads For Its Spa and Residences
2 Jul 2009 | 2:02 pmWe got all Diane Lane “Under the Tuscan Sun” as we pulled up the windy hill to Hotel Villa Caletas in Herraduras, Costa Rica. We’re a sucker for sweeping panoramic views of the Pacific (especially from cliff side vantage points) and all the pomp and circumstance en route led us to believe we were in for something really special. As in five star special – the elite status this misguided member of Small Distinctive Hotels of Costa Rica fancies itself to have. Reality check: three stars is more like it.We must’ve suffered a bad case of beer goggles, because as soon as we… -
Westin's New Heavenly Bath Amenities Now Available
2 Jul 2009 | 1:18 pmOhhh, new toiletries! You know we're sorta obsessed with hotel toiletries — the good ones, that is (think separate shampoos and conditioners rather than some kind of hair-assaulting/insulting shamp-condi hybrid) — and we get kinda excited when we hear of a new line of 'em coming out. Not surprisingly, news of Westin's new Heavenly Bath Line brings joy to our hearts — but not to our hair and skin just yet, since we haven't had the chance to try 'em out ourselves: Specially designed to soothe the senses with a blend of botanicals and natural ingredients, the collection is…
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Marriott on the Move
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Now Is a Great Time to Visit Our Marriott Hotels in Mexico
1 Jul 2009 | 12:08 pmWe all remember the media attention about the H1N1 flu strain earlier in the spring. Of course, much of the early attention was on Mexico, which had the first reported cases. The safety and health of our guests and associates is our number one priority at all times and we take great care to follow the appropriate hygiene and cleaning procedures. We were pleased that similar precautions allowed authorities to bring the situation rapidly under control in Mexico and elsewhere around the world.However, the number of people traveling to Mexico dropped off significantly. In fact, we have lost over… -
Embracing Marriott's Extended Family
25 Jun 2009 | 12:26 pmI was recently in Orlando, Florida, for a conference with owners and franchisees of our select service and extended stay brands. Those brands are Courtyard, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites. It's a great event where we build and strengthen relationships, align ourselves on company initiatives and share good business practices.We also take the opportunity to recognize our top owner and franchise performers. We handed out over 60 awards and presented 11 owners and franchisees with the Partnership Circle Award, our highest honor given for hospitality… -
A Proud Dad This Father's Day
19 Jun 2009 | 11:19 amThis Father's Day, Donna and I want to express our joy in the many accomplishments of our children. We have four kids - a girl and three boys. Our daughter Debbie is the oldest. At age five, she underwent open heart surgery and has survived to raise five beautiful children. She is a very nurturing mother, and is also senior vice president of government affairs at Marriott and doing a wonderful job in her new calling. Her only daughter Kim will be married in November, so Debbie is very busy planning the wedding.Our second oldest child is Stephen. He is one of the most courageous people I know… -
The Face of Travel
17 Jun 2009 | 12:14 pmBack in March, the U.S. Travel Association launched a contest to find the face of the travel industry. They were looking for someone who embodied the character and hard working spirit of our industry. I'm proud to announce that this extremely prestigious honor went to one of our Ritz-Carlton associates, Paco Saldana.Paco grew up in Mexico and came to the United States 13 years ago and has become an American citizen. After arriving in the U.S.A., he got a job at our Ritz-Carlton on Amelia Island in Florida, where he worked his way up to become a Guest Services Manager.His wife also worked at… -
Welcoming Ritz-Carlton President Simon Cooper to the World of Twitter
15 Jun 2009 | 12:50 pmWhen I started blogging more than two years ago, I got a lot of "high-fives" from other bloggers for embracing this era of technology and trying out a new form of communication. Since then, there have been many advancements and I've learned about Facebook, YouTube and Flickr. There are probably more but it's tough to keep up with them all!While I may not exactly be up to speed on the latest trends, I do understand and appreciate the value of social media and so does our company. And now I'd like to welcome Simon Cooper, who heads our Ritz-Carlton brand, to social media. He has started his own…
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360conferences
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3 Things to make conferences better, according to Harvard Biz Review
30 Jun 2009 | 8:15 amI’ve had this article open in a tab since, well it was published. I’ve been wanting to comment on it, since I don’t think it’s 100% right. YOu can read the entire thing at the HBR site, but I’ll paste the main points 1. Conferences and meetings should tell unique stories. True, sorta. While we definitely don’t fit the writer’s model of how conferences are created, we still make a lot of decisions ourselves. We look at conferences as “what will people take away” not “What will they get”. Sure they’ll get Chotchkies, and… -
Tips for Event Planning for Developers
17 Jun 2009 | 11:48 amWe don’t want to sound cocky, but there’s no way for us to write this without it. Therefore, call us cocky, but really, how hard is it to throw a developer event? People constantly tell us how our shows rock. We give credit to speakers (they do most of the talking) and sponsors (they do a lot of the paying), but there is something about our shows that people just like. It’s the community, it’s the feel, it’s the vibe. We think the main reason why we’re successful is that we know what developers like. It’s not because we interview them… -
It’s gonna be a busy summer!
