Event Planning

• 
  Mimegasite - Recent News

• Chicago Loses Plastics Trade Show to Orlando

  19 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm

  Citing labor and travel costs, the Washington, D.C.-based Society of the Plastics Industry will hold its 2012 and 2015 trade shows in Orlando instead of Chicago, where it's been for nearly 40 years.

• Starwood Relocating Headquarters to Connecticut

  19 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm

  Starwood will be moving its headquarters from White Plains, N.Y., to Stamford, Conn., in January 2012.

• ZipSetGo.com Roars Into Online Meeting/Incentive Group Travel Space

  18 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm

  Excellence in Motivation has launched a new travel resource for corporate meeting and incentive planners that offers vetted content alongside social media tools.

• ACTE Survey Underscores Buyer Concern About Managing Ancillary Fees

  18 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm

  Without a solution to track and report on ancillary airline fees, many travel buyers are encountering problems in managing and measuring the total cost of trip.

• Poll: Travel Industry to Lose $4.05 Billion This Holiday Season

  16 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm

  For the first time in a decade, holiday travel is projected to be down, according to a new poll from corporate travel company Maritz.

• 
  Fresh Event Tips

• Registrant Tool, Volunteer Sign ups

  Rose

  15 Nov 2009 | 1:45 pm

  From the creator of WhichWeekend (a fabulously handy tool) comes a new easy to use booking engine called BOOKWHEN.  This helpful site allows event organizers to set up a schedule for volunteers or attendees to "sign up" for conference sessions, work shifts, activities.  The host sets how many slots are available at each time and the tool will sync with the attendees calendars.  No need to download any software - the application lives online. BOOKWHEN is best suited to recurring events or a series of upcoming events. This type of tool would also work fine for someone renting a…

• Baby Girl

  Rose

  15 Nov 2009 | 1:40 pm

  We've taken a long break from the blog entries to welcome a baby girl to the family.  Hope you're enjoying the older posts and please share your own tips on the SHARE section.  Good ideas are best shared.   Cheers!

• Floral Color Trends, by Michael Daigian Designs

  Rose

  15 Jul 2009 | 8:40 am

  If you're planning a wedding or simply adore flowers (yours truly) then you'll enjoy renowned San Francisco flower desiger Michael Daigian's new blog.  His site is filled with tips and ideas as well as great photos of his team's stunning work.  You can see the full portfolio here.  Below is a recent article he submitted about floral color trends.  To all floral enthusiasts,Flowers certainly give off a wonderful aroma and arrangements ought to appeal to your more architectural sensibilities; but COLOR is without a doubt the most intruiging aspect of floral design.Color is a…

• Classic Wedding Party Gift

  Rose

  15 May 2009 | 7:47 am

  Thanking your bridal party is a wonderful excuse to splurge on your very dearest friends. But what to get them? One idea comes to us from a spa lover. RobeWorks, creators of the finest luxury robes, has come out with a new wedding collection. You can have your bridesmaid's named embroidered on these keepsake robe as well as the date of your special day (at no charge). These robes are the perfect weight. Made of silky white microfiber with soft French knit terrycloth lining, you feel warm yet they swing softly with your body. I've really thought about spending the day in mine. Best of all,…

• Invitation Wording

  Rose

  24 Apr 2009 | 1:52 pm

  Invitations set the tone of your special event and provide your guests with a first impression of the celebration.  Coming up with a snappy, creative phrase for your big bash certainly is not as much fun as cake tasting sessions.   The gals at Pink Sea Turtle Invitations have come up with an excellent list of invitation verses which are now available on Bonjour Events in the Templates section.   Please enjoy their creative wording suggestions and check out the thousands of invitations they offer at PinkSeaTurtles.com.  

• 
  Mimegasite - Featured Articles

• Management Matters: Accountability & Connection

  19 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm

  Getting constituents to like you and respect you.

• Industry Leaders Seeking To Advance Meetings Architecture

  19 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm

  A group of international meeting planners, association executives, university instructors and supplier representatives are pushing a new philosophy of meetings management as part of the Meeting Architecture 2011 Project.

• Mouth for Sale: Make It Work

  18 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm

  Strategies for modern leaders.

• Planners Finding Speakers More Flexible

  18 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm

  Meeting planners are finding more success in negotiating with speakers and speakers bureaus in the down economy, in many cases signing speakers for less money.

• What a Wonderful World

  17 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm

  Here are eight reasons to take a meeting international.

• 
  Meetings Podcast

• 4 Things Event Professionals Can Learn From Oprah

  Mike McAllen

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:46 pm

  4 Things Event Professionals can learn from Oprah Oprah Winfrey said today that she is calling it quits on her day job hosting “The Oprah Winfrey Show” She has said she will end the popular daytime show in 2011 after 25 seasons on this ground breaking program. Of course there is no question on the success of Oprah and her media empire. She will be leaving the day job to start a network. Besides owning the content. Oprah is Steve Jobs Applesque on the protection of her content. I had a friend from KIVA.org go on the show and she said they were not allowed to use any pictures or tape from…

• Corporate Online Training With Debbie Newton

  Mike McAllen

  18 Nov 2009 | 3:43 pm

  Mike McAllen speaks with Debbie Newton about online training for corporations, pharmaceutical sales, leadership development, sales effectiveness and of course sales training. For the full scoop listen to the podcast or read the below transcripts. Transcripts: Mike McAllen: Welcome back to Meetings Podcast. This is Mike McAllen with Grass Shack Events and Media and today, we have Debbie Newton, President of ID & C Consulting which is actually instructional design and curriculum consulting. Hi, Debbie. Debbie Newton: Hi, Michael. Mike McAllen: Welcome back to the show again. Debbie Newton:…

• Sometimes you need a Good Slap!

  Mike McAllen

  12 Nov 2009 | 5:28 pm

  Sometimes you need a slap in the face.  If you show something to someone at work  and say. “What do you think?”ideas, But its much better to hear it then then later. So here I go.  “What is wrong with this Podcast?” SLAP US! Hat tip: Paul Arden

• Meetings Podcast Show 45: Perspective New Rules at Hotels

  Mike McAllen

  12 Nov 2009 | 5:19 pm

  Hotels, outside vendors, and are Meeting Planners getting the best values at venues? Photo Credit: MarkHillary Please leave us a question or comment, which we will try to address on the show ASAP! Transcripts: Mike McAllen: And this is Mike. I wanted to thank you again for tuning in to Meetings Podcast. I wanted to apologize for the audio on this show. I used my iPhone and it didn’t sound good at all. But, I hope you enjoyed anyway and please bear with me at the beginning but it gets better at the end. Thanks a lot. Female Speaker: Welcome to the Meetings Podcast. The Meeting Planners…

• Video: A Call to Action

  Mike McAllen

  11 Nov 2009 | 11:42 am

  Photo Credit: Hiddedevries Video: “A call to action!” by Johnny Koeller So I’m trying again to explain the importance of the video component for corporate meetings to a new client, and they ask why there even needs to be video at meetings anymore. For me there are four key reasons to use video. To “Inspire”, “Motivate”, “Educate” and “Entertain”. Let’s throw out “Entertain” right away. This might have been an acceptable way to spend shareholder money in the 90s but not anymore. The other three however can have…

• 
  BizBash National News

• LOS ANGELES - EVENT REPORT: Us Weekly Takes to Voyeur With Scantily Clad Models, Burlesque Feel

  On Wednesday, Us Weekly toasted its annual Hot Hollywood issue with a celebrity-filled event at West Hollywood's new Voyeur. After a stint in New York, the party came back to Los Angeles this year, and its latest incarnation stuck to its known formula: introducing guests to a mostly yet-unseen, buzzed-about new nightclub. This time, the dark, broody Voyeur set the stage for the program. The mag's honorees in attendance included “Comic of the Year" Kristin Cavallari, “Comeback of the Year” Kris Allen, “Victor of the Year” Adam Lambert, and the cast of…

• NEW YORK - EVENT REPORT: Gap, Banana Republic, American Eagle Open Stores With Musical Performances

  Reports this week indicated that retail sales are on the rebound and, in an almost deliberate show of proof, a trio of large consumer brands heralded new store openings with celebrity-filled crowds and live musical acts. Last week saw hundreds of guests descend on events for the Gap concept store and Banana Republic's new downtown flagship—both in SoHo—and a Tuesday-night blowout packed the new Times Square home of American Eagle Outfitters.

• TORONTO - EVENT REPORT: OCAD Gala Kicks Off Mystery Art Sale 

  The Ontario College of Art & Design kicked off its eighth annual mystery art sale Wednesday with the "Whodunit?" gala preview—an event that drew more than 500 guests and provided a sneak peek at the 1,500 pieces of art available in the Whodunit? public sale, which takes place on Saturday. "It's an opportunity to buy work without being intimidated and going into a gallery," Katherine Needham, OCAD's manager of fund-raising events, said of the institution's signature fund-raiser.

• CHICAGO - EVENT REPORT: Chicago Chefs Prepare Apple-Cider Bubbles, Whipped Salt Cod for Food & Wine Entertaining Showcase

  "I can smell truffles in the air," said one guest at Monday night's Food & Wine Entertaining Showcase. Held at the Museum of Contemporary Art, the event treated 600 guests to dishes from local chefs, who peppered their offerings with high-end ingredients that—apart from black truffles —included everything from whipped salt cod to apple-cider bubbles and pumpkin consommé. Now in its 11th year, the tasting is "built around its talent," said Food & Wine's special projects producer, Devin Padgett, referring to the 20 local chefs who dished out…

• NEW YORK - EVENT REPORT: MoMA Gets Suitably Whimsical and Macabre for Tim Burton Tribute

  Now in its second year, the Museum of Modern Art hosted its annual film benefit Tuesday night. The gala raised $800,000 for MoMA's department of film, honored director Tim Burton, and kicked off an exhibition of his work with decor inspired by more than two decades worth of movies. A crowd of 240—including event co-chairs Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, as well as Danny DeVito, Brooke Shields, and Gabourey Sidibe—joined the director for cocktails, a short presentation, and dinner, before the museum lobby opened for a less exclusive after-party.

