Interview from the PCMA Learning Lounge in San Diego. Certified Event Planner with Food Allergies: Tracy Stuckrath talks about PCMA and how planners need to think about the diets of their attendees. With more than 20 years of event planning experience, Tracey and her company Thrive! offers a complete range of services that encompass every phase of an event. No matter the size or scope, we’ll guide you through the process and work closely with you to ensure your event is memorable, streamlined and delivered to the highest standard. Related articles PCMA 2012 Show (grassshackroad.com)…
Event Planning
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Most Topular Stories
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Tracy Stuckrath from Thrive Events & Meetings Interview from PCMA- Show 206
Meetings Podcast17 Jan 2012 | 9:06 pm -
There's Nothing Old-Fashioned About Having Good Manners
Why I Love This Job19 Jan 2012 | 7:16 pmSometimes I'm amazed at what people will say in an email. Things that they'd never say if they were standing in front of me. Sometimes it's a poorly worded joke, but often it's just someone being a little quick on the draw when deciding whether to write down some angry, insulting, or critical words. I suppose after all these years of increasingly text-based communications, I shouldn't be surprised anymore. Shameless optimist that I am. So I continue to be amazed that some folks find it so easy to be rude, mean, angry, or disrespectful,… -
Unique wedding trends for 2012
Unique Venues19 Dec 2011 | 2:17 pmThe holidays are in full-swing, and often that means that lots of excited brides will soon emerge onto the market. Whether they come to you with magazine clippings in hand or have no idea what they want, we’ve scoured the Internet to find some of the latest wedding trends for 2012. Handcrafted, handwritten, personalized wedding favors: Today’s brides are all about personalization. These chalkboard tealight holders are an inexpensive, unique way to let the bride and groom leave their mark. The best part? Guests don’t get stuck with a favor they’ll never use. Just… -
The Psychology of Color [INFOGRAPHIC]
Viktorix24 Jan 2012 | 8:35 amIt's one of the most overlooked aspects of event design and planning, the color. The weddings are usually the only events that color plays a big role from the beginning - weddings = white (generally).Yet events that draw hundreds and thousands of people rarely pay close attention to what colors are used in marketing collateral and throughout the venue.The colors invoke emotional responses, they affect behavior, they affect decision making, and ultimately it comes down to increased attendance and satisfaction.If you're one of those event planners, take a minute to review this excellent… -
Event Fun #3: Social Overload
Event Manager Blog27 Jan 2012 | 4:45 amWhen too much is too much… Thanks to Chris Shipton of Livescribes, you can find him on Twitter @chrisshipton. Social Media Overload Related posts:Event Fun #1: Bieber Event Fun #2: The Goody Bag The Rise of Visual Meetings © Julius Solaris for Event Manager Blog, 2012. | Follow Event Manager Blog on Twitter | Follow Event Manager Blog on Google+ | Add comment | Post tags: cartoon, comics, event planning comics, social media comics
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Event Manager Blog
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Event Fun #3: Social Overload
27 Jan 2012 | 4:45 amWhen too much is too much… Thanks to Chris Shipton of Livescribes, you can find him on Twitter @chrisshipton. Social Media Overload Related posts:Event Fun #1: Bieber Event Fun #2: The Goody Bag The Rise of Visual Meetings © Julius Solaris for Event Manager Blog, 2012. | Follow Event Manager Blog on Twitter | Follow Event Manager Blog on Google+ | Add comment | Post tags: cartoon, comics, event planning comics, social media comics -
imbookin Aims to Be Your One Stop Event Booking Service
26 Jan 2012 | 10:09 amimbookin is a new startup on the block willing to simplify the event lover pain of chasing people to book venues and meal options. RFP simplification is quite a hot event startup topic. Event marketplaces are popping everywhere. We all know of Cvent RFP engine and recently Eved got our attention for a massive round of funding. I anticipated in my 10 event trends for 2012 presentation that 2012 is going to be the year of event dashboards. Here you go! imbookin is a new player that offers a unique point of contact to manage event bookings. How Does It Work? Well, here is a nice video to explain… -
Use Eventbrite Like a Pro: Beyond Social Media
25 Jan 2012 | 11:57 amThis is a sponsored post by Eventbrite. For more information about sponsored posts click here. Here is the third post in our featured series about optimising Eventbrite to sell more tickets and learn the nifty little features they’ve been able to pull together. So we’ve looked at its powerful reporting and how it integrates with Facebook. Today I’d like to focus on a few features that can improve your event marketing effort and for once not only focussed around social media. Master SEO with proper Title and Description I remember that when I started to use Eventbrite I… -
10 Event Trends for 2012 Free Webinar is Tomorrow
24 Jan 2012 | 7:29 amJust a friendly reminder that the 10 Event Trends for 2012 Webinar is tomorrow. You can sign up here, it’s free. You can read more about it here. You can check the presentation here. See you tomorrow. Related posts:10 Event Trends for 2012: Free Webinar 10 Event Trends for 2012 Free Webinar: Leverage The 2.0 World To Improve Your Events © Julius Solaris for Event Manager Blog, 2012. | Follow Event Manager Blog on Twitter | Follow Event Manager Blog on Google+ | Add comment | Post tags: event trends, event trends 2012, free webinar -
Plancast Dies
23 Jan 2012 | 5:24 amIt is with great shock I write the following post. I just finished reading this post at Techcrunch and I can’t really accept the news that Plancast is dying. I’ve been a fan of Plancast. I think they really nailed an aspects of our industry that most event technology companies or startups missed, social event sharing. Well, it looks like it’s a terrible wake up call for all of us event lovers. Running an event startup is not as easy as we may think. Cool ideas alone are not enough. How Does Plancast Make Money? I don’t know. Mark Hendrickson makes a very in depth…
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Fresh Event Tips
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Where to find freelance event jobs
21 Jan 2012 | 12:11 pmThought this posting in the Linked In group "Who's Who in Events" was a discussion others may find really helpful. The question was Where can a freelance event planner find jobs? Top recommendation was i-meet.com, also mentioned: "You might try www.sologig.com or join IFEA (International Festivals and Events Association) to get access to the member database. www.ifea.com About $350 annual dues." Here's a link to the Linked In Group if you care to join: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=160845&trk=anet_ug_hm -
Ecofriendly wedding dress: Do it in a green way
17 Jan 2012 | 9:29 pmA Reader Submission from Ms. Harper, enjoy. The most significant wedding choice for a bride to be, apart from the groom and the wedding ring, of course, is her wedding gown. It’s meant to be worn just once and made from synthetic materials, your wedding gown can be a sheer waste of resources and non sustainable, contributing to air or water pollution. Not if you decide to opt for a green wedding dress, though. Now, contrary to popular belief, procuring a green, Eco friendly wedding gown will not burn a hole in your pocket or make you look unattractive. Neither is it an onerous,… -
Amazing Cakes: Erica Obrien
6 Jan 2012 | 4:25 pmIf you are looking to make a statement, provide a truly unique and delicious cake to your guests, Erica Obrien Cakes is your place. Trained in New York's Institute for Culinary Education, Erica Obrien naturally creates fresh organic ingredients with incredible visual appeal. Starting with her relaxed, complementary tasting and moving into a design process, every stage is custom to each client. During the design process, Erica gathers inspiration and direction from her clients to create a truly unique cake for each event. Starting at $7/slice, the pricing is in the ballpark… -
Looking for a New Years Eve Party?
31 Dec 2011 | 3:25 pmNot that I'll be ringing in the New Year on Times Square tonight....but if you're one of the millions that are hitting the town, here's a site listing all the parties open to the public. It's quite a robust list of clubs and restaurants in New York, San Francisco, Miami, Los Angeles, Toronto etc. Love the Internet. New Year's Eve.com -
Happy New Year. Welcome 2012
31 Dec 2011 | 3:21 pmAs we welcome 2012 Bonjour Events wishes you a Happy New Year and great business experiences in 2012. We look to adding new features to this site in the second quarter and appreciate your continued feedback, ideas and contributions to the content we publish. Cheers!
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Why I Love This Job
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There's Nothing Old-Fashioned About Having Good Manners
19 Jan 2012 | 7:16 pmSometimes I'm amazed at what people will say in an email. Things that they'd never say if they were standing in front of me. Sometimes it's a poorly worded joke, but often it's just someone being a little quick on the draw when deciding whether to write down some angry, insulting, or critical words. I suppose after all these years of increasingly text-based communications, I shouldn't be surprised anymore. Shameless optimist that I am. So I continue to be amazed that some folks find it so easy to be rude, mean, angry, or disrespectful,… -
More, More, More!
28 Jun 2011 | 5:44 pmWow, it's been a while since I had a second to post something! We are on fire over here at Keynote, and are currently interviewing for at least three open positions. Yay, I love opportunities for new ideas, fresh faces, and a chance to grow in a positive direction! Between needing more qualified personnel, and lots and lots of bookings, the annual IASB Convention (congrats to myself, I was just elected a Governor of IASB, the International Association of Speakers Bureaus!) held in San Diego this year, the phenomenal popularity of some of Keynote's speakers (Guy Kawasaki… -
To Book Great Speakers
23 Mar 2011 | 7:33 pmWhy do I work here? And how do I succeed? Important questions indeed. For me, as it turns out, the answers are simple. Hard to execute, but simple to understand. The reason for today's particular rant is the result of the latest newletter "Perspectives", from the Northern California Chapter of MPI. By way of introduction, the Northern California chapter of Meeting Professionals International is the largest chapter in the country. And as you'd suspect, the high quality of the companies located here in San Francisco Bay Area means the… -
What's New These Days: Part One
3 Dec 2010 | 6:00 pmCouple of quick updates for you today, regarding some speakers with a lot going on right now. Please forgive the random sizing of the book cover images; I was having trouble making the images all the same size. I'll get better at it next time, I promise. So here we go: Mark Thompson and Brian Tracy: New book "Now...Build a Great Business!" Dick Hardwick: Received an honorary degree from Westfield University. -
Someone to add to your "Favorite Speakers" list: Louis Zamperini
19 Nov 2010 | 2:10 pmI have a new person on my "favorite speakers" list: Louis Zamperini. Wow. I think Louis qualifies as both the luckiest, and the unluckiest, person on the planet. His life is an amazing combination of incredibly lucky saves, amazing personal strength, and remarkable occurances and coincidences, both good and bad. Reasons he's the unluckiest: Survived near death, and near destruction of airplane, after attack by enemy planes, while an airman in the Pacific theater during WWII. One of only three survivors from a plane shot down by enemy forces…
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READY2SPARK
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Google Business Photos – a 360˚ Business Tour for your Google Places
27 Jan 2012 | 12:14 pmPin itGoogle Business Photos should be on the radar for hotels, retailers, restaurants, event rental companies and any other business that has a storefront. Last year, I wrote on how to set up you business on Google Places, a critical step for being found in local searches. To enhance your listing, Google also introduced Google Business Photos. These are like Google Streetview for interiors. Google is working directly with local store owners across the US, Australia, UK, New Zealand and France to take complimentary professional interior photographs. To find a Google-approved local… -
Why not being on Google Plus could be your biggest marketing mistake
23 Jan 2012 | 5:21 pmPin itWe have a tendency to cling to what is familiar, even when it can have a detrimental impact on us and our businesses. Most event planners I’ve talked to have been very hesitant to embrace Google Plus, Google’s social networking site. The key reason? It feels like Facebook, without your established network, a few unfamiliar tools thrown into the mix…and, let’s be honest, who needs yet another social network to worry about? Well, Facebook has a pool of about 800 million users, but billions of people perform billions of searches every single day. And that’s… -
20 Ways to Use Pinterest to Build Your Brand
16 Jan 2012 | 8:38 amPin itIt launched in December of 2009, but many small businesses have just started hearing the buzz about Pinterest in the past few months. Still officially in Beta (and invitation-only), Pinterest has joined the weberatti, sitting alongside Facebook and LinkedIn, as one of the 10 most popular social networking sites. It now boasts over 5 million users and has been touted as the fastest growing social network in history. Have I piqued your interest? Brides, wedding bloggers, fashionistas, graphic designers and artists have embraced the site. And more recently, I’ve seen real estate… -
How to get press for your event business: A conversation with 3 editors
12 Jan 2012 | 10:17 amPin itHow would you like to get FREE exposure for your business? How would you like your latest event to be featured prominently in the glossy pages of your favorite magazine? And how would you like to be quoted as the featured expert in your field? I recently spoke with 3 prominent special event publication Editors to understand, from their perspectives, what opportunities event businesses are missing and, more importantly, what they need to do to about it. Meet the Experts Chad Kaydo, Editor in Chief, BizBash Media Liese Gardner, Editorial Director, Event Solutions Magazine Lisa… -
You were born to succeed. Writing killer business goals (worksheet included)
6 Jan 2012 | 8:08 amPin itThis time of year is rejuvenating because it gives all of us an opportunity to shed old skin and recalibrate our thinking. But the hype often gives way to habit. You only need to turn to your local gym to see this phenomenon in action. Throngs of people sign up in January but more than half don’t make it to swimsuit season. In fact, gyms typically anticipate a 20-30% drop out rate by April. The Curse of Business Bad Habits In their 4th Annual National Small Business Survey, Staples found that more than 80% of small business owners don’t keep track of their business…
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Meetings Podcast
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Tracy Stuckrath from Thrive Events & Meetings Interview from PCMA- Show 206
17 Jan 2012 | 9:06 pmInterview from the PCMA Learning Lounge in San Diego. Certified Event Planner with Food Allergies: Tracy Stuckrath talks about PCMA and how planners need to think about the diets of their attendees. With more than 20 years of event planning experience, Tracey and her company Thrive! offers a complete range of services that encompass every phase of an event. No matter the size or scope, we’ll guide you through the process and work closely with you to ensure your event is memorable, streamlined and delivered to the highest standard. Related articles PCMA 2012 Show (grassshackroad.com)… -
Sexiest Presentation Smackdown At PCMA/VES
13 Jan 2012 | 3:01 pmSexiest Presentation Smackdown at PCMA or Professional Convention Management Association didnt offically take place this week in San Diego. But what did happen was some fantastic presentations, keynotes, education, parties and networking! After seeing so many sessions the below clever video reasonated with me. I myself fall into this script trap of what we think we are suppose to do when speaking to a group. Though our creative team at Grass Shack designs awesome presentations and coaching for executives so they engage. Speakers can… -
Meetings Podcast Now Available On Stitcher App (Mobile: OnDemand)
12 Jan 2012 | 5:46 pmThe Meetings Podcast is now available on the Stitcher App available in all the App stores! The Stitcher Application is great because you never need to download the podcasts from your computer to your device. It is On Demand! As we launch a new show it will automatically appear on your mobile device! Cool huh? Related articles Stitcher pulls in $10 million in new funding (ipodnn.com) Thanks to Our Weekly Sponsor: Stitcher Smart Radio (iphone.appstorm.net) Stitcher Secures New Round of Funding For Internet Talk Radio (alltopstartups.com) -
PCMA 2012 Show
12 Jan 2012 | 2:36 pmJon Trask and Greg Ruby discuss the 2012 PCMA and Virtual Edge Summit in San Diego. (Greg also did a facinating talk on Foursquare) Overall the show hit it out of the park! General Session made some changes and using Skype to bring in speaker Sally Hogstead making the general session a actual Hybrid event. Other topics covered: Jane McGonigal John Medina, MD David Rich George P Johnson Amount of sessions PCMA Tweetup MeetingsPodcast Meetup -
Virtual Edge Summit Hybrid Event Speakers- Show 204
2 Jan 2012 | 9:00 amThe Virtual Edge Summit is coming Jan 9th -11th in San Diego, California. If you are interested in better meetings and using up incoming tools to engage, enhance and promote your event to a wider audience you should check out this conference. It is also co-located with PCMA for a great week of education in all things virtual and meetings. Jon and I are attending so please look us up if you come to the event! This podcast showcases some of the speakers at the Virtual Edge Summit that we interviewed! Adam Arthur, CDC Virtual Platform Initiative Lead, Centers for Disease Control &…
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Michelle Rago, Ltd.—Blog
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What could possibly be Cheesier.
