Plan Your Meetings Blog
Some video highlights from PCMA
Posted by Kristi Casey Sanders on January 13, 2010 at 11:57 amCarrie Ferenac and her company Convention News Television have done a fabulous job covering the 2010 PCMA Convening Leaders conference in Dallas this week. Check out some of the highlights on this sizzle reel:
I’m returning to Atlanta today, bringing all my notes, some video images of the opening session and its behind the scenes tour, the closing night reception and some great ideas that I can’t wait to share with you. Yesterday, I led a roundtable session on Making Cents: Cost Saving Measures to Improve Your Meeting’s Bottom Line that generated some fabulous advice I’ll be posting on February 1.
But more than ever, attending PCMA’s annual convention reminded me of the importance for meeting professionals to be attending industry events. Whether it’s a PYM LIVE, MPI chapter luncheons, regional educational events or big annual shows, coming together with your peers is a phenomenal way to keep your skills sharp and your priorities in focus.
PYM planner profile: Kevin R. Johnston, CMP
Posted by Ashley Brazzel on January 12, 2010 at 2:50 pmBy Lisa Kraus
Kevin R. Johnston, CMP, is a 25-year veteran of the meetings and events industry, and a long-time friend and contributor of Plan Your Meetings content. He frequently contributes articles in our annual publication and writes an online, monthly advice column on venue contracting and procurement. Kevin also speaks at many of the PYM LIVE Events. This month, I wanted to uncover some things that our readers may not have known about Kevin.
Kevin, thank you for everything you do for PYM. You run a very successful company. Can you give us some information about the Advantage Event Group (AEG)?
I formed AEG to address the need of making meetings more profitable through better contracting and procurement. Our primary focus is the contracting and procurement of the largest and most complex expense areas that planners deal with — venues, which may include hotels and separate convention center space and audiovisual production services. As a full-service agency, we provide turnkey meeting management services based on client needs. The difference between AEG and others is that our core service — venue procurement is not only [offered] at no charge to clients, but also, we revenue share our placement fees with clients to increase their profitability.
How does that work?
It’s pretty simple really. When we are engaged to work on behalf of clients in a procurement/agency capacity, we are compensated by the venues. Typically, 10 percent of rooms generate revenue. Based on the total number of rooms we book for our clients during the year, we share, on a graduated scale, a credit of the percentage back to the client on his hotel meeting master bill. That credit immediately reduces the expense line and increases meeting profitability.
How do you find your clients?
Well, several clients are referred to us by hotel or venue partners. It benefits them to work with us; and it benefits clients to [have] the leverage of an immense business network that has been built over nearly three decades. Clients refer us to other potential clients, and we meet others at gatherings like PYM LIVE, Meeting Professionals International (MPI), Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC) and other ongoing networking activities. It’s a people business, a relationship business. As a baby boomer, I rely on and enjoy meeting and talking with people face-to-face. People do business with those they like and those they trust.
What is your favorite thing about being a meeting planner?
The list is endless. I personally enjoy the chance to create the “wow” factor. You know, that moment where you see attendees on the edge of their seats.
How did you get started in this industry?
When I left college, I went to work on “The Donny & Marie Show” (back in the day). I had the opportunity to learn from some of the brightest and most creative production people in the business. My key takeaway was that you don’t have to throw tons of money at something to get stellar results — you just have to know how to get it done and with whom.
Are there a lot of similarities between working in television and meeting planning?
You’d be surprised! Most productions entail travel coordination, outside venues, endless schedules and schedule changes, VIP requirements, décor, budgets, late nights, low pay … you know, the same things we deal with everyday. [Laughs.]
In which organizations are you involved, and why?
Other than being a lifetime member of the Harley Owners Group (HOG), I’ve been a long-time member of MPI since 1987. MPI creates a community for its members to learn, grow and support each other. My best friends and business associates have come to me through MPI. I am currently co-chairing Georgia MPI’s Meetings Exploration Conference, which will be here, in Atlanta, Feb. 11 – 12.
