Apr 22, 2019
Some days it can feel like everyone on your team is dancing to their own rhythm. While each one is creative in their individual realms, they’re not syncing well together; maybe someone’s grooving to Cardi B while another person jams to Creedence Clearwater Revival, making for a less than pleasurable mix. Sound like your team? Then it’s time to call in teambuilding master Amani Roberts.
Roberts, a professionally trained DJ, is the founder of The Amani Experience, a Los Angeles-based company that specializes in bringing teams together through music. Working with corporate groups and events… more
Apr 19, 2019
Feeling powerless to make your events more sustainable? Want to make your events greener without having to ask your boss for permission or spending more money?
In her recent webinar, “5 No-Cost Ways to Green Your Events,” Julia Spangler, sustainable events consultant, offered tips for accomplishing just that, providing actions that event planners can implement right away to create more Earth-friendly events.
“Sustainable, zero-waste event planning can provide unexpected cost savings related to printing, event supplies, catering orders and more,” Spangler said in the webinar. “They may even… more
Apr 18, 2019
Uber is making it easy for corporations to pick up the tab for employees, clients and partners — and opening up new realms of possibilities for event transportation — with its new Uber Vouchers feature.
Rather than hiring a van or shuttle service for small groups, you can offer them the convenience and flexibility of car service. Some applications for planners that immediately spring to mind are airport transportation, customer dinners and getting staff to wherever they need to go, on time.
From the attendee perspective, this means no longer having to wait for a bus that only runs every 30… more
Apr 12, 2019
Back in April 1970, the first-ever Earth Day was started as a way to protest the negative impacts of industrial development on the environment. Now, nearly 50 years later, Earth Day is a globally recognized event, with an estimated 1 billion people in 192 countries taking part in the world’s largest civic-focused day of action. Monday, April 22 this year is the official day of celebration, but anyone in the events and travel industry can take inspiration from these programs and events to keep a more planet-focused mindset year round.
With that in mind, here’s a round-up of what hotels,… more
Mar 21, 2019
Back in the ‘50s, it wasn’t unusual to spot celebrities like John Wayne and Lucille Ball lounging by the pool at Sportsmen’s Lodge. Being located 15 miles from downtown L.A. in nearby Studio City had the same advantages then as it does now — seclusion, lots of greenery, and precious peace and quiet. That’s a big part of why the property draws small corporate meetings (it can accommodate groups of up to 100 comfortably), and its boutique nature lends flexibility that event professionals love.
Zee Bell, the hotel’s highly personable director of catering and group sales, is particularly… more
Feb 05, 2019
Sustainability and “green” practices are becoming standard for many corporations, driven by both a belief in corporate responsibility and by customer mindset. A recent Nielsen global online survey shows eighty-one percent of respondents feel strongly that companies should help improve the environment.
The initial worry that sustainable events would result in higher costs has subsided. In fact, it has been shown that environmentally-friendly events can actually cost less, as they require a more mindful approach to waste reduction. But there is still quite a bit of misperception related to… more
Jan 28, 2019
We’ve all been to corporate team building events that brought us closer with colleagues and reinvigorated our teams to work toward our common goals. Then we’ve been to others that fall flat, appearing “lame” or a waste of valuable professional or personal time. When corporations develop team building events, it often falls primarily on the event planner to ensure the experience is positive.
Start with the Basics
Karla Singson, CEO of PREP - PR, Events and Promotions, says effective team building events have three basic ingredients.
“They should be good for fostering teamwork and friendship… more
Jan 17, 2019
From black box spaces to renovated castles to cinemas, there are unique and transformative spaces around the globe. This ongoing series of articles highlights a few of the many options available for corporate events.
When people think of transformative, they typically think of a black box, or an empty warehouse. But the broader definition of transformative is “to cause a marked change in someone or something.” When planners are looking for a unique venue, one of the objectives is that it must provide a memorable experience for attendees — one that will live on when the event is long past.… more
Dec 07, 2018
The Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) hosts the largest annual networking conference worldwide for corporate finance professionals. With more than 7,000 attendees and over 250 exhibitors, the 2018 AFP Conference was the biggest AFP event in history.
The AFP Conference is held in a different city in the U.S. each year. This year’s event was held Nov. 5-7 at Chicago’s McCormick Place — the largest convention center in the United States.
“The last time we were in McCormick Place was 2001, so we were excited to be in the new West building for 2018,” said Melissa Rawak, Association… more
Nov 27, 2018
Events are mirrors of the organizations and industries they serve, reflecting their values and priorities. Therefore, it’s no surprise that green initiatives have flooded the event industry as more and more companies include sustainability goals and practices in their missions. And just as sustainable practices can be good for business, reducing costs and potentially raising customer loyalty, for example; they can be great for events for many of the same reasons.
Britt Zarling, vice president, corporate communications at Fiserv, notes that the company’s corporate values apply to all areas of… more
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is renowned for its exceptional service and diverse venue options across Las Vegas, Detroit, Springfield, National Harbor, Biloxi, and Atlantic City, providing flexible spaces for meetings of any size. Beyond these offerings, MGM Resorts distinguishes itself through a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for your next meeting.
At the core of MGM Resorts' company values is its platform, "Focused on What Matters," dedicated to meeting customer needs while advancing socially responsible practices. This commitment is evident more