Author Archives: Ashley Chalmers

About Ashley Chalmers

ConventionPlanit.com is a completely search directory and RFP portal for meeting planners. This blog will feature meetings industry tips and news geared toward meeting planners and an inside look at the tradeshows ConventionPlanit.com participates in.

Last chance to participate in Bloomington Minnesota Travel & Tourism’s e-bike promotion!

If you’re planning a group event in the Midwest, source us on your lead! From now through May 31, submit an RFP on our website or cc us on your lead in Cvent and you’ll be automatically entered to win a Salsa Confluence Flat Bar Altus E-Bike, a YETI Tundra cooler, or a VISA gift card! RFPs must be for a 2025 or 2026 event and have a group block of 10 or more rooms.

Bloomington is the home of Mall of America and has over 45 unique hotels with space for event attendees. Our destination is centrally located next to Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) and downtown Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

Our expert team provides insider destination knowledge, exclusive offers, and seamless support for transportation and off-site team building activities. We know Bloomington best – let us help you create an unforgettable experience.

Visit our website to learn more about meeting in Bloomington and to enter to win an e-bike!

SUBMIT AN RFP

Book Review: Twist the Familiar: A Fresh Take on Business Success Through Storytelling

In his debut book “Twist the Familiar: Your Playbook for Success, One Story at a Time,” Gary Hernbroth delivers a refreshing departure from typical business advice literature. Released in summer 2024, the book quickly claimed the #1 spot as Amazon’s Top New Release in its category, and it’s easy to see why.

What sets this book apart is Hernbroth’s masterful storytelling approach. Rather than presenting dry business theories, he weaves together sixty-one engaging stories that serve as practical coaching lessons. Each narrative showcases how ordinary people achieve extraordinary results by taking familiar concepts and giving them an innovative twist.

The book’s strength lies in its accessibility and flow. As Hall of Fame De La Salle Coach Bob Ladouceur noted, “It’s so easy to understand, and it’s hard to put down. It just flows.” Hernbroth’s experience as a motivational speaker shines through in his writing, making complex business concepts digestible and actionable.

The author doesn’t just share his own experiences; he creates a rich tapestry of insights drawn from diverse sources, demonstrating how success principles can be applied across different contexts. This approach makes the book particularly valuable for a wide range of readers, from business leaders and sales professionals to entrepreneurs looking to stand out in their fields.

What’s particularly impressive is how Hernbroth manages to maintain authenticity throughout the book. Unlike many business books that feel disconnected from real-world applications, each story demonstrates practical techniques for creating authentic success. The narratives aren’t just entertaining; they’re transformative, pushing readers to reconsider their approach to business challenges.

However, readers should note that this isn’t a traditional step-by-step business manual. Instead, it’s a collection of stories that require reflection and personal application. The “twist” in the title is both literal and metaphorical – it’s about taking familiar business concepts and viewing them through a fresh lens.

For those tired of conventional business wisdom, “Twist the Familiar” offers a welcome change of pace. It’s a reminder that success often comes not from reinventing the wheel, but from finding new ways to make it turn. While the book may not provide quick fixes, it delivers something more valuable: a framework for thinking differently about business success through the power of storytelling and personal experience.

TRAVELLING TO THE U.K.? You will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)

Effective January 8, 2025, an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for American visitors is now required to enter the UK. It also applies to passengers transiting through the UK.

The ETA will be linked to the traveller’s passport and will last for two years or until the traveller’s passport expires – whichever comes first.  

By April 2025, all visitors who don’t need a visa will require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK.  Note: eligible Europeans can apply from March 5, 2025 and will need an ETA to travel from April 2, 2025.

COSTS:

An ETA costs £10 and permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time over two years or until the holder’s passport expires.

RESOURCES:

To help you communicate this information, the UK Home Office has supplied a ‘Partner Pack‘ for download including fact sheets and assets. 

IMPORTANTTo avoid the potential of fraudulent websites, only use the official Gov.UK Website.  If someone believes they have been victim to an immigration internet scam, they should report it: Avoid and report internet scams and phishing: Report visa and immigration scams – GOV.UK.

Delta Air Lines’ heartwarming reaction to passenger dilemma!

A woman has shared the heartwarming story of Delta Air Lines giving her an extra 24-hours with her mother before she passed away. In a now-viral TikTok, Hannah White explained she was rushing to get home to North Dakota to see her mom, who had gone into septic shock post-surgery.