10 Jan 2012 | 10:47 amI was having a conversation with someone yesterday about where brussel sprouts come from. He commented-”well Michelle… most likely… Brussels”. Of course my reply for those of you who know me was..unknown. One of the most interesteing courses I took in cooking school was The History of Food. Things are never quite what they seem. The brussel sprout as it turns out has origins in Ancient Rome (of course!) and the Southern Netherlands well before reaching it’s namesake in Belgium. Today I had intended to write a post about a recent field trip to a cheesemonger in… -
Gobsmacked for Good Food.
4 Jan 2012 | 4:57 pmYou will see a lot from me on the food front this year. It is an integral part of my business and a personal passion. My pursuit of good food and specifically integrating that into my business makes for not only delicious parties but truly unique experiences. For me … whenever possible… local farmers… fresh food and simple dining. Today I went on a field trip to Great Barrington and had lunch and a bit of a shop at The Meat Market…one of my FAVORITE SPOTS!! If I didn’t love Jeremy Stanton, the proprietor, I wouldn’t share… Feast your eyes on the best… -
Gotham meets the Windy City.
27 Dec 2011 | 10:35 pmRehearsal dinners are so much to plan and design because they tend to be less formal and very playful! This bride and groom loved movies, Legos and architecture. After a little noodling we decided architecture and movies were the way to go for the concept. After some scouting we found the perfect venue… the 39th floor of the Hotel 71 in Chicago where coincidentally scenes from the film The Dark Knight were filmed. The guests were mostly from out of town so we decided to educate them about the architecture they were viewing. We had clear decals with the history of some of the historical… -
If there is no chocolate in heaven… I am not going!
29 Nov 2011 | 6:12 pmPeople are just addicted to sweets and equally as charmed by dramatic presentation. This gallery is a wonderful collection of some true successes we have had at weddings. What could be more fun than a Pièce Montée Macaron tower with pyrotechnics in bright gold? Some of the other presentations are things I picked up on my travels and adapted for parties. The ice blocks with canelles of gelato and honeycomb are something I experienced in Japan. They actually served it with little rocks of salt and a small grater… very cool. The tartufo or Bomba in little flower cups is always a show… -
The Floral Perfection of Spring…
25 Nov 2011 | 7:21 amI admit Spring is my most favorite season… I love the first full, full blooms of pale pink peonies and TWEEDIA! As winter draws near and of course the anticipation of planning spring weddings…I chose this sweet springy story to illustrate great use of color from papery throughout cake. This couple wanted to literally replicate the identical hues both in the flowers and papery. The Invitation is very oversized as is the cake-which also adds to the dramatic effect. As my family and I prepare for the treelighting extravaganza in Palmer Square, Christmas carolers and…
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Unique Venues
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University of Cincinnati named one of 2011′s most beautiful and inspiring college campuses by Travel & Leisure Magazine and Delta Sky Magazine
17 Jan 2012 | 10:00 amOne walk through the University of Cincinnati’s campus and you see why it made both Travel & Leisure Magazine’s and Delta Sky Magazine’s list of most beautiful and inspiring college campuses for 2011: UC is undoubtedly a stunning achievement of modern architecture. UC began its Master Plan redesign in 1989, with the goal of transforming the property into a cohesive, modern campus complete with architectural masterpieces, vibrant green space, and a stunning central MainStreet pedestrian corridor. Today, the campus abounds with incredible modern architecture, including… -
The Graylyn International Conference Center Begins Renovations of the Mews
16 Jan 2012 | 1:32 pmThe historic Graylyn International Conference Center, which has played host to presidents, world leaders and entertainers, is regarded as one of North Carolina’s most unique executive meeting venues. Now, this 55 acre landmark destination is undergoing an extensive renovation to its Mews area guestrooms and conference space, in a design that will perfectly blend the site’s French historical details with the modern technologies and comforts that today’s executive guests require. The renovation will transform the existing 45 guestrooms into 35 new, luxurious rooms complete… -
The search for a fun corporate retreat idea
2 Jan 2012 | 12:52 pmMuch like Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, and other mythical legends, the idea of a fun corporate retreat can be hard to imagine. After all, work can be stressful sometimes, so the concept of a “fun at work” may not be so easy for some to grasp. But that’s just all the more reason to opt for a fun corporate retreat. Dave and Buster’s, the popular restaurant chain, is an ideal location for a fun corporate retreat, even touting themselves as putting “the FUN in FUNction!” Their venues are complete with a restaurant, bar, and arcade, perfect for corporate events and… -
Unique wedding trends for 2012
19 Dec 2011 | 2:17 pmThe holidays are in full-swing, and often that means that lots of excited brides will soon emerge onto the market. Whether they come to you with magazine clippings in hand or have no idea what they want, we’ve scoured the Internet to find some of the latest wedding trends for 2012. Handcrafted, handwritten, personalized wedding favors: Today’s brides are all about personalization. These chalkboard tealight holders are an inexpensive, unique way to let the bride and groom leave their mark. The best part? Guests don’t get stuck with a favor they’ll never use. Just… -
Last minute holiday party ideas
12 Dec 2011 | 2:26 pmIf you’re hosting a holiday party or event and need a few last minute touches to really make it memorable, we’ve been scouring the Internet for just the thing. This year, make those little unique touches stand out by getting creative. From your food to your centerpieces, your venue to your gift, we’ve got you covered with some of the most unique holiday party items around. Start by greeting your guests at the door or entrance way with a unique decoration: a peacock feather wreath. Pops of blue and purple add a flair, while still incorporating holiday green. Next,…
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Velvet Chainsaw | Midcourse Corrections
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Why Adults Want To Learn
27 Jan 2012 | 10:18 amAs an adult, what drives you to learn? Enjoyment? Fun? Growth? Developing new skills? Seeking a new career? Job promotion? Professional certification requirements? New experiences? Supervisor mandates? All of the above? None of the above? The Motivations To Learn ASAE’s research, The Decision To Learn, states that the top two reasons people join nonprofit associations are: Education and Professional Development Receiving Cutting Edge Information According to ASAE’s The Decision To Learn, the driving extrinsic motivation for adults to learn is to increase their job status which… -
The Conference Innovators DNA
26 Jan 2012 | 11:43 amThe Conference Innovators DNA View more presentations from Jeff Hurt Innovation. It’s the heartbeat of today’s economy. It’s also where meeting professionals need to focus their attention, time and resources to compete in the meetings marketplace. Average meetings are planned by average meeting professionals. Yet, most conference attendees don’t want to pay for an average conference. They want a unique experience. Innovative conferences are planned by innovative meeting professionals. Innovators think and act differently. Here is the PowerPoint from my recent presentation at… -
Do Not Let Your Legacy AMS Kill Your Conference
25 Jan 2012 | 7:54 amHere’s a newsflash for your IT department: Technology that is built for purpose (registration, expo sales, speaker management, etc.) does not need to integrate with your legacy association management system (AMS) in order to be implemented. Read that again! It’s true and something you need to understand before your AMS kills your conference. Your Customer Versus The AMS Your association has invested a ton of capital in your AMS, the enterprise application for managing your business. When it was implemented, you customized the heck out of it. Making changes to that system and getting… -
How To Influence Facebook Users
24 Jan 2012 | 12:22 pmFacebook users just want to belong. With more than 800 million registered users, that’s a lot of us that want belong to something. Maybe, just maybe, your organization can help them belong to something of value, something cool and hip, something that promotes life-meaning and purpose, or something that helps them professionally. People Use Facebook For Two Primary Reasons Boston University Professors Ashwini Nadkarni and Stefan G. Hofmann published a study, Why Do People Use Facebook in November, 2011 in the Personality and Individual Differences Journal. Their findings show that… -
How Conferences Can Find Their Future
23 Jan 2012 | 7:32 amFor most of us, the future is our past. So many people try to create a new future by modifying their past. We insist on doing more of the same that we’ve always done. We cross our fingers and hope it results in a new future. It won’t. Nostalgia Is Good For A Rose Tinted View Often we revel in nostalgic times. We cling to the good ole days when everything went better than planned and times were good. Frequently, our memories wear rose tinted glasses as we recall what worked. We quickly forget what didn’t work. Nostalgia is fluid and our memories are not fixed! Our memories…
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MeetingsNet | Meeting and Event Planning News
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Korea Proclaims 2012 Convention Year
27 Jan 2012 | 3:44 pmKorea wants to raise its profile as a meetings destination and is turning its focus to improving the support and servicing of visiting groups. -
Commentary: Are Conference Center Expansions a Boon or a Bane?
24 Jan 2012 | 8:48 amIt’s never been more important for the industry to get its analysis right, rather than assuming that every convention center expansion is an automatic winner. -
Obama Travel Initiatives Met with Praise
23 Jan 2012 | 6:13 pmPresident Barack Obama announced new initiatives aimed at boosting the economy by increasing the number of international visitors who travel to the United States each year. -
Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Renovates Lobby and Event Venue
23 Jan 2012 | 10:23 amThe Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort Phoenix has completed a major renovation to its lobby and Palacio event and meeting space. -
New Boutique Hotel in Orange County, Calif., Is Geared for Business Meetings
23 Jan 2012 | 9:11 amIn Costa Mesa, Calif., the new Hotel Hanford offers an executive boardroom with black leather seating and more than 6,000 square feet of meeting and event space that can accommodate as many as 300 attendees.
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Exhibitor News Network
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California Milk Advisory Board Selects ProExhibits for Design Innovation and More
25 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pmThe California Milk Advisory Board promotes California dairy products in an ever-growing and competitive marketplace. They utilize a unique, custom r... -
ICAT Logistics Adds New Office in Little Rock
25 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pmLRFM, Inc. teamed with ICAT Logistics, Inc. a leading provider of worldwide transportation logistics and expedited freight services. As ICAT, this gro... -
GES Adds Three Experienced Global Professionals to its Exhibit and Events Team
25 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pmGlobal Experience Specialists (GES), a leader in exhibition, event and retail marketing services, is proud to announce the addition of three industry ... -
Hill and Partners Donates to Variety of Charities in 2011
25 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pmStaff members at Hill and Partners, Inc. a full-service trade show exhibit design firm, reached out to... -
Sustainability Takes Center Stage as New Reporting Guidance is Launched
25 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pmEvent organizers can now report on sustainability issues like impacts on communities, natural environments, and local and global economies, thanks to ...
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Special Events
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Gala Award Winners Named at The Special Event 2012
28 Jan 2012 | 12:17 amGala Award Winners Named at The Special Event 2012 -
"Hot" Ideas, Mega Event Experts and Wedding Dinner Shine at The Special Event 2012
27 Jan 2012 | 12:52 pm"Hot" Ideas, Mega Event Experts and Wedding Dinner Shine at The Special Event 2012 -
Event Pros Kick off The Special Event 2012 in Tampa
26 Jan 2012 | 1:42 pmEvent Pros Kick off The Special Event 2012 in Tampa -
The Special Event 2012 Debuts in Tampa
25 Jan 2012 | 10:25 amThe Special Event 2012 Debuts in Tampa -
In Brief: 2012 Top Design Trends, Get the Stats, Keep Your Issues Coming!
