If you’re not on LinkedIn, you should be. Who you know and people’s perceptions of you can make or break you in the meeting planning business. LinkedIn allows you to discover, connect and nurture relationships with the people that matter—prospective clients. Then, when it’s time for them to hire a meeting planner or book a…
In part one, we discussed what to keep in mind when determining the ideal destination for a memorable, must-attend event. Bottom line is to provide lots of local flavor! Ideally local flavor is built in to the destination so you don’t have to create it yourself. Now, let’s look at a few ways to add…
It’s not enough these days to book a space, plan the meeting and hope attendees come. Attendees want an event loaded with one-of-a kind experiences and guaranteed memories. You want to create an opportunity that leaves them thinking, “I can’t miss that,” despite mounds of growing paperwork on their desk. And after they depart, you…
Let’s face it, if you’re a sports fan and you’re trying to decide whether to attend an out-of-town event or meeting for work, one of the things you do is check what games you’ll miss while on the road. But as a meeting planner, you can use this to your advantage and put a check…
Did the holiday party planning fall in your lap this year? Or are you just looking for something to make your event sparkle and draw the best attendance ever? Whether you’re a first timer or a party planning pro, these tips will ensure you check every box on the planning list and they’ll help take…
As planners, we accept the privilege and responsibility to exceed our client’s or company’s expectations. To achieve the goal of an exceptional event experience there are many critical elements to consider even before the production phase begins. Follow the suggestions below from AJ Bownas, CMP, CGMP, CSI DMC director of event management, and Chana Brisset,…
We’ve all seen the studies on how pushing away from the desk and getting a little bit of exercise helps stimulate your brain, making you work better and more efficiently. The concept is just as important at a meeting or conference. You’re just not at your best if you never get a break. Yet let’s…
Social media is everywhere, and the world’s heavy use of it could equal a major revenue source for your next conference or event. Here’s how to make social media work for you, according to Alex Plaxen, president and founder of Little Bird Told Media and host of a recent Visit Alexandria webinar entitled, “#Money: Sponsorship…
We all know how important the overall destination is when choosing an event or meeting location. One of the features that makes a destination ideal is the ready availability of numerous group-friendly, pre-planned activities. The less you have to plan and organize, and the more there is easily available to do outside meeting hours, the…
Waterfront destinations are a popular choice for meeting planners looking to wow attendees because of the unique activities they add to an itinerary and the tranquil atmosphere they create. Alexandria, Virginia, located minutes from Washington, D.C. on the Potomac River, offers patio dining, boat cruises and rooms with a view, making it easy to plan…