25 May 2009 | 8:05 amTom and I first met Steve Weiss at 360|Flex San Jose ‘07 (Yeah the very first one) and we hit it off immediately. Steve’s an awesome guy so it wasn’t hard for us to like him. We talked at length about our thoughts on conferences, our approach, our goals, etc. The friendship continued through the last few years, Steve coming to the events he could so we could chat in person, otherwise email was our medium. Back before InsideRIA launched Tom and I were actually in talks to run it, which was were pretty excited about. Things didn’t work out (as they do sometimes in… -
The 4 W’s
8 May 2009 | 8:36 amI’m quickly becoming a fan of the small Biz Bee blog. This post was especially worth addressing here, since for many the answers might surprise or at least lead to “Ah, that makes sense”. So here are our 4 W’s. 1. Who are you? Tom and John, for short. We (maybe more me, than Tom) went through a phase of trying to really make 360|Conferences its own identity, separated from its founders. We thought it made sense for the company itself to have an identity, but in the end, we were wrong. We couldn’t make people recognize the company, and we realized the “Tom… -
Core Competency is Important
6 May 2009 | 8:14 amTom and I have had this talk many a time, I’ve mentioned it on my blog as well. Core Competency is important. Too many people over look it and branch out in ways that make little to no sense and only hurt themselves and their customers/product. Today’s example, Facebook. ReadWriteWeb has an interesting article on Facebook suffering Twitter Envy. Facebook is doing quite well as far as I can tell. I’m a casual user, keeping my info up to date, creating events and such for my work efforts, but it’s not open in a tab in Firefox all day. Heck, my mom is on Facebook, it…
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Corporate Event Thoughts
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This is how people think
23 Jun 2009 | 2:42 pm -
Twitter not for everything
19 Jun 2009 | 1:28 pmSaw this on the web today from some of my twitter friends, has it come to this........I can actually picture someone on their mobile standing there typing away! -
Zip Lining the Mountains of the Domincan Republic
15 Jun 2009 | 1:20 pmZip Lining is one of the safest activities in the Dominican Republic, Big Willie, our “Zip Instructor” told us so. He said “Smile and be happy! You will not die today”………it was humor and we all laughed and we did smile. In fact, we all believed him. The equipment can hold thousands of pounds, so my 230 was nothing…….A picture tells a thousand words, so here are some images of our group outing to Zip through the tree tops and get a view of the Dominican countryside that few will ever get. All I can say is that it is fun, cool and safe. In fact, the act of zip lining is a self… -
The Dominican Republic - An A for Meetings and Events
15 Jun 2009 | 1:15 pmSitting here in the Dominican Republic, I am taking a minute to think of all of the things I need to do and catch up on. I owe you all updates from my recent trip to Frankfurt (IMEX 2009) and to Puerta Vallarta, Mexico (Meeting Place Mexico), these posts will hopefully come this week as I return for a long spell with no travel. Today, I am in the Dominican Republic for the Annual SITE Chicago Retreat, an educational event for SITE members to learn about the destination of Punto Cana on the eastern side of the Dominican Republic. A mere four hour flight from Chicago.What I have learned… -
Winner - Best Hotel Shower
1 Jun 2009 | 10:11 amI recently returned from the IMEX show in Frankfurt (Great show, more to say later today!). I was pleased to stay at the Fleming's Hotel Frankfurt - Neue Borse about 4km from the Convention Center (a great hotel by the way). Fleming's has the most unique set-up in there rooms, I point to the location and shear "glassiness" of the shower........try and share this room with a co-worker.