24 Jan 2012 | 12:04 pmIn Brief: 2012 Top Design Trends, Get the Stats, Keep Your Issues Coming!
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SWEET Online Fundraising Blog
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For Nonprofits Mobile Web is better than Apps
11 Jan 2012 | 4:11 pmHere's a short list of reasons why nonprofits should focus more on making making their websites mobile friendly and less on App development. Creating and Maintaining an App is expensive. Making your existing website mobile-friendly is easy and not so... -
Mobile Version of SWEET Pledge Fundraising Website Shows Great Promise
6 Jan 2012 | 2:05 pmIn the online fundraising world, "great promise" means donations. In the 1st week after we launched the mobile verison of http://hope.cupidsundierun.com, 60 donations came through from Iphones, Ipads, or Android devices. Most orgs don't see 60 donations from mobile users... -
Recession-proof your nonprofit
15 Aug 2011 | 8:29 amMake your nonprofit recession proof. Here's a link to one of a long list of articles that shows that there is a lot of anxiety in nonprofit circles over the economy. http://www.npr.org/2011/08/13/139589747/nonprofits-watch-anxiously-as-market-wobbles S--t happens and it's happening now. Here are... -
JRunners Raise Over $90000 in the 5K Run for Our Place
3 Jun 2011 | 6:41 pmIt's always nice to spotlight our clients who make the most of their event with the SWEET Fundraising Software for A-thons. JRunners (http://www.jrunners.org/) did just that in a recent 5K Race (http://ourplace5k.jrunners.org/) where they raised over $90,000 for Our Place.... -
Save the Harbor / Save the Bay Hosts Successful Winter Swim-a-thon Fundraiser
11 Apr 2011 | 10:17 amI'm not a huge fan of swimming in cold weather. But it's definitely more palatable if it's done in the name of a good cause. Save the Harbor / Save the Bay's (http://www.savetheharbor.org/) mission is to restore and preserve Boston...
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event-planning « WordPress.com Tag Feed
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Success comes in Cans
19 Jan 2012 | 4:14 amDoes it sound odd to say, but I can’t actually remember what I learnt at school Of course, cur -
5 Biggest Event Planning Fears and How to Face Them
19 Jan 2012 | 3:30 amWill anyone show up? What if people get bored? Check out these five ideas to set your next company e -
my new venture
19 Jan 2012 | 3:12 amToday I am excited to announce the registration of my business name and the start of a new chapter in my life! flights of fancy by kristy will be a boutique event planning business with a focus on intimate, personal and unique weddings and private events in Western Australia (and beyond if required!). We will provide a range of services, from assistance with theme and budget to vendor recommendations and liaison, to day-of coordination and everything in between, tailoring packages to suit clients’ needs and budgets. Stay tuned for more information and the official launch of flights of… -
Up and coming gigs
19 Jan 2012 | 1:48 amUp until the final show at the end of the year, I haven’t yet made any plans to play at any other gigs, however, if there are going to be any CSM Salons before the final show I will most likely do a performance there. I am currently in the process of composing some more tracks which I will use along with my other track, which can be heard on my Soundcloud account on the link below. Time -
My performance
19 Jan 2012 | 12:33 amHere is my performance, which took place at the second TransPort gig in the Meze Lounge on 8th December 2011. Thanks go to the guys from Soundeo who filmed and edited the video.
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Nashville Wedding Planner | A Delightful Day Event Planning Blog
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Jennifer + Gene = Nashville Wedding, Part III
27 Jan 2012 | 10:23 amHope you were able to view Jennifer and Gene's beautiful getting ready, pre-ceremony and ceremony photos in our Part II of the series of III! Enjoy reception goodness today with gorgeous photos By Shea. Vendors who made the day happen: Venues- Cathedral of the Incarnation and Hutton Hotel Catering- Hutton Hotel Photographer- By Shea Florist- Brocade Nashville Linens- Connie Duglin Rentals- Classic Party Rental Paper Goods- Sweet LIfe Designs Lighting- Swank Cake and cake stand- Maples Wedding Cakes DJ- AllStar Entertainment (Casey Coleman) Hair/Makeup- Style Kitchen Transportation- First… -
Jennifer + Gene = Nashville Wedding, Part II
26 Jan 2012 | 10:30 amSo.... I may have lied yesterday in Jennifer and Gene's rehearsal dinner post that I could do a post on their wedding day in one part. I'm going to need two parts for this gorgeousness! :) If you didn't see their rehearsal dinner post, you can see that here. Jennifer and Gene were married at Cathedral of the Incarnation and reception was at the Hutton Hotel. When Jennifer and I began working together to plan her wedding, she had a few of her vendors in place, however I got the joy of designing with Hillary from Brocade this amazing vision and look that Jennifer had for her modern… -
Kelly Plans a Wedding: The Lighting
25 Jan 2012 | 2:10 pmJust as God said, "Let there be light!", the second I walked into the Livery Stables {where we're saying our I dos!}, I knew I'd be making the same declaration soon. I love love love the barn feel of our wedding venue and can't be thankful enough that I won't be sweating-at-the-wedding, but one of the drawbacks of having an entirely indoor wedding site in an authentic barn is that there is VERY little natural daylight. We have the option of opening two of the huge sliding barn doors {there's one in front of the ceremony altar and one in the back that leads to the… -
Jennifer + Gene = Nashville Wedding, Part I
25 Jan 2012 | 10:20 amWe had the pleasure of working with two really wonderful families for our August 6th wedding and they truly had a beautiful wedding weekend! We got to enjoy time in planning both the rehearsal dinner and the wedding and reception. So.... with so many gorgeous details, we have to do a two part blog featuring their wonderful rehearsal dinner at Giovanni's and then their wedding at Cathedral of the Incarnation and the Hutton Hotel. Enjoy wonderful photos By Shea of the rehearsal dinner for this part I post! Vendors for the rehearsal dinner include: Photography- By Shea Florals- Brocade… -
Natalie + Conar= Gallatin Wedding featured
24 Jan 2012 | 12:56 pmWe are so thrilled that Ali Harper Photography featured this amazing wedding on Grey Likes Weddings blog!Take a look at Natalie and Conar's amazingly classy, lovely wedding on our full recap here! ~ Mary Alice Nashville Wedding Planner A Delightful Day
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HotelChatter -
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What Hotels Are Opening in 2012? Consult Our Handy Hotel Openings List
27 Jan 2012 | 4:00 pmIt's our weekly wrap-up, Suite-Hostel where we round-up the best and the worst hotel news of the week. Get it? This week, we culled together the Master List of 2012 Hotel Openings and boy, is it a doozy. It might take you all weekend to read! Wink, wink. Had a recent suite or hostel hotel stay? Let us know about it! SUITE: The Master List of Worldwide Hotel Openings in 2012 Hotel Helicopters Steamy Miami Hotels for V-Day ALSO: The Concierge at Mr. C is More -
Brussels: You Can Thank a Chinese Airline for Brussels' Next 5-Star Hotel
27 Jan 2012 | 3:03 pmThe HNA Resort Sanya (obviously not Brussels) Hotels and airlines—two peas in a pod, or occasionally, the same pea. Airlines that have successfully spun off hotel chains are many; off the top of our head we can name Pan Am (Intercontinental Hotels), SAS (Rezidor/SAS) and Icelandair (IcelandAir Hotels). One that's lesser known, however is the Asian carrier Hainan Airlines and their chain of "business hotels" throughout China. They're 40-something in number, so it's not a boutique venture or anything; Hainan is serious and the good Tripadvisor reviews of their properties reflect this. -
Indianapolis: Last-Minute Hotel Options for Super Bowl XLVI
27 Jan 2012 | 2:05 pmAll week long you've been on the fence about attending Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis on February 5, but now you have finally asked your parents for some extra cash cobbled enough money together to get yourself to the Big Game. Yet the question remains--where do you stay?There are some options left in Indianapolis but remember, all the good hotels are sold-out so don't expect silk sheets and bubble bath butlers. And actually, a lot of the budget hotels are sold-out too. So you will have to make do with budgety leftovers out in the 'burbs. But the prices are still going to hurt your… -
Singapore: Pack Your Trainers and Don't Forget to Grab the Hotel Jogging Map
27 Jan 2012 | 1:00 pmIt's official; hotels have finally figured out that maybe—just maybe—guests will want to venture beyond the fitness center and into the wild streets of a strange city in order to get that runner's high. Thus, increasingly we're opening up hotel desk drawers to spy more than just the requisite stationery and Gideon's Bible; there's also little jogging maps of the area. Granted, you've got to be staying in a hotel that goes above and beyond in other ways than just a jogging map; you won't find extras like this in a Holiday Inn or Best Western. For example, we recently spotted a… -
Lisbon: Once Again, Gwyneth Paltrow is Gooping Out Hotel Recommendations
27 Jan 2012 | 12:00 pmWhere does Gwyneth Paltrow rest her head when she heads to Lisbon? Subscribers to Paltrow's weekly guide to detoxes and cleansing lifestyle newsletter found out when a guide to Lisbon hit their Inboxes on Thursday. As you might expect, the hotels which received the G.P. Stamp of Approval are grand in stature, with the requisite clean living retreat included in the roundup.
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Marriott on the Move
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The Year of the Dragon
23 Jan 2012 | 11:03 amHAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR! 2012 is the year of the Dragon. Let the week-long celebrations begin. That’s right, an entire week of brilliant fireworks and colorful parades. It’s truly an amazing spectacle. Think Times Square – but a whole lot bigger! Our Marriott hotels in Shanghai, Beijing and Sanya, will have ceremonies featuring Chinese drummers and Kung Fu artists. Food is also very important to New Year's celebrations. The Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel created a unique dim sum dumpling menu in honor of the Dragon. Each dish is a work of art. Chinese New Year Coconut Pudding and… -
A Big Day for U.S. Tourism
20 Jan 2012 | 11:26 am"The more folks who visit America, the more Americans we get back to work.” -- President Obama, January 19, 2012 Listen to Blog This year 1 billion people are expected to travel outside their own countries to see and experience the world. And for every 35 of those international visitors, one job is created. That's why President Obama went to Disneyworld this week to talk about the importance of travel and tourism in creating American jobs. He also knows that when someone from another country visits the United States, they generally go home a fan, and that's good for our... -
Lessons of a Soda Jerk
17 Jan 2012 | 1:44 pmMy very first job was a soda jerk and that taught me a lot about customer service. It was very busy, especially on the weekends. Filling orders in a timely way was a challenge and great fun. I was thrown into the front lines and was stuck many times. When I got behind, it took a long time for me to build a banana split. This was back in 1952 at our Hot Shoppes Restaurant in Silver City, Utah. I worked as a soda jerk while I was a student at the University of Utah. My dad would often come... -
Monumental Courage and Conviction of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (originally posted for MLK memorial dedication Oct. 2011)
13 Jan 2012 | 9:56 amMy parents founded our company in 1927, nearly 30 years before the Civil Rights Movement. It didn’t matter to them who or what you were, you were welcome. Back then in the South, here in Washington, D.C., this was a courageous move. But they stuck to their beliefs. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood up for what he believed in. I'm still amazed at how he was able to change the face of not just our great country, but of the world. His courage and heroism continue to inspire me. (Dr. King's portrait is in our boardroom with a note from... -
Checking In as a Guest, Leaving as Family
9 Jan 2012 | 9:33 amJoy Bricker went public at the age of 79. She’s famous for being the 10-year guest at TownePlace Suites in Falls Church, Virginia. Ten years … in the same room! Now that’s loyalty and a lot of Rewards points. It also makes for a great media story. When Joy announced she was checking-out to move in with her daughter in New York, the media converged -- The Washington Post, CNN and ABC Channel 7 News. Before you knew it, folks around the world were talking about the lady who for ten years made Marriott her home. What makes this story...
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The Webinar Blog
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Myth: Casual Video Is Preferred
27 Jan 2012 | 3:58 pmInvodo put out a press release this week with statistics debunking some commonly-held beliefs about prerecorded videos as used on retail websites. We need to be VERY cautious about transferring their findings to the world of live webcasts, as that was not the context that they worked in, and they were not studying long live presentations, but very short clips used on web pages. Still, one mythbuster in particular caught my eye. I quote from their press release: Myth: More casual, "YouTube-style" videos produced in-house can be seen as authentic, and are effective in building credibility and… -
How To Ruin A Video Webcast
23 Jan 2012 | 12:27 pmMediaPlatform has created a fun (and short!) video illustrating some of the best practices I laid out in a public webcast I did with them covering on-camera presentation. Their brave spokesperson shows how seemingly trivial details can add up to make a mess of your professional image in no time. If you are going to appear on camera before a public business audience, take the time and effort to do it right. You can watch the video on YouTube, and no… you don’t have to register or give away any personal information. Video Link: http://youtu.be/0YeTZS6GSI4 Nice job making my point,… -
Presentation Skills Webinar Jan 19
18 Jan 2012 | 9:23 amTomorrow, January 19, I will be presenting one of my most popular educational topics: Improving Your Online Presentation Skills. The session is free, thanks to sponsorship by Adobe Connect. It’s a 60-minute webinar that includes time for live Q&A. We already have well over 600 people registered, so it’s sure to be a rollicking free-for-all. Sign up through Adobe’s registration page at: http://j.mp/webinarjan19 The webinar starts at 10am California time, 1pm New York time, 6pm London, and an immensely convenient 5am for Sydney. See you online! -
Reinvent The Webinar?
16 Jan 2012 | 11:46 amSeveral people have sent me a link to a January 12 article by Michael Kolowich on the Content Marketing Institute’s website. The article is titled “How Content Marketers Can Reinvent the Webinar for 2012.” I’m not sure what my helpful correspondents want me to do… Challenge Michael to a cage match? I’m delighted to see that webinars are being talked about in a general marketing context. Michael is absolutely right… We all need to think about ways to constantly improve our approach to webinars, our techniques for delivery, and our dedication to measuring goal-specific results. -
Impressions Of ON24 Webcast Elite
12 Jan 2012 | 3:36 pmI am finally ready to follow through with a promise I made in November. At that time, I reported ON24’s announcement of their Webcast Elite webcasting software. You should go back and read the previous post to get the basics of ON24’s market strategy and target customers. What with the holiday season and a rush of year-end activity, it took me till January to try out the new product on a trial basis. Here are my impressions. Please note that this is based only on quick testing. I have not used Webcast Elite for a real public-facing webinar. My admiration is undiminished for the user…
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ConventionPlanit.com Meeting & Events Blog
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Lesson Learned: Don’t Retreat, Forge Ahead!