Hannah immediately booked the first flight out of Dallas with a connection in Minneapolis, which wasn’t an issue until her flight was delayed by an hour due to mechanical issues. ‘I knew that if I didn’t make my flight, I wouldn’t see my mom until the following day and we weren’t sure she’d be alive,’ she explained in the video.

Hannah explained her situation to the flight attendant, desperately asking if there was something they could do to make sure she makes the connecting flight. An hour later the flight attendant came back and said the pilot had called the pilot on her second flight, who had agreed to hold the plane so she could make it.’They then bumped me up to first class, so I could get off the plane faster,’ she shared.

‘When I got to my first-class seat, the pilot made an announcement to the whole plane to let me off first so I could say goodbye to my mom. ‘When she got to her connecting flight, the plane was waiting for her – and Hannah said she was able to relax.

‘As I got off, all the flight attendants gave me encouraging words and wished me luck,’ she shared, adding the pilot also came out to say he was praying for her. The pilot told the outlet that the ‘stars don’t always align where I have the immediate ability to affect the outcome, but this was one of those cases where I felt it was possible.’

Hannah added she was, ‘was overwhelmed with joy because I had accepted that I wasn’t going to see my mom until the following day.’ ‘I don’t think any of them really know the gratitude that I have for them for giving me some extra time with my mom or just being nice to me on one of the worst days of my life,’ she added.

Kudos to the Staff at the Frankfurt Marriott Hotel

Letter to Peter Reischl, General Manager, Frankfurt Marriott Hotel

“While attending IMEX Frankfurt, I was in great need of assistance after waking up with the severe pain of an eye infection.  Here is what happened:

  1. Lucy Guillaume – I walked up to the front desk and explained my problem to Lucy.  Shortly later she returned with an appointment to see a Doctor that afternoon with directions, suggestions and the invitation to contact her if I needed any more assistance.  Very well done, Lucy!
  2. Gediminas Bartulis – When I needed to print a list of my medications to take to my doctor’s appointment, he took care of it.  When I needed to find a pharmacy to fill my prescription, he directed me to the nearest. When I requested a late check-out to have more time to recover in my room, he made sure it was done.  Thank you again, Eddy. 

It is obvious you hire the right people and train them well.  Many thanks to both of them for making a very difficult situation a manageable one.  I am mending and feeling better thanks to their outstanding service.  Please share my great appreciation with them.  With best regards, Liz Jackson”

Liz Jackson, FASAE, President

Jackson Consulting, Inc.

Washington, DC

IMEX America 2024 Hosted Buyer Invitation

Booking events outside North America or have U.S. meetings of 1,000+ attendees annually?

Susan Sarfati and Liz Jackson invite you or a staff member to join our hosted buyer group October 8-10, 2024

Come to IMEX America in Las Vegas:

The IMEX America is complimentary, the massive floor show is filled with learning and so much more: 

  • Complimentary single accommodations for you with our group
  • Once confirmed, book your preferred air travel, and claim a refund
  • Add to your CMP and CAE credits with the many free education programs including Monday, October 7 
  • Meet global exhibitors for 2 or 3 days of the exhibition, Tuesday -Thursday, October 8-10
  • Enjoy our group’s breakfast and dinner presentations by our sponsors including Cape Town, VisitBritain, Vienna CVB and Copenhagen CVB
  • Join a community of professional planners to engage during the show and make connections that last after the event
  • Receive ongoing updates and news about IMEX happenings so you don’t miss a thing
  • Get guidance from experienced group leaders so your experience will be productive and enjoyable

Come to IMEX America. Connect with the world. Continue your industry growth!  Can’t attend?  Send a colleague who books international events. 

RSVP today to ljackson262@msn.com

The most punctual airlines in North America REVEALED – with Delta Air Lines winning top spot for third year in a row

Constant delays can make scheduled flight arrival times feel like random guesses rather than accurate predictions. 

But new data has revealed that some airlines are consistently better than others when it comes to getting you to your destination on time. 

The most punctual airline in North America is Delta, according to research by  flight analytics company Cirium. 

Of more than 1.6 million flights last year, the airline landed 84.72 percent on time. 

Mike Malik, Cirium’s chief marketing officer, said it was an ‘outstanding’ effort from the airline which had faced ‘vast operational diversity and the challenges of minimizing flight disruptions’ last year. 