• 
  READY 2 SPARK

• new product to watch . ticings

  20 Nov 2009 | 10:10 am

  Have you ever wanted to get the look that professional pastry chefs spend hours achieving? Ticings let you do just that. An edible peel and stick applique that can be applied to cupcakes, cookies, cakes and brownies, Ticings give you the hand crafted look without the years of experience and effort.Cool, no?Lara McCulloch-CarterAuthor of the Special Event blog ready2sparkDirector of Marketing - Regal Tent ProductionsPast-President - ISES Toronto. Follow me on Twitter. Connect with me on LinkedIn. Become my Peep at EventPeeps. Befriend me at Events Network

• le . cupcake

  19 Nov 2009 | 3:03 pm

  I am absolutely in love with Australia's own Le Cupcake - a delicious boutique that creates one-of-a-kind cakes and cupcakes. I first came across them while lurking on Flickr. Proprietor Kylie Lambert has the most delightful photography of her works of art and it was her edible toppers that made my jaw drop. A personal favorite are her fabulous cows (top right)!What do you think?Lara McCulloch-CarterAuthor of the Special Event blog ready2sparkDirector of Marketing - Regal Tent ProductionsPast-President - ISES Toronto. Follow me on Twitter. Connect with me on LinkedIn. Become my Peep at…

• shifting out of neutral . filling the pipeline

  19 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am

  Photo via Jenny DowningIn my post 5 ways to know you're stuck in neutral I spoke about one of my most common encounters when dealing with SMBs (small and medium sized businesses): The company who's stuck in the word-of-mouth rut...relying on the good of others to bring them business.The problems with wholly relying on word-of-mouth- You can't project what new business you anticipate when you're not the one prospecting. - You're relying on others, who aren't intimately involved with your business, to sell your business- Word of mouth has very limited reach: If you're looking to expand into a…

• shifting out of neutral . overcoming procrastination

  16 Nov 2009 | 7:00 am

  Continuing our 5 tips to know you're stuck in neutral series, we're now going to focus on issue number 2:You're likes-focused. What I mean by that is that you spend the vast majority of your time doing things you like to do and putting off the things you need to do. We've all been there. We have a deadline and we're running out of time. But the funny thing is that everything else seems a lot more interesting and important. You keep clicking on your email to see if perhaps your computer's sound notification has stopped working and you really do have a new message. Perhaps now is the time to go…

• love it or hate it . cake in the raw

  16 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am

  I haven't done this in a while, but this one was too good to pass up. This totally unique cake from Momofuku Milk Bar in New York is an attention-getter. What say you - head turner or head scratcher?Lara McCulloch-CarterAuthor of the Special Event blog ready2sparkDirector of Marketing - Regal Tent ProductionsPast-President - ISES Toronto. Follow me on Twitter. Connect with me on LinkedIn. Become my Peep at EventPeeps. Befriend me at Events Network

• 
  Wedding and Event Planning Blog

• The ABC's of Wedding Planning :: M for Minutes Alone

  10 Nov 2009 | 9:30 am

  After the ceremony think about asking your coordinator, minister, catering director and/or photographer for a few minutes alone. This will give you and your new life partner a time to rejoice in what just happened…you two are now married! They can tell you how beautiful you look or how wonderful your vows were. Having a few minutes after the ceremony will give you a chance to take a deep breath and celebrate alone and together…even if it’s just a few minutes it’s a time that will be so appreciated. The rest of the evening can be about the guests and visiting with them. Picture by…

• The ABC's of Wedding Planning :: L for Little Things Do Count

  4 Nov 2009 | 12:22 pm

  “They are going to throw the invitations away anyways”. “Will people even notice the chairs”? “I don’t want to spend a lot of money of flowers because the resort is just going to throw them away.” “Lighting? I have enough décor. People won’t know the difference”. These are all statements I hear when I talk to clients about designing their big day. You are right people probably won’t notice the lighting, upgraded linens, the extra flowers or they just might toss your invitation when the wedding is over but what the will remember is the overall feeling and awesomeness…

• Easy to do Place Card idea for Thanksgiving and why are they so important to have.

  2 Nov 2009 | 7:30 am

  In these economic times buying expensive (place your fav home entertaining store name here) place card holders are something I would suggest not purchasing this year. Please don't roll out the ones from last year either...we have seen it and chances are you'll have the same guests attending. One option that is cheap and easy to get creative with is food! Take a potato, a small pumpkin, a small bell pepper, an onion, an orange, a pear, a squash or just use whatever you aren't cooking on thanksgiving just as long as it matches your overall design and color scheme and use it as a base for your…

• The ABC's of Wedding Planning :: K stands for Kiss

  14 Oct 2009 | 9:39 am

  Frederique Cohen PhotographyAt rehearsals I am always telling my clients to “hold that kiss.” Not only do I want them to revel in the moment because they are “sealing the deal” but because it’s a photo moment! So many couples do a small quick peck and the photographers can easily miss it. At your rehearsal practice a nice prolonged smooch and don’t be so antsy to rush it. The kiss is such a precious moment at your ceremony let’s make sure you can savor it with a picture.New to the series? Catch up on the other letters below!A :: AskB :: Bridal BarteringC :: CakesD :: Disaster…

• The ABC's of Wedding Planning :: J stand for Journal

  14 Oct 2009 | 9:33 am

  Image courtesy of InfedThe wedding day will be photographed and sometimes video-taped but what about documenting the experience of planning your wedding itself? I suggest to all my clients (and I include it in their packages) a wedding journal. This not only acts as the bible for massive note taking, invitation list making, and an exploration of ideas to ponder but it also can be a wonderful scrapbook of memories during the process of planning your wedding day. Can you imagine looking back and seeing the fun ideas you thought about including? Maybe look at what final details made it to the…

• 
  Event Manager Blog

• Social Media Marketing for Event Planners - Part 2: RSS Feeds & More About Blogs

  19 Nov 2009 | 7:36 pm

    Preparing Your Event Planning Blog for Distribution Summary: Tips to help event planners prepare their blogs for distribution through RSS Feed to Twitter, Facebook, and other social media websites. Includes videos to demonstrate how to locate, activate or burn an RSS Feed for your blog. In Part 1 of Social Media Marketing Strategies for Event Planners, I highlighted the fact that, before focusing on social media tools, it's important to develop and fine-tune your overall business, marketing and sales strategy. We identified 5 basic building blocks for implementing your social media…

• Social Media Marketing Strategies for Event Planners - Part 1

  18 Nov 2009 | 2:36 am

  Social Media Marketing: 5 Basic Building Blocks Summary:This article is part of a series covering 5 basic social media marketing tools: websites, blogs, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. It is a "get started" guide designed for professionals event planners who are in the position of having to market themselves as independents for the first time.   With the number of layoffs in our industry during the past year, many event planners now need to market themselves for freelance opportunities or set up their own small businesses. If you're used to working for a big firm, there was…

• Twitter Tools for Event Planners

  16 Nov 2009 | 12:20 pm

  Twitter the microblogging tool has become a macro-tool for events since event planners need to be up to date with trends, audience needs and feedback, buzz and much more. So here we go with a list of twitter tools planners may use pre, during and post events. To Manage accounts tweetdeck TweetDeck is your personal browser for staying in touch with what’s happening now, connecting you with your contacts across Twitter, Facebook and more. twhirl Connects you to different accounts such as twitter, friendfeed; it has a cross-post function to Facebook and LinkedIn.

• Crowdsourcing for Managing Online Groups

  13 Nov 2009 | 6:09 pm

  Towards Crowdsourcing Management for Online Communities No one has ever come up with a perfect model for managing online communities. With the recent closing of Geocities and the explosive growth of online groups for event planners, it's time to pause, reflect on lessons learned and develop a more inclusive, bottom up approach to management. Could crowdsourcing be the wave of the future? Ever since the advent of the first bulletin boards, management of online groups has been a challenge. As a result of the ease in the proliferation of spam, the risk of an online group devolving into a gloried…

• It's Time to Flip The Events Model Upside Down & Inside Out

  13 Nov 2009 | 3:43 am

  Do you find it strange that Social Media and Web 2.0 events use the same format as other conferences?  Speakers Talk. Attendees Listen. Attendees Get Smart. Maybe it is just me - but I thought these conferences would be using innovative formats, applying technology tools in new ways and reinventing communication at events.  You know: Listen. Engage. Communicate. Share. Collaborate. Blah, Blah, blah. Isn’t that what Chris Brogan and his merry band of social media experts preaches? Or, maybe all of that sharing, communication and collaboration is only for the digital nation.

• 
  being SOCIAL

• Real Wedding: Alina & Nathan

  Sarah Bradley

  18 Nov 2009 | 6:58 am

  Alina and Nathan's photos are up on CVI Photography's blog! This intimate 22-person affair took place at the hauntingly beautiful Confederate Home on Broad Street. SOCIAL had the best time designing this event from the large dining table and oversized patterned runner which was a modern twist on the shape and designs of the vintage plates Alina rented for her 3-course seated dinner. Way more photos CVI's blog!

• Aisle Style Pics

  Sarah Bradley

  16 Oct 2009 | 6:44 pm

  SOCIAL Event Design & Planning was the design sponsor for the Aisle Style Opening Reception for the Charleston Museum's new exhibition. The party was really great and I have some amazing photos taken by my friend and owner of 120 Design, Christina Bailey! Ashley Bakery did the cake, which was even more stunning in person and they also provided a variety of other desserts in the monochromatic color scheme of peach and gray (gray sugar crystals on the sugar cookies, cool!) Other sponsors of the event included PDA Stage for lighting, Tiger Lily Florist for...flowers, Charleston Weddings…

• Fashion Education

  MFH

  14 Oct 2009 | 1:14 pm

  I highly doubt that brides of the 19th century were as concerned with color palettes and ice sculptures as the modern brides of today. Nevertheless, I’m sure that brides of the past were still very much concerned with style. The Charleston Museum has a special exhibit that highlights all things wedding from the past 150 years; starting with the bride's dress to groom's garments and even accessories. Not to mention all of your burning questions about wedding traditions will be exposed. Why was white so significant in choosing the gown or does blue really ensure great things for your wedding…

• All lit up!

  Sarah Bradley

  22 Sep 2009 | 7:32 am

  If you're looking for a unique monogram or letter to celebrate your new last name, do what our former bride Meredith did! One of her friends had a great prop connection and got her a real circus letter "R" for her new last name, Rose. This wedding was so fun and stylish, check out those bridesmaid dresses, too!photos: Ashley Brokop

• Musings of the Moment

  Sarah Bradley

  27 Aug 2009 | 7:38 am

  Photos: Josh Goleman, A Bunch of Bliss

• 
  About.com Event Planning

• Berlin Gaining in Popularity for International Conventions and Business Events

  16 Nov 2009 | 1:00 am

  Millions of people watched on November 9, 2009, as Berliners marked the 20th anniversary of freedom for this city - and the world likes this new Berlin. Speeches were made and concerts were held at Brandenburg Gate, including an event with 1,000 styrofoam blocks painted by German children as a symbol of the fall of the wall as they fell like dominos. "Representatives of many nations came here to take part in the celebrations to mark an event that wrote a whole new chapter in the history books," says Heike Mahmoud, director of conventions for the Berlin Convention Office. "Berlin's image…

• Organizations Should Not Follow Goldman Sachs Lead of Canceling Holiday Party

  12 Nov 2009 | 6:27 am

  If you think the only reason for hosting a holiday party is just to demonstrate your own lavishness, then it is correct not to host one. Investment News just announced that The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. has canceled its company holiday party this year because its business model was too profitable, and they are concerned that this event will be perceived as extravagant. As we approach the end of 2009, let's hope this mentality about the events industry stays in 2009 and does not carry forward into 2010. It seems like an awful insult that Goldman Sachs would associate the extravagance of its…

• Share Your Ideas for Planning This Year's Company Holiday Party

  11 Nov 2009 | 5:43 am

  We're trying something new on this section -- we're asking for readers to share their views and answer questions. Please help me get this started. This is the time of year when everyone is working on their final plans for this year's company holiday parties. From theme to catering to gifts, what tips do you have to share with others about this year's company party or holiday party theme? What would you suggest to someone who is responsible for organizing a holiday party for the first time? What do you enjoy about your company holiday party? Share your holiday party ideas here! Answer here:…

• A University Student Organizer Asks, How Do We Organize a Rave Party?