23 Jan 2012 | 8:35 amPlease enjoy the following guest post from our friend and member Dave Gabri, President and CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels International! Understandably it can be easy to get discouraged lately, if you watch the evening news or the Sunday morning news talk shows. We were optimistic that the tiresome onslaught of negative economic news was behind us. After all, we have definitely seen positive signs in our meetings demand that business is back in the “business of business,” which includes an impressive growth in demand for face-to-face meetings. But the recent stories about the latest… -
PCMA Wrap Up
17 Jan 2012 | 8:40 amLast Tuesday’s sessions at PCMA Convening Leaders “The Good (yes there is some!), the Bad, and the Ugly of Global Economies” and “Cracking the Life Code”, had the over 3,000 attendees assimilating some radical new life concepts as they continued to kick-start their year by taking in the broad spectrum of education. Later in the day, your ConventionPlanit.com roving Ambassador attended the annual Global Reception sponsored by the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Center. Suppliers in Kilts mingled with international planners involved with meeting and catching up with colleagues… -
ConventionPlanit.com Advisory Council Tackle the Tough Issues
16 Jan 2012 | 8:26 amEight members of the ConventionPlanit.com Meeting Planner Advisory Council met recently at The Donovan House in Washington, DC to discuss current issues facing the meetings industry and how online search directories such as ConventionPlanit.com can help address them. ConventionPlanit.com Staff and Advisory Council Members at the November Meeting Some of the issues included: Demonstrating the Value of Meeting History – Providing a hotel with historical data from previous meetings is essential in negotiating room blocks, rates, and food and beverage costs. “Everybody complains about… -
Conference Registration Advice
12 Jan 2012 | 1:45 pmA quick tip of the day for you regarding onsite conference registration: Consider allowing attendees the option to register in their hotel! Instead of sending attendees on a wild goose chase through a large convention center to track down a badge or program, set up a small registration stand in all partnering hotels. The attendees (and their feet!) will be most grateful for the convenience. Our very own Maureen Pickell, who has just returned from PCMA’s Convening Leaders in San Diego, shared this very smart tip with us. Registering at the hotel saved her an extra trip to the… -
PCMA Session Quiz
11 Jan 2012 | 11:30 amReady to put on your thinking caps? Here are some quick quotes from yesterday’s PCMA Conventing Leaders education sessions. Match them to the corresponding session topics: Don’t scroll down until you have made your choices… Session Quotes Session Titles A.”Introductions happen in 9 seconds – people now have the same attention span as that of a goldfish.” 1. Advocating the Value of the Meetings Industry B. “40 million Chinese live in caves.” 2. The Seven Triggers of Fascination C. “Historical Data is key information that enables a CVB to…
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Face2Face
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Notes from Sunday at the Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professions
23 Jan 2012 | 6:20 amMy first full day at the Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professions annual conference, going on now in Orlando, was packed. Some notes on the meeting as a meeting. I’ll get the whining out of the way first: -Yes, I already have stuffed-brain syndrome from having way too much thrown at me in too little time with no connection between session topics and no time for reflection built in. -We hit the “I know you can’t read this slide, but…” wall before the first general session was over. -We hit the “I know this classroom setup makes it almost… -
10 quick meeting planning tips
20 Jan 2012 | 3:58 pmWhile it may not rock your world, this list of 10 quick meeting-planning tips from the AMI blog is a good reminder of what really counts: that it’s all about the attendees, not your organization. It may be simple, but it’s probably not easy! -
Is Pecha Kucha the next mashed potato martini?
18 Jan 2012 | 7:59 amThat’s what Kristi Casey Sanders asks in this interesting post about how what’s hip today might become passé, presentation-format-wise. Plus she includes a great list of tips (and she’s funny). -
Looking to trade shows for innovation
15 Jan 2012 | 12:51 pmMost of the conversations I’ve had recently around the trade show concept have focused on their being perceived as an old-school way to bring buyers and sellers together, one that is becoming increasingly ineffective and unappealing to attendees. Hence the move toward hosted-buyer programs, and adding education in hopes it will attract more people to the show floor. Then I ran across this editorial in Forbes written by Consumer Electronics Association (which owns the CES show) president and CEO Gary Shapiro that is practically an ode to the trade show model. Called Want Innovation? Go… -
Which is worse on a plane: A yapping dog or a screaming baby?
14 Jan 2012 | 12:19 pmOr a stinky seatmate, or one that never shuts up? The list of things air passengers are and do that annoy their fellow travelers are legion. Which do you find most obnoxious? Head over to Elliott.org and register your vote on what makes for the most annoying seatmate ever. For me, the screaming baby is the hardest to take, closely followed by one not on Chris’s list: The seat-kicker. I swear I’ve taken some shots to the kidneys from kids in the row behind me that would put Ali to shame.
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Cvent
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Giant Dragons Take Over Palazzo for Chinese New Year
27 Jan 2012 | 2:00 pmRed lanterns, golden coins and flowers are everywhere at the Venetian and Palazzo hotels in Las Vegas right now. But the main draw are, of course, the 128-foot hand-crafted fire-breathing dragon floating over the gardens… and its 8,000-pound cousin perched amid the flowers and fountains and breathing fire… The properties are kicked off Chinese New Year festivities this Monday with a colorful parade of dancers and musicians decked out in elaborate costumes. Guests were able to see the traditional Dragon Dance on Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 1 PM and The Fan Dance on Wednesday, Jan. 25 at… -
5 Ways to Take Your Online Relationships Offline
27 Jan 2012 | 1:00 pmYou may have online friends who sing your praises now and that's great. But taking those relationships offline can convert them into loyal fans. There's something about having our good suspicions about an online friend confirmed by an in person meeting - or maybe it's just the opportunity to hug someone who has unwittingly lifted our spirits on a low day. In any case, meeting such a person in person can be magical. When you share such an experience with a potential client or business partner, it can be financially rewarding as well. So take every opportunity to move your online… -
LinkedIn Tips: 8 Features to Supercharge Your Company Page
27 Jan 2012 | 9:45 amCompany Pages are one of LinkedIn's best kept secrets. Did you know that as you complete your personal LinkedIn profile, LinkedIn automatically:links you into existing company pages for your places of employment?generates a new company profile for your businessMany businesses are not even aware that they have a LinkedIn profile so it's an under-utilized resource.Yesterday when I logged into LinkedIn and checked out the Executive Oasis International LinkedIn Profile. (I confess, I don't do that very often). I was totally surprised and blown away by some of the new features. Take a look at… -
Introducing: Vancouver
27 Jan 2012 | 9:00 amBlock upon block of Victorian buidlings mixed up with trendy boutiques, galleries and Vancouver's most urban lifetstyle fill the neighborhood of Gastown. Initially a settlement formed around a tavern opened in 1867 by sailor and gold prospector John "Gassy Jack" Deighton, Gastown was established the same year Canada became a nation. Today, the neighborhood is a designated a National Historic Site and great start for a Vancouver walking tour with plaques throughout the city giving visitors some museum-worthy history street by street. Find out why Vancouver is ranked one of the… -
Meetings Come Natural on Florida's Nature Coast
26 Jan 2012 | 3:00 pmIf you want to escape the tourist hordes and meet in an uncrowded, naturally beautiful part of the Sunshine State, Florida’s Nature Coast, which stretches northward of Clearwater through communities like Crystal River, Homosassa Springs, Brooksville and Cedar Key, is a great option. A wonderland of wildlife parks, antique shops, seafood shacks, fertile fishing areas and exceptional golf courses, this part of Florida on the state’s west coast is also referred to as the Big Bend Region. The main meeting-oriented properties in the region are the 196-room Plantation on Crystal…
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Free Meetings & Travel Magazines and Downloads from alltop.tradepub.com
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What Happens When Everyone in the Office Has Video Conferencing?
13 Jan 2012 | 2:00 amOver the past six months, Aberdeen has surveyed 131 organizations to understand their video conferencing usage patterns, deployment strategies, and perspectives on business value associated with these solutions. In this process, they looked at companies where all employees had access to some form of video conferencing (n=47) and compared them to companies where some employees lacked access to video. By comparing both of these groups to Best-in-Class practices for video conferencing identified in the September 2011 benchmark report Enterprise Video Collaboration, Aberdeen was able to determine… -
Corporate Meetings & Incentives
3 Jan 2012 | 11:20 amAs a Member of the Corporate Meetings & Incentives Community you'll get:Columns, expert advice, and case studies on incentives, site selection, budgeting, strategic meeting management, technology, CSR, negotiating, international meetings, social media and moreFinancial and insurance meetings newsletterNews of facility openings, expansions, and renovationsRequest Free! -
Association Meetings
3 Jan 2012 | 11:20 amAs a Member of the Association Meetings Community You'll Get:Analysis of trends unique to association meetingsCase studies, Expert Q&AsHow-to articles/ checklistsFeatures on managing and marketing conventions, trade shows; columns on attrition, legal advice, cost-savings, technology, international meetingsNews of facility openings and expansionsRequest Free! -
Medical Meetings
3 Jan 2012 | 11:20 amAs a Member of the Medical Meetings Community you'll get:The latest on CME and pharma industry regulationsThought-provoking perspectives from respected industry expertsTips on managing conventions and attrition; marketing an educational activity, achieving cost-savings, using the latest technology, holding international meetings, and moreRequest Free! -
Business Travel News
23 Dec 2011 | 5:50 pmEach of the 17 issues provides you with today's insight in business travel and offers reference/resource manuals such as the Corporate Travel Index, Corporate Travel Black Book, Automation Directory, The Official Business Travel Buyer's Handbook, Corporate Travel 100 and the Annual Business Travel Survey. Each issue includes news on the latest deals, management ideas and trends to watch out for.Request Free!
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Behind the Scenes Events
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Site Visit - Folger Shakespeare Theater
18 Jan 2012 | 7:00 amVenue: Folger Shakespeare LibraryAddress: 201 East Capitol Street, SE, Washington, DCNeighborhood: Capitol HillVenue Type: Unique VenueBest for: Receptions, Seated DinnersTo Note: The Folger Shakespeare Library is home to the world's largest Shakespearean collection. Capacity: The Great Room (pictured) allows for 150 seated for dinner, 250 for a standing reception or 100 for dinner with space to accommodate a reception. The Paster Reading Room allows for 200 seated for dinner, 250 for a standing reception, or 100 for dinner with reception space. The two rooms will allow for 500 standing. -
Site Visit - Event Center at The Willard
17 Jan 2012 | 10:53 amVenue: Carr Workplaces' Event Center at The WillardAddress: The Willard Building, 1455 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 800, Washington, DCNeighborhood: White House Venue Type: Meeting Space, Outdoor TerraceBest for: Small-group meetings, ReceptionsCapacity: There are three available spaces at the Event Center including a lounge with outdoor terrace and two meeting rooms. The Lounge will allow for cocktail receptions to 100. The addition of the conference rooms will allow for 200 standing. The Terrace, for those perfect-DC evenings, offers reception space for up to 110 guests (with the… -
Site Visit - Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium
15 Jan 2012 | 2:48 pmVenue: Andrew W. Mellon AuditoriumAddress: 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DCNeighborhood: Penn Quarter, National MallVenue Type: Auditorium, Government BuildingBest for: Large-scale networking functions, Mid-sized Galas; Large wedding Receptions Capacity: There are five unique spaces in the venue, allowing for small receptions (70 standing) to seating for 700+ at banquet rounds. The Auditorium itself can hold 1,000 people standing (max capacity allowed due to fire code).Rental Fees: $$$. Weekday or night rentals can run $12K. Weekends will run more.Catering: Outside caterers are… -
Events Trends for 2012
3 Jan 2012 | 6:20 amThe holiday season affords us a moment of downtime, allowing for the opportunity to review and critique our accomplishments from the past year and to begin focusing on the year ahead. Overall for 2012, we see a landscape that won’t change dramatically from the year past. Though there are some specific trends here in Washington, DC that will weave there way into our client events over the months ahead. These adjustments are important to note as they reflect the needs and moods of the customers we serve. Below are a few of those trends to help create a most successful affair.Spending –… -
Site Visit - MAA Carriage House
21 Dec 2011 | 10:39 amVenue: The Carriage House at the Mathematical Association of AmericaAddress: 1781 Church Street NW, Washington, DC Neighborhood: Dupont CircleVenue Type: Conference CenterBest For: Small meetingsCapacity: 70 standing, 66 theater or 45 conference in largest, first floor space. Facility includes two more breakout rooms. The outdoor space (that doubles as a staff parking lot) will also allow for receptions. Rental Fee: Affordable. Rates vary from $500 to $2,000 and include standard A/V (LCD projector, smartboard, microphones, wireless internet, etc.) plus beverage service.Catering: Preferred…
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Party Ideas Blog
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Jan 26, Mardi Gras Party!
26 Jan 2012 | 10:31 amTime to pull out the purple, gold and green and start planning some fun Mardi Gras parties! -
Jan 25, Valentine Party Ideas
25 Jan 2012 | 11:21 amValentine Party Ideas and Games for all ages. -
Jan 12, Beach Baby Bunco
12 Jan 2012 | 11:58 amEvery month we have a theme and in June it was BEACH BABY BUNCO. We combined our regular bunco night with a surprise baby shower for one of our girls. -
Jan 12, Bunco Baby Shower
12 Jan 2012 | 11:44 amA Bunco Baby Shower is a unique, fun and easy baby shower idea to plan whether you have a regular bunco group or not. -
Jan 12, Bunco Fun!
