Jun 28
Ashley SpitzerTips for Meeting Planners ASAE & the Center, meeting experiences, meeting ideas, Trade Shows
Need some creative ideas for public relations at your next convention or tradeshow? The ASAE Greater Washington Network recently held a PR Idea Swap at ASAE headquarters in Washington, DC, with content and planning provided by the ASAE Communication Section Council.
One of the table discussions during the event focused on convention and tradeshow public relations. Here are some of the ideas that participants offered:
• An association of builders held a live building competition on its tradeshow floor as a way to generate interest from the media. Held over several days and complete with awards for the best design, the building competition was a draw to the show floor and allowed the association to highlight the art of the profession.
• A special exhibit sponsored by the host association can generate interest in a tradeshow. For example, the association of builders arranged to borrow a well-known exhibit that had appeared in the National Building Museum for display in its exhibit hall.
• Special displays can help attract media attention. For example, SNAXPO, the tradeshow of the Snack Food Association, featured a display of the newest and most innovative snack foods, which is always a popular draw for members of the media. The display helps reporters by showcasing the latest trends in the snack food industry.
• Another creative way to generate publicity around a convention is to utilize a captivating theme for the convention as it relates to the organization. For example, an association of funeral homes built its convention theme one year around “Survivor.”
• A national association of museums generates PR by partnering with local museums in the cities in which it holds its annual convention. The local museums often have already developed relationships with the local media, and the national convention gives the local museums a chance to hook in reporters to a broader conversation about museums, while drawing positive attention to their own museums.
• Create something unusual and attention-getting on the exhibit floor – The American Industrial Hygiene Association built a “mock meth lab” in its tradeshow to demonstrate the health and safety hazards associated with meth labs and the role of industrial hygienists in dealing with these dangers after the labs are shut down. It attracted lots of media attention. On another occasion AIHA got CNN to feature a “mold dog” from one of its exhibitors, since industrial hygienists diagnose mold problems. The dog actually searched out mold in a television studio live on CNN.
What are some of your own creative PR ideas?
Jun 17
Ashley SpitzerPlaces to Stay Amsterdam Hotels, hotel reviews, meeting ideas, new york city hotel meetings
The Empire Hotel is paying homage to the infamous NYC ladies as one of the scenes was shot at the hotel!
The Empire Hotel, along with cocktail consultant Somer Perez, have created SATC 2 cocktails named after the cast of the movie and that reflect the “personalities” we’ve all learned to love and sometimes hate!
They are being served at the hotel’s glamorous Lobby Bar.
These cocktails are super creative and delicious and are 100% the SATC characters in beverage form! They taste just as good as they look. And yes, there is a drink for everyone on this menu, with ingredients including Bourbon, Champagne, Strawberry Marmalade and even edible ‘bling’!
Here’s a look at the cocktail menu:
Carrie Me: Flirty and fresh with a gingery wit and sparkly accessories. This pretty peach stands out from the rest.
Zyr Vodka
White Peach Puree
Ginger Syrup
BLING
Charlotte’s Twin-Set: A surprisingly adventurous twist belies the preppy-perfect exterior.
Montecristo White Rum
St-Germain
Strawberry Marmalade
Champagne
Samantha’s Oral Pleasure: Dangerously delicious, this one is absolutely adults-only.
Don Julio Silver Tequila
Blood Orange Puree
Pear Eau de Vie
Blood Orange Bitters
Miranda’s Brooklyn Bridge: Two distinctly different worlds layered together, looks a little stormy but somehow it works perfectly.
Bluecoat Gin
Lillet Blanc
Lemon Puree
Red Wine
John James Preston: Powerful yet unexpectedly sweet, definitely a BIG deal.
Bulleit Bourbon
Sour Cherries
Clover Honey
“BIG” Ice
Cosmo “Redux”: The original’s much hotter little sister.
Belvedere Cytrus Vodka
Orchard Cherry Liqueur
Red Grapefruit
Cherry Bitters
These tasty treats are just too good to keep to ourselves. The next time you are holding a meeting in NYC, be sure to think of the Empire Hotel!
Jun 14
Ashley SpitzerNews hsmai affordable meeting, meeting attendance, meeting experiences
Our friends at HSMAI and Affordable Meetings polled attendees of their recent Mid-America show, and found that 49% percent of the meeting planners feel increased pressure to show metrics and statistics to portray the success of events.
Meeting planners said the most common measurement indicators are:
- event evaluations/satisfaction surveys
- net revenue
- attendance size
- room night count
- sponsorships
- ability to stay within budget
- rate of repeat attendance
- level of responsiveness to client needs
- increased service per attendee per dollars spent
Meeting planners also listed their top five factors for venue selection:
- size of the meeting space
- guest room cleanliness
- customer service
- location of the venue
- price
As a meeting planner, do you agree with these trends? What is most important to you? How are you achieving these measurement indicators?
Thanks to htrends.com for sharing this information with us!