  3 Nov 2009 | 6:27 am

  I was just glancing at the latest questions in the event planning forum, and ran across this one: How to organize a university rave party? The concept of a "rave party" has changed over the years, so to avoid sounding like someone over 30, I thought that I'd share the question with readers. What would you recommend a university include in its rave party? I suggest the following: Begin the event after 10 p.m. and continue it until legally approved hours. Hire two or three bands and mix the styles of music (include Jamaican music). Project a laser light show on screens and buildings. Distribute…

• IMEX Partners with MPI to Establish IMEX America

  29 Oct 2009 | 9:32 am

  IMEX Group, known for its annual hosted conference (IMEX) in Frankfurt, Germany, has announced with Meeting Professionals International, Dallas, TX, that it will establish IMEX America for October 11-13, 2011. IMEX America will host 1,500 meetings and incentives buyers at the Sands Expo Center (Venetian/Palazzo) in Las Vegas, NV. About 80% of attendees will come from North America. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority participated in the launch announcement of Imex America. The program is being supported by other leading industry associations, including ICCA (International Congress…

• 
  Unique Venues

• Ibiza Nightclub in Washington DC

  David

  12 Nov 2009 | 3:32 pm

  Visitors and residents of Washington, DC area are equally pleased to receive a diplomat’s welcome when they visit the Ibiza Nightclub. Literal red carpet treatment greets the guests as they arrive at the valet parking. Properly welcomed, your guests then make their way through the doorway and on to leather couches, granite tables and private party spaces — amidst one of the most popular dance clubs in the nation’s capital! What a fantastic place, what a great venue! And now the Ibiza is available to host your next affair, event or special occasion! Why rent some stodgy…

• University of British Columbia at Okanagan

  David

  12 Nov 2009 | 12:36 pm

  Is your group searching for top destination meeting facilities in Canada or the Pacific Northwest? Consider this forward-thinking, progressive venue which is able to accommodate a large variety of needs, the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus rises to the challenge, providing a unique venue for all manner of gatherings. Able to accommodate over a thousand guests in their 40 meeting rooms, the U of BC at Okanagan can provide award-winning catering for 350, combined with state-of the-arts conference, meeting, theatre and classroom facilities. The new $30 million Fipke Centre…

• St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania

  David

  10 Nov 2009 | 1:46 pm

  Is your group searching for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania event facilities for you next function, meeting, or conference? Consider nearby Latrobe – the town that has brought us more than a few noteworthy celebrities, including the legendary golf pro, Arnold Palmer, and a Presbyterian minister know and loved by many as Mister Rogers. Both of these greats maintained strong ties with their roots, though they rose to stardom. St. Vincent College’s new Conference Center is located within the new Fred M. Rogers Center, named to honor Mr. Rogers himself. The campus is services by the…

• Las Vegas Motor Speedway

  David

  6 Nov 2009 | 2:20 pm

  Talk about a unique venue! Imagine the thrill of having your next event at the Motor Speedway! This NASCAR track’s modern clubhouse and facilities are at your disposal! The Las Vegas motor Speedway is dedicated to ensuring total success for your group, exceeding all expectations! You and up to fifteen thousand of your closest friends and colleagues can enjoy all the excitement and thrills of Las Vegas on this 1500 acre premier facility! Few places leave so powerful and lasting an impression! The Speedway isn’t just for automotive enthusiasts either. The clubhouse can host…

• The Carolina Girl in Charleston, SC

  David

  5 Nov 2009 | 11:58 am

  Are you looking for a private party or wedding reception venue that will make a huge impression? Wanting to do something extraordinary for your next group event or function? If you’re after the extraordinary in or near Charleston, South Carolina, your search is over. The Carolina Girl, a luxury motor yacht capable of carrying 150 guests in comfort and style, is your answer – the perfectly unique venue you’ve been hoping for! The Carolina Girl’s home port is Charleston, South Carolina. From that berth, she can travel nearly anywhere there’s water, 365 days a year!

• 
  Tradeshow Week - Behind The Story

• Rough Day, Rough Quarter at Viad, GES

  Viad Corp. held its third-quarter conference call this morning, and it couldn’t have been an easy call for GES Chairman, President and CEO Pa...

• Still, You Hear Stories

  As I try to crystallize my thoughts here, euphemisms keep popping into my head. When I “read the tea leaves,” do I see “light at ...

• The End Is Not in Sight

  There were two major breaking news items yesterday for the tradeshow industry: First thing in the morning was the news that Canon Communications ha...

• Who Is Your Eco-leader?

  We have been on a campaign here at Tradeshow Week for at least a couple of years. We’ve been trying to point out the efforts being made in th...

• What Is Dan Fenton Thinking?

  Dan Fenton, president and CEO of Team San Jose, apparently has not relented from his position that a local union gets first dibs on any event to be...

• 
  Tradeshow Week - Event Tech Blog

• Are social media and trade shows at odds with each other or are they complimentary tools?

  From a recent LinkedIn discussion thread in the Digital Thought Group: Isn't this the question that keeps many show organizers and event pla...

• MTO Summit Addresses Critical Issues and Stirs the Pot

  Michelle Bruno is a writer, blogger and event professional based in Salt Lake City, UT. She blogs about new media and face-to-face events at forkin...

• How to Use Social Media Before, During & After Your Trade Show: Simple & Powerful Strategies Every Exhibitor Must Know

  Susan Friedmann and Joyce McKee are conducting a teleseminar this Wednesday, November 4 on exhibitors and social media. They are sharing val...

• What is Inbound Marketing and Why Should We Care?

  Starting thinking about inbound marketing when you hear speakers talk about ways to monetize social media. There really is no other proven ...

• The Paradigm is Changing from Customer to Community

  Rick Calvert completed running BlogWorld last week. He also recently provided great thoughts with writer Michelle Bruno who interviewed h...

• 
  Midcourse Corrections

• Predictions From Nonprofit Prophets

  Jeff Hurt

  20 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am

  Have you read Carol-Anne Moutinho’s Playing the Not-for-Profit Prophet? Association predictions and trends. Canadian association professionals have been weighing in on what they think nonprofit associations will look like in five to six years from now. Bud Crouch, a speaker for an upcoming CSAE 2009 Governance Summit, shared his thoughts. Carol-Anne, the great association oracle that she is, follows with her six predictions for nonprofits: Customized Membership; New Revenue Models; Flatter, Less Hierarchal Structures; Evolution of Volunteerism and Engagement; Transparency No Longer An…

• Meetings And Events As Systems Thinking: The Community Ecosystem

  Jeff Hurt

  19 Nov 2009 | 3:01 pm

  Recently I wrote Meetings And Events As Systems Thinking: The Contact Sport. I talked about viewing each meeting or event within the larger context of a system using the analogy of a sports season. Here’s another way to think about your annual conference, event or meeting: part of a community ecosystem. An ecosystem (or ecological system) is a collection of organisms and the environment in which they live. Ecosystems contain dynamic interactions between plants, animals, microorganisms and their environment. These interactions work together as a functional unit and everything is…

• Meetings And Events As Systems Thinking: The Contact Sport

  Jeff Hurt

  16 Nov 2009 | 1:04 pm

  One of my favorite bloggers, Valeria Maltoni, has an interesting article on Marketing As Systems Thinking. Valeria says social media and relationships are contact sports. If social media and relationships are contact sports, then conferences, meetings and events are the athletic fields, gymnasiums and playgrounds for player-to-player and player-to-object contact. Wow, that’s a powerful analogy. If social media and relationships are contact sports, then conferences, meetings and events are the athletic fields, gymnasiums and playgrounds for player-to-player and player-to-object contact.

• Who Says Social Media Doesn’t Have ROI?

  Jeff Hurt

  13 Nov 2009 | 7:22 am

  One of the most frequently asked questions today  is “What is the ROI of social media?” Many have wrangled with this question. Some have developed their own ROI strategies.   Eric Qualman, author of Socialnomics, says that when he’s asked that question, he often replies with “What’s the ROI of your phone?” Interesting reply right? Yet, Eric has gone one step farther and created another great video on the ROI of Social Media. Check it out: This quote stuck with me: “You can’t buy attention anymore. Having a huge budget doesn’t mean anything in…

• Connecting And Accelerating Serendipity

  Jeff Hurt

  12 Nov 2009 | 10:40 am

  Go ahead and spend the next four minutes watching this video. Wow, it’s the 21st Century’s version of Esther Williams water ballet! Don’t you think? (If you’re too young to know who Eshter Williams is, that’s why I provided a link.) Chris Brogan says this video applies to Twitter. He describes Twitter as a serendipity engine. I like that! A while back Steffan Antonas wrote about how blogging, social media and Twitter created a culture of encouraging randomness and accelerating serendipity. Steffan got the phrase, encouraging randomness and accelerating…

• 
  TradeShowWeek News

• Chicago Launches Task Force

  18 Nov 2009 | 3:20 pm

  A task force was launched in Chicago by representatives from various aspects of the tradeshow industry to do a "top-to-bottom" review of all parts of the business there.

• NPE Leaves Chicago for Orlando

  17 Nov 2009 | 8:16 am

  In 2012, the Society of the Plastics Industry will move its triennial NPE - The Intl. Plastics Showcase from its home in Chicago's McCormick Place, where it has been since 1971, to Orlando's Orange County Convention Center.

• WINDPOWER Wins

  15 Nov 2009 | 10:22 pm

  WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition, the association award winner at TSW Fastest 50, was named the overall winner at the event. ABC Kids Expo was named the top tradeshow, and PAX (Penny Arcade Expo) was the top consumer-hybrid winner.

• HIMMS Opts For Vegas Over Chicago in 2012

  11 Nov 2009 | 5:12 pm

  The Healthcare Information & Management Systems Society Annual Conference & Exhibition, ranked No. 49 on the 2009 Tradeshow Week 200, will go to Las Vegas instead of Chicago in 2012, according to Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau officials.

• Plastics Show May Head South

  11 Nov 2009 | 2:50 pm

  The Society of the Plastics Industry has heard presentations about hosting the triennial NPE – The Intl. Plastics Showcase in 2012 and 2015 from both Chicago, where the show currently has been held at McCormick Place, and Orlando.