12 Jan 2012 | 10:49 amFree Bunco score sheets and rules for how to play this fun, easy party game!
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Elite Meetings Blog
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Broadcasting LIVE Hybrid Sessions from EMA
27 Jan 2012 | 4:38 pmParticipate in the EMA from Home! We’re here in the desert getting ready to kick off the January Elite Meetings Alliance at Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa and it’s shaping up to be an amazing event! For those of you who weren’t able to be here in person, you’re invited to join us for our Educational Sessions via a live webcast! This will not be your average webcast. Our production team of Pulse Staging and Sonic Foundry will make it possible for you to experience the latest trend in meetings, the Hybrid Meeting Format. Our speakers will be interacting with you, along with a… -
Life in the Fast Lane: Supply-Side Tips for Navigating Today’s Tight Turnarounds
18 Jan 2012 | 12:47 pmby Susan Campbell, Editorial Director While it’s true that meetings are making a comeback, that doesn’t necessarily mean coming back in exactly the same way. Since the economic downturn, both buyers and suppliers have acknowledged that the days of protracted planning have passed. By and large, today’s meeting professionals have shorter lead times to plan their events. So, what’s a hotel sales manager to do? We asked Dirk Smith, president and founder of Sports Destination Network, (www.SDNinc.com) to weigh in. He books more than 200 meetings and some 25,000 room nights a year for a… -
Inside Scoop to the Elite Meetings Alliance
10 Jan 2012 | 4:57 pmElite Meetings Alliance Details Happy New Year! We hear it’s cold out there, but we’re starting to feel the desert heat as we prepare for the Elite Meetings Alliance (EMA)! If you haven’t already heard, Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa is hosting the EMA January 29-31st in the desert oasis of Rancho Mirage (Palm Springs), California. We have some exciting insider details we’d like to share before you step foot in Rancho Mirage, so read below to get the news on all things EMA. If you have yet to register, we only have a few spots left, so register now! Elite Meetings is partnering… -
EliteMeetings.com 4.0 Goes Members Only
15 Dec 2011 | 1:19 pmDo you want to be rich, famous, and glamorous? Ride around in a stretch hummer limo and dance the night away with A-list movie stars?! Ah, well …. for that you would have to pay a lot of money and know some good people but great thing you know us here at Elite Meetings! We may not be able to get you into top-secret nightclubs, but we might have something right up your alley. The brand new, redesigned, not-quite ready to launch EliteMeetings.com 4.0 website is coming to a computer near you in February 2012! 4.0 will unveil some very exciting changes for Elite Meetings including an… -
Creating Better Meeting Experiences
6 Dec 2011 | 11:08 amJim Ruszala, Director of Marketing, Maritz Travel Company Three Simple Steps to Create Better Meeting Experiences Designing for a more engaging experience for your meetings can significantly improve performance from both a business and attendee vantage point. Yet, this is more difficult to do in today’s world due to a host of challenges, including budgeting constraints and increased risks for attendee distractions. From the moment an attendee walks into a general or breakout session, the need to immediately capture attention is just as important as maintaining engagement during the entire…
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The Event Diva Blog
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10 Hot New Event Trends for 2012
4 Jan 2012 | 2:04 pmThe event world is looking forward to some pretty exciting things in 2012! The economy is looking a little better and budgets are starting to relax a bit, but companies are still seeking event components that do double duty by keeping their guests entertained and contributing to the overall theme. Also on the event must-have list are new event apps and truly unique entertainment. So, here are the Event Diva’s top picks for 2012. Let me know if you have anything ideas to share for the new year 1. Retro Technotainment The old arcade games that we see in hospitality suites… -
Have a Purple Cow at Your Event
28 Oct 2011 | 11:53 amWhat in the world is a Purple Cow and why would you want one at your event? The answer is simple. A Purple Cow is that special, unusual, sometimes even shocking event element that makes your guests do a double-take. In short, a Purple Cow is the “Wow-factor”. There’s no better way to ensure the success of your event than by giving your guests the gift of a new experience. Keep in mind, your Purple Cow doesn’t have to cost you the farm, but if you do have a little wiggle room in your budget, here are a few great Purple Cows. www.robostilts.com ROBOSTILTS combines glowing… -
Color Trends for Fall 2011
26 Jul 2011 | 1:17 pmAccording to the fashion world, Fall’s must-have trends include romantic flares of color on palattes of warm nuetrals. Shabby-chic styling of patterns like mixing florals and plaids are popular this up-coming season along with flirty gloves and boots! -
Ice: The Hottest Component of Summer Events
24 May 2011 | 10:49 amIn the 80’s ice sculptures hit the event world with a bang! Every wedding, gala, anniversary, and graduation had one. Semi formal event, you say? Start at the ice scuplture and work your way down, dude! Planners weren’t happy until every occasion featured a set of linked ice hearts or a bowing ice swan. Remember (Oh, for shame!) the bowing swans that form a heart? Like that really cool, catchy song on the radio that you love the first fifty times you hear it and hate it the next two hundred and fifty times – Ice sculptures just got played out. Which is terrible,… -
Fashion Trends for Spring 2011
14 Feb 2011 | 11:08 amSavvy Event Planners take thier cues from the fashion world, working hard to be up-to-date on latest fabrics, patterns, colors, and accessory trends. It looks like the Spring and Summer seasons will be filled with fun, vibrantly colored textiles - a welcome change from Fall/Winter’s muted grey-toned pastels. Top designers have been mixing lace and leather on the runways. Biker attire appears to be replacing last year’s military trend. Check out these two sassy dress styles using Kenya cloth. A mixture of organic and recycled materials are combined to create a soft, durable,…
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Inside The Costume Box
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Organize Your Kids for Back To School
23 Jan 2012 | 8:16 pmIt's that time of year again: Time for fresh hair cuts, new uniforms and shoes, and loading up on school supplies. It's not cheap to stock your kids for back to school - and you hardly want to be doing it again through-out the school year if they lose things - so be sure to help your kids keep track of their supplies and clothing with these stylish sticker and label ideas from Australian company That's Mine. Owned and operated by Sydney-based mum's, you know you're getting products that have been tried and tested, with quick delivery and pick-up options to help you get organized in time. Top… -
Storm Trooper Walking Australia For Starlight Children's Foundation
27 Nov 2011 | 9:17 pmPR3X25XHCADP Just another day for Jacob French of Western Australia. Photo Source: OddCulture.com While most Australian twentysomething lads will be waking up at the crack of noon today, shaking off the dust of a weekend of sun, fun and partying, Jacob French of Bussleton, WA will be hitting the 20km mark of his daily trek across the country. That's less than half his daily walking of approximately 45km before setting up camp and settling into an evening of blisters and instant noodles. Jacob set out in July to raise money for the Starlight Children's Foundation by attempting to walk… -
Harry Potter: The Exhibition at Powehouse Museum in Sydney
24 Nov 2011 | 6:21 pmHedwig has arrived with your personal invitation to check out the first, and only stop outside North America, of Harry Potter: The Exhibition. A travelling collection of hundreds of artifacts from the iconic film series based on J.K. Rowling's epic books, this is one trip to the museum that won't disappoint. The exhibit will be on display from 17 November 2011 until 18 March 2012. "Harry Potter: The Exhibition captivates fans from the moment they step inside and truly embodies the magic that has produced the most successful film franchise in history," said Karen McTier, Executive… -
Win Your Next Costume: Join our Santa Suit Photo Contest
23 Nov 2011 | 9:54 pm -
Werewolf Ani-motion Mask from California Costumes
26 Oct 2011 | 5:36 pmCheck out this amazing new mask tech from California Costumes! The mouth moves with your jaw for a real-life look that will scare the living daylights out of your friends and enemies. A great addition to your Halloween costume! For more info, check out this video and visit CostumeBox.com.au online. Need more costume ideas? Check out CostumeBox.com.au
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Inside The Costume Box
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Organize Your Kids for Back To School
23 Jan 2012 | 8:16 pmIt's that time of year again: Time for fresh hair cuts, new uniforms and shoes, and loading up on school supplies. It's not cheap to stock your kids for back to school - and you hardly want to be doing it again through-out the school year if they lose things - so be sure to help your kids keep track of their supplies and clothing with these stylish sticker and label ideas from Australian company That's Mine. Owned and operated by Sydney-based mum's, you know you're getting products that have been tried and tested, with quick delivery and pick-up options to help you get organized in time. Top… -
Storm Trooper Walking Australia For Starlight Children's Foundation
27 Nov 2011 | 9:17 pmPR3X25XHCADP Just another day for Jacob French of Western Australia. Photo Source: OddCulture.com While most Australian twentysomething lads will be waking up at the crack of noon today, shaking off the dust of a weekend of sun, fun and partying, Jacob French of Bussleton, WA will be hitting the 20km mark of his daily trek across the country. That's less than half his daily walking of approximately 45km before setting up camp and settling into an evening of blisters and instant noodles. Jacob set out in July to raise money for the Starlight Children's Foundation by attempting to walk… -
Harry Potter: The Exhibition at Powehouse Museum in Sydney
24 Nov 2011 | 6:21 pmHedwig has arrived with your personal invitation to check out the first, and only stop outside North America, of Harry Potter: The Exhibition. A travelling collection of hundreds of artifacts from the iconic film series based on J.K. Rowling's epic books, this is one trip to the museum that won't disappoint. The exhibit will be on display from 17 November 2011 until 18 March 2012. "Harry Potter: The Exhibition captivates fans from the moment they step inside and truly embodies the magic that has produced the most successful film franchise in history," said Karen McTier, Executive… -
Win Your Next Costume: Join our Santa Suit Photo Contest
23 Nov 2011 | 9:54 pm -
Werewolf Ani-motion Mask from California Costumes
26 Oct 2011 | 5:36 pmCheck out this amazing new mask tech from California Costumes! The mouth moves with your jaw for a real-life look that will scare the living daylights out of your friends and enemies. A great addition to your Halloween costume! For more info, check out this video and visit CostumeBox.com.au online. Need more costume ideas? Check out CostumeBox.com.au
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MeetingsCanada.com
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EMA Marketing Named Canadian Sales & Marketing Office for DMC Group
27 Jan 2012 | 7:58 amJanuary 27, 2012 Sparkling Hill Resort, represented by EMA Marketing. EMA Marketing has been appointed the Canadian sales and marketing office for The DMC Group, a boutique consortium of worldwide DMCs specializing in high-end incentives, events, conferences and meetings. Established in 1996 by Philippa Durrant, The DMC Group encompasses 10 DMCs operating in 28 countries. Several of the DMC partners have been working with Durrant for over 20 years. EMA Marketing also represents AZA Events, in Arizona and has been representing AM&I Los Cabos for over six years. In addition to the DMC… -
WestJet Debuting Toronto-New York Service June 4
27 Jan 2012 | 7:37 amJanuary 27, 2012 WestJet launches Toronto-New York service June 4. WestJet will launch its Toronto-New York City service June 4, following its announcement, last November, that it had successfully bid for eight slot pairs at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. Starting June 4, the airline will launch seven non-stop flights each business day between Toronto and New York City. On July 12, WestJet will increase to eight non-stop flights each business day. Service will be provided by the airline’s Boeing 737 aircraft. The launch of new service comes on the heels of the recently signed codeshare… -
Vittoria Wikston Named Director, Business Development, Niagara Falls Tourism
26 Jan 2012 | 9:22 amJanuary 26, 2012 Vittoria Wikston Niagara Falls Tourism (NFT) has appointed Vittoria Wikston, CMP, director, business development. Wikston has a wealth of domestic and international hospitality and health and fitness industry management experience. Her professional portfolio highlights include president and peak performance trainer – LuvVITT Solutions; partner, Redchair Branding; vice-president, sales and marketing, White Oaks Conference Resort & Spa, and The CLUB at White Oaks; and professor, hospitality and tourism management, Niagara College. In her new position, Wikston will assist… -
$2-million Spa to Open in Fernie, B.C., February 14
25 Jan 2012 | 8:49 amJanuary 25, 2012 Spa 901, a 6,600-sq.-ft. spa and wellness centre, is expected to open in Fernie, B.C., on February 14. The facility will be located inside 901 Fernie, a $30-million restoration of a 1908 schoolhouse housing condominium residences and vacation rentals. Highlights of Spa 901 include infrared saunas, five treatment rooms, a couples fireplace treatment room, co-ed and women-only fireplace relaxation lounges and outdoor hot pool. In addition, Spa 901 will offer therapeutic massage in a variety of styles, aesthetician services and bath-soak treatments. Design details include richly… -
Peabody Orlando Unveils Meeting Incentives for 2012
24 Jan 2012 | 9:58 amJanuary 24, 2012 The Peabody Orlando has introduced meetings incentives, for 2012, that are available to planners now through March 31, 2012. Meeting planners may choose one of the following as part of any event held this year: Complimentary Internet connectivity in the group’s meeting space (up to 10 mbps); 3 per-cent rebate off actualized room revenue back to your master account; complimentary roundtrip transportation for your organized activity. With 300,000 sq. ft. of customizable function space, the property offers five pillar-free ballrooms, including the 54,652-sq.-ft. Peabody Grand…
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ZipSetGo.com
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Tweets from Last Night - Spain
27 Jan 2012 | 11:00 amLast night Travelers' Night In #TNI explored beatiful, historic, delicious Spain! Experts and enthusiasts alike gave their tips, shared photos and dreamed about their perfect trip to the European gem. Read more to plan your next trip, but be prepared to crave paella! read more -
Hotels Rooms with a View
25 Jan 2012 | 2:59 pmAfter Thursday's Travelers' Night In all about hotels I was inspired. Hotels can be so much more than just a place to lay your head after a long day of adventure. They should embody the place you are visiting, and show off what the destination has to offer. So much of a hotel experience can be in the view from the room, something often overlooked. I know I have picked a cheaper 'garden view' rather than splurge for what could have been stunning scenery. But what better way to wake up and be reminded why it is we travel? read more -
Destination Expert: Lyon, France
25 Jan 2012 | 9:05 amWhat makes Lyon unique? Lyon is a best kept secret of France. It is located geographically and strategically in central France. It is a gateway to the Alps and popular ski destinations and less than 2 hours ride from Paris by TGV (high speed train). Lyon is also the world capital gastronomy. With Beaujolais nearby, Burgundy to the North and Cote du Rhone to the South, no wonder Lyon has the largest number of Michelin restaurants! Lyon is not only the second largest city in France, but old Lyon is the second largest renaissance area in Europe after Venice. read more -
Peruvian Voluntourism with Explore22 (Part 2)
23 Jan 2012 | 2:01 pmStop: If you missed Part 1 of the Explore22 Peru, check it out! read more -
Tweets from Last Night - Hotel Travel
20 Jan 2012 | 11:36 amHotels are a huge part of travel, whether they are the main event of the trip or not. Travelers' from around the globe gathered and discussed the best properties in the world, shared their favorite views, and gave tips on getting deals and negociating rooms. Room 77 who specializes in a great deal with a great room, sponsored the event and gave away travel swag packs and three lucky people got $100 credit to the site! Read all for all about glorious hotels. read more
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Go Big Event
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8 Places to Advertise Your Events
17 Jan 2012 | 6:33 pmAdvertising future events can seem like a daunting task to some event planners. Here are 8 suggestions to get the word out about your events. 1.) One of the most functional ways to advertise your event can be through an Online Registration Site. Pick a site that is easy to use and can capture all the information you would like for share about your event. The great thing about online registration sites is that they can display information pertaining to the event as well as take the registration and payment information from participants. This is an all in one solution that can make an event… -
How can newcomers to social media use it to grow their network of contacts?
