Buzz is building around “experiential meetings.” In the spring 2019 edition of Meeting Planner International’s Meetings Outlook report, 78% of event planners said that demand for creating unique attendee experiences had risen, and 37% called it a “substantial increase.” Event attendees share the modern traveler’s desire to create memories and connections in authentic, unexpected ways.…
Michelle Tillis Lederman is a CEO, speaker, author of four books and professional networking expert. But at Visit Alexandria’s recent Breakfast & Blossoms event at the National Press Club, Lederman explained why she’d rather be known as a sky-diving enthusiast, scuba diver and animal-cuddler. These are the identifiers that make her relatable, approachable and connectable,…
As attendees register for your event online, you have 90 seconds to engage them—100 if you’re lucky. How do you draw attendees in from the beginning? Looking out mid-event, the crowd appears to be losing interest. How do you re-inspire a distracted audience? Appeal to your attendees’ competitive streak and gamify your next event or…
Are you measuring, communicating and leveraging the economic impact of your meetings and events? Economic impact offers a complete picture of the total revenue generated by your event, from lodging revenue to food and beverage expenditures to state and local tax revenue. Having comprehensive economic impact data is critical to communicate the value of your…
Meetings and events can be major sources of greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions can stem from transportation, energy use, food choices and materials. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce emissions and shrink your eventʼs carbon footprint. Follow this simple roadmap to get started: Step 1: Identify the likely emissions resulting from your event. The…
Have you ever traveled for work or to a conference and left the city not having seen beyond the meeting room walls? For your next event, consider organizing a corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity. Local volunteer activities are a great way to get attendees immersed in the meeting location, building relationships and making a positive…
Have you heard about the European Union’s (EU) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)? Whether you are a buyer or supplier, you should immediately start asking within your organization how the new GDPR will impact your existing and future travel as well as meetings supplier agreements. The new regulations will affect almost every country in the…
From augmented reality to 3-D printing to wearable devices, new and innovative technologies will continue to have a transformational impact on the events of the near- and mid-future, which is why it’s more important than ever to find strategic ways to weave technology solutions into the fabric of our meetings. But with so many event-based…
Finding the ideal location for your meeting is more than half the battle. The right choice can ensure that the rest of the planning process is a breeze. Before you declare your search complete, check out these tips from our Alexandria team of destination experts. By the time you finish reading, you’ll not only understand…
Planning an LGBT-friendly meeting or event isn’t just good practice, it’s good business. The LGBT market has major spending power when it comes to meetings, events and travel. Due diligence and inclusive marketing can not only make your attendees feel happy and safe, but also bring an ROI to your meeting or event. Visit Alexandria…