• 
  MEETINGSNET | NEWS

• Rancho de los Caballeros

  20 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am

• Hyatt

  20 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am

• Hilton Waikoloa Village

  20 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am

• Springfield FIRST

  20 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am

• Hyatt Northeast

  20 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am

• 
  Exhibitor News Network

• Skyline Exhibits Las Vegas Adds In-House IandD Capabilities

  11 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm

  Skyline Exhibits Las Vegas can do it all. Literally. With the addition of Skyline IandD of Las Vegas, its new in-house service group, Skyline's Las Vega...

• 2020 Exhibits Designs and Delivers Miller Lite Bullpen Party Deck for NFL's Houston Texans

  11 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm

  When approached by Miller Lite to design and fabricate their 'Miller Lite Bullpen Party Deck' – a 15,000 square foot inside/outside, temporary/permane...

• Evo Exhibits Announces Reincarnation Exhibit Recycling Program

  11 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm

  The Evo Element Reincarnation Exhibit Program is designed to reduce the volume of retired exhibits materials reaching landfills. The program features ...

• Mirror Show Management Named to the Rochester Top 100

  11 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm

  As a result of Mirror Show Management's one-of-a-kind blend of outstanding customer service, innovative designs, and flawless custom exhibit construct...

• Informa Telecoms and Media Acquires Broadband World Forum Trade Show

  11 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm

  The International Engineering Consortium (IEC) of Chicago – the commitment and the vision behind the rise of the Broadband World Forum from niche gat...

• 
  Special Events

• Venue News for Nov. 18, 2009

  18 Nov 2009 | 9:49 am

  Venue News for Nov. 18, 2009

• Product Gallery for Nov. 18, 2009

  18 Nov 2009 | 8:56 am

  Special Events Product Gallery for Nov. 18, 2009

• Going Places for Nov. 18, 2009

  18 Nov 2009 | 4:04 am

  Special Events Business News for Nov. 18, 2009

• Special Events News Briefs for Nov. 18, 2009

  18 Nov 2009 | 3:02 am

  Special Events News Briefs for Nov. 18, 2009

• Event Pros Still Going Eco-chic Despite Sour Economy

  17 Nov 2009 | 2:29 pm

  Event Pros Still Going Eco-chic Despite Sour Economy

• 
  BLUE SKY COLLABORATIVE

• New a-thon ideas for nonprofit organizations

  blueskycollaborative

  16 Nov 2009 | 8:36 am

  Every year around this time we hear from more organizations that are looking for pledge fundraising software for their events. This year organizations are getting very creative. We're still getting our share of walk-a-thons, and bike rides. But this year...

• Top 5 Things to Consider When Choosing Walkathon and Pledge Event Software

  blueskycollaborative

  9 Nov 2009 | 7:29 am

  We've had so much activity in the past few weeks from people looking for software for their pledge events. The bump in activity probably coincides with budgets being refreshed in the new fiscal year and the beginning of planning cycles...

• Video: Bike for The Heart Raises $300,000 for For Women's Heart Health

  blueskycollaborative

  29 Oct 2009 | 7:29 am

  Sister to Sister, www.sistertosister.org, recently held a fantastic event called Bike for the Heart. I wrote about what made it awesome here - http://blueskycollaborative.typepad.com/blog/2009/10/charity-bike-ride-raises-over-300k-for-sister-to-sister.html Here's a nice vid from the event. Hopefully, those of you who are trying to organize...

• The Most Important Factor in Having a Successful Pledge Event

  blueskycollaborative

  28 Oct 2009 | 9:56 am

  Give your fundraisers at least 3 months to raise money. This applies to walk-a-thons, bike-a-thons, marathons and any other type of athon or pledge event. Let's face it. The economy is a little scary and many nonprofits are scrambling to...

• Habitat For Humanity Build-a-thon Raises $100,000

  blueskycollaborative

  22 Oct 2009 | 7:59 am

  Habitat for Humanity Chapters in East King County and Seattle/South King County collaborated on a Build-a-thon that raised nearly $100,000 to build homes in 8 different location in King County, WA Habitat’s goal was to raise $100,000 – enough to...

• 
  WORDPRESS TAG: EVENT-PLANNING

• Holiday buzz buzz

  megsevents

  20 Nov 2009 | 9:10 am

  I love planning events because it allows me to really flex my creative muscle and come up with new twists on traditional approaches to things. But of all the events that’s I’ve been a part of, The Moretown Artisans’ Sale, and more specifically the new use of the lower level for this event, REALLY allows me to get my Holiday buzz on! Last night I met with the woman running the Kids Craft Corner for the show (Jessica Knoop – coolest kid taker-care-of-er ever!!) and did we have fun coming up with ideas for the event! We will have tons of fun ornaments and other crafts for…

• How to Set the Interaction Dial

  samueljsmith

  20 Nov 2009 | 2:02 am

  Endless PowerPoint presentations and stale ham sandwiches have been making attendees comatose at meetings and events for decades now. While many event organizers recognize the need for more interaction, few know where to start. Most leap for technology tools and new formats. By immediately starting with technology solutions, you risk over-engineering OR under-engineering your interactive experiences. Ask The Key Question In my opinion, there is a better way. I prefer to start with this seemingly simple question: What are attendees supposed to do as a result of this interaction (or session)?

• Tricks of the Trade: Flips

  Faith

  19 Nov 2009 | 4:27 pm

  Weddings with a ‘Flip’ ‘Flip’: Event industry term describing when a room is completely transformed between stages of an event, such as from a wedding ceremony to a dinner reception. Flips require planning and teamwork to ensure the event flows smoothly. Here are some of our top tips to managing successful room flips. Take advantage of the flip to create a more dynamic event experience. Use lighting, drapery and decor changes to make guests feel they are entering an entirely new venue. Plan for guest comfort. How obtrusive will the flip be? Can the room be curtained…

• Most Glamorous Win!

  Melinda Massie

  19 Nov 2009 | 11:26 am

  We’ve been competing in the StartupNation’s Home-Based 100 Contest for what feels like forever.  Well, not literally forever, but when something goes on for months it sure can feel that way.  The Home-Based 100 Competition recognizes and honors the top 100 home-based companies in the country.  There are ten categories with ten companies chosen for each category.  We entered in Most Glamorous this past July.  Entries were taken up until September with general voting until October.  After voting, then the companies were evaluated and the winners were announced last week. …

• A Bay Area Certified Green Business

  gorgeousandgreen

  19 Nov 2009 | 9:12 am

  Gorgeous and Green Events is a certified green business! It took a few months, well quite a few, mostly because I’ve been so busy.  But we’re certified.  I hope to get the seal up on the blog and website soon. For information about Bay Area Green Certification go here: http://www.greenbiz.ca.gov/ Gorgeous and Green was already fulfilling most of the requirements and usually going beyond them,  but there were still some things I worked on.  One thing I do now is keep a tally of waste.  I think it’s really key to see how much waste, even biodegradable or recyclable…

• 
  A Delightful Day - Event Planning - Blog

• Downtown Nashville Engagements: Hanna + Bobby (and Bella!)

  Mary Alice

  13 Nov 2009 | 5:02 am

  We have the delight to work with an adorable couple, Hanna and Bobby, and their adorable Bella (who we have to make a flower girl in the wedding)! Enjoy their dog-gone fun engagement session, including their little girl Bella taken by McLellan Style. We are so excited for next July and can't wait to work with you two! Happy Planning! ~ Mary Alice, Nashville Wedding PlannerA Delightful Day

• Downtown Nashville Wedding: Lauren + Billy Part 3

  Mary Alice

  12 Nov 2009 | 5:02 am

  Part 3 of Lauren and Billy's wedding is celebrating the party that it truly was! See Part 1 and Part 2 as well. Enjoy these photos captured by McLellan Style.Lauren and Billy's day:Reception Entertainment: TrotlineCatering: Chefs Market   A delicious spread of Texas/Tennessee themed stations, to coordinate with hors d'oeuvres were created, with Texas margarita's greeting the guests as they walked in.  Since the bride is a UT graduate, she and the rest of her dance team mates got out on the dancefloor and performed to a UT classic, Rocky Top!  Thanks for all…

• Downtown Nashville Wedding: Lauren + Billy Part 2

  Mary Alice

  11 Nov 2009 | 5:02 am

  Part 2 of Lauren and Billy's wedding post is full of detail goodness and a sweet ceremony capturing Lauren and Billy seeing each other for the first time at their ceremony. Lauren and Billy's Day: Location/Rentals: Christ the King and 3rd aVenue South Florals: Rhonda Patton DesignsPhotography: McLellan Style Invitations/Calligraphy: Buchanan InkCatering: Chef's Market Bridal party transportation: Nashville Wedding Trolley Lighting: Nashville Event LightingBride and groom's cakes: The Bake Shoppe   I had to post this picture... I love the emotion…

• Downtown Nashville Wedding: Lauren + Billy

  Mary Alice

  10 Nov 2009 | 2:00 pm

  I was sooo ecstatic when I received the link from Lauren on the photos being released from her and Billy's amazing wedding! We had an incredible time planning with Lauren from the beginning and McLellan Style did a wonderful job capturing all that was in store for Lauren, Billy, and their guests that warm day in August. Enjoy watching Lauren and Billy's day unfold in several posts, we couldn't keep it all contained to one! Lauren and Billy's day: Locations/Rentals: Chris the King and 3rd aVenue South  Florals: Rhonda Patton Designs Lauren's adorable girls had…

• Nashville Wedding Vendors Spotlight: McNeal Video

  Mary Alice

  6 Nov 2009 | 10:16 am

  One question I always ask brides in discussing vendors, have you chosen or would like to choose a videographer for your wedding? So many brides put it off as a option if the budget allows, or loves pictures just enough, but after the wedding I have had so many say that they regretted not having a videographer capture the moments that the photography just couldn't do justice for. What about the vows that the two of you spoke to each other, the fun sorority or fraternity song at your reception, a favorite song that the band played that you and your new groom danced to, so many memories that…

• 
  EVENTive Ideas by banquetevent.com

• Once In A Blue Moon - Perfect Party Theme!

  banquetevent.com

  5 Nov 2009 | 8:00 am

  It happens only rarely, when small particles in the atmosphere scatter more red light than blue, allowing less red light to be seen from the ground. This makes the moon temporarily appear blue. Although this phenomenon is quite rare, it has altered the meaning of the phrase “once in a blue moon,” which is now commonly understood to mean “every now and then." Roughly every 19 years, you get the blue moon double where you get two blue moons in a year. The last time that happened was in 1999.*Year: 2009 Month Date and Time: December 31st at 19:11 (or 7:11 pm). That makes this the perfect…

• Watch A Recap of the Northwest Event Show

  banquetevent.com

  3 Nov 2009 | 11:10 am

  Northwest Trade Show by 4th Avenue Media from 4th Avenue Media on Vimeo.

• Sit back, relax and enjoy shopping guys!

  banquetevent.com

  1 Nov 2009 | 8:00 am

  Most men hate to shop. It takes way too much time, they feel out of their element, and they end up getting really dorky clothes because they feel like not buying something is an admission of failure. As good as online shopping is - it is still not quite the answer. Enter the web camera, web phones and then enter the Trunk Club, a new way to shop online for guys. This is the answer to a lot of mens needs to avoid those stores.