15 Dec 2011 | 12:12 pmGoing to conferences and events can be a great place to meet and interact with other attendees with the same interests and goals in mind. For social media rookies there are several ways it can help you grow your network of contacts. From tweeting live real-time feeds about presenters, using event hashtags, sharing information on event Facebook pages and taking and sharing photos from the event. All of these things can help even the most novice of social media users enhance their event experience. Different ways to interact with other attendees before, during and after events: - Tweet about… -
Stream your conference or event online for increased traffic and flexibility!
24 Nov 2011 | 3:29 pmGo Big Event is seeing an increased number of events that are being streamed online. This is a way to increase traffic to your events and provide attendees an alternative to showing up in person to events that may be in a different city or at a time that is not convenient for them. 1. Webcasting an event provides plenty of benefits to event planners, including: 2. Creates an alternative option for attendees to attend an event. This could result in an increase in attendance for the conference or event. Webcasting an event opens the door to people who may not be able to attend the event in… -
New Training Videos from Go Big Event
31 Oct 2011 | 1:41 pmThe Go Big Event team recently created several videos to help walk clients through the back-end of Go Big Event’s online event management system. In the videos, we will provide clients with extra training to utilize Go Big Event to its fullest potential. We’ll also be throwing in a few tips and tricks you can use with the system. These videos are posted on the Go Big Event Wiki site which can be accessed through the back-end under "Training Videos". Below, you will find an introductory video to the Go Big Event front-end system. Let us know what you think! This text will be replaced -
Fall brings Educational and Healthcare conferences and abstract submissions!
19 Sep 2011 | 11:07 amWith the use of an electronic abstract submission tool, an event planner or administrator of a healthcare or educational conference can let technology streamline this tedious and time consuming process. Before the electronic abstract submission tool, the administrative workload would be huge, from accepting paper submissions and sending them off to reviewers. The electronic abstract submission tool expedites this former manual process. By the author of the submission being able to submit an electronic document, the reviewers of the submitted documents have access 24 hours a day to do the…
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The Sound Stage
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Mugwump Productions Launches Event Furniture Division
18 Jan 2012 | 3:09 pmMugwump Productions is proud to announce the launch of a new event furniture rental division. Mugwump is currently known for their event décor services including theme décor, 3-D props, casino parties, wedding décor and custom decor for corporate meetings and functions. Mugwump has experienced success with recent inventory additions including chiavari, bamboo and white folding chairs and will now look to service the Jacksonville event industry’s ever growing need for event furniture rentals. For years, Jacksonville meeting and event planners have had to pay exorbitant delivery fees while… -
2011: Sight & Productions Year in Review
29 Dec 2011 | 1:30 pmThank you to all our valued clients and partners for your support in another outstanding year of growth at Sight & Sound Productions! We’re happy to report that we’ve seen double digit growth for the second consecutive year and we’re setting up for some big things in 2012. We know we couldn’t do any of this without you so thank you from the bottom of our hearts! But before we get too far into next year, our owner and executive team took a few minutes to reflect on what they felt were some of the biggest positives we experienced as a company in 2011. “Purchasing the remainder of… -
Keeping The Women Of Jacksonville Healthy
23 Aug 2011 | 4:01 pmThis past weekend, Sight & Sound Productions had the pleasure of working with and underwriting in part Jacksonville’s local public broadcasting station, WJCT on “Speaking of Women’s Health”. The event raised awareness about important women’s health issues from breast cancer screening to overall diet and nutritional advice. With uplifting seminars and an atmosphere of encouragement, WJCT offered women the opportunity to learn and grow together. Click to view slideshow. Dei Griffin, Sight & Sound Production’s business manager who attended the event, described… -
Jon Davis Buys Sight & Sound Productions
5 Jul 2011 | 3:20 pmJACKSONVILLE, FL – Jon B. Davis has acquired Sight & Sound Productions, a Jacksonville-based event production company that designs and executes meetings, conventions and special events. Davis, now CEO and owner will continue to oversee the management of both Sight & Sound and Mugwump Productions, a Sight & Sound owned event décor company best known for its unique theme elements and custom 3D props and sculptures. “The only thing that’s changed is the ownership,” says Davis, “As we continue to grow and flourish, I’m fully committed to continually carrying… -
Sight & Sound and Mugwump Productions Attend The Jacksonville Business Journal’s Business Growth Expo
17 Jun 2011 | 2:55 pmThe Jacksonville Business Journal hosted their Business Growth Expo at the Hyatt Riverfront this week. Numerous businesses attended and showed that Jacksonville remains a strong city for corporate investments and entrepreneurship. Sight & Sound and Mugwump Productions attended and displayed their services to the hundreds of visitors that toured the expo floor. Stephanie Seltzer (Mugwump) and Steve Levy (Sight & Sound) represented both companies and informed attendees about the companies’ amazing work in the event planning and production industry. Click to view slideshow. Please…
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Viktorix
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The Psychology of Color [INFOGRAPHIC]
24 Jan 2012 | 8:35 amIt's one of the most overlooked aspects of event design and planning, the color. The weddings are usually the only events that color plays a big role from the beginning - weddings = white (generally).Yet events that draw hundreds and thousands of people rarely pay close attention to what colors are used in marketing collateral and throughout the venue.The colors invoke emotional responses, they affect behavior, they affect decision making, and ultimately it comes down to increased attendance and satisfaction.If you're one of those event planners, take a minute to review this excellent… -
16 Simple Tips to Help You Pick the Right Event Venue
23 Jan 2012 | 4:51 amPhoenix Convention Center at night.The right venue is key to the success of any event. Finding the right space should be easy, once you know exactly what you need. Having a list of requirements doesn't only streamline your selection process, but it also helps you stay within your budget.You want your event venue to be a perfect fit, physically and monetarily. Striking a balance between the two can be easy with proper planning and execution.Here's a list of 16 tips to help you with the planning and execution of a successful event venue search:1. Get your accommodation requirements… -
Event Jobs Weekly Brief for January 16 – 22
23 Jan 2012 | 4:22 amFeatured event jobs for January 16 - 22.Event Jobs Weekly Brief highlights event jobs from the previous week that are found on the Viktorix Jobs board. Each week we highlight jobs to bring even greater awareness to job seekers and help employers fill those positions quickly. Clients and events don't wait, nor should you. Look these jobs over carefully. Some jobs may not seem like a fit initially, but reevaluate your skills and background, and your past experience, and see how they just might work very well in one of these positions. Then go for it. If not you, refer a friend or two.If you are… -
11 Easy Ways to Save Money on Wedding Flowers
19 Jan 2012 | 4:45 amWeddings are not cheap. The the average cost of weddings in the U.S. ranges from $20,000 to $40,000 (depending on where you live), so wedding planners need to find ways to cut costs and while put on a great event for the client.One area of cost cutting can be wedding flowers. Costs for flowers can range from $800–$1,900, excluding centerpieces and elaborate bouquets. As a wedding planner, you know that flowers lend an air of romance to a wedding. So while you want to save, you still want the wedding to look beautiful and memorable.Here are 11 ways that a resourceful wedding planner can… -
Event Jobs Weekly Brief for January 9 – 15
16 Jan 2012 | 4:03 amFeatured event jobs for January 9 - 15.Event Jobs Weekly Brief highlights event jobs from the previous week that are found on the Viktorix Jobs board. Each week we highlight jobs to bring even greater awareness to job seekers and help employers fill those positions quickly. Clients and events don't wait, nor should you. Look these jobs over carefully. Some jobs may not seem like a fit initially, but reevaluate your skills and background, and your past experience, and see how they just might work very well in one of these positions. Then go for it. If not you, refer a friend or two.Don't worry…
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RegOnline Product Blog
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What is Your Event Technology Resolution?
24 Jan 2012 | 10:07 amBy: Eric Olson, General Manager, SMB Events Active Network | Business Solutions Eric Olson is general manager of SMB Events at Active Network | Business Solutions. He is responsible for driving global strategy and P&L for the company’s business-to-business events solutions serving small to medium sized businesses, associations and tradeshow and expo companies. These include event management and marketing technologies. During his tenure, Olson has grown the SMB Business Solutions business by more than 200%. Last year I spoke more than a dozen times on event technology, and every time I… -
Data Center Migration Update
21 Jan 2012 | 3:29 pmEarlier today we completed our database migration, and RegOnline is fully functional. We’re excited to be in a cutting edge data center environment, providing our clients with the best performance and data security available. If you have any questions about how this move affects your accounts, please check out previous blog entries. And, as always, our support team is here to help you during business hours. We appreciate your patience during this important improvement, and we look forward to helping you put on amazing events in 2012 and beyond. -
Data Center Migration Update
21 Jan 2012 | 6:23 amAfter a long night of hard work we are pleased to announce that we have reached a major milestone in our datacenter migration and the site is back online in our next generation data center! There is a small number of customers that are taking a little longer to complete, and may experience the maintenance page, but we expect to have those users back on line before 8:30 a.m. MST. 8:40 A.M. MST Update Progress continues on those customers having difficulty accessing the system: We are now anticipating that we will have the few customers still having issues resolved by 10:30 A.M. MST. We… -
Data Center Migration Scheduled for TONIGHT, 9:30PM, MST
20 Jan 2012 | 9:00 amThe Active Network Data Center Migration will occur TONIGHT, FRIDAY, January 20, 2012 beginning at 9:30PM Mountain Standard Time. During the migration, RegOnline WILL BE UNAVAILABLE for approximately 8 hours, meaning registration forms will be inaccessible. IMPORTANT NOTE: In order to ensure no interruption in service, if you are using a custom or third party gateway integrated with RegOnline, you may need to update your settings. If your payment gateway restricts transactions to certain IP addresses, you need to verify that you allow traffic from the following RegOnline associated… -
UPDATE: Data Center Migration, January 20, and New IP Address Information
18 Jan 2012 | 10:22 amThe Active Network Data Center Migration will occur on FRIDAY, January 20, 2012 beginning at 9:30PM Mountain Standard Time. Please note the system will be UNAVAILABLE for approximately 8 hours, meaning registration forms will be inaccessible. IMPORTANT NOTE: In order to ensure no interruption in service, if you are using a custom or third party gateway integrated with RegOnline, you may need to update your settings. If your payment gateway restricts transactions to certain IP addresses, you need to verify that you allow traffic from the following RegOnline associated IP addresses:…
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Sound n' Sight
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31 Social Media Marketing Posts Written With Event Pros In Mind
22 Jan 2012 | 2:35 pmSound n' SightI began learning about social media marketing two and half years ago when the recession forced me to begin looking for ways to connect with new clients for my audio visual company, Icon Presentations. Based on what I learned, I created and begain implementing a strategy called #EIR; Engage, Inform & Retweet, which has led to a massive leap in search engine ranking for my website, new business and many more opportunities for me on a personal level. Below is a list of blog posts on the subject of social media marketing. I wrote all of them with my community, event… -
INXPO's Peter Hackes Shares 5 Tips for Live Streaming Events
16 Jan 2012 | 5:10 pmSound n' SightI was very fortunate to attend the concurrently held Virtual Edge Summit and Professional Convention Management Association's Convening Leaders events last week as a media guest of both organizations. One of the most useful chunks of information I came away with were some tips for live streaming events, given by INXPO's Vice President of Content and Programs, Peter Hackes. His simple tips are easy to implement but can really save you money, time and stress. For instance, renting two cameras when you only need one may seem extravagent, but you'll thank your lucky stars when… -
7 Ways #Eventprofs Use Social Media to Build Community, Business
12 Jan 2012 | 5:03 pmSound n' SightIt's been more than two years since I started using social media on a regular basis to market my audio visual company and educate myself. In that time I've learned a lot about what does and doesn't work. In addition to meeting and learning from some key social media experts, I stumbled onto the Twitter community known as #eventprofs which has become my online home. The ways in which I have grown personally are too numerous to count. But I was also able to achieve many benefits for my business, among them: * a strong online presence * a massive leap in search engine ranking… -
Top Ten Sound & Sight Blog Posts of 2011
2 Jan 2012 | 5:39 pmSound n' SightThis year's top 10 blog posts once again proved that Sound & Sight readers are a progressive bunch interested in improving their skills with regard to events and social media. The list includes two posts offering social media tips; four about event planning & production; and three posts on ways to use social media specifically for events. However, by far the most popular post wasn't really about any of these things. It proved that a good ol' tug at the heartstrings is appropriate on just about any blog. 10 - 11 Sure-Fire Ways to Make Your Event Blog Suck A… -
5 Audio Visual Musts to Check BEFORE Your Presentation
27 Dec 2011 | 12:54 pmSound n' SightThe following is a guest blog article by Kenji Crosland of eVenues.com. If you are interested in guest blogging for Sound n' Sight, please read my guest blogging guidelines. And if you have any thoughts, please comment. Kenji and I both would love to hear what you have to say! Most people who attend meetings have no idea about the preparation it takes to create a successful presentation. This is a good sign. When a group meets, absorbs information easily and comfortably leaves the meeting understanding its content, the presenter has done their job well. A presenter must prepare…
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Corporate Event Planning & Incentive Travel
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LinkedIn Tips: 8 Features to Supercharge Your Company Page
27 Jan 2012 | 9:45 amCompany Pages are one of LinkedIn's best kept secrets. Did you know that as you complete your personal LinkedIn profile, LinkedIn automatically:links you into existing company pages for your places of employment?generates a new company profile for your businessMany businesses are not even aware that they have a LinkedIn profile so it's an under-utilized resource.Yesterday when I logged into LinkedIn and checked out the Executive Oasis International LinkedIn Profile. (I confess, I don't do that very often). I was totally surprised and blown away by some of the new features. Take a look at… -
Paid Access Airport Lounges
25 Jan 2012 | 9:45 amScenario: You travel regularly for business meetings, conferences, or corporate events. The flights are usually long and your employer or client doesn't have the budget for business class. What's the alternative to arriving exhausted at your destination? Scenario: As event, meeting and conference planners, what can you offer clients who are committed to offering corporate events and special events despite their tight budget. Scenario: As a Corporate Travel Manager, you are always on the look-out for ways to stretch your company's travel budget and still deliver value. Passengers are… -
Business Travel: 8 Tips to Stay Refreshed for Long Economy Flights
24 Jan 2012 | 9:45 am"I'm on the road again." I traveled to Barbados this week for a client assignment. (Yes you should soon see some Bajan blog entries.) The travel I've done in the last few months has reminded me of just how much business travel has changed since September 2008. Many event and meeting planners still have tight budgets. Fewer and fewer companies are using business class for employees, consultants and event planners. Corporate travel managers face the challenge of staying within budget and yet ensuring that employees arrive at their destinations without being exhausted. This really… -
SOPA-PIPA: Should Event Planners be Concerned?
