Event Planning

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metavent
Apr 10, 2018
One of the keys to event success is understanding your attendees. Who are they, why are they registering for your event, and what do they hope to take away when the event is over? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you design an event that will exceed your attendees’ expectations. For corporate events, it’s common to design content around your attendee personas or audience segment, but have you thought about your attendee profiles when designing the event experience? The American Express Meetings and Events 2018 Global Meetings and Events Forecast includes a section titled “… more
Mar 26, 2018
When a top leader makes his grand entrance to Walk the Moon’s “Shut Up and Dance with Me,” you know it’s going to be a fun conference. Indeed, Chris Cahill, CEO of luxury brands for AccorHotels, set the stage for a creative four days of meetings, talks and workshops at the brand’s seventh annual Global Meetings Exchange (GME), held Feb. 28-Mar. 3 in Montreal. It was the first time the event has been held in North America, and to some meeting planners and media in attendance, their first in-depth exposure to the brand. Meetings managers who primarily coordinate domestic events may be… more
Mar 21, 2018
A recent industry-wide survey from iJET International showed a lower-than-expected focus on preparedness around meetings and events. The resulting report reveals that most organizations and companies in this space are not meeting minimum standards of risk management protocols for attendees. The survey was sent to approximately 6,000 meeting planners, meeting planning companies, and meeting and event decision-makers from corporations, iJET stated. More than 400 responses were received. Key findings include: Of the 64 percent of respondents currently with a business travel risk management… more
Mar 05, 2018
Meeting Professionals International (MPI) is the largest meeting and event industry association worldwide. The association’s mission statement is to provide the best education, experiences and relationships to help members produce the best meetings and events. MPI Chapters provide an education and networking link between members in a specific locality, including newsletters, directories, and monthly educational programs. Many chapters also host a yearly educational event designed to bring together local members. The largest chapter within MPI is the Northern California Chapter (NCC), with… more
Feb 07, 2018
New York. The city that never sleeps. The city that crams 3.9 million people into Manhattan’s 23 square miles on any given weekday. It can pose more than a few logistical challenges for corporate event planners, but at the same time, can open the doors for truly unique event experiences. I spoke with several veteran New York City independent event planners, who shared some best practices for overcoming the challenges that make planning corporate events in New York a unique experience. Finding and booking the right meeting venue is a challenge for most planners, but this can be particularly… more
Jan 30, 2018
It’s no secret that younger audiences have different approaches to learning. While Baby Boomers prefer personally focused learning and classroom environments, Gen Xers are fiercely independent, self-directed and would rather learn on their own time. Millennials prefer technology and social media and expect to have the infrastructure available to work anywhere and everywhere. Now, we also have Gen Z in the mix: the generation of instant gratification. Born into a world where everything is digitized, they expect their environment to deliver a “wow” experience – and if it doesn’t, they’ll just… more
Jan 11, 2018
As the ongoing quest for business efficiency continues, it becomes more important for larger organizations to chart their course to implementing a Strategic Meetings Management Program (SMMP). The Strategic Meetings Management Program (SMMP) moniker was created by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). An SMMP is a disciplined approach to managing enterprise-wide meeting and event related processes, activities, metrics, standards and supplier strategies to achieve business objectives, quantitative cost savings, risk mitigation and optimal service levels. SMMPs have been touted as… more
Jan 04, 2018
Corporate event planners are looking ahead to what the new year may hold—focusing on the dates saved on their calendars. How can they make these events pop? What trends will impact how they plan memorable experiences for their clients?  Corporate Event News spoke to expert planners to see what trends they predict will impact the industry in the coming year.  Karen Shackman of Shackman Associates New York predicts last minute events will demand more luxury. “This will require more choices: whether it is choices of venues, choices within the venue, choices at multiple venues, and timing… more
Dec 20, 2017
Rymax Marketing Services, Inc., the largest national manufacturer’s representative in the incentive industry, has added eleven new brands to its portfolio of in-demand rewards products. Need some high-end gifts for an upcoming event? Event professionals work with Rymax to source the perfect gifts for incentive programs, sales kickoffs, executive events, loyalty programs and more. The company can customize a selection of unique gifts for clients, from bulk orders to the creation of unique merchandise bundles. “People appreciate gifts that mirror retail trends and that suit their specific… more
Nov 21, 2017
Versatility. Flexibility. A blank canvas. Corporate event planners are creative and seek event spaces that can accommodate their visions. Planners around the country identified key areas where flexibility is an integral feature of the venues they select. “The more constraints a venue has the harder it is on planners to create the vision the client would like to have for their guests,” said Courtney Lutkus, owner of Simply Radiant Events.   Space Planners want space that offers the ability to customize the experience or brand the atmosphere to make it unique. “Usually I am seeking to… more
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.    Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is more