Within the marketing industry, event promoters face unique challenges. You sell an experience rather than a product, you ask for physical attendance, you battle to stand out from the crowd, and you fight against the clock as the event date approaches. At the same time, you wrangle the expectations of attendees, exhibitors and speakers. Sound…
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.…
Waterfront destinations are a popular choice for meeting planners looking to wow attendees with unique activities set in a tranquil atmosphere. 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 your entire event around Alexandria’s spectacular Potomac River…
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…
Just minutes from Washington, D.C., Alexandria, Virginia, flourishes in the spring, as residents and visitors alike wander the walkable streets, scenic trails and historic sites. While the city buzzes with springtime energy, dive into the countless cherry blossom festivities, new tour offerings, wellness activities and more. Below, find our top 12 reasons to visit Alexandria this…
Known for its creative comfort food, waterfront fare and independent restaurants steeped in historic charm, Alexandria, Virginia, just minutes from Washington, D.C., has dozens of new dining spots waiting to be discovered. From authentic Mexican offerings to beer gardens where food is at the forefront, 25 new concepts showcase the city’s evolving and innovative culinary scene. Keep reading, and…
Today’s delegates expect more from meetings. To ensure record-breaking attendance and a memorable experience for attendees, meeting planners must seek locations that bring more to the table than simply ample space and good service. Delegates demand local experiences that venture off property and provide them with a true taste of the destination. Alexandria, Virginia, located…
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…
“Bleisure,” if you haven’t heard the term yet, you will soon. The practice of combining business travel and leisure travel into one trip is on the rise. A recent study commissioned by Expedia Group shows that 60% of business trips turn into bleisure, a nearly 40% increase from 2016. So how do you, meeting planner…
