Plan Your Meetings
Features
Meeting technology 101: Tools that save time
Here’s a handy guide to three of the biggest technology timesavers out there: templates, online registration/attendee management systems and mobile applications.
Ask most meeting planners what their favorite technological tool is and they’ll say, “Excel spreadsheets.” And there’s good reason for that. Those are the planners who remember when everything had to be done by hand [...]
Five ways to contain audiovisual and meeting technology costs
I’ve been involved in the corporate audiovisual production industry for over 20 years, and one of the most consistent issues I hear meeting planners and end clients complaining about is the cost of their technology spend, specifically “hidden” or unexpected AV expenses.
Part of the problem lies in the fact that many meeting planners are not [...]
News Briefs
The smartphones and social networks meeting planners prefer
BlackBerry still has the edge over the iPhone, at least when it comes to what meeting planners are using. A recent IMEX survey of social media, blog and smartphone usage among international meeting, incentive, convention and exposition planners at their Frankfurt exposition showed that 47 percent of the 625 respondents use a BlackBerry smartphone; 31 [...]
Names in the news: September 2010
New hires and promotions throughout the meetings and hospitality industry.
Continental and United merger cleared for takeoff
If all goes according to plan, the hotly debated merger between Continental Airlines and United Airlines will take flight early next month. Despite corporate regulations and lawsuits claiming the merger would create a monopoly, unfairly raise prices and jeopardize hundreds of jobs, United and Continental have been given the green light to continue with the [...]
Destination news: September 2010
A roundup of hotel openings, new developments and other amenities now available to meeting and event planners, both domestically and internationally.
Study reveals best, worst travel taxes in top 50 U.S. destinations
An annual study of car rental, hotel and meal taxes in the top 50 U.S. travel destinations shows that visitors pay 56 percent more than they would with just general sales taxes. In the worst-case scenarios, the burden is as high as 144 percent.
The study also showed that discriminatory travel taxes and fees imposed on [...]
Latest MPI survey: Industry healthier than a year ago
The latest MPI Business Barometer contains more good news than bad for meeting planners, especially those who work in the United States. The bottom line: Current conditions are better than they were a year ago, according to 61 percent of respondents, but the industry recovery that began in February 2010 after 18 stagnant months has [...]
Arizona injunction issued as immigration debate grows
At least 40 meetings have been canceled in Arizona in the past four months, ever since the state passed a tough new immigration law. But the politician who began the call for an economic boycott has since changed his mind.
In an interview with the Arizona Republic, U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalya (D-Ariz.) said a federal judge’s [...]
Spotlight
Ditch the binder
Ootoweb is an online attendee management system that lets planners manage registration and housing information and access real-time meeting details through their iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad. The user-friendly, but comprehensive system also allows attendees to register through mobile devices. Free for the first month and $49/month afterwards; there are no transaction fees.
Advice from PYM
Force majeure clauses
Well, hurricane season is upon us and as the Labor Day crowds run for shelter, the thoughts of meetings, weather and other abnormalities came to mind. What does this have to do with meeting contracts? Plenty!
Flash back to fall 2005, shortly after Hurricane Katrina. At my birthday party, a co-worker asked me if I thought [...]
Why it’s important to educate your hosts: September 2010 morsel
Last week I was working for a client, hosting a Friday night reception at a charming wine store owned by a husband and wife. The wine store is in a very sweet and intimate setting that accommodates up to 50 people. During the event, I had a couple of situations happen that I wasn’t so [...]
How to develop a green communication strategy
Discussions about green communications are a hot and large topic. It opens up subjects such as social media, phone apps, attendee interaction and ability to track ROI. Meeting planners are always challenged to keep one step ahead in wowing attendees with the latest transfers of information or even just finding the most efficient ways to [...]
Social market leadership – what’s your next move?
I’ve been in the consulting business for a long time and am convinced I’ve seen it all. An executive recently told me that he saw no value in social media, that it was a waste of his already limited resources. In his mind, he felt he must have done something right to have stayed in [...]
Town Hall
Suppliers: What’s the biggest challenge you’re facing right now? What are some solutions? PYM Town Hall: State of the Industry luncheons bring together PYM partners to discuss current economic challenges and potential solutions. Held regularly in Atlanta and Dallas, the findings from each provide a snapshot of what’s going on and show how industry leaders are adapting to current market demands. Visit the Town Hall site for video clips, summaries and downloadable documents filled with the best solutions your peers on the hotel, CVB, restaurant, entertainment, transportation, products and services side have discovered.
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From the Blog:
Education at the Downtown Aquarium Houston
On Sept. 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. CT, meeting and event planners are coming together at the Downtown Aquarium in Houston, Texas, for education, networking and an intimate trade show at the 2010 PYM LIVE Houston.
The educational session, from 11:15-12:15 CT, will be led by Jeff Rasco, CMP, and Lynn Tiras, CMP. The [...]
Revving up for Charlotte
August 10’s PYM LIVE Event is in Charlotte, N.C., home of the new NASCAR Hall of Fame. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hilton Charlotte Center City, meeting planners convened to network and learn from their peers. The educational session was led by Kimberly D. Roberts CMP, CSEP, and Caryn Terradas. Here are [...]
PYM planner profile: Cindy Lo
Cindy Lo, president of Red Velvet Events, says her mission statement is to “out-plan, outplay and out-party!” And with hundreds of events successfully created in just eight years, she’s put her money where her mouth is. PYM was lucky to catch up with the busy entrepreneur between gigs, as she wrapped up the NACE Experience! [...]
