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Everyone makes mistakes - sometimes we forget things ourselves, and other times we have to pick up the slack for another’s…and sometimes these mistakes can be costly.
So this week, we want to know…
What is the biggest potential disaster you averted as a meeting planner and how did you prevent it?
Check out this great ConventionPlanit.com video tutorial!!!!
It’s really short, and you’ll be an expert on the site when you finish watching it - which means you’re going to save lots of research time!
If yesterday’s tech info post tickled your fancy…
…here’s some extra help to get you started:
Watch this short video from MeetingsPodCast.com on how to use Flickr Video for your next meeting or event.
Check out these meeting technology must-haves to make your meetings relevant and appealing to 21st century meeting attendees:
Web 2.0 Tools
• Social networking sites: facilitate networking and disseminate peer-to-peer knowledge.
• Establish a wiki: feature links to conference information & to replay conference speakers, tips on getting more out of the event, conference pictures, and links to conference blogs Wikis allow attendees to post information - so content discussions and networking start before the conference.
PDAs
• Create, send and manage announcements for events and exhibit and speaker information can be downloaded to attendees’ PDAs
• Replace your conference binder with PDA based-information from providers like Near Space and VisionTree
• Use Vindigo City Guide to download information on restaurants, movies, shopping, ATM locations and more
These tips are courtesy of Sue Tinnish of SEAL Inc., a popular facilitator, speaker, teambuilder, and trainer. Sue Tinnish publishes a monthly newsletter, “Tips for Innovative Meetings and Events.” Check out more great tips at www.suetinnish.com.
Cool new feature for planners!
If you need to locate meeting planning services quickly, the new and improved Service Provider search on ConventionPlanit.com is what you’re missing…
Companies providing a wide variety of meeting services are located in easy-to-find categories.
In this area, you can submit an RFP for everything you’ll need to make sure no detail slips through the cracks…from General Service Contractors, to Audio Visual and even Lead Retrieval companies.
Go ahead…search away!
Here’s a fabulous & practical tip for your next overseas meeting: rent local cell phones to save time and energy!
Susan Rosen of In the Event… is the winner of our June Stellar Tip Contest for this tip:
“When traveling outside the US, we’ve found it imperative to rent a local cell phone to keep in contact with the DMC and hotel staff. For internal communications we use our walkie talkies, but hotels do not use them any longer & most hotel staff are using cell phones for communications.
If they are away from their desk a local cell works great! If your VIPs require a reservation it’s easy to just pick up your cell phone and to reach your DMC any time of the day or night — the least expensive option is a local cell phone. Most hotel boutiques rent them - in Aruba it was $10/day and it saved us lots of time & energy.
Our guests could find us no matter if we were at our desk or not… well worth the investment.”
For more great tips, visit the Stellar Tip Archive…you can even search by keyword to find the most relevant tips from your peers.
Here’s some news that’s good to know -
New event management courses are now available at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA).
Meeting classes have been added to the Hospitality Management Program, which already includes courses on hotel management. Faculty members are active industry professionals.
Available Courses:
• Introduction to Meeting Planning
• Principles of Event Planning & Management
• Meeting & Exhibition Law & Ethics
• Federal Government Event Planning Strategies
Check out the full article on NOVA’s newest industry classes to learn more.
My new favorite latest planning tool is the ConventionPlanit.com Toolbar…
It only makes sense to have all of your favorite planning tools right on your web browser.
Some highlights:
• Google search field: search the web from your browser
• Meeting Search: accesses the database of ConventionPlanit.com meeting destinations, properties, and service providers
• RFP Valet: opens a basic template to submit an RFP for selected dates. RFPs go directly to ConventionPlanit.com executives for immediate follow-up…and the next time you use the template, your info will already be filled in - just change your dates.
Download the toolbar here…you won’t believe how easy it is to use, and how much time you’ll save. (And it even auto-formats for Internet Explorer, Mozilla, or Macs)
Here’s a new meeting planning tip for you - this comes from Jennifer Winn of Winn Events, who just won our May Stellar Tip Contest…
Client Contracts
“A good contract with your client can take the guesswork out of planning your meeting. It makes the planning experience better for both the client and you as the planner because the questions are answered from the start as to who is responsible for what. It covers you if the event is cancelled or the client needs to cancel your services. The contract outlines your payment terms so you can hold the client to them.”
Do you agree with Jennifer? What do you always include in your contracts with clients?
If you’re a frequent ConventionPlanit.com user, you already know we’re constantly updating and adding features for meeting planners…
I introduce to you the newest addition to the hotel seach for you to use:
Improved Features / Services search choices.
Do you want golf at your resort, but also need tennis? Or, maybe you’re only considering properties with airport shuttles, and you have to have a spa. With this new and easy search feature, you can search for properties that meet all of your criteria…
…just by checking the feature.
What other features or services would you like to see added to the list? Should anything be removed? Tell us what will make your job easier.