Friday, November 1, 2013

Event Management Tips * Preparing Your Organization and Team for 2014

It's been a hectic year for me, both personally and professionally.  After a long Summer, spent mostly in the house while on a 3 month furlough, I'm now employed with a wonderful organization dedicated to connecting and educating culinary professionals around the world! 

I've been gleefully swamped with the planning of a large annual conference but have my 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. time block free to think about how best to prepare for 2014.  Because I LOVE to share my thoughts with friends and followers, here are some ideas to get your planning and organization juices flowing!
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1. Ensure you have a Risk Management Plan in place! If you do already, it's time to review and update if necessary. --> http://www.ises.com/docs/ises-communications/ises-risk-management-article_final.pdf?sfvrsn=0


2. Is your organization ready to invest in a Strategic Meetings Management Program? It will save your company money in the long runMake a case, get leadership buy-in, and slowly begin implementing processes across the organization. --> http://www.corbinball.com/assets/SMMPWhitePaper.pdf

3. Revisit team mission, structure, goals and roles. Has leadership charged your meetings and/or events team with a mission to increase buzz by creating a new social media or virtual events strategy? Is there a team member ready to manage larger events on their own? Now is the time to take inventory and make changes. The most successful organizations evolve and don't allow their structures to remain stagnant.

 

4. Get organized, save money! Prepare for the upcoming year by doing some much needed Fall/Winter cleaning. Archive old binders, clean out files, back up and secure data, take inventory and replenish supplies. If you're tired of spending ridiculous amounts of money at hotels for small items such as easels and power strips, budget for and purchase them in bulk. Now is the time to take advantage of holiday sales at places like Staples and Office Depot. (Use those corporate account discounts!!)













5.  Schedule a vacation immediately because in a month or two, you'll need it :)  For many event planners and managers, the start of 2014 signals all work and no play...so for now, enjoy any free moments, treasure the holidays, and store up that energy for a new year!

Monday, July 8, 2013

Entry - Mid Level Planner Career Series: The 2 Year Itch - Searching for Your Event Niche



Congratulations!  You've followed these steps to land your first event job and you're ready to ride this amazing job into the sunset before you retire in 30 years with a gold watch and engraved pen right? 

Wrong!  It's 2013 and a workforce of Gen Xers and Millennials have made this vision virtually impossible.  We (I can't talk about the generations without including myself) want flexible work schedules, a virtual workspace, a true mission and reason to care about our work, room to grow quickly and to take a year off  to "find ourselves" while we teach English classes off the coast of Spain...that's just what we want and we've all but dared employers to tell us "no" because if they do, we'll simply start our own empire.  We are a bold bunch aren't we?  By 2020, 70% of the workforce will be swarming with members of both Gen X and Y.  All that to say, we are already looking past retirement and defining our future now.  To make sure a job is the right "fit", we have to try on a few in the process. 

It's now the end of year 2 on the job and you've been working at a trade association managing board retreats and small meetings.  You love the mechanics of event planning and you know you want to stay in the industry.  You've learned to work with virtually all of the departments in the company, able to identify and recruit speakers and contribute to marketing campaigns to drive attendance.  You've learned the basics of planning and slowly being given more challenging tasks but something is missing.  You find yourself reaching out to contacts on LinkedIn to see what else is out there. 

*sigh* Okay, so now, you're officially on the hunt for another event job but unsure of what to do next...

Do you continue to plan smaller meetings for another association or do you want to branch out and try your hand at special events like product launches, sporting events or festivals?  How about trade shows, city wide conventions, or high-level government summits?  Or maybe you've been thinking about full time social event management since helping to coordinate a friend's party.   Lucky for you the event industry showcases a variety of career options and work environments. 

Before diving headfirst into your next position, take inventory of what you love and didn't love about your past or current job.  Then create a 3-5 year career plan if you haven't already.  Decide what you'd ultimately like to be doing in the next few years and work towards those goals by gaining experience in a specialty area.

Let's take a look at some of the different type of events and areas of specialty available...

Conferences and Conventions - Conferences are usually defined as business meetings which may include multiple learning sessions/formats presented by experts in the topic being discussed.    Conference planners typically join associations such as Professional Convention Management Association or Meeting Planners International.
Whether it is a 200 person conference to train corporate employees or a 10,000 person convention to provide education and networking opportunities for professionals, these meetings are invaluable.  Conference planners typically work in corporations, academic institutions, and trade or professional associations.  If you like working with business and industry leaders, appreciate a formal business environment, and working with hotel venues, conference and convention center suppliers, then this specialty area may be for you.