23 Jan 2012 | 9:45 amIn case you haven't heard about it, the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) was introduced before the US House of Representatives in October, 2011 in an attempt to fight copyright violations and trafficking in counterfeit goods on the Internet. In the U.S. Senate, the Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA) was introduced. While at first blush both Acts may seem to have laudable intentions, many are criticizing them as cases of "the cure being worse than the disease." The bills have sweeping powers with the potential of severe repercussions for bloggers, YouTube and other sites with… -
Event Planning: 6 Strategies for Dealing with Difficult Clients
20 Jan 2012 | 9:45 amLast week, we discussed the challenges that event planners face when working with clients who aren't open to advice. What's the best way to deal with difficult clients? The event planning industry is slowly emerging from an over 3-year slump; everyone is interested in pleasing clients and building their businesses. At the end of the day, it's the client who makes the final decision. He who pays the piper, calls the tune. It's easy to opt for pleasing the client at all costs to protect your stream of income. Is there a better way? I don't have a magic bullet but here are: 6 Strategies for…
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PlannerWire
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What’s On the Desk!
25 Jan 2012 | 12:38 pmI am at a client event and thought I would take a snapshot of my desk 15 minutes after arrival to see what was there. This was right at the start of the set up process and thought it would give me insight into what I think is important. Obviously, hearing things is important because I have 2 sets of headphones and a set of speakers. The internet is also key because I have a wireless router and repeater to boost the signal. -
Blackbird Pie – Embed Tweets in Meeting and Event Blogs
23 Jan 2012 | 2:39 pmOne of the things that I find amazing about social media for meeting and event planners (marketers) is that our very attendees can be our biggest army of marketing foot-soldiers. When your event is an amazing success, they will talk about it, they will share it and they will let everyone know. This has changed the event marketing landscape for the better and has made our jobs as event marketers 1000 times easier. One of the ways that your attendees love to share their experiences is through Twitter, they tweet, and others retweet and that amazing testimonial rages across the internet like a… -
Meeting Planner Music Club – Special Edition
20 Jan 2012 | 11:52 amEtta James, a true legend and one of the greatest singers ever, passed today, she will be missed. What a voice, if you watch this video, the song makes an awesome transition at 1 minute 40. -
How Secure is Your Event
19 Jan 2012 | 8:39 amDid you ever wonder how secure your password is? This is a question that should nag at every person who is involved with meetings and events for a number of reasons. We are increasingly online with our attendee databases, our event financials and our entire event marketing strategies and this is information that some people would pay good money for. You are only as secure as your staffs’ weakest password. You may not be able to control the passwords of all of your colleagues but at least you can make sure that you are not the source of the data-leak that winds up on the homepage of the… -
PlannerWire Updates
17 Jan 2012 | 10:00 amSo, if you are a regular visitor here, you will notice a few changes! I have ditched the narcissistic header in favor of something a little more streamlined with the new logo and more accurate categories (God, about time, I have no idea what that Planner Life category was all about). One thing that I said that I would do is turn my post on great event industry blogs into a page and you can find it here. One of my goals is to get each of the bloggers behind these amazing sites to write a few sentences about another blog on the list. Thanks to everyone for their readership and good words, it…
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Event Philosopher
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Leaders of the future
11 Jan 2012 | 12:33 pmIf your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. - John Quincy Adams I’m in a leadership class through the employee resource groups at my corporation and we’re studying a great book called “Leaders of the Future 2.” My team recently taught a chapter on leading through crisis and complexity. One of the sections talked about nonprofit leadership, another on Army leadership, and another on corporate leadership. I was completely fascinated by the differences among the three, and the subsequent threads that can be woven… -
The zombie apocalypse and my skills
3 Jan 2012 | 12:29 pmYou're a great friend but if the zombies chase us, I'm tripping you. - AnonymousSo I’m reading this book about the zombie apocalypse (I know, completely silly… it’s called World War Z – TOTALLY recommend it), and it’s presented as a historical account of the zombie war. One chapter talks about the skills of the population in the face of this unique society-rebuilding challenge. It calls out the service providers versus the workers, and gives a fictitious example of a maid having to be the manager of her former employer because the maid has actual useful skills, as opposed to… -
Mining your networks for a cause
28 Dec 2011 | 12:22 pmThe way of the world is meeting people through other people. - Robert Kerrigan Social media buzz – loads of fun, keeping up with friends, updating your resume, posting pics of the kids. But where’s the value? I have a real-life case study of the value of my LinkedIn network. I hosted a Corporate Event Marketing Association event in Austin and, not knowing a whole lot of event marketers in the area, I began leveraging the network. First, I posted about the event to my network, and asked them to share with their network. Next I started using the search bar to locate networked friends… -
Thank you, American Airlines
16 Dec 2011 | 1:15 pmThe average American is nothing if not patriotic. - Herbert Croly While sitting on an American Airlines flight on my way to a site visit to Vegas, I witnessed something that warmed my heart. Say what you will about the airlines, but I just saw a flight attendant gift a U.S. Army serviceman an upgrade to first class when there was a seat left. I absolutely love seeing things like that! Congratulations to American Airlines for considering our servicemen and women, and thank you to those who serve our country! -
Why I love hotels.
14 Dec 2011 | 12:38 pmI stayed in a really old hotel last night. They sent me a wake-up letter. - Steven Wright I love hotels. I have always loved hotels. I have wonderful memories of checking into a hotel with my parents, my dad handing me the ice bucket, and sending me on my mission: locate the ice machine and bring back a full bucket. I really don’t remember my parents ever using the ice, but it was a very important mission for me. As an event marketer, I have the pleasure of really nice hotel rooms during site visits, and really bad lower-than-run-of-the-house rooms during the actual…
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EventIQ Blog
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A great way for grads to save
26 Jan 2012 | 12:23 pmTeachers and parents alike shake their heads at the amount of money spent on grad, but really no one wants to tell them they can’t buy a fancy dress or rent a limousine with some pals on what is a huge milestone for them. At eventIQ, we agree it’s not right to deny a student their chance to celebrate with their peers so instead we are offering ways they can save themselves some money on the grad celebration. We’ve highlighted some of the ways in previous blogs but we also wanted to share our graduation gift program. When using InviteRight to purchase tickets, grads can access… -
How to have a safe (and happy) grad
25 Jan 2012 | 1:40 pmMany people look back on their high school years and say it was the best time of their lives because of the lasting friendships you make and how you start discovering the type of person you will eventually become. OK, but I always joke that high school is a time of great awkwardness: not knowing where to sit in the cafeteria, acne, growth spurts, braces… regardless of how good/bad of an experience high school was, it usually is celebrated with a party. It’s tradition, at least in some provinces, that new graduates spend a final night with their friends and peers with whom they… -
Free demo gives you first-hand experience
23 Jan 2012 | 12:57 pmWe know how super busy grad coordinators are and getting buy in on a new process from administration AND keeping parents happy can be like walking through a minefield. We want to make it as easy as possible for you and your team to learn more about how InviteRight works for buying grad banquet tickets. Click to access your free InviteRight demo and you will experience how easy it is and how much time is saves a student or parent: * Buying banquet tickets simply and easily and even setting a limit to the number of tickets purchased * Seeing how grad crashers are stopped by ensuring that only… -
Pomp and circumstance: improving commencement
19 Jan 2012 | 5:52 pmCommencement day has arrived and all your hand-wringing and extra hours of hard work is displayed as students walk across the stage to receive their diploma. You’ve seen this scene play out year after year, but seeing students dressed in their traditional graduation garb makes forgoing your lunch hour and putting in OT all worth it. You can simplify collecting cap and gown sizes using our free cap and gown sizing form and here are some other tips to make your job easier and improve the commencement ceremony for everyone: Signage: Venues usually have a TV screen somewhere showing… -
Chat Icon Design
18 Jan 2012 | 3:13 pmGenerally, companies decide they require a chat icon on their website to improve customer relations and/or consumer confidence. The chat icon should be visible on the website within seconds. Statistics have revealed that regardless if a consumer uses the live chat or not, it will increase website sales by almost 29%. Here are a few tips to consider when implementing a chat icon on your company website: Place the icon in a consistent location. If a visitor is in need of assistance, they know precisely where to locate the live chat. Don’t make the design of the live chat button too…
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ABCey Events
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Valentines For The Techies at Heart
26 Jan 2012 | 11:33 amWe know the feeling, you want to get your special someone something this Valentine’s Day, but as it’s fast approaching the supermarkets seem to be jam packed with cheesy V-day gifts that speak little from the heart. To help you tug on your loved ones heart strings, we have researched four delightful websites that will assist you in buying unique gifts or creating something on your own for your significant other this Valentines Day. 1. Uncommon Goods has accumulated quite an assortment of unique products. You can find everything from mushroom kits to eco picnic baskets. Maybe… -
Travel With Wanderfly
25 Jan 2012 | 10:22 amLooking to travel this spring? Hunting through different travel sites for convenient hotels and cheap flights can give you a headache. Event planners are on the move, whether it’s for conventions, galas, or fun. This is why we tried Wanderfly, a travel recommendation engine that goes beyond flights and hotels. Users tailor the settings to fit their budgets and interests, and the site uses your social networks and other travel search engines to give suggestions. ABCey is planning an event in Washington, D.C. this spring for a company attending the International Trademark Association’s… -
TV Tuesday: Startup America Partnership
24 Jan 2012 | 10:40 amTV Tuesday is a weekly series where we post our favorite clips or videos from around the web. Whether it be a favorite product, startup, or cool new technology, you can find it here! Starting out as a small business is tough. Sometimes all you need is a little extra guidance and support. Que the Startup America Partnership. For those of you that haven’t heard about it, we thought we’d share some info on this great organization. We wish this was around when we began ABCey Events nearly 5 years ago. Bravo to The White House, Corporate America, Private foundations, Think Tanks and… -
Latest and Greatest in Guest Check-In Apps
23 Jan 2012 | 10:45 amWhat do long lines and slow check-ins have in common? Angry clients! Never fear; help is here. No more standing at the door, flipping through ten pages of names. New iPad and iPhone apps offer efficiency and professionalism for guest check-in. We’ve taken a good look at the latest options and reviewed them for you. From basic spreadsheet uploads to full-on social media integration, these apps are at the front of the line. Each of these applications caters to slightly different needs and they vary in cost, but they all look like they’re worth a try! 1. My Guest List is the… -
Crunchie Crash?
