Event Planning

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metavent
May 31, 2018
Bringing a brand story to life within a physical location is the ultimate goal of all corporate events. Bespoke, a custom fabrication and full-service production support shop recently launched by SET Experience Group, aims to do just that. SET Experience Group is a full-service brand experience agency that also includes SET, SET Live, and ASK. Launched in partnership with New York-based Project Visual, Bespoke was created to address clients’ growing needs for a fabrication shop that includes services such as project management, production, digital experiences and installation all under one… more
May 11, 2018
Have you ever held your incentive program – or considered holding it – in an unusual venue?  Unique, unusual, and unexpected are all words used to describe venues that fall outside the boundaries of the typical hotel, ballroom or convention center facility. Many incentive planners are looking to develop programs that can provide unique, immersive and exceptional experiences to their groups. One such unexpected location is aboard a cruise ship. River cruising is a hot new trend for meetings and incentives. Companies spanning industries including finance, tech, healthcare, auto, and… more
Apr 18, 2018
When disaster strikes, people need to know what is happening and how they should proceed. In late February, I attended a workshop at the MPINCC Annual Conference & Exhibition entitled “Crisis Communications: The Most Important Tweet.” Alex Plaxen, MTA, president and founder of Little Bird Told Media, initially asked three questions of the event professionals in the room: “Do you have a crisis communications plan in place?” “Who executes your plan?” “What are your vulnerabilities?” You are responsible for the safety and well-being of your attendees. In the event of an emergency, people… more
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
Partner Voices
Just when it seems like Las Vegas can’t get any bigger, brighter or more exciting for groups, MGM Resorts raises the bar again. The company continues to invest and innovate across its portfolio of Las Vegas resorts, with new attractions and upgraded experiences for attendees of all interests.  Remodeled Guest Rooms MGM Grand is the largest single hotel in the world with over 5,000 guest rooms and an 850,000-square-foot conference center. It is home to the newly remodeled MGM Grand Studio Tower—700 reimagined guest rooms with a fun mid-century vibe. Nearby, the iconic New York-New York Las more