• Herban Feast is exactly what it is!

  banquetevent.com

  28 Oct 2009 | 8:00 am

  Not all events call for the full service expertise of a catering team, so Herban Feast offers three different service options so you can choose the type of support you want for your event.Full Service - Herban Feast provides full service catering with a focus on you and your event. We've catered almost every type and size of event imaginable.Delivery - Perfect for smaller events, cocktail receptions and corporate breakfasts and luncheons. Pick Up - If all you need are a few platters to enhance your self-catered event, or if you’d like to bring something special to a party and time is…

• Getaway Right Here To Tulalip Resort & Spa

  banquetevent.com

  26 Oct 2009 | 8:00 am

  With Tulalip Resort’s combination of space options, high-tech capabilities, accommodations and endless entertainment, it’s easy to see why the Tulalip is regarded as one of the most outstanding meeting venues in the Pacific Northwest.Be sure to check out their Taste of Tulalip on November 14rh & 15th30,000 square feet of flexible meeting spaceOne 15,000 square-foot ballroomOne 4,800 square-foot junior ballroom, divisible into four equal size meeting rooms6,000 square feet of pre/post function event spaceFully equipped, complimentary state-of-the-art presentation toolsIndoor Oasis Pool…

• 
  HotelChatter -

• Is This The Real Reason Why Hotels Have Bad WiFi Connections?

  juliana

  20 Nov 2009 | 2:11 pm

  Porn jammers! Old men in the club! Fergie! Hotel Strikes!It always seems that no matter how much Celebrity Scoop we write about in a given week, there's also lots more that we didn't have time to get to. So from now on, every Friday we'll be rounding up the week's Infamous Hotels. This weekly list will include hotels that celebrities visited (and it made the news) but also hotels that really up the "Eww" factor. This can easily done by manipulating the WiFi connection for guests.The Sports Guy aka Bill Simmons recently offered up his take on Hotel WiFi after spending four weeks on the road…

• Cape Town: This Week in Hotel Lust: White Picket Fences at Cape Town's Mount Nelson

  Heidi Atwal

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:40 pm

  This week, a combination of wanderlust and hotel lust led us to research the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa, which a roving HotelChatter correspondent briefly had the chance to visit last year. We deemed Mount Nelson worth a second look from afar, because of the consistent buzz it garners for its exaggerated sense of luxury. Then again, if it weren't exaggerated it wouldn't be lust-worthy, would it? Fat cats who travel to areas of the world deemed "exotic" aren't usually in the game of roughing it. Maybe they've come for a safari, but they better be welcomed home at the end of…

• Shanghai: Please Welcome The Peninsula And Its Fleet Of Phantoms To Shanghai

  JetSetCD

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:30 pm

  We can talk about Art Basel Miami hotels and hotels for the holidays all we want, but we can't ignore one of the biggest hotel openings of autumn, that of the Peninsula Shanghai. It officially welcomed its first guests back on October 19, and yet it's already like a landmark on Shanghai's Bund—the street of shops, other high-class hotels, and historical buildings right at the bend of the Huangpu River. The main thing to know about this Peninsula is its relatively low starting room rate: $295. With it, if you can score the deal (and we recommend searching for dates far into the future),…

• These Dog Concierges Have Written a Book, Have You?

  MsRebecca

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:29 pm

  It’s that time of the week again: Cute Hotel Doggie Friday! And today we give you not one but two adorable hotel doggies. Because we’re nice like that. Both of these smilin’ fools work for Fairmont Hotels—Catie Copley (the black lab) at the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston, and Santol (a Bernese mountain dog cross) at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Quebec City. They have the lofty title of Canine Ambassador, and enjoy all the perks that go with it—business cards, email addresses, comfy beds in the lobby, plenty of attention from guests and staff, and of course,…

• Los Angeles: The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel Gets Jazzed About Brunch

  EricRosen

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:04 pm

  The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel has a long and checkered history that well pre-dates today’s celebrity tantrums and “Super Sweet 16” parties. As a way of hearkening back to that golden-hued heyday, the hotel has started offering a new ”Jazz Brunch” on Sundays from 11:00am-3:00pm. Since the special brunch starts at $18 per person, it’s actually a pretty good deal, especially for a Thompson Hotel, and especially considering that overnight parking will run you around $30, and the standard rate for a stay at the hotel starts at $225 a night.If you’re anything like…

• 
  Marriott on the Move

• Remembering a Dear Friend and Personal Hero

  19 Nov 2009 | 1:47 pm

  On Sunday, November 8, my dear friend Harry Vincent passed away at the age of 90. I first met Harry in the 1960's when he was the Washington vice president of the consulting firm of Booz Allen Hamilton. He was doing work for our company and subsequently joined our Board of Directors and served faithfully for over 34 years.When we split our company, he moved over to the Host Hotel Board of Directors. Host was the company that retained the ownership of the Marriott Hotels we owned before the split and is now . . .

• Renovating Our Digital Front Door, Marriott.com

  14 Nov 2009 | 4:12 pm

  When I started in the hotel business 52 years ago, the first impression customers had of our hotels was the lobby when they walked through the front doors. But in this digital age, often the first impression comes when they visit Marriott.com. It's our digital front door.Today, when you visit the site, you'll notice the front door looks very different. We have rolled out the first stage of our complete overhaul of Marriott.com.The site is already a huge success story. Last year, Marriott.com generated more than six billion dollars in gross revenue for Marriott. We've done . . .

• Analysis Is the Key to Making Good Decisions

  5 Nov 2009 | 12:32 pm

  I recently read a book about General George Custer, famous for being annihilated in Custer's Last Stand at the Battle of Little Bighorn before the turn of the 19th century. Custer was a somewhat impetuous, but brilliant, officer. At the age of 23, he was made a Brigadier General in the United States Army and was an important contributor to the Union victory at . . .

• Being a Part of D.C.'s Heritage

  26 Oct 2009 | 1:10 pm

  As many of you know, our company started out as a small, nine-stool A&W root beer stand in Washington, D.C, more than 80 years ago. We quickly evolved into the restaurant business, opening a chain called Hot Shoppes.One of our very first Hot Shoppes was in the Columbia Heights neighborhood on 14th Street. The last Hot Shoppe closed its doors years ago, but the memory of that one on 14th Street is being commemorated . . .

• Colombia: The Newest Stamp on My Passport

  23 Oct 2009 | 11:51 am

  For as many years as I've been traveling, there is nothing like visiting a new country. My passport has stamps and visas for China, India, the UK, France, Spain, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates and now, Colombia since we just opened our first hotel in Bogota. I had never been to Colombia before, but the political and economic climate is much improved for travel and tourism.Our new Marriott near the Bogota airport is owned by Ricardo Poma, who runs a family business a lot like ours. They hold many . . .

• 
  Corporate Event Thoughts

• Twas the Day of.....

  Keith Johnston

  19 Nov 2009 | 8:52 pm

  What happens the morning of the event:    Pictures only tell a part of the story, putting the finishing touches on an event that has the potential to change the world.

• Twas the Night Before.......

  Keith Johnston

  16 Nov 2009 | 7:04 pm

  What happens at 10 pm the night before your event??        

• Can You Afford to Miss the One Conference That Can Change Your World?

  Keith Johnston

  6 Nov 2009 | 11:50 am

  I thought it was time to plug one of my favorite causes and one of the best events in the industry:The 2010 Sustainable Meetings Conference Make it a point to attend, it is easy to get to, affordable (includes a year membership) and will forever change the way that you and your company view meetings and events.Keith

• When Social Networks Go Bad

  Keith Johnston

  5 Nov 2009 | 4:07 pm

  I am a member of LinkedIn, who isn't.....awesome tool it is indeed.I belong to many groups in my industry and comment to posts that interest me or where I feel my expertise may lend some help to someone. I do this when I have time, I do not spend much time doing this lately, we are swamped, which is a good thing. A piece of news (real news) crossed my desk the other day, posted by Serenity to PlannerWire. It was one of the most important things to make waves in the meetings and events biz in a long time and it made me stop and think of the ramifications of "its" mention. The news is: IMEX is…

• A great read for anyone in tradeshows

  Keith Johnston

  22 Oct 2009 | 12:44 pm

  Check out Serenity's article on tradeshow exhibiting:You Want Me to Pay What?! Part IA first-time exhibitor recently arrived onsite at a major meetings industry trade show with company check in hand and instructions from her boss in mind: rent a few furniture items for the booth. No problem, right?Upon speaking with show services providers, the exhibitor was floored to learn that she would have to pay $500+ for a simple pedestal and $200+ for a simple high boy table. No way! During the show, she couldn't quite comprehend the $1,000+ charges for Internet service—especially since her laptop…

• 
  The Webinar Blog

• South Pacific Webinar QA Part Three

  Ken

  19 Nov 2009 | 4:42 pm

  This finishes my series of answers from the Citrix webinar for first timers. You can read Part One and Part Two in their own posts. Janelle: Have you used webinars to conduct training sessions in-house? Answer: Absolutely! I used to work at a software company and we used webinars to train employees on our latest software releases or to involve them in meetings when they were at remote locations. Many companies now use webinars for “all hands meetings” to communicate information from top executives. Companies are also offering new employee orientation for satellite offices from their…

• A Personal Note On A Personal Anniversary

  Ken

  18 Nov 2009 | 11:13 pm

  This is one of my rare personal introspective blog posts – a bit of a change from the strict business perspective I try to adhere to on The Webinar Blog. Feel free to skip over this post secure in the knowledge that you are not missing any important web conferencing news, tips, or best practices. I’ll be back to the business posts forthwith. Since you are still reading, I hope you’ll indulge my public soliloquy. I have been basking in the warmth of good wishes from friends and business colleagues on my Facebook account on the occasion of my birthday. Thank you for thinking of me! But…

• More QA From The South Pacific

  Ken

  18 Nov 2009 | 5:50 pm

  This is part two of my responses to unanswered questions for webinar beginners. See part one for a little more background. Pauline: Should presentations be sent before or after the session? Answer: In most presentations designed to inform, entertain, and persuade audiences (such as marketing or thought leadership), I don’t like sending out slides ahead of time. Your audience starts reading forward and gets much more impatient for you to get to something they think will be of interest. Any time your audience is not moving at the same speed you are, you lose effectiveness. In technical…

• Webinar Questions From The South Pacific

  Ken

  17 Nov 2009 | 10:09 pm

  I gave a webinar yesterday with attendees from Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, and Singapore. We were covering the basics of webinars for first-timers, sponsored by Citrix GoToWebinar. I didn’t have a chance to answer all the questions submitted by the audience, so here are some of the ones I missed. I have taken the easy way out and given links to answers in previous columns in a few cases. I hope you’ll forgive me for not copying and pasting into this post! Lisette: What are your thoughts about holding a live physical presentation and adding a webinar element for those in remote…