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The Webinar Blog
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Social Media and Webinars
2 Jul 2009 | 10:40 amToday’s topic comes from Bob, who asked a question through the Web Conferencing Community Forum: I'm in the Healthcare space and regularly host live webinars with physicians and other healthcare professionals. The meetings can have a number of objectives, marketing and training being the most frequent. Obviously, there are lots of smart folks in these rooms with plenty of knowledge and insights. And I believe a value of our webinars could be for the audience to share amongst themselves. That said, I'm wondering if some aspects of Social Media could help. We're doing polling and using chat… -
VoIP Gives Me A Headache
1 Jul 2009 | 6:01 pmIn recent weeks I have fought with VoIP difficulties on webinars using three different web conferencing technologies. Is VoIP truly ready for prime time? A bit of background first for those unfamiliar with the terminology and concept. VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. In our particular niche - looking at web conferencing – it refers to letting participants use a microphone or headset connected to their computer as a way to let other meeting participants hear their voices. This is subtly different from “broadcast audio” or “streaming audio”, which deals with the… -
One-Stop Webinar Consulting
25 Jun 2009 | 8:29 pmBusiness Expert Webinars is now offering webinar consulting for individuals. This is an innovative new approach to services in this space. It is designed for subject matter experts, service providers, trainers, consultants, and others who want to expand their business through fee-based webinars. You determine the specific area where you need help and sign up to spend an hour working with an expert in that particular niche. Do you want help with positioning your offerings and figuring out how to put together the basics for your first webinar? Lee B. Salz is your man. Do you need advice and… -
AirPlus Survey On Travel Alternatives
23 Jun 2009 | 8:19 pmAirPlus International released a survey of 192 travel management professionals in North America and Europe, conducted in April of this year. Their first question seemed a bit ambiguous to me: “Types of travel alternatives implemented by your company in the past six months.” The options were Specialized virtual conferencing technology (such as TelePresence), Web-conferencing technology, and Increased teleconferencing. Here are the results: It seems to me that the question specifically excludes companies who already had a stable solution in one of these technologies and didn’t have to… -
Yugma Not As Dead As They Say
18 Jun 2009 | 1:42 pmPublicare (owners of www.webconferencing-test.com) just put out a press release today saying that they had removed web conferencing provider Yugma from their vendor list because the company was being shut down. Publicare quotes a letter from Yugma CEO and founder Lingaraj Mishra dated June 2. The letter says that the company’s board of directors decided to wind down the business affairs of the company. This surprised me, and I called Lingaraj at Yugma’s offices. He says he is going crazy answering phone calls and dealing with the false story of the demise of the company. Mishra says that…
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ConventionPlanit.com Meeting & Events Blog
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Meeting Professional Contest
29 Jun 2009 | 10:16 amDon’t forget to participate in our Refer a Meeting Professional Contest…for a chance to win a free trip. It’s simple… …just refer your colleagues to ConventionPlanit.com’s Refer a Meeting Professional Contest, and for each referral, you get another chance to win! The Prize: Two night stay for two at the Morgans Hotel Group property of your choice plus - round-trip airfare for two, courtesy of Continental Airlines. The contest winner will be selected in July 2009. You may enter as many times as you like. It’s a great way to score a free vacation while sharing valuable… -
ConventionPlanit.com’s New Look
26 Jun 2009 | 11:54 amBe sure to check out the ConventionPlanit.com Homepage… …today we unveiled our new look! The new homepage design and navigation will help planners to locate their favorite features faster. The new design was made with the input of our Advisory Council of meeting professionals - to make sure it’s exactly what you want. What do you think? Any thoughts or comments? -
New Luggage Restrictions for Carry Ons?
23 Jun 2009 | 10:38 amSenator Dan Lipinski has introduced a bill to standardize carry on luggage sizes. The bill would require the Transportation Security Administration to set up templates on luggage conveyor belts that would block pieces larger than 22 inches x 18 inches x 10 inches. Larger bags would have to be checked in. With airlines expected to increase checked baggage fees this summer, would this bill create tension at luggage check points? Or is the bill a way to ensure there is room on board for customer’s overhead bags? -
Radisson Fort McDowell Named Hotel of the Year
17 Jun 2009 | 12:14 pmCongratulations to the Radisson Fort McDowell Hotel & Casino… …for being named Radisson’s Hotel of the Year for 2008! The property was honored at a special reception yesterday - during the company’s annual meeting. The Hotel of the Year Award is presented to the property that displayed outstanding sales and marketing efforts, distinguished itself with a high level of commitment to guest service, supported the Radisson brand and has had exceptional financial success. This is the first time that the Radisson Fort McDowell Resort & Casino has been honored with… -
Meetings in the News
9 Jun 2009 | 8:06 amDid anyone catch Ben Stein’s commentary on CBS Sunday Morning last Sunday, June 7th, on Meetings Mean Business? Stein discussed the effect that organizations canceling meetings (namely, those who have not received bail out money from the government) has had on the economy. This current trend is eroding the business at hotels, tradeshows, restaurants and will eventually effect the airline industry. With unemployment numbers rising, Stein pointed out that meetings and conventions are exactly what we need to share ideas to stimulate new business. We are grateful for Stein’s support…
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gathering
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tell me what you want
23 Jun 2009 | 1:16 pmI’m really asking. I’ve been writing this blog for over a year, and I’ve never asked! What would you like to know more about? What subject matter can I research and write about? What topics do you care about? Saving money? Negotiating better contracts? Working smarter not harder? Do you need inspiration? Motivation? Or just knowledge? Tell me. [...] -
hey, i know you!