Jun 07
Ashley SpitzerTrade Shows Event Industry Networking, overseas meetings, Tips for Meeting Planners, Trade Shows, upcoming meetings industry events
ConventionPlanit.com saleswoman extraordinare Julie Roberts has returned home to Florida after a whirlwind month of travel and sales calls, including attending the Mexico Showcase & Travel Expo. She has shared the below show recap with us:
If you have not had the opportunity to attend this terrific event in the past, do plan to do so for the future. Organized by the Cancun Convention & Visitors Bureau, Mexico Tourism Board and Global Incentive Management Mexico – DMC, the 3 day schedule offers a terrific opportunity to experience Mexico, research venues and evaluate services while reviewing your program details on a one-on-one basis with knowledgeable hospitality professionals.
There was plenty to digest this year, and we’re talking about more than just the wonderful cuisine. A warm welcome greeted guests at every turn. Professionals representing hotels, audio-visual/technology companies, decorators, restaurants, caterers, off-site venues, transportation, eco-tourism, were on hand to enthusiastically share the enjoyment and fun while providing their “know how” for every aspect of hosting a group, special event or congress. Charlie Moore, with Faith Christian Fellowship, has attended Showcase every year and uses it to evaluate and gather new ideas for his clients. He has run 3 successful programs in Cancun and finds “the event does what it says: it ’showcases’ the tremendous variety available for events and really cements my relationship with hoteliers.”
The tradeshow is organized with an efficient appointment schedule. With the show being in Cancun, the destination was well represented, as were other zones of Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. Everyone got down to the business of doing business in the atmosphere created by the Cancun Convention Center staff and decorator.
You need never be concerned with the delivery of service for detailed programs. Omega World Travel’s Alonzo Duncan commented, “Mexico Showcase has opened my eyes to some wonderful meeting alternatives in Cancun for my clients. The tradeshow networking appointments were very worthwhile, allowing us planners to focus our attention on specific products, maximizing the time available during the exhibition. I would definitely attend again.”
These folks are at the top of their game.
The Q & A game (Oh, the fun of “were you paying attention!”) at Saturday’s luncheon only added to the program touting Re-Evaluate, Re-Invent, Re-Investment and Re-Silient for updating planners, agents and brokers on the MICE business climate of Mexico today. Mexico is experiencing media sensationalism, just as any number of global destinations. Adding the economic climate and other challenges from the past few years, representatives did not shy away from acknowledging tough issues and then demonstrated how your price-points will get great value with flexible or no attrition clauses, expanded emergency management, additional airline service and competitive rates. Some surcharges are even disappearing! The luncheon panel gave an excellent “walk through” of master account management in regards to the VAT tax refund as well.
Another program presentation covered the ease with which larger groups can bring in exhibits, materials etc. through customs by working with local freight carriers at a most reasonable cost. The National Onion Association’s Wayne Mininger commented that he has done programs on both the Caribbean and Pacific sides of Mexico and what he finds most impressive is the “service, service, service” with a “can do” attitude of everyone involved (including the story of a gardener building an easel for him!) “The most extraordinary things are done just to make sure things work and run smoothly by this industry in Mexico,” says Mininger.
In planning for the future, Andy Ortiz with Global Incentive Management reflects on how 9 years ago a small ‘Showcase’ was organized solely for Cancun. Now, all of Mexico provides support.
“The wonderful participation and support of Mexico Showcase comes from a group of professionals who understand what this business is about and they want people to know we can deliver. They know having professional planners and organizers coming to actually experience our service, is what has produced the twenty million in revenue directly attributable to this show for our country,” Ortiz said.
Yes, Mexico is fun and always will be, given the warmth of its citizens, but know that the country plays on a global stage when it comes to group business, whether it’s a wedding party or an international congress.
You can learn for yourself at next year’s 10th Anniversary, April 28 – May 2, 2011!
Jun 02
maureen-pickellTrade Shows imex, meeting industry, overseas meetings, upcoming meetings industry events
Greetings from the U.S.A.!
IMEX 2010 came to a close at Messe Frankfurt on Thursday, May 27 and the intrepid ConventionPlanit.com Hosted Buyer Group enjoyed a busy last day.
We had presentations by the Mexico Tourism Board and the Dubai Convention Bureau and enjoyed learning about “what’s new” in the MICE arena for each country.
The award-winning show once again set new records for hosted buyer numbers and countries represented. A record number of well over 3,800 hosted buyers from more than 60 markets attended this year’s show, among a visitor total of nearly 9,000!
The mood amongst buyers and exhibitors was also positive and optimistic, with many reporting increases in levels of business and appointment numbers.
Individual and group appointments rose by 14% this year, which represents a total of 57,000 business appointments made between buyers and exhibitors before and during the show.
“The past couple of years have challenged our industry on many fronts, not least economically, but I am delighted that both buyers and exhibitors have voted with their feet and turned up in greater numbers than ever to do business at IMEX this year,” said Ray Bloom, IMEX Group Chairman.
Padraic Gilligan, Managing Director of Ovation Global DMC, described the most recent turmoil quite succinctly when he stated,
“This year I have learned how resilient we are and everyone has learned to expect the unexpected. Just when “green shoots” were beginning to appear for the European meetings industry, they were covered by the thick veil of grey volcanic ash. Next year I predict we’ll have a plague of locusts but we’ll deal with that too.”