• Web Conferencing News Roundup November 17

  Ken

  16 Nov 2009 | 10:36 pm

  It’s another busy week in the web conferencing world, with significant developments reported by multiple vendors. That means it’s time for one of my exclusive web conferencing news roundups! We’ll start with news from Germany. The Online Meeting Tools Review site www.webconferencing-test.com has received a major update with both cosmetic and content enhancements. It is now easier to see comparative test results from the main page. The layout seems much more clear and accessible to me. They have added more web conferencing solutions and made some changes to the tools tested from certain…

• 
  ConventionPlanit.com Meeting & Events Blog

• Hospitality Professionals Connect at AHLA Fall Conference

  DamionRutherford

  17 Nov 2009 | 12:20 pm

  The ability to meet face to face, learn, network and connect with colleagues is near and dear to the event and meetings industry. The American Hotel & Lodging Association’s Fall Conference, held last week at the Jacob K Javits Center in New York City, gave us the perfect chance for this! With a tradeshow, educational events, and networking sessions scheduled over the course of several days, there was something for everyone…including young professionals. The Under 30 Gateway, launched in July of 2008, is AH&LA’s fastest growing membership category – with over…

• Latest Industry Member Awards

  DamionRutherford

  2 Nov 2009 | 11:48 am

  This fall has been a busy time for us at ConventionPlanit.com, between traveling to trade shows & meeting planners and working to improve the website for you! Our member properties have also been busy – winning awards for their excellent meeting and convention services. Congratulations to: -Berlin: ICC Berlin has been voted Europe’s leading conference center for the sixth year in a row. Berlin was also voted as one of the top 3 best conference destinations in the world by Conference & Incentive Travel Magazine. The axica Congress and Meeting Centre at Brandenburg Gate…

• Memorable Hotel Pets

  DamionRutherford

  19 Oct 2009 | 10:40 am

  If you have a soft spot for pets, like us, you’ll appreciate ABC News’ list of America’s most adorable hotel pets. Kimpton Hotels surely wins for the most pet friendly hotels – several of their properties made this list for friendly animal mascots, including the Hotel Monaco Alexandria and The Muse. What’s your favorite animal on the list? Have you encountered a personal favorite that didn’t make the list?

• Tips for Hotel Privacy

  DamionRutherford

  7 Oct 2009 | 8:25 am

  With Erin Andrews peeping tom causing a stir throughout the country and raising security issues among hotels, we can’t help but think of a few ways for the hotel guest to take safety into their own hands. Even though many of the large hotel chains are reviewing and investigating their privacy policies, we see no harm in putting a few tips into practice now. 1. Keep your room number private: Be aware that at check in, it’s standard for the clerk to write your room number down on the key card instead of saying it out loud. 2. Stop a Peeping Tom: smear Vaseline on the inside of the…

• CVB Execs Say Planners Set Tone for Green Meetings

  DamionRutherford

  29 Sep 2009 | 11:56 am

  When it comes to making sure that cities, convention centers, and hotels offer “green meeting” options, one thing is clear: Meeting professionals are in the driver’s seat. At a recent Convene Green Alliance (CGA) Focus Forum event in Washington, DC, a panel of three convention and visitors bureau executives spoke to a group of meeting professionals about green meetings. All three executives emphasized that green programs are buyer demand driven, and each of them encouraged planners to let destinations and properties know that they must have sustainability programs in order to win…

• 
  Face2Face

• Time to RISE up

  Sue Pelletier

  20 Nov 2009 | 6:47 am

  I just got a note from MPI reminding me that there currently is an open call for nominations for the Recognizing Industry Success and Excellence (RISE) awards (you don’t have to be a MPI member to submit a nomination). There are six awards you can nominate an individual or a community for; nominees should have made “a significant contribution to the meetings and events industry through influence, innovation, and global reach.” More particulars here.

• Meeting managers feeling the pinch

  Sue Pelletier

  19 Nov 2009 | 5:52 am

  And pinching the pennies harder than ever, according to this writeup of a PKF report: Meeting Planners Struggle To Control Costs. While I don’t often toot our horn here, MeetingsNet does have a great collection of cost-saving tips and budget advice in our Cost Savings/Budgets Special Report. Here are two of my favorites (both were written before the current economic slump, but the ideas are evergreen): 125 Ways to Save on Meetings 99 ways to improve your meeting’s bottom line

• Here’s an airline fee I hadn’t heard of before

  Sue Pelletier

  6 Nov 2009 | 10:18 am

  I’ve heard of — and sometimes paid — all kinds of airline fees, but paying $14 for the pleasure of buying a ticket over the phone or online? That’s a new one on me. And not a welcome one for someone who would have to make a two-hour round trip to buy one at the airport if I didn’t want to pay it. Which I’m almost ornery enough to do. Here’s hoping this is one idea that won’t catch on!

• The conference is dead (long live the conference?)

  Sue Pelletier

  2 Nov 2009 | 9:46 am

  Interesting post over at Social Entrepreneurship called “The Conference Is Dead (…Does Anyone Care?),” by Nathaniel Whittemore. It’s not that I haven’t heard before (and probably said a few times) how people just aren’t willing to put up with the old plenary/breakouts/talking heads type of conferences — or at least they won’t be in a few years as they experience unconferences and other (to me) more engaging ways to interact with experts, peers, and information. But Nathaniel makes the argument well, and the comments really take the conversation…

• Two ways to market hotels in a down economy

  Sue Pelletier

  29 Oct 2009 | 7:48 am

  It’s interesting to see the different ways hoteliers and their CVB (sorry, I mean DMO — having a hard time making the switch still) partners are marketing their wares in tight times. On one end you have Northern Kentucky, which promotes the destination’s lack of glitz and glam with this tagline: “You won’t get the third degree when you choose Northern Kentucky.” On the other end is this Lauderdale Lux promotion of Greater Ft. Lauderdale’s high-end properties. Each is playing to its strengths, and both campaigns are pretty brilliant in their own ways.

• 
  Webinar Wire

• World's Shortest Webinar

  19 Nov 2009 | 4:55 pm

  I love this idea to death! A company named LogicMonitor put out a press release advertising "The World's Shortest Webinar." Sure, it's a gimmick, but a fun and novel one. They want to demonstrate how fast their product can be configured, so they say they will just start up, do the configuration in a minute or two, and stop.If only they can carry through on this promise. Unfortunately, my experience with technical product marketing leads me to expect that the actual demonstration will be as quick as advertised, but will be sandwiched between another 20 minutes of…

• LinkedIn Group For Web Conferencing Professionals

  18 Nov 2009 | 9:34 pm

  There is now a networking group on LinkedIn for professionals in the web conferencing industry. This should be a good place to discuss news and develoments that impact us all and maybe to do some job posting and hunting (don't ignore that tab!).Click here to join Professionals in Web Conferencing.You need to have an active account on LinkedIn. But honestly, if you are a business professional and don't have a LinkedIn account, you are way behind the curve anyway!

• How the U.S. State Dept. Broadcasted the Obama Town Hall in China

  18 Nov 2009 | 9:18 am

  I had the pleasure of working with the U.S. State Department this past weekend to broadcast President Obama's Town Hall Meeting in Shanghai, China.  Because the event was not carried by Chinese TV, the White House enlisted the help of the State Department, which in turn, enlisted a combination of Adobe Acrobat Connect Pro and ConnectSolutions Podium to get the event to as many people as possible.Learn more about the behind the scenes of this event and how we reached 7,000 people behind the "Great Firewall of China":http://www.connectsolutions.com/blog/2009/11/16/obamainchina/…

• Flash-based Web Conferencing About To Take A Hit?

  12 Nov 2009 | 12:21 pm

  Twitter is getting a lot of action today about a CNET article highlighting security concerns with Flash content running on web sites.I'm not a security expert nor a Flash developer, so I won't comment on the technical aspects of the warning. At first glance, it looks like web conferencing applications shouldn't be a problem... The concern is for malicious Flash applications specifically built to be run on their own in a web browser and possibly camouflaged inside other things such as images.But the "shot across the bow" comes near the end of the article where the interviewed…

• Adobe Connect Introduces Some Cool New Features

  6 Nov 2009 | 1:49 pm

  Anyone who talks to me about web conferencing knows I am a big fan of Adobe Connect Pro. No, I am not on their payroll. I just find the interface incredibly elegant and unlike anything else out there. So it was with great anticipation that I attended a webinar yesterday announcing their new release, 7.5. As the webinar host noted, while a "dot" release, it still provides some pretty good bang for the buck.Now I must first offer the caveat that I haven't yet tested the new functionality but I think you'll agree with me that it is mouth watering.The first concept introduced was…

• 
  The BusyEvent Blog

• Are We Still Complaining About That?

  Brian Slawin

  13 Nov 2009 | 8:00 am

  #eventprofs #tradeshow Are We Still Complaining About That? The value of tradeshows, relative to their costs, was the topic of a recent blog post by Chris Valentine of the T3 Expo. In it, Chris overviews an article written by Thomas Powers of the Chicago Tribune who looks at a survey of 210 exhibitors at the National Food Processors show and found that 58% considered not exhibiting the following year, while 25% had already decided to drop out of subsequent events because of costs. Sound familiar? Ironically this article was written on July 18….1971! To Chris’ point, “Since then,…

• Tools for Changing the Tradeshow Industry

  Brian Slawin

  11 Nov 2009 | 8:12 am

  Changing the Tradeshow Industry with a New Breed of Apps #eventprofs #iaee IAEE – the International Association of Exhibitions and Events – published a very intriguing article about the Changing Tradeshow Industry and a new breed of event applications.  As you may know, Expo! Expo! is coming up early December, so the timing for discussions about how the tradeshow and events industry is being improved is perfect. In addition to a variety of tools that are ‘web only’, BusyEvent’s Event Bookmarking System and the use of beLinkers is broadly highlighted. Enjoy!