18 Jun 2009 | 6:46 amBrand name talent. Ugh. And, aahhh. There’s nothing like working with a professional speaker/singer/entertainer, is there? They’re a pain in the backside, and they’re a blessing. They know exactly what they’re supposed to do, and they usually do it exceedingly well. But they can be SO high maintenance, SO expensive, and SO intimidating! Are they worth [...] -
small sigh of relief
17 Jun 2009 | 5:30 amI breathed a small sigh of relief earlier this week, when I read in MeetingsNet.com that the final TARP rules were published, and that meetings haven’t been totally bashed. Not a huge sigh, mind you. But, at least the government types haven’t completely lost their minds. The sigh was on the small side because even though [...] -
take action!
9 Jun 2009 | 5:30 amThe U.S. Travel Association is urging meetings professionals to take action and encourage your senators to vote YES on Travel Promotion THIS WEEK. Urge Your Senators to Vote YES on Travel Promotion S. 1023 Reaches the Senate Floor This Week The “Travel Promotion Act” (S. 1023) is now fast-tracked for passage in the U.S. Senate, and we need [...] -
avian thief
5 Jun 2009 | 11:39 amNot sure when parrots started migrating, but apparently this one didn’t like his own passport photo… http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/28/AR2009052804311.html
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Face2Face
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Off topic: Rewrites
2 Jul 2009 | 11:02 amI was in the middle of editing something I wrote when someone (thanks Larc!) sent me this YouTube clip of Hugh Laurie as Shakespeare undergoing the indignity of a Hamlet rewrite. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwbB6B0cQs4 I don’t know if this is just hilarious to English majors, but I actually did ROTFL at this one. -
Evaluations: what are you really measuring?
1 Jul 2009 | 11:22 amTwo posts you must read if you care at all about measuring the value of your event: How Do You Feel About Me? by Judith Lindenau. One quick snip (and thanks to Kevin for the pointer): The important questions have to do with this question: how applicable was the information you heard to what you do in your job? Or (asked at a later date) “what percentage of the information you gained do you remember? What information from the presentation are you using today?” Certainly retention of information and practical application of methods are important goals for our training efforts. And if we are… -
ACTE and PCMA to ally strategically
25 Jun 2009 | 3:33 pmI didn’t attend the press conference, but this is big news. From the release: The Boards of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) and the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) announced plans to develop a progressive and innovative Strategic Alliance. This Alliance will uniquely leverage the strengths of both organizations to benefit their respective memberships while expanding their global brands and enhancing services. My colleague who attended the press conference said that they stressed this wasn’t in reaction to talks about a potential merger… -
If you like to complain about airline fees…
22 Jun 2009 | 4:44 pmThis article is for you: Struggling airlines launch more ‘a la carte’ fees at fliers. Of particular interest is this chart of common airline fees, like for particular seat assignments and booking over the phone. How hard is it to sort through it all to figure out exactly what a flight will cost? As the writer points out: “It took a week for a USA TODAY reporter — who, unlike most consumers, was assisted by airline public relations staff — to compile 28 different types of fees charged by 14 major airlines.” -
“Soft block” contracts
22 Jun 2009 | 9:44 amI was just reading a writeup of the recent Krisam Insurance Advisory Board meeting, and came across this: A key problem is how to contract future meetings based on today’s lower attendee numbers while still allowing for a jump to higher attendance in the future. The solution: a two-part contract. The first part reflects a room block and function space based on current numbers. A second, a “first-option contract,” holds additional rooms and space based on past attendance. There are agreed-upon review dates and the planner has first right of refusal on the “soft” block if the…
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Webinar Wire
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Another Cautionary Tale
30 Jun 2009 | 8:00 amI would estimate 95% of the webinars I attend go off without a hitch. Of those 95%, the webinar rises or falls on the quality of the content. Sadly, in the other 5% the content is forgotten completely because of a major glitch and more often than not these glitches could have been mitigated somehow.Such was the case yesterday when I attended a professional development webinar. This webinar was high stakes for two reasons. First, it was not free. Second, the webinar was being taken by folks wanting to earn credit toward professional certification.I'm going to present the cause and effect in… -