This traveler is ready to look ahead for IMEX America in Las Vegas this fall, and IMEX 2011, of course!
Jun 02
maureen-pickellNews, Trade Shows imex, meeting education, meeting experiences, meeting industry, overseas meetings
I have successfully returned from Frankfurt, but before jetting off to my next destination, I had to share some experiences from the remainder of IMEX from last week!
The Berlin Convention Bureau hosted the ConventionPlanit.com group with a breakfast and presentation. Fresh from being named the 4th most popular association meeting destination by ICCA, Heike Mahmoud took us on a slide and video tour of this exciting city. And the breakfast buffet stoked the group for a day of appointments! Vielin Dank to Berlin!!
The IMEX Daily newspaper featured an article entitled “Response time guarantee ends planners call backs” highlighting the ConventionPlanit.com 24 Hour Guarantee for RFP’s submitted to Caribbean and North American properties. And IMEX attendees actually read this Show Daily!
The first day on the trade show floor started off with the Ovation Global team giving the ConventionPlanit.com group a geography lesson based on the locations of their DMC portfolio members, and it ended with a clever game of Concentration in which the Switzerland Convention Bureau challenging our group members with matching tiles highlighting Swiss venues and events. In between we were educated by Malaysia and feted by Singapore – Singapore Slings being their traditional way to end a hectic day!
Speaking of which, Atout France (French Government Tourist Office) helped to revive our intrepid planners with their famous wine, cheese, pate and some German beer thrown in for good measure at their annual first night event. A sudden shower refused to dampen spirits at the outdoor gathering and all the French partners are to be commended for spreading around their special brand of joie de vivre!
IMEX Wrap-Up to come…
Mme. Blogger
May 26
maureen-pickellTrade Shows imex, meeting industry, overseas meetings
Greetings from IMEX – where 8 of the ConventionPlanit.com Hosted Buyers attended IMEX Association Day – a unique annual event for association meeting planners which focuses exclusively on professional education and round-table debates with each session tailored specifically to address the professional concerns of association executives.
Sessions concurrently during the day to allow delegates to achieve maximum return from their time. Association buyers regularly account for approximately 12% of IMEX’s hosted buyers each year. As such, they deliver huge buying power and influence to the show. The day was capped off by an elegant reception at the Westin Hotel Frankfurt.
Also ending the day on Monday (or starting the IMEX Trade Show segment – depending on how you looked at it) was the first European SITE NITE held at the Frankfurt Intercontinental. Sponsored by the hotel and Abu Dhabi, planners and suppliers mixed and mingled for the benefit of the SITE Foundation…and a lovely time was had by all!
Trade show tomorrow – countdown to business!
May 25
Ashley SpitzerMisc Tidbits, News meeting planner help, meeting planning services, Tips for Meeting Planners
Simply invite five meeting planners to your office for a breakfast, lunch or a cocktail hour featuring an online demonstration of ConventionPlanit.com. We’ll deliver the presentation and the cuisine.
As a sponsor of the presentation, you’ll receive a $50 American Express Reward Card for your efforts. You can also spread the word about this offer to your guests – they can host their own presentation and take advantage of this great offer.
For more information, please contact Katherine Markham, CHME, at 301-975-9462, or katherinem@conventionplanit.com.
May 24
maureen-pickellTrade Shows imex, meeting attendance, meeting experiences, meeting industry
Greetings from Sunny, Warm Frankfurt! Your intrepid ConventionPlanit.com Blogger arrived today to be ready to welcome our 16 hosted buyers to the IMEX 2010 Extravaganza!
Lufthansa provided their usual fine service, hampered only by wind shear issues that delayed the departure. At least volcanic ash wasn’t the culprit!
Beginning tomorrow with Association Day, our planners will be educated and entertained by suppliers from around the world for three days. Thanks go out to Stephanie Kreps, ConventionPlanit.com Marketing Coordinator Extraordinaire, for handing all the arrangements for the Group.
I’ll be busy setting up the CP stand and preparing for the Meet & Greet Reception at the Maritim Hotel.
Looking forward to a great week..more to come!
May 17
Ashley SpitzerContests Peppermill Reno, refer a meeting professional, Tips for Meeting Planners
Calling all meeting professionals:
Do you use ConventionPlanit.com? Do you have industry colleagues or peers who could benefit from using these services?
If so, you can refer your colleagues and enter to win a trip for yourself at the same time!
Enter the Refer a Meeting Professional Contest for a chance to win a trip for two to the Peppermill Resort in Reno Nevada.
Package Includes:
-Two nights in the all-new Tuscan Tower suite, complete with European soaking tub
-Round trip air for two valued at $500 each on Southwest Airlines
-Limo transportation to and from Reno-Tahoe airport
-Couples massage for two…or spoil just yourself with a massage and a facial
-Dinner at our Bimini Steakhouse valued at $150
The contest winner will be announced early July 2010, so be sure to enter before it’s too late!
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