• What the Wiggles Can Teach Us #eventprofs #tradeshow #assnchat

  Brian Slawin

  4 Oct 2009 | 6:51 am

  What the Wiggles Can Teach Us #eventprofs #tradeshow #assnchat Luckily, perhaps, my family escaped the “Wiggles” phenomenon.  But after reading what Max Kalehoff from MediaPost writes about his recent experience, it’s clear these entertainers “get it”, when it comes to how to successfully utilize social media – and the excitement of their fans – to help market their brand. One of the unfortunate turnoffs of big entertainment acts is the accompanying rules that forbid audience recording or broadcasting. Such policies cast a negative tone even months…

• “Click Here’s” for the Yom Kippur Weekend #eventprofs #stl

  Brian Slawin

  26 Sep 2009 | 3:37 pm

  “Click Here’s” for the Yom Kippur Weekend #eventprofs #stl Oiy!  Here we go . . . Matt Lauer, Today Show Co-Host, Buys A Home in the Hampton’s: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204488304574429132239900184.html 21 Ways To Get Something, for Nothing: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/yourmoney/chi-090926get-free-stuff-pictures,0,6092970.photogallery Social Media & Events – It’s About Connecting People: http://www.slideshare.net/crystalaolig/social-media-events Tradeshow Metrics by MediaHound:  A Search Engine for the Tradeshows…

• Can You Afford To Do It The Old Fashioned Way? #eventprofs #assnchat

  David Schenberg

  20 Sep 2009 | 9:41 am

  Can You Afford To Do It The Old Fashioned Way? #eventprofs #assnchat Part 2 of 2:  Taking good ideas into the future In Part 1 of this series (Better, Cheaper, Faster and Greener . . . You Want ‘Em All?) we provided an overview of some events technologies and how they are being used to cut costs and run a more sustainable meeting or event.  Part 2 brings together additional ideas for how modernizing an event and taking advantage of some new trends will actually continue to lower the cost of running a successful event. Some say we’re starting to claw our way out of this current…

• 
  iGroupNews

• Happy Thanksgiving From iGroupNews

  igrouptoday

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:34 pm

  All of us at iGroupNews would like to wish all of you, your family, and loved ones a Happy Thanksgiving!!! We hope and pray that you will continue to endeavor to grow, be successful and make a difference in someone else’s life. We are thankful for all of your support and input since the launch of iGroupNews and we will continue to strive to provide the best news and information for event professionals. Posted in meeting planner Tagged: event planner, igroupnews, meeting planner

• Marriott Meeting Planner Promo – Charlotte, NC

  igrouptoday

  20 Nov 2009 | 7:08 am

  Meeting planners who need to book a meeting in North Carolina before the end of the year can earn big rewards and value-added benefits if they take advantage of Marriott’s Meetings Matter Promotion for meetings booked at the Charlotte Marriott City Center, Charlotte Marriott SouthPark, or Renaissance Charlotte SouthPark Hotel. With the Meetings Matter Promotion structure, planners earn 3 Marriott Rewards® points for every $1 spent at the hotel. Each event or meeting that actualizes at least $16,667 in revenue will earn the maximum 150,000 Marriott Rewards points (50,000 base points +…

• Would Longer Bar Hours Combat Atlanta’s ‘Boring?’

  igrouptoday

  19 Nov 2009 | 8:02 am

  Yesterday we reported in Meeting Planner Poll Gives Atlanta Mixed Review that meeting planners gave Atlanta a mixed review when responding to a ‘Metropoll’ issued by the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau. Today, Duffie Dixon with 11 Alive writes about the same poll results but asks the question “Would Longer Bar Hours Combat Atlanta’s ‘Boring?‘”  Atlanta’s a great city but will need more than extending bar hours to become even greater. Your thoughts? Posted in business meeting, convention, Convention and Visitors Bureau, meeting,…

• ‘Price Of Hotel Rooms’ #1 Criteria For Selecting A Meeting Facilitiy

  igrouptoday

  19 Nov 2009 | 7:49 am

  Hotel managers are not the only party at the negotiating table struggling to control costs and operate within the limits of austere budgets. Meeting planners have also been given the challenge of setting up effective events at the least possible cost. In an effort to work within the framework of slashed government, corporate, and association meeting budgets, planners have continued to cut banquet menus and off-site events as they have in the past. However, now they have begun to flex their negotiating leverage and ask for aggressive room rate concessions from hoteliers. In response, it…

• Meeting Planner Poll Gives Atlanta Mixed Review

  igrouptoday

  18 Nov 2009 | 8:22 am

  Atlanta may be an easy city to reach from anywhere in the world, but don’t expect romance when you get here, according to the nation’s meeting planners. Metropoll, an every two-year survey of meeting planner attitudes about 40 U.S. and Canadian convention cities, gave Georgia’s capital top marks for accessibility, friendliness, and hotel and dining value. But the city was below average among its peers when it comes to safety, prestige and — gasp — l’amour, the 2009 survey found. “Atlanta continues to have a strong, albeit mixed, profile as a travel…

• 
  www.speakersite.com

• Dr. Drew's Sales Tip of the Day...Network Success Size Does Matter

  Drew Stevens

  As I completed one of my annual readings, I was reminded of the need develop bonds with those of influence. “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill speaks of the power of the mastermind and the need to have strong alliances that aid business success. As I completed this it reminded me of a recurring issue in selling- networking. Selling professionals and successful entrepreneurs are not isolated. Review any successful person and numerous others always surround them. They do not live in a vacuum and understand the need for constant connectivity to assist them in building their respective…

• 2010 Children’s Ministry Symposium

  Ricardo Miller Children Ministry

  2nd Annual Children’s Ministry Symposium Friday November 12,2010 - Saturday November 14, 2010 Get the ingredients necessary to effectively minister to children, and then begin…”Rising The Standard”! Are you a children's ministry leader who is looking for more? Are you looking for fresh ideas, great networking, and spiritual refreshing? Do you believe that connecting with other leaders is valuable? Are you looking for a great children's ministry training experience where all of these things can happen and more? I would like to personally invite you and your team to the 2010…

• 2010 Children’s Ministry Symposium

  Ricardo Miller Children Ministry

  2nd Annual Children’s Ministry Symposium Friday November 12,2010 - Saturday November 14, 2010 Get the ingredients necessary to effectively minister to children, and then begin…”Rising The Standard”! Are you a children's ministry leader who is looking for more? Are you looking for fresh ideas, great networking, and spiritual refreshing? Do you believe that connecting with other leaders is valuable? Are you looking for a great children's ministry training experience where all of these things can happen and more? I would like to personally invite you and your team to the 2010…

• Sonja Fisher November Updates

  Sonja Fisher

  I just presented in New York at the One Voice Conference on Women in Technology as Mrs. Corporate America. Got Great info for my dissertation! Mrs. Corporate America 2009, Sonja Fisher had the opportunity to talk to an MBA computer class at UCI Irvine on November 3rd about the state of the market and what is new in the business intelligence and data warehousing space. Sonja also talked to a few of the women in class about her experiences in corporate america and being in the technology field. Sonja inspired the class especially the women. The class was very excited about the topics and the…

• Dr. Drew's Sales Fitness Rant of the Day

  Drew Stevens

  Sales Rant It is the age of information and knowledge, but it is ironic how lazy many have become. Each day I am amazed over the emails, newsgroups and other electronic media requesting innovative methods to sell. Folks if you or others like you are not making your numbers and seek answers to your selling woes look within! If you seek The Secret, here it is… there isn’t any. There are four issues prevalent in today’s society: 1. Selling is a relationship business. And, your relationships should be with buyers not gatekeepers. I suggest a quick review of your address book and CRM system.

• 
  Cvent Meetings & Events

• DC Venue Spotlight: The Westin Washington Dulles Airport Opens with Meeting Deals

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:37 pm

  Recently opened, The Westin Washington Dulles Airport is the crown jewel of Dulles Corner. Just one mile from Dulles International Airport and fewer than 30 minutes from the nation's capital, The Westin is perfectly located for business and leisure travelers alike. The 314-room DC hotel boasts 14,000 square feet of flexible event space. Host an off-site meeting in its Executive Boardroom or a cocktail reception in the grand 8,000-square-foot ballroom. No matter what DC meeting space you choose, the Westin's facilities are equipped with sophisticated decor and state-of-the-art…

• Have a Happier Holiday Party—Go Bowling!

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:23 pm

  As every party planner knows, until the drinks start flowing, the usual office or corporate holiday party can be a little stiff. With (hopefully) most of your associates on their best behavior, and a few plotting a quick and discreet exit, introducing some fun to the mix is essential to get your party started, and to keep it going. To do that, we'd suggest picking an activity that encourages interaction across departmental and hierarchical lines. The easiest way? Host a holiday bowling party instead of the same old wine-and-cheese soiree! New York City now has an excellent selection of…

• Five Ways to Use the Cvent Supplier Network to Save on Meeting and Event Planning

  20 Nov 2009 | 11:22 am

  Thousands of planners have discovered that the Cvent Supplier Network is a fantastic resource to research meeting venues, whether they’re looking for a venue locally, nationwide, or even globally. But what many planners don’t know is that sending a Request for Proposal (RFP) through the network can equate to major savings for their clients or organization. Did I mention that this service is completely free of cost? Listed below are five cost-saving reasons to send an RFP through the Cvent Supplier Network:1. Save TimeYou may be thinking, “I already have a system in place to…

• Party on the Go in Atlanta!

  20 Nov 2009 | 11:11 am

  Transportation in Atlanta is much different from that of NYC or Washington, DC. Public transportation - MARTA - doesn't go everywhere and taxi cabs can cost you an arm and a leg to get from one end of town to the other. A great solution to transportation hassles is to offer your clients a mobile event. Atlanta VIP Ride invites you to host an event in their 40-passenger limo. This bus is not your high school band bus: it's complete with three wet bars, a 42-inch plasma TV & a restroom. Other "rides" include the 28-passenger corporate limo bus complete with leather seating,…

• 12 Days of Christmastide: On the Fifth Day of Planning an LA Holiday Soiree...

  20 Nov 2009 | 8:00 am

  There are so many things to consider when planning your event and most people forget the details. You will need to decide if you need a dance floor, lighting, red carpet, portable restrooms or pipe and drape, for example. But the things you will definitely need if you are throwing your party in a private residence or other Los Angeles conference center are: trash receptacles, glassware, dinnerware, flatware, tables, chairs, serving trays, and linens. With that said, Pico Party Rents and Classic Party Rentals are some really great companies that can provide the typical rentals you will need…

• 
  TradePub: Meetings & Travel

• Prevue

  13 Nov 2009 | 5:20 pm

  Prevue, published bimonthly, provides meeting and incentive planners with the signature personalities and pursuits of individual destinations, hotels and venues, covering powerful teambuilding experiences that unite the group and encourage individual growth and learning. Above all else, Prevue is experiential. And it's always presented with stunning visuals and concise, lively editorial content in print and online.Request Free!

• T&E Expense Management: Leveraging Data to Drive Performance

  1 Nov 2009 | 12:20 am

  The 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…

• Amplifying the Value of Travel & Expense Automation

  1 Nov 2009 | 12:20 am

  Despite 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!