Looking For Help With Higher Education Webinars
19 Jun 2009 | 1:06 pmWe have a request for help from one of our readers. He is holding public webinars targeted at decision makers in higher education institutions. He's looking for any help on whether attendance rates or behavior patterns are different for those users than for general B2B webinars and if there are any special strategies or tactics you have employed to boost the performance of webinars targeted at that audience. I don't have experience with that market, so I'm looking for community help.Please add a comment with your experiences or tips. Much appreciated! -
Webinars as Social Media
17 Jun 2009 | 7:27 amWhen I say the phrase "social media" to you, what is the first thing you think of? Probably Twitter or Facebook or MySpace or LinkedIn. What if I added "webinars" to the list?What?Think about it a minute. During a webinar we do all the things that are achieved in social media. We impart information (often for free). We build relationships. We obtain valuable feedback from customers and prospects. In fact, to the extent that our webinars don't do this, we have somewhat failed, haven't we?Why don't we typically think of webinars as social media? Corporations have been using… -
Webinar Public Chat -- Be Careful What You Ask For
16 Jun 2009 | 7:29 amI just finished attending a webinar that at least by certain measures was an unmitigated disaster. Let's put aside for the moment that the attendance information did not arrive in my inbox until an hour before the webinar was to begin (I registered early yesterday) and I only found it in my inbox 10 minutes after the webinar had started!Once the three minute process to "retrieve the client" software was finished, I entered the webinar to find a major distraction. The webinar moderator had enabled public chat and in this case, there seemed to be more chat than webinar. The chat… -
5 Effective Ways to Create An Online Quiz
16 Jun 2009 | 7:22 amOnline quizzes have become more and more prevalent in the web 2.0 era. For bloggers or webmasters, a quiz is an outstanding way to engage readers and grow blog or web site traffic. For trainers, an online quiz is a good e-assessment authoring tool. For businesspeople, an online quiz can also be used as a sales tool. Here are 5 ways to create a quiz for online use.1. Use a desktop Flash quiz makerSome Flash quiz makers supply an easy way to create a professional Flash quiz in minutes. With these tools you can create Flash-based quizzes with images, sounds, narrations and Flash animations with…
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The BusyEvent Blog
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Your Event Sold Out - Now What?
30 Jun 2009 | 1:41 pmYour Event Sold Out - Now What? #eventprofs #assnchat #mpi #tradeshows As part 2 of an ongoing series of posts about the marketing, management and delivery of successful events, it’s no longer enough to simply sell-out your event, now it’s time to deliver. Deliver what? Well, if your answer is “a long list of unqualified leads”, then you’re not alone. As we’ve all seen, exhibitors and sponsors are hyper-ROI focused and it has nothing to do with today’s economy . . . because they’ve never been interested in meeting their competitors, the… -
We Can Now Call It - The Award Winning BusyEvent
29 Jun 2009 | 11:13 pmWe Can Now Call It - The Award Winning BusyEvent #eventprofs #assnchat #mpi Shy and Retiring . . . we are not. And as you know, we like to share our ideas and efforts for improving an industry that has brighter days ahead. Right or wrong, the ideas that we share (both locally and nationally) are designed to encourage others to participate in the dialogue and it is this sharing attitude that helped us to receive the award for MPI New Supplier of the Year - St. Louis chapter. 2008-2009 has marked several advancements as we have had 2 major releases of event software and hardware: Event… -
16 Things to Drive Traffic To Your Event
25 Jun 2009 | 6:31 pm16 Things to Drive Traffic To Your Event #eventprofs #tradeshows #mpi #assnchat Each of the three phases of an event are both strategic and tactical puzzles to solve. At BusyEvent, we deploy tools and solutions that address all three phases and in this blog post, we address the first phase of pre-event tactics; “Getting People To Your Event!” The ExhibitGroup/Giltspur is one of those really smart, really creative and really cool companies, in the events industry. However, what makes them a company worth following via Twitter, is the items they share on their blog. Their recent… -
How Did You Get Into the Events Business?
