Tag: meeting planner feedback

Cutting Meeting Break Costs

Aug 04

Ashley SpitzerContests, Tips for Meeting Planners attendee interaction, economy, meeting ideas, meeting planner feedback, Tips for Meeting Planners No Comments

A smart way to save on your meeting costs is by cutting back on the breaks.

We worked with a hotel to provide vouchers for breaks instead of serving an expensive break time. Each participant was given vouchers to go to the snack shop located in the hotel lobby.

Each voucher was worth $3. For each item the participant chose, they turned in a voucher. The vouchers were then counted and charged to the master account. This wound up costing considerably less than paying for breaks. Hope this tip helps you in your planning!

…this idea comes from Kathy Craig, Administrative Assistant with Ecumenical Stewardship Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, who just won our July Stellar Tip Contest.

If you have a meeting tip to share, enter the August contest to win a $100 prize!

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ConventionPlanit.com’s New Look

Jun 26

Ashley SpitzerMisc Tidbits, News, Tips meeting ideas, meeting industry, meeting planner feedback No Comments

Be sure to check out the ConventionPlanit.com Homepage…

…today we unveiled our new look!

The new homepage design and navigation will help planners to locate their favorite features faster.

The new design was made with the input of our Advisory Council of meeting professionals – to make sure it’s exactly what you want.

What do you think? Any thoughts or comments?

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Useful Planner Web Tool

Apr 13

Ashley SpitzerMisc Tidbits, Tips for Meeting Planners meeting planner feedback, overseas meetings, travel tips No Comments

For a meeting planner frequently dealing with international business, knowing current exchange rates is pretty common…but finding a good tool for exchange rates is a bit harder to come by.

Our favorite is http://www.x-rates.com/:

-It’s straightforward; no frills, just an easy to use table.
-Current exchange rates (updated daily)

Do you have a favorite planning tool or website? Check out some of our recommendations.

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The Truth about the Meetings Industry in a Recession

Apr 09

Ashley SpitzerMember News, Misc Tidbits, News, RFP, Tips, Tips for Meeting Planners, Trade Shows economy, hsmai affordable meeting, meeting industry, meeting planner feedback No Comments

You may remember a recent post asking some questions about the general feel of the meetings industry currently.

Our friends at HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings Mid-America and JSpargo were wondering the same question, and conducted a survey of conference attendees to get some answers.

Here are some of the highlights —-

1. Majority of event planners expect no more than 10 meetings this year, with most expecting 1-5. (This is comparable to last year.)

2. Budgets for events have decreased, but the majority of respondents reported that this decrease is moderate (10% reduction at most).

3. Most use a social networking service (#1: LinkedIn; #2: Facebook; #3: Twitter).

4. Customer Service is the most important booking factor by far (Price, Location and Size of Event Space were consistent factors).

We are happy to hear such positive information and minimal budget decreases, and hope this is a continuing trend. Kudos to the associations and companies who are continuing to keep meeting!

Planners — do you agree with the survey respondents?

Hoteliers — how will this information play a role in your day to day operations? Is it comforting to hear the number of meetings planners will be involved with is generally the same?

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Travel Tools without the Extra Baggage

Mar 03

Ashley SpitzerMember News, Misc Tidbits, News, RFP, Tips, Tips for Meeting Planners, Trade Shows air travel, meeting planner feedback, technology, travel tips No Comments

As Smart Phones increase in popularity and function, it’s no surprise that many travelers are opting to leave heavy laptops at home.

USA Today has come out with a list of the best travel tool applications for the iPhone…

…so you can leave the laptop, French dictionary, map, and even the restaurant guide book at home.

Check out the top apps here…

Our favorites are FlightTrack (check up to date flight delays and cancellations) and Babelingo (translates text into 11 languages!!)

Which apps help you the most when traveling or planning??

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Meeting Planner Goals

Feb 06

Ashley SpitzerMisc Tidbits economy, meeting planner feedback 1 Comment

What is your top priority when planning a meeting in the current economy?

What is working for you and what do you hope to improve?

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Meeting Planner Tip

Feb 02

Ashley SpitzerContests, Tips, Tips for Meeting Planners, Trade Shows meeting attendance, meeting education, meeting experiences, meeting ideas, meeting planner feedback, Tips for Meeting Planners, Trade Shows No Comments

Insuring Meeting Success

“Before hitting the road for your next meeting, train your total staff to insure its success: Whenever a staffer encounters one of your members in a conversation, ask one simple question: “What’s the most valuable thing you’ve learned thus far?” Acknowledge and reinforce their response.

Using this simple technique, you’re getting your members to verbalize their ROI on-site. If they say it, it must be true!”

…this new meeting planning tip comes from Dr. Elliott B. Jaffa, President of Dr. Elliott B. Jaffa Associates in Arlington, VA, who just won our January Stellar Tip Contest.

What do you think? Will you use this question at your next meeting or conference?

Be sure to check out the Stellar Tip Archives for more helpful tips – vote for your favorite or post your own advice!