Need a fresh perspective or a moment to recharge? ALHI’s two standout podcasts—Beyond the Meeting Room and Connecting the Dots—offer smart, candid conversations designed to inform, uplift, and inspire meeting professionals like you. Whether you’re commuting, planning, or in need of a mindset reset—these are must-listens.
Beyond the Meeting Room
This April 2025 episode features Top Chef star Carla Hall. She shares how food connects us all, why she believes in always “cooking with love,” and how embracing feedback can lead to personal and professional breakthroughs. This is a feel-good listen with takeaways that resonate well beyond the kitchen.
Dives into timely topics shaping our industry. Recent episodes feature a thoughtful reflection on how to breathe during uncertain times, and a behind-the-scenes look at Destination Capitol Hill. These episodes offer insight into how advocacy, leadership, and resilience shape our industry’s future.
Your brain continues to work while you’re sleeping. Although brain activity is highest during deep sleep stages, researchers found high creativity levels following a 15-minute nap, in which dreams are hallucinogenic with cognitive control.
It’s intel you already have. You just need to access it.
For more creativity or a solution to a problem, you can add a fresh perspective to your waking knowledge by simply recalling your dream. Upon waking, you still have all the neurochemistry of sleep lingering in your brain. Do not move or open your eyes. Focus instead on all aspects in your dream and examine how it fits into your current issue.
When was the last time you truly slept on a problem?
Meeting professionals juggle a million details—from contract negotiations to contingency plans—and sometimes, the best way forward isn’t brute force but quiet insight. Research shows that our brains remain highly active during sleep, especially in dream-rich states. In fact, even a short nap can unlock fresh perspectives and unconventional ideas.
Sleep: Your Untapped Creative Partner
During deep sleep and even light dozing, the brain continues processing information. Studies have found that a 15-minute nap—just long enough to tap into dream states—can boost creative thinking. Dreams offer surreal imagery and unexpected associations, all rooted in your existing knowledge and experience. That’s why the advice to “sleep on it” isn’t just a cliché—it’s cognitive science.
Dream Recall as a Planning Tool
When you wake up, your brain still lingers in that chemically altered, idea-rich state. Before checking your phone or hopping out of bed, try this:
Stay still. Don’t open your eyes.
Focus on recalling the emotional tone and key elements of your dream.
Ask yourself: How might this relate to my current project or challenge?
It might sound abstract, but many breakthroughs—artistic, strategic, or logistical—start this way. Your subconscious is constantly working behind the scenes, making connections your waking mind might miss.
Bringing Insight to Event Planning
From finding the perfect keynote speaker to solving an attendee engagement issue, the next “a-ha” moment might come from your dreams. Make it a habit to give your brain space—and trust that insight will follow. Whether you’re planning a board retreat or a large conference, sleep just might be your new favorite strategy session.
Next time you’re stuck on a planning challenge—try doing nothing. Let your subconscious lead. Your next best idea might be one nap away.
For meeting planners, a well-executed event doesn’t start on
opening day—it begins the moment you announce it. The more connection you build
beforehand, the more buy-in you’ll have from your attendees. Use these four
strategies to boost engagement before your event even begins:
1. DESIGN A CAPTIVATING PROGRAM Does your program hit your target? Send out a survey about speakers, types of meetings (panel discussions vs. PowerPoint sessions), performers, cuisine, and networking events. You’ll uncover important clues that can guide content decisions and ensure your agenda matches attendee interests.
2. PERSONALIZE YOUR OUTREACH Customize your message to each recipient. Take time to call or send personalized text messages to potential participants. Emails and periodic updates should highlight meeting session details, exciting speakers, and compelling takeaways that help guests visualize the value of attending.
3. CREATE BUZZ Leverage social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn to build excitement. Share photos and teaser videos from previous events. Encourage attendees to use hashtags, making it easier for others to discover and engage with your event community in advance.
4. ENSURE EASY ACCESS Make registration simple and support seamless discovery. Set up an event website or landing page with all key details, a clear FAQ section, and an online registration form with payment capabilities. Link everything back to your social channels to streamline access and amplify reach.
Next Level Planning
For seasoned planners looking to go beyond the basics, next-level engagement starts with intentional strategy. Once you’ve laid the foundation with surveys, outreach, and social buzz, consider these advanced tactics to refine your approach and elevate results. These expert-level tips help you tap into deeper audience insights and amplify your reach with precision.
PRE-SEGMENT YOUR AUDIENCE BASED ON REGISTRATION BEHAVIOR
Before your event begins, use registration data to segment
your audience by interests, job roles, or session preferences. Then tailor
pre-event messaging by segment—send focused content (like speaker interviews,
agenda highlights, or networking prompts) to each group. This level of
customization makes your outreach feel exclusive and drives deeper engagement
before attendees even arrive.
LAUNCH A MICRO-INFLUENCER STRATEGY
Identify loyal past attendees, advisory board members, or
well-connected speakers and empower them to act as event advocates on social media. Provide them with sneak peeks, branded visuals, and suggested hashtags to share with their networks. This peer-to-peer credibility adds organic buzz and expands your reach without additional ad spend.
By building anticipation early, you’ll arrive at day one
with a more informed, excited, and committed audience.
Following a particularly infectious flu season, many will come in contact with travelers this Spring.
To avoid a trip to urgent care, here is a checklist to stay healthy—or at least feel better.