23 Jun 2009 | 7:43 amHow Did You Get Into the Events Business? #eventprofs #assnchat #tradeshows @mmcallen Everyone’s got a story, care to share yours? Here’s the BusyEvent story, as told by our CEO David Schenberg to Mike McAllen of Grass Shack Events & Media. The really good stuff starts at the 7-minute point. It’s a real-life, “really happened” story of how Event Bookmarking is impacting the real-time/on-site/face-to-face event space. Want to read a case study of how to provide quality introductions to People, Products and Ideas at your event? Email us. Related posts:9… -
9 Ideas For Re-Imagining the Business Conference
22 Jun 2009 | 9:49 am9 Ideas For Re-Imagining the Business Conference #eventprofs #assnchat #tradeshows I’ve just recently started reading an excellent blog by Mitch Joel, President of Twist Image. Last week on Six Pixels of Separation, Mitch began a vital conversation about Re-Imagining the Business Conference from which I have excerpted some of the below. Where’s the value in conferences? Right where it’s always been, in the people! And NOW is the time that the events industry, and those that are tired of the traditional and inefficient ways of doing things, have been waiting for. As…
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iGroupNews
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One In Five U.S. Hotels May Default On Loans
1 Jul 2009 | 10:51 amIn our previous post entitled, Refis, GM And The Obama Factor May Eventually Dampen NYU’s Hospitality Industry Investment Conference’s Upbeat Mood, we reported that although there are signs that indicate that the industry may have hit bottom, financing remains nearly impossible to secure and some hotels will be hard pressed to find funds to refinance their debt when it comes due over the next few years. Today, Bloomberg reports that as many as one in five U.S. hotel may default on their loans by the end of 2010 as the recession forces companies to spend less on travel and perks,… -
Which E-RFP Tool Do You Use?
1 Jul 2009 | 6:24 amView This Pollpolls Posted in meeting planner, event planner Tagged: meeting planner poll, meeting planner survey, Request for Proposal, RFP, RFP tools -
Hotel Rates Continuing To Fall In 2010
30 Jun 2009 | 10:59 amPKF Hospitality Research today published a report forecasting that rates will continue to fall until the end of 2010, but that the U.S. lodging industry declines would begin to decelerate in the third quarter of this year. PKF expects rates to drop 10.2 percent for 2009 and by another 3.3 percent in 2010. The biggest discounting will happen this summer, when travel buyers traditionally negotiate the rates in their programs for the following year, said Mark Woodworth, president of PKF Hospitality Research. Woodworth said in the report that 2009 would go down as the weakest year ever recorded… -
Omni Offers 77 Hours of Meeting Incentives
29 Jun 2009 | 3:47 pmStarting July 7th at 7 a.m. for 77 hours, meeting planners booking a meeting at any Omni Hotels property are eligible to receive reduced group rates and complimentary perks. The brand’s exclusive “77 Hour Meetings Sale” is yet another innovative example of how Omni Hotels is recognizing the need for flexibility and value in the meetings market. Over the last several months, Omni Hotels has launched ZERO Attrition, RapidResponse, ReSELL and updated its Select Rewards meeting planner rewards programs to address the ever changing needs of meeting planners. Groups booking during… -
Meeting Planner Poll
29 Jun 2009 | 3:39 pmView This Pollpoll Posted in meeting planner, event planner Tagged: meeting planner, meeting planning, meetings
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www.speakersite.com
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Overcome the fear of Public Speaking Part II
I’ve often listened to Speakers and thought "Wow, I could never be that smart, witty or entertaining.” For years I labored under the illusion I had to to be an intellectual giant with a razor sharp wit to be a Public Speaker. However, I’ve learned it’s not how clever I am, but who I am that counts. It's my observation, many successful Speakers are average people with average lives, who suffer from the same frailties as the average audience. Therefore it begs the question what transforms average to above average, or mores the point, what do they have that I don’t? The answer’s as… -