• Travel and Procurement: The Convergence

  1 Nov 2009 | 12:20 am

  According 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…

• Releasing Resources to Support Growth - The Long-Term Benefits of Finance Transformation

  1 Nov 2009 | 12:20 am

  CFO 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,…

• 
  Behind the Scenes Events

• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

  15 Nov 2009 | 1:30 pm

  Last evening, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation held their annual Breath of Life Gala and it was simply a stunner of an event. They transformed the illustrious National Building Museum with a feminine flair that began as you arrived ... delicate floating orchids welcomed you up the front walkway, beckoning you towards a string quartet that greeted guests upon entering the foyer. And the details and luxury just kept coming from there!Wispy white drapery cordoned off the three party rooms, partitioning the three corridors of the museum into reception, dining and after party spaces while this…

• The Corcoran Gallery of Art

  28 Oct 2009 | 5:36 am

  Ask any event planner in town to name a museum that offers amazing space flexibility and most all will point you towards The Corcoran Gallery of Art. We sure would. Located across from the South Lawn of the White House at 500 17th St. NW, the Corcoran's spectacular beaux-arts design, permanent collection and notable exhibits make it a favorite venue for many of Washington DC's corporate and social events.All events begin with guests passing in front of two stately lions watching over the main entrance. You'll utilize the ample building foyer area for both a security scan and coat check. Enter…

• Washingtonian's Great Places to Work

  27 Oct 2009 | 12:09 pm

  We had a blast producing a conference and celebratory luncheon last Friday for Washingtonian Magazine and the Greater Washington Board of Trade as they celebrated Washingtonian's 2009 Great Places to Work. And from the pictures we received of our guests hamming things up, the attendees had a great time as well! (this is Great Places to Work winner customink.com)Held at the Ronald Reagan Building, our morning conference focused on finding and keeping top talent. Our kick-off panel featured human resource professionals local to Greater Washington who spoke to those critical recruitment and…

• Woolly Mammoth Theater

  24 Oct 2009 | 5:19 pm

  After 25 years of performances, and a $7.5M funding campaign, the Woolly Mammoth Theater Company opened its doors in Washington DC's Penn Quarter in May of 2005.Designed by famed architect Mark McInturff, Woolly Mammoth is a striking, industrial style venue. "It's ordinary and extraordinary all at once", says The Washington Post of a space that has been honored with numerous architectural and design awards. For those looking for a change of pace from a traditional hotel ballroom settings, this just might be your venue.The entrance at 641 D St. NW is entirely unassuming. With a brick front and…

• Mixing work and play at CulinAerie

  18 Oct 2009 | 3:57 pm

  We love to blur the lines between work and play. These days, everyone seems to need an extra reason to laugh or permission to let off a bit of steam. We've long enjoyed offering guests a venue to network and build business relationships within a playful, relaxed atmosphere. Enter: CulinAerie, Sur La Table, Cookology and Open Kitchen ... just a sampling of the many cooking schools to recently open their doors in Greater Washington.Whether for team-building staff outings, creative holiday parties or internationally-themed birthday parties, cooking schools offer the venue, education, and menu to…

• 
  The Cytower

• Slideshow: 6 Rentals That Set Up In A Snap

  CDP Staff

  18 Nov 2009 | 6:30 am

  Great scenic setups shouldn't require a degree in physics to install. At CDP, we keep it simple so you can focus on creating a great event. Here are six products that set up in a snap!

• How To Win & Keep Clients

  CDP Staff

  16 Nov 2009 | 6:47 am

  Every client counts. In a time when the industry is rapidly changing, it's more important than ever to generate new business and nurture long-term loyalty in your customers. So how can you have that edge that will help you rise above the rest? Read on and learn how you can be sure to win and keep quality clients: Quick TurnaroundDon't be late to the party! Chances are, your prospect is getting RFP's from several companies when they have an upcoming event. Give them a preview of your professionalism by getting your proposal out quickly — before everyone else. It's an easy way to stand out…

• Customers Rave About Our 2-for-1 Sets

  CDP Staff

  2 Nov 2009 | 6:37 am

  Customers are raving about the Stage Set Stimulus Package—where clients can earn dollar-for-dollar credit on their set rentals—and we want to share their stories with you! Brent Frost from Corporate Media Communications in Clemmons, NC had this to say: “I’ve worked with Concept Design Productions for many years and have always been happy with their service and stage designs. I love working with them because their rental options are endless and their staff are willing to do whatever it takes to take care of me – they do what they say they’re going to do, which is critical in my…

• Friday Roundup: Issue 33

  CDP Staff

  30 Oct 2009 | 7:27 am

  Every Friday we corral the latest industry news and happenings from around the web and dish it up with a side of baked beans and cornbread. Mmmm... cornbread. Here's the juice:Don't fall victim to committee gridlock! Here are a few pointers from Anne Thornley-Brown. (Event Manager Blog)Optimism is growing as travel demand rises this quarter. (Successful Meetings)Brian McGovern offers tips on how to turn dead leads into customer evangelists. (Brian McGovern)Learn how to save money on your event without cheapening the audience experience. (MeetingsNet)Cindy from AE on the Verge shares 8 great…

• Friday Roundup: Issue 32

  CDP Staff

  16 Oct 2009 | 6:35 am

  Every Friday we corral the latest industry news and happenings from around the web and dish it up with a side of baked beans and cornbread. Mmmm... cornbread. Here's the juice:Scammers take advantage of events companies desperate for new business. Learn how a smart planner avoided disaster... (Special Events)Elite Meetings launched a new electronic RFP product at The Motivation Show in Chicago that promises to simplify hotel-buyer communication. (MeetingsNet)Harvard study reveals that face-to-face meetings are still essential to doing business in the 21st century. (Successful Meetings)David…

• 
  Party Ideas Blog

• Nov 20, Space Shuttle Cake

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:03 pm

  Make this space shuttle cake for a space party!

• Nov 20, Snowman Cake

  20 Nov 2009 | 11:56 am

  Make this cute snowman cake for a Christmas dessert!

• Nov 20, Cat Cake

  20 Nov 2009 | 8:08 am

  Cat cake ideas for a cat party!

• Nov 20, Guitar Cake

  20 Nov 2009 | 7:45 am

  Image examples and ideas for a guitar cake

• Nov 20, Flower Power Brunch

  20 Nov 2009 | 7:18 am

  Great ideas for a beautiful and fun Flower Power Brunch or Ladies Luncheon!

• 
  BravoParty.com

• Bravo, surfing the wave

  17 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

  The following information is for our readers and customers that are open to innovations. Another warning, this ticket will not necessarily a self-promotion for a new product or to boast the talents of our teams, but a way to show you how Bravo likes to stay in contact, our customers and when a new way to communicate makes it's debut, you can be sure we'll see if this a way to improve our services. First there was smoke signals, then the pigeons, the "pony express", regular mail, fax and for the last 20 years, the email has filled our lives. It is human nature to be suspicious of new…

• We're open this Sunday

  7 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

  Well almost, come and meet Bravo's experts this Sunday, November 8, at the Elegant Wedding Showcase brought to you by the publishers of the Elegant Wedding Magazine and the Mariage Chic. Come and see their magazine br brought to life right in front of your eyes in the Windsor Ballrooms, 1170 Peel, Montréal, Qc. Come sample delectable food, sweets & cocktails. Be captivated by floral masterpieces, elegant table settings & spectacular décor Envision your wedding day and consult with the city’s most prestigious wedding professionals. Glamorous Gowns and Formalwear, Beauty and Exquisite…

• The new Montreal's furniture rental game

  24 Oct 2009 | 4:00 am

  To great evils great means, Bravo adds to its already impressive range of products furniture for all your moods and events. Many of our regular customers passed the hint that they did not want to have to pay two different rental firms, a generalist and a specialist to fill their entire event. Imagine, you're already under pressure to create an event without issue, but lack of resources forces you to work with two different rental centers, which means, to sign two contracts, deal with two representatives, two sets of policies to remember, Both teams to coordinate during the delivery and…

• Pink Ribbon Chair

  14 Oct 2009 | 4:00 am

  The Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation is committed to funding breast cancer research, promoting breast health through education and awareness and supporting people touched by breast cancer. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and like many others, Bravo wants to do it's small part. For the second year we offer our Pink Ribbon chair for rental at 3.60$. For any rental of 15 or more, Bravo will offer a 1.60$ in donation in your name and ours at the Fondation du Cancer du Sein du Québec. So whether you are organising a party for the girls or a poker party for the guys, because real man rent…

• Happy birthday Guy.

  26 Sep 2009 | 4:00 am

  In Montreal's hockey history, many players have come and gone, but rare are the ones that made their mark like The Flower, Le Démon Blond or Guy, Guy, Guy! For his birthday, more than 800 guests came to Mel's Studios in a big event presented by Videotron's Pay as you go. Lafleur's fans were treated with Molson Ex and Forum's style hot dogs, Temple of hockey and of the famous "steamé". The theme requested by the customer had to represent four famous 70s and 80s teams. The gold and black from the Boston Bruins, the navy and gold from the Buffalo Sabres, the eclectic purple and…

• 
  Experiential Marketing 2.0

• Are You Experienced? Seven Ideas for Engaging Your Audience

  ianmcg

  10 Nov 2009 | 10:27 am

  A few weeks ago, I was having a discussion with one of my clients on the difference between event marketing and experiential marketing. Interestingly, there is a lot of confusion between the two and quite often the words “event” and “experience” are used interchangeably. I offer that although there are similarities and the two often complement each other, they are fundamentally different. Simply stated, in this context an event  is a gathering of people at a predetermined place and time for the purpose of exploring and sharing information that is of common interest.

• 12 Twitter Tools Every Event Marketer Should Know About

  ianmcg

  3 Nov 2009 | 6:22 am

  Twitter has about 18 million active users, which is forecast to grow to 26 million active users in 2010. In a recent survey by Champion Exhibition Services, it was found that 54% of association event marketers use Twitter. Of these, 82% used Twitter to create a buzz before an event, and 68% use Twitter to support PR efforts. Only 36% use direct messaging, and even fewer (23%) use #hashtags. This survey points out that even for the simplest Twitter purposes in events, adoption is still quite low. Despite all the buzz, Twitter is still a relatively untapped resource on the social media…

• When Events Attack: Managing Communications in a Crisis

  ianmcg

  29 Oct 2009 | 4:00 am

  Imagine an outbreak of Norovirus on a cruise ship during an event, a branded archway collapsing on a crowd at a tradeshow, a bomb threat, or a fire at your hotel during a conference. Anywhere there is a gathering of people there is potential for something to go wrong. Having the right plan in place and acting appropriately can help ensure public safety, as well as ensure your brand survives when events attack. I recently had the opportunity to attend a panel discussion on “Managing PR in a Crisis” produced by the Boston chapter of the American Marketing Association. The panel…

• The Importance of Blogs in Experiential Marketing

  ianmcg

  26 Oct 2009 | 8:09 am

  Blogs. Technorati has indexed 133 milion of them since 2002. 77% of active internet users read blogs – that’s 356 million according to Comscore. Not to mention there are more than 90,000 blog articles posted each and every day. Blogs have been around since the early to mid 1990s. There are blogs on just about everything. If you spend a few minutes searching blog directories, you can find just about anything you might be interested in reading. There are blogs about marketing, blogs about events, and even blogs about blogging. Blogs have several benefits for experiential marketers.

• Entertainment Marketing: Its Not Just About The Music

  ianmcg

  6 Oct 2009 | 4:37 am

  As we wrap up Keith Urban’s Escape Together Tour for Kingsford and KC Masterpiece and launch into a new program for a financial services firm in 2010, I’m reminded of how complex and emotional the entertainment marketing business can be. For marketers it can be a double-edged sword. You want to partner with artists who your audiences like, while staying true to your brand. Not to mention, members of your team and executives alike may have different opinions on who the right artist is to represent your company. Unfortunately, these decisions are all-to-often wrought with personal…