12 Jan 2012 | 1:26 pmWe completely snoozed over here and just noticed that the Crunchies and after party are sold-out. Whaaaaa??! The tables have turned as it’s usually people wanting to come to my super parties. TechCrunch will kick off 2012 with The Crunchies along with partners GigaOm and VentureBeat on Tuesday, January 31, 2012. The tech party to start the year will move to Davies Symphony Hall this year for both the awards ceremony and the famous after party. After calculating more than 300,000 nominations across 20 categories, they have announced the finalists for this year’s awards. Award…
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Science Meetings
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A Few More Cheap or Free Online Tools for Meeting Planning
27 Jan 2012 | 11:00 amIf you’ve read this blog for a while, you must have realized there’s no shortage of cheap or free apps and online tools to help you with all kinds of business chores—probably because we keep reminding you. Well, we have a few more now, this time courtesy of Corbin Ball over at MeetingsNet. Amiando: A multifaceted tool for meeting registration. Amiando is free unless your event is not—in which case they charge 99 cents per registration plus 2.95% of the registration fee. The tool also works with Facebook so attendees can invite friends and receive discounts. Floorplan Genie: A tool for… -
Prioritizing Audience Participation
25 Jan 2012 | 11:33 amOur last post– almost a month ago, but we’re back for good now– dealt with the phenomenon of participant-driven events. That’s all well and good, but maybe you’re trying to rework your annual convention now and you’re interested in seeing some specifics. If so, take a look at this list we’ve compiled of some of the most innovative, audience-engaging meeting formats we know. Exchange Cafe: Each table has a unique assigned topic and a facilitator guiding discussion. Attendees can move around and discuss different issues at different tables. Round… -
The Rise of Participation
27 Dec 2011 | 5:19 pmAdrian Segar is making a name for himself as an innovator in meeting planning. After writing Conferences that Work: Creating Events that People Love, he’s become involved in some of the industry’s biggest conferences, including the EventCamp series. Check out his interview on MeetingsNet for his perspective on what he calls “participant-driven events”—events which try to respond exactly to participants’ wants and needs. At the beginning of a meeting, Segar asks attendees what they’re hoping to get out of the event and what they have to offer. After sharing this information,… -
Modernizing Events for Mobile Technology
21 Dec 2011 | 10:05 amSmartphones and tablets are finally outselling desktop and laptop computers. If you as a meeting planner aren’t actively working to integrate portable devices into your events, you’re falling behind. Chris Brogan writing for One+ magazine shared some helpful thoughts about modernizing your meetings. “We live in a mobile world,” says Brogan, “so be prepared.” First of all, in this day and age, WiFi is a must. Attendees are more likely to stick around for the entire event if they can access the outside world without leaving. Power strips are important as well; some exhibitors have… -
Master the Art of Twitter
18 Dec 2011 | 2:22 pmTwitter as a tool for business can be a hard thing to wrap your head around. Everyone knows that social media is evolving into a powerful marketing machine, but Twitter really is its own beast. The 140 character limit is not just a constraint—it’s the medium’s defining feature. On the other hand, one ill-advised tweet can drive countless customers away. So how do you take advantage of the micro-feeds of information Twitter allows, while at the same time making sure you don’t tweet anything you might regret? For the answer, the Wall Street Journal’s Elizabeth Holmes took a look at…
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Plan Your Meetings
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The five principles of meeting design, Part IV: Emphasis
26 Jan 2012 | 11:25 amKeeping the emphasis front and center can help create a meeting that attendees and your client rave about. -
Boosting ‘Brand You’: How to earn more money and respect
24 Jan 2012 | 11:15 amCarolyn has worked at the same company for nearly 15 years and is loyal, reliable and a hard worker. She plans and executes all departmental and client-specific meetings and is an expert with the software tools the company uses. Everyone speaks highly of Carolyn, yet she’s been passed over for promotions. There’s a meeting planner position [...] -
On the presidential agenda: Increase foreign visitors and business travel to the U.S.
23 Jan 2012 | 9:49 amAmerica used to be the No. 1 destination for foreign travelers. But since 2000, the United States has lost more than 30 percent of its share of the global travel market. Last week, President Obama issued an executive order he hopes will reverse that trend. Among the initiatives: Increase nonimmigrant visa processing capabilities for China and [...] -
Are you stressed out?
22 Jan 2012 | 11:51 amBecause if you aren’t, people might talk. After all, being an event organizer is ranked one of CareerCast.com’s Top 10 most stressful jobs for 2012 — right up there with being an enlisted soldier, military general, police officer and firefighter. With an average salary of $45,260, it’s clear you’re not doing what you do for the [...] -
Loews Miami Beach Hotel
20 Jan 2012 | 2:12 pmWe would like to welcome the Loews Miami Beach Hotel as a new partner.
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Plan Your Meetings
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The five principles of meeting design, Part IV: Emphasis
26 Jan 2012 | 11:25 amKeeping the emphasis front and center can help create a meeting that attendees and your client rave about. -
Boosting ‘Brand You’: How to earn more money and respect
24 Jan 2012 | 11:15 amCarolyn has worked at the same company for nearly 15 years and is loyal, reliable and a hard worker. She plans and executes all departmental and client-specific meetings and is an expert with the software tools the company uses. Everyone speaks highly of Carolyn, yet she’s been passed over for promotions. There’s a meeting planner position [...] -
On the presidential agenda: Increase foreign visitors and business travel to the U.S.
23 Jan 2012 | 9:49 amAmerica used to be the No. 1 destination for foreign travelers. But since 2000, the United States has lost more than 30 percent of its share of the global travel market. Last week, President Obama issued an executive order he hopes will reverse that trend. Among the initiatives: Increase nonimmigrant visa processing capabilities for China and [...] -
Are you stressed out?
22 Jan 2012 | 11:51 amBecause if you aren’t, people might talk. After all, being an event organizer is ranked one of CareerCast.com’s Top 10 most stressful jobs for 2012 — right up there with being an enlisted soldier, military general, police officer and firefighter. With an average salary of $45,260, it’s clear you’re not doing what you do for the [...] -
Loews Miami Beach Hotel
20 Jan 2012 | 2:12 pmWe would like to welcome the Loews Miami Beach Hotel as a new partner.
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Thoughtfully Simple
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Sweet Designs by Amy Atlas, THE book to have!
25 Jan 2012 | 11:22 pmIf you love sweets, baking, crafting, party styling — or any combination of these things you MUST check out Sweet Designs by Amy Atlas. After pouring her heart into this book for over two years Amy’s labor of love is finally available for pre-order! I am honored to help Amy spread the word, I’ve been a huge fan for years, in fact Amy was one of the first “party people” I began to follow. (She was even kind enough to jump on board for a fun cupcake contest I did years ago!) Amy has been humble enough to share the behind the scenes of this book in the making over… -
WIN! A Chinese New Year Celebration with P.F. Chang’s
22 Jan 2012 | 10:31 amThe Chinese New Year is one of the most important and festive Chinese holidays and 2012 happens to be the year of the Dragon. Why not invite friends over for a festive Chinese New Year celebration, or plan a romantic night in with that special someone? The folks over at P.F. Chang’s are helping us plan the perfect night. I’ve partnered with them to bring you a fun and festive giveaway and to share some ideas that will get you excited about the peace and good fortune that awaits you in 2012! Create your space: Paper lanterns, bold colors, simple centerpieces are all fitting for a… -
FREE Darling Valentine’s Day Card
20 Jan 2012 | 12:30 pmSurprise your little one, your love, a special friend or Grandma & Grandpa by sending a darling Valentine’s Day card. Today only, the great folks at Tiny Prints are letting you design and send a FREE Valentine’s Day card! They have adorbale deisngs to choose from and you can even customize many of them with a photo. Order here. Hurry, take five minutes and place your order – it’ll make someone’s day! Thank you Tiny Prints! xoxo -
It’s a Sunshine Safari with Operation Shower
19 Jan 2012 | 1:58 pmHow’s your week going friends? Fantastical I hope (yes, that’s a real word — we’ll at least it should be). I’ve been a little quiet this week so I wanted to check in with you all and say “hello” and share what I’ve been working on. I’m super excited to be helping with an amazing baby shower next week for a group of very deserving military moms. I’ll be one of a handful of party stylist working on next week’s Operation Shower. If you’re not familiar with Operation Shower, here’s an interview I did with chief party… -
Valentine’s Day Cookie Pops
13 Jan 2012 | 4:53 pmLooking for something cute and sweet to whip for your little Valentine or to serve at your Valentine’s Day party? We’ve shared several Valentine’s Day cupcakes (and even an adult only version) but today we’re loving these super simple cookie pops! Aren’t they cute?! Recently, the nice folks at Wrigley Candy Co. sent me a huge box of sweet surprises. Think… all the good stuff — Skittles, Starburst, Lifesavers, + gum galore! Besides snacking like crazy (someone please come take this candy away from me) I’ve been playing with fun new…
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Austin Social Planner
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Austin Beauty Week Goes Red and Gives Back
20 Jan 2012 | 12:09 pmAny fan of the Parks and Recreation television show knows the saying “Treat Yourself” where characters spend the day luxuriously indulging in the finer things in life. Luckily, Austin now has a whole week devoted to such pampering and relaxation with the launch of Austin Beauty Week. Beauty Week, February 6-10, brings together spas, salons and more for 5 days filled with discounted services and treatments – all in support of the Central Texas Go Red for Women campaign. In support of the National Go Red Day, the team is throwing a glitzy kick-off party, Beauty Goes Red. Food, drinks and… -
Tidbits Tastemakers Giveaway
13 Jan 2012 | 6:44 pmWhat happens when the gal about town plans a fabulous dinner party? It’s a date you don’t want to miss. The lovely ladies at Austin Tidbits launch their new Tidbit Tastemakers series at the oh so yummy Contigo this Tuesday, January 17. The 5-course dinner with wine pairings is a steal at $85, but we’re giving away a pair of tickets to one lucky Austin Social Planner List subscriber. All you have to do to enter is sign-up for our email list below, and we’ll chose the winner on Monday, January 16. Subscribe to our mailing list *email -
Spring 2012 Gala Guide
12 Jan 2012 | 7:41 pmAustin Social Planner presents to you the second annual Spring Gala Guide – our top picks for the upcoming social season. These 24 galas raise funds for organizations throughout Austin with showstopping panache, and we can’t wait to see what they do this year! Click on the “Learn More” link to see our most up-to-date information on each event including locations, costs and overview of the evening. Sunday January 15 Saturday January 28 Friday February 10 Johnson Bentsen Richards Dinner Dell Children’s Gala 2012 Date Night with Keith Urban Learn More… Learn… -
Pelosi Named Keynote Speaker at Travis County Democratic Party Event
3 Jan 2012 | 3:21 pmU.S. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi will keynote the Travis County Democratic Party Johnson Bentsen Richards Dinner, Sunday, January 15th at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin. Leader Pelosi will be at the event to “share stories of her friendship with Lieutenant Governor Ben Barnes and motivate us for the 2012 Presidential reelection season,” said Andy Brown, Travis County Democratic Party Chair. Barnes is the honoree for the event. The Johnson Bentsen Richards Dinner, formerly called the Filing Day Dinner, sold out in 2010 but still has limited individual tickets available. The… -
Plan Your Austin New Year’s Eve
15 Dec 2011 | 9:55 pmNew Years’ Eve 2011 What a year it’s been! Say goodbye to 2011 in style with our list of Austin soirees at hotels, restaurants and other fashionable locales. Click on the individual event for more info and how to purchase your tickets. Many of these events sell-out in advance, so we recommend making your plans early. Be safe, and we’ll see you again in 2012. Your browser must support JavaScript to view this content.<br /> Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings then try again.<br /> <a href=’http://www.trumba.com’>Events calendar…
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TreeHouse Party
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Fun Jungle Party Birthday Invitation for Coloring
27 Jan 2012 | 6:28 pmLike the one I wrote about in the post last time, I presented an invitation for princess birthday. There were several who asked for a birthday invitation to use along with a birthday kit with mug and plates having jungle animal designs. As requested, I made something that can be used if you celebrate your party in the forest, in the park, in the garden or just at home with some jungle decorations. I made 2 different formats for the Jungle Invitation: A4 paper so it fills the entire page and the other is in A5 format, so you can print out 2 in a normal sized piece of A4 paper… -
Pink Ice Cream Made from Raspberries
25 Jan 2012 | 9:54 amI found just a delicious recipe for a pink homemade ice cream and though I’d share it with you. This pink ice will surely impress any young girl – even the most stubborn, picky eating one. This version is easy to make and will be a huge hit with the kids. It can also be served to an adult dinner party with great success. Ingredients for raspberry ice cream is: 450 g frozen or fresh raspberries 225 g sugar 2 egg whisked 20 ml (2 dessert spoons.) Lemon juice 1 / 4 liter of cream for whipping Here is how to make the raspberry ice cream: Ask… -
Beautiful Chocolate Pirate Ship Birthday Cake
24 Jan 2012 | 7:23 pmI found this cool new recipe at a Norwegian website and I would like to share it with you. Its a Chocolate Pirate Ship Birthday cake, perfect for the Pirate theme party. Below is the recipe and images on how to form the cake and its final outcome. Here are the ingredients for the cake: 3 eggs 4 ½ cups of sugar 250 g melted margarine 3 tsp of Baking Powder 6 ½ cups of flour 3 tsp of Vanilla Sugar 4 tbsp of Cocoa 2 ½ cups of milk Here is the procedure for making the cake: Whisk eggs and sugar white and fluffy. Pour the melted margarine inside. Add the dry… -
Homemade Chocolate-Vanilla Ice Cream for Pirate Party
22 Jan 2012 | 4:15 amChocolate-vanilla ice cream is easy to make and takes little time to do. I found it on a danish website, that also had some info about amount of energy in the ice cream, and though it wasn’t a lot it had, I didn’t copy it. Here are the ingredients in making the choco-vanilla ice cream (Good for 8 Servings): 1 liter vanilla ice cream 1 liter of chocolate milk 100 g chopped milk chocolate The procedure for making the choco-vanilla ice cream is: Let the ice thaw slightly at room temperature for approx. 10 min. Put half of the ice in a bowl. Whisk chocolate milk inside, little… -
Baloo’s Song from the Jungle Book
21 Jan 2012 | 3:53 pmI remember my childhood days, and one thing that came to my mind was my all-time favorite cartoon, the Jungle Book. One thing I remembered the most is the song Baloo sang in the movie. I thought of posting the lyrics and showing the scene were Baloo played his song. www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcglnY_xGfc Look for the bare necessitiesThe simple bare necessitiesForget about your worries and your strifeI mean the bare necessitiesOld Mother Nature’s recipesThat brings the bare necessities of life Wherever I wander, wherever I roamI couldn’t be fonder of my big homeThe bees are…