5 Things You Must Know About Sudden Success
These are very interesting times. The world seems to be polarized - truly feast or famine. Businesses are going under and the cries of “the economic crisis” ripple through the planet like waves ripple out when you drop a rock in the water. Fear, failure and the world’s obsession with dramatic events blanket the airwaves. It’s almost impossible to ignore. But there’s something else going on - something nobody’s talking about. On the other side of the fear and failure are people and organizations that are experiencing massive success. Reality television shows make instant… -
FEATURED ON SPEAKERSITE: Jeff Knott
SpeakerSite welcomes all members — especially Jeff Knott from Apollo Beach, Florida — a featured member on SpeakerSite! Want to know more about Jeff? Here you go... Eight Quick Questions With Jeff Knott You can read all about Jeff on his SpeakerSite profile. Also, I asked Jeff eight more questions. Here are his answers: 1. Why did you join SpeakerSite? I believe I was among the first 800 members. I was attracted to the professionalism and experience of the members. Plus, Artie, I saw that you were from Columbus and my whole family are Buckeyes — what more do I need to say! 2. What hopes… -
Don't Ever Settle Down
The minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get even less than you settled for" [Maureen Dowd]. Why is it some people have the confidence to courageously pursue and ask for what they want, what they think they deserve (whether or not they bring anything to the table to back it up), while other well-deserving people will meekly accept what is handed to them? "One's self-image is very important because if that's in good shape, then you can do anything, or practically anything" [Sir John Gielgud], including standing up and asking for what you deserve! There is a reason the idiom, "the… -
Overcome the fear of Public Speaking Part I
When you stand up in front of people do you experience a knot in your stomach, sweaty palms and nearly pass out from anxiety? Giving presentations is a big part of business life, therefore overcoming performance anxiety is essential to building a successful business. The biggest myth surrounding anxiety is, if we’re anxious we won’t perform, however the reality is anxiety helps you come across motivated and energetic. Athletes understand this about performance anxiety and use it to their advantage. Anxiety can be minimized, in fact there’s a variety of practical things we can do to…
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Lavish Events
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Photo Shoot for Gray PhotographyWorkshop
26 Jun 2009 | 4:59 pmHere is a new blog venture for me guys - I have been experimenting with photography - check it out and let me know what you think! -
Flowers:::Peony
7 May 2009 | 9:53 amThe peony is a beautiful bloom with paper thin petals all ruffled and sweet. These are a classic bridal flower, and make an easy, pretty arrangement. They do tend to be a little on the pricey side, but just a few peonies in a small vase make a lovely statement.According to wikipedia:The peony or paeonyPaeonia) is the only genus in the flowering plant family Paeoniaceae. They are native to Asia, southern Europe and western North America Most are herbaceous perennial plants 0.5–1.5 metres tall, but some are woody shrubs up to 1.5–3 metres tall. They have compound, deeply lobed… -
Amazing wedding photography for an amazing wedding!
6 May 2009 | 10:05 amCheck out this incredible slideshow of images from last weekend's wedding - Jessica of Budget Savvy Bride and her handsome groom, Eric. Shot by the lovely, funny, and talented Chris & Adrienne Scott for Evin Photography. I especially love the b/w shot of Jess getting into her dress... she's so gorgeous. -
Ooops I did it again!
5 May 2009 | 10:13 amSo sorry Charlie, I have been blog absent again! Had a wedding this past weekend, it was in fact, the fabulous Jessica of Budget Savvy Bride fame. I have a busy busy May, so my blogging will probably be few and far between, but I still love ya! -
At Home:::: ice cube trays
23 Apr 2009 | 6:56 amEntertaining at home can be as grand as a catered party or as casual as a backyard barbecue. I'm loving all of the fun, quirky ice trays you can find nowadays. Add a little fun to all of your cold beverages. And get brownie points with the wee ones as well.