Cirium – and the Department of Transportation – count a flight as being ‘on-time’ if it lands within 15 minutes of its scheduled arrival.  

Due to their high performance, Delta was the only North American airline to make the top five globally, according to the Cirium data. 

PCMA LAUNCHES REGISTRATION FOR CONVENING EMEA, ITS LARGEST GATHERING IN EMEA FOR GLOBAL BUSINESS EVENT PROFESSIONALS

KILLYLEAGH, NORTHERN IRELAND, 06 February 2023 — PCMA today opened registration for Convening EMEA, taking place in one of most sustainable cities in the world, Copenhagen, from 20 – 22, September 2023. PCMA also announced the opening keynote speakers Nathan Furr and Susannah Harmon Furr, authors of The Upside of Uncertainty: A Guide to Finding Possibility in the Unknown, which was named #2 in Forbes Best Business Books of 2022. Convening EMEA is an omnichannel event offering digital and in-person participation for business event professionals and creatives to share learnings and collaborate to build a stronger future for the global business events community. In-person registration offers delegates an allaccess pass to the educational conference held at the Bella Center Copenhagen, as well as social activities and an opportunity to explore Copenhagen with a plethora of exploration tours on offer. Convening EMEA, expected to be a sell-out meeting, aims to bring over 500+ global industry leaders together for the flagship event in aim of building a stronger future for the global business events community. With this mission at the heart of the programme Nathan and Susannah aim to demonstrate how the global business events industry can turn uncertainty into a force of good. “We have co-authored a book called the Upside of Uncertainty. It’s a guidebook for finding possibility in the unknown. We live in uncertain times, but the good news is there are tools for having courage and resilience in finding possibility even when it feels frightening. We are so excited to workshop these tools in Copenhagen” said Nathan and Susannah Furr. “The planning for this year’s Convening EMEA is fully underway, and we are very excited about how the programme looks thus far. In addition, we cannot wait to unfold our beautiful Copenhagen and share with the PCMA participants all our favourite parts of the city. Whether a boat trip, our sustainability walk through Tivoli Gardens, a visit to the multifunctional BLOX building, or any of the other tours and social evenings, we have planned, participants will experience first-hand what a sustainable, liveable and welcoming city Copenhagen is,” said Kit Lykketoft, Director of Convention, Wonderful Copenhagen 2/2 Registration and further details and registration are available at www.conveningemea.org.

Bloomington, MN Enhances their Under One Roof Meeting Solution

During IMEX America’s recent 2022 Exhibition held in Las Vegas, the Bloomington CVB held a press conference announcing enhancements to their Under One Roof meeting solution allowing groups to create customized team-building experiences during events at Mall of America.

The following newly created experiences with Mall of America partners can be added to take events above and beyond the ordinary:

  • Lululemon Yoga Experience
  • M Health Fairview Mall of America One-Mile Walk Experience
  • Yankee Candle Experience
  • Tumi Luggage Packing Experience

Under One Roof bundles together unique luxury meeting space at JW Marriott Minneapolis Mall of America, Radisson Blu Mall of America and the Mall of America, with built-in entertainment and dining in one convenient package.

“The hospitality marketplace continues to evolve, and planners are looking for tailored experiences that are truly memorable, “stated Dan O’Neil, vice president of strategy and sales for the Bloomington CVB. “We’ve had success offering this large, unique space at Mall of America with its built-in entertainment. Adding custom experiences really takes it to the next level.”

For more information about Under One Roof, contact Dan O’Neill at doneill@bloomingtonmn.org.

IMEX America October 11-13, 2022 Las Vegas

Booking events outside the US or have US meetings of 1,000+ attendees annually?

Come to IMEX America in Las Vegas

Susan Sarfati and Liz Jackson invite you to join our hosted buyer group October 10-12, 2022.

The IMEX America is complimentary and so much more: 

  • Complimentary single accommodations for you with our group
  • Once confirmed, book your preferred air travel, and claim a refund
  • Add to your CMP and CAE credits with the many free education programs. 
  • Enjoy our group’s sponsored breakfasts and dinner
  • Join a community of professional planners to engage with during the show and make connections that last after the event.
  • Receive ongoing updates and news about IMEX happenings so you don’t miss a thing.
  • Get guidance from experienced group leaders so your experience will be productive and enjoyable.

Come to IMEX. Connect with the world. Continue your industry growth!  RSVP today to ljackson262@msn.com