Another upstart, but important organization that I have embraced is the GMIC. I am currently the co-chair of the communications committee. In Atlanta, until a year ago, there was no formal organization that was focused on uniting the hospitality industry behind the need to be more sustainable regarding meetings and events. GMIC – Atlanta, which started with a handful of planners getting together to “figure it all out,” has now become the first officially chartered chapter of the national GMIC organization, which is headquartered in Portland, Ore. I’m not a tree hugger, but I do believe that my kids and granddaughters shouldn’t have to deal with the remnants of our excesses. We can all do a little more to make this world a better place today and in the future. So why not start now?
I completely agree. What else do you enjoy about your job and the industry?
I enjoy sharing and mentoring. Over the years, I’ve done the MPI leadership thing from the chapter levels to the International Board. It was great and I learned so much. I also really enjoy speaking, teaching, and sharing, most of all. When I am not doing that, I am often tapped to leverage my relationships for the betterment of the organization — a little arm-twisting, you might say. I [am often] involved in raising money and cutting deals that will benefit both sides. I’m fortunate in knowing so many people in the business, that I can [easily] make a call and ask for a favor from time-to-time. Everyone wins when it’s done for the right reasons.
It sounds like you have a lot on your plate. How can people get in touch with you?
Busy hands are happy hands! I can be contacted at my office at 678-229-2403 or via email at Kjohnston@advantageeventgroup.com.
Taking a trip through Texas at the PCMA Opening Night Reception
Posted by Kristi Casey Sanders on January 11, 2010 at 8:33 amThe opening night reception for the 2010 PCMA annual convention in Dallas had the theme The Trails of Texas. The organizers aimed to give attendees a taste of north Texas’ many communities, from sophisticated fashion mecca Dallas to the Stockyards of Fort Worth. There were Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders, rides from the Texas State Fair and food reflecting those different aspects, such as tailgate hamburgers and caramel apples. Guests could ride a mechanical bull, get a Macy’s makeover or play carnival games. It was a fun way to introduce people to the variety of amenities the Dallas-Fort Worth communities such as Plano, Irving, Addison, Grapevine and others have to offer. Take a look for yourself:
The first event of the year
Posted by Kristi Casey Sanders on January 7, 2010 at 8:34 amSo we’re kicking off our 2010 series of PYM LIVE Events today. New format, new whitepapers, new destinations and exhibitors. Atlanta’s Jan. 7 show promises to be very exciting, and not just because it may end with some snowfall.
Here’s a transcript of what we were up to (start at the bottom and read up for the correct order):
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One of the hottest jobs of the decade?
Posted by Kristi Casey Sanders on January 2, 2010 at 12:07 pmCheck it out! “Meeting planner” is ranked one of the hottest careers for 2010-2020. Although it may be a matter of semantics: Last month the role of “special events coordinator” ranked No. 2 on CNNMoney.com’s list of stressful jobs that pay badly.
What augmented reality could add to meetings
Posted by Kristi Casey Sanders on December 17, 2009 at 10:40 amThanks to @samueljsmith for bringing this to my attention. Look what you can do with the printed page:
Now think about what this could do to trade show and conference materials. What applications can you think of for meetings and events? Check Samuel’s blog for more…
Hotel being sued over service fees!
Posted by Kristi Casey Sanders on December 16, 2009 at 3:37 pmWho hasn’t complained about the increase in service fees this year? Some hotels are up to 24 percent. But a class-action lawsuit in Hawaii may change all that. Check out this story in the Honolulu Advertiser.
According to the article, there is a class-action lawsuit against the Kahala Hotel. Hawaii’s law states that if service fees don’t go to completely to the staff, then it must be clearly stated how the fees are distributed. A local man alleges that the Kahala Hotel charged him $4,800 in service fees that didn’t all go to the employees, and that the hotel did not disclose that they were keeping a portion of the fee for themselves.
How many times have you asked a hotel to tell you what the service fee was covering and been unsatisfied by the response? I know some planners who have been told that the property doesn’t need to disclose that information. Hotels should probably start being more transparent about it. In this case, the plaintiffs are eligible to receive up to 3x what they were charged in refunds if the ruling is in their favor.