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Cvent Meetings & Events
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Orlando Venue Spotlight: Host Events in a 2,300-Acre Florida Paradise at Reunion Resort
2 Jul 2009 | 12:00 pmBask in the warm Florida sun at your next meeting! The premier Reunion Resort in Orlando, Florida, offers 25,000 square feet of state-of-the-art conference facilities spread among over a dozen meeting rooms, making it a prime destination for hosting your next corporate event. Your guests will feel right at home with its 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom villas or 3- to 8-bedroom private homes, each with its own private kitchen, dining and living room. Reunion boasts 500 sleeping rooms total, each of which feature complimentary high-speed Internet access, in-room safes, newspaper delivery, and flat-screen… -
3 Patriotic Venues for a Star-Spangled Event
2 Jul 2009 | 11:10 amThe United States is celebrating its 233rd birthday this weekend (only a few days left to get a gift!), so it seems fitting to have a look at some of the best patriotic event venues in the country where you can celebrate this, or really any, important event. Old South Meeting House Located in the heart of downtown Boston, the Old South Meeting House has big reputation with meetings. In 1773, 5,000 colonists gathered here to protest the tax on tea, a protest that ultimately led to the famous Boston Tea Party. For "revolutionary" Boston events, the Old South Meeting House can… -
Watergate Hotel May Face Foreclosure
2 Jul 2009 | 10:56 amIn more sad foreclosure news, The Washington Post is reporting that the infamous Watergate Hotel is facing foreclosure unless the lender agrees to new terms with developer Monument Realty. The owners defaulted on a $70 million loan that was due this week. The 251-room Watergate has actually been closed for five years following its purchase by Monument. However, redevelopment has stalled due to the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers (a partner and equity investor in the hotel) and the declining real estate market. "Monument is still committed to the Watergate," Michael J. Darby, a… -
Marriott, Starwood Add Value to Meetings with New Telepresence Technology
2 Jul 2009 | 9:39 amMarriott and Starwood are going high tech with their meetings. Both brands announced separate plans this week to introduce Cisco's TelePresence remote conferencing technology to several properties this year. Using high-definition video and real-time audio, telepresence is growing in popularity for its ability to help small groups meet and collaborate no matter where attendees are located across the world. Companies without Telepresence capability, or remote regional employees, can connect "in-person" with people in various locations by renting the rooms. "As the 24/7 world… -
Detroit, San Francisco Are the Next Cities to Discuss Convention Center Expansions
2 Jul 2009 | 9:35 amThe down economy certainly isn't stopping cities from investing in convention and meeting business. Just ask Nashville, which recently approved the purchase of 16 acres of land for the new Music City Center. Detroit is also following suit. The Michigan state legislature recently passed a bill that authorized the expansion of the Cobo Center, to be paid for by regional liquor and hotel tax revenues, according to Spinal Column Newsweekly. However, Detroit officials do have 30 days to act on the proposal or the funds will go to renovating a convention center in the suburbs. At the same time, the…
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TradePub: Meetings & Travel
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Avoiding the Compliance Trap for Travel and Expenses
1 Jul 2009 | 12:20 amOrganizations weighing T&E automation should look beyond the value of streamlining the process to solutions that include analytic and reporting features that enforce compliance controls and provide audit evidence while minimizing business risks associated with uncontrolled spending and fraud. These more robust solutions are part of the extended enterprise applications market experiencing greater investment as a result of governance, risk, and compliance requirements. Get the answers to the following questions posed by travel and expense management services provider Concur to Kathleen Wilhide,… -
Releasing Resources to Support Growth - The Long-Term Benefits of Finance Transformation
1 Jul 2009 | 12:20 amCFO Research Services and Concur developed the hypotheses for this research jointly. This study discovers how companies have deployed the savings they've realized so far through their transaction-processing improvement efforts. Our survey of senior finance executives in North America reveals that the finance function has freed time and resources to pursue high-value activities like decision support and financial planning and analysis as a result of transaction-processing automation.We find that transaction-processing improvements are not only valuable because they help companies reduce cost,… -
T&E Expense Management: Leveraging Data to Drive Performance
1 Jul 2009 | 12:20 amThe latest Aberdeen Group research indicates that 80 percent of companies surveyed have seen T&E expenses jump by an average of 14 percent in the last year alone! Best-in-class organizations leverage key technologies and process to achieve:95 percent compliance to corporate T&E policiesOnline booking costs 40 percent lower than their competitors62 percent lower processing costs for expense reports than all othersDownload the Aberdeen Group's report, T&E Expense Management: Leveraging Data to Drive Performance, to learn about the benefits of connecting travel booking and expense reporting with… -
Travel and Procurement: The Convergence
1 Jul 2009 | 12:20 amAccording to a recent Aberdeen Group survey, companies that don't use an integrated travel and entertainment (T&E) expense management service, like Concur Travel & Expense, are falling behind in almost every measure of financial management.Aberdeen refers to these companies as "laggards" and presents figures showing that they pay 37 percent more to process their expense reports, they take three times longer to reimburse employees, and they're essentially working in the dark when it comes to controlling travel expenditures. Plus, Aberdeen estimates that almost one of every five T&E expenses… -
Amplifying the Value of Travel & Expense Automation
1 Jul 2009 | 12:20 amDespite the fact that billions of dollars per year are spent on business travel and entertainment (T&E) by employees on behalf of their organizations:Many companies are still not maximizing the value of that spend because they're relying on multiple processes and solutions to manage their T&E.T&E is an area of spend that for many companies is the second largest controllable cost after payroll.Why is Travel and Expense Management still viewed as separate function by most organizations?Request Free!