HYDRATION: Increasing your water intake while traveling will keep you hydrated in a dry environment and healthy.
MEDICINE BAG: Pack a small assortment of pain relievers, band-aids, antacids, and anything you may need. Since it’s common to be congested after a flight, pack saline solution for cleansing and fluticasone for inflammation.
HAND SANITIZER: We touch several dirty surfaces while traveling. Keep it handy and use it often.
SLEEP: Sleep is essential for recovery. Without it, our hormones and immune system break down. Sleep aids like a white noise app, stickers to block blinking lights, or a light-blocking eye mask will help.
VITAMIN E & ZINC: Supplements provide added support when healthy food options are limited.
Bonus Tips to Go the Extra Mile
WIPE DOWN SURFACES: Airplanes, hotel rooms, and public transit surfaces can harbor germs. Bring antibacterial wipes to clean armrests, tray tables, remote controls, and light switches before use.
SNACK SMART: Avoid processed airport snacks. Pack immune-boosting options like nuts, dried fruit, or granola bars to keep your energy up and your system supported.
MOVE AROUND: Long periods of sitting—whether on a flight or at a conference—can impact circulation and energy. Make time to stretch, walk, or do light movement every couple of hours.
This sequel to last month’s Audience-Focused Fundamentals, presents seating ideas that will center attention on your audience. Most organization members say they attend conferences to learn something new and network with peers.
Here are some room set-up tips to advance audience participation and satisfaction.
Because no one wants to sit in the first row, position the podium against the long wall to shorten the distance between the attendees in the back row and presenter.
Curve your seating half-moon style so attendees can see each other. Make sure all chairs are facing the presenter.
Aisles should be set at 10:30 and 1:30, with a narrow aisle cut into the middle from the back to roughly the third row for welcoming and unobtrusive seating access.
Instead of an aisle behind the last row, place the last row of chairs against the back wall with ample leg room for attendees to walk through and take a seat.
Go Modular: Use Movable FurnitureOpt for chairs that are easy to rearrange. Sessions can shift from lecture to workshop style, so seating should flex with the format. Bonus: rearranging a room energizes attendees and keeps them alert.
Ditch the “Chair Parade”Avoid long, uninterrupted rows of chairs—it discourages interaction. Break rows into sections of 6–8 chairs with mini-aisles in between. People are more likely to chat with their “pod,” and it makes late arrivals less disruptive.
Standing Zones & Lean BarsFor quick sessions or networking-heavy events, integrate standing zones or high-top tables. This adds energy and encourages more fluid conversation (also a win for folks with back issues!).
Use Lighting to Set the ToneSoft spotlighting on the presenter is great, but don’t leave the audience in the shadows—literally. A warmly lit room makes people feel more comfortable and alert. Avoid full blackouts unless you’re screening videos (not horror movies).
Sound Check Their ExperienceMake sure the presenter’s mic is audible from every corner. Bad sound is the fastest way to lose your audience (second only to bad coffee). Consider adding ceiling or side speakers in wider rooms.
Facilitate Flow: Mind the Exit RoutesMake sure your setup allows attendees to easily slip out for calls or breaks without creating a scene. Bonus: If people don’t feel trapped, they’re actually more likely to stay engaged.
Presented by Katherine S. Markham, CHME, ConventionPlanit.com
In Gary Hernbroth’s groundbreaking book, Twist the
Familiar, he advises that like King Arthur of Camelot, we must all assemble
our own Round Table of support professionals.
As Chief Motivating Officer for Training for Winners
– a sales training company, the following excerpts focus on improving all
aspects of one’s sales career, including career development. “Essentially, I
believe we all need to have our own Knights of the Round Table, in one
way or another. We need to have an inner circle of people we can draw support
from, bounce ideas off of, and share our thoughts, dilemmas, or crises we are
facing.” He suggests writing down 5-10 professional colleagues who
you would call in a pinch for intelligent advice and cultivating these
relationships.
“We need people around us who can be honest sounding boards for us. ” Having truthful supporters versus those who simply tell you what you want to hear will put you on solid ground. “Confident, self-assured people and true leaders are brave enough to surround themselves with people who bring value to the table, whether they always agree or not.” And raises the question, “Who’s Round Table are you on?”
Five steps to implementing audience-focused presentations. Presented by the RFP Valet® Team
Comfort
Padded fabric chairs with tall backs provide reasonable support. They should face forward within 5-12 degrees of the main focal point of the presentation and ample leg room. Attendees must feel comfortable moving around to refreshments stations and restrooms. Set the temperature an hour prior to the meeting with ventilation and air circulation
Special Needs
To provide each attendee with the same advantages of the meeting, ADA requirements provide the blueprint for fully accommodating those with special needs.
Lines of Vision
Can all attendees see the presentation? This applies to the speakers and a video of the presenters. This also allows for lip reading and stage recognition. To improve the interactive quality, a sight line for attendees to see the physical reaction of other attendees is a powerful strategy. Exit signs must be clearly lit and accessed from the meeting room.
Lines of Communication
Articulate words in the local vernacular. Include interpreters when needed and sign language. Projecting screen visuals may be used to amplify the message. Have back-up material available online and in print.
Networking Opportunities
Attendees enjoy having their ear to the ground for issues. They can determine common ground for added support.
ConventionPlanit.com is comprised of experienced industry professionals dedicated to taking the meetings industry to new heights in accessibility.