Special Events - According to FabJob.com, "the term special event can describe a broad range of affairs including sporting events like the Super Bowl, state fairs, major public events like Mardi Gras or New Year's Eve in Times Square."  This area usually allows the planner a bit more flexibility to be creative depending on the type of the event.  Special event planners can work for media companies like Google, advertising and marketing firms, state and local governments, corporations like Sony and Coca Cola, or non profit organizations. If you enjoy working with different types of people and vendors, a variety of event types, are an out of the box thinker with a marketing and communications edge, and prefer working with and in unconventional and unique venues/spaces, then special events may be your next big move!  The International Special Events Society (ISES) is an excellent resource for everything Special Events and Biz Bash is dedicated to being THE go to resource and community for special event professionals. 


Types of Special Events:
Incentive
Team Building
Product Launches
Grand Openings
Festivals
Book Signings
Concerts
Award Ceremonies
Air Shows
The list goes on!!!

Social Events - Social events can be classified as the warm and fuzzy side of special events.  When
most people think of social events they immediately think of wedding planning.  Social events encompasses more than just weddings though.  Reunions, receptions, religious activities, holiday celebrations and birthday parties all have one thing in common...they need an event planner!  Many event and meeting professionals get their start in planning by coordinating social events for friends or family.  My colleague once told me that she got her first taste of the event industry when she was only 18 years old.  She planned and promoted a graduation party for her senior class and it was so well organized and attended that people noticed and started asking her to plan their small events.  She did this part time for many years while working her way through college and finally become a full time special event professional and later started her very own event business with a focus on social events.  Planners who possess the 3 Ps will get far:  personality, patience, persistence.  Interacting with people during very personal events can be as stressful as it is rewarding.  With the exception of wedding planning, training is usually not required to try your hand at some social events, but most clients will request recommendations and evidence of your experience. 

Non-Profit Events & Fundraisers - These are special events on a mission...a true mission!  Have you ever participated in a charitable fundraiser event like a marathon or other grassroots activity and wondered if you could plan it?  Charitable non-profits like American Diabetes Association hire Special Event Managers who not only plan the logistics of the event but also work extensively with volunteers and donors to raise funds for the organization.  These planning roles are seen as essential to the health and stability of the organization and for that reason, most non-profit event planners already bring a basic fundraising, sales, development and donor relation background.  For these type of jobs, add Idealist to your career search.

Exhibits, Expositions & Tradeshows - It takes a special kind of skill and passion to coordinate tradeshows.  Companies that hire tradeshow or exhibit planners/managers will expect some knowledge of expo floor plan design, marketing, and logistics.  Managing a show floor isn't like managing a small 50 person meeting. A Trade Show Manager will manage a company's event marketing strategy and participation in other industry events.  They play an integral role in a company's overall branding and marketing strategy.  They research industry trends and identify and recommend exhibit opportunities so that the company can market services/goods and gain maximum exposure directly on a show floor.  The planner may even travel with, set up, and/or staff the exhibit booth or assign other personnel to staff the booth.   An Exhibits Manager is usually part of a much larger event team.  They oversee the tradeshow portion of a larger event and will work closely with designers, shipping and exhibits vendors.  In the latter case, the planner may be responsible for creating marketing materials to recruit exhibiting companies, selling floor space, and managing the logistics placement of exhibitor booths.  They may also manage sponsorship opportunities.   If you are a true people person, good with building and nurturing relationships, generating sales leads, and/or have a background in marketing, this area of specialty may be for you!  Visit the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) to learn more about this career path. 
 

Event Marketing - Planners that coordinate and manage event marketing programs are involved in creating a buzz for a company's product or service through event sponsorship or in person marketing.  If you're a Trade Show or Exhibits Manager, you are very familiar with this concept!  You may see event marketing teams at concerts, malls, and conferences and sporting events.  If you are more interested in sales and marketing, have the ability to manage people with different backgrounds, and enjoy coming up with creative ways to market and advertise, you'll want to focus on this area.  Planners who have a strong business background, thrive in a fast paced environment, can effectively collaborate across all teams (sales, marketing, communications, etc.) and like to travel, take a look at what event marketing has to offer. 

Federal Government Events and Protocol -
Government meeting professionals coordinate meetings, trade shows, and other special
events for government agencies as a government employee or government contract employee. Planners working in this arena should be well versed in both federal and agency specific regulations and guidelines.  Most if not all events have to be routed through a chain of command and approved at a department or agency head level.  That said, agencies are bound by budgets, certain restrictions, and scrutiny that other companies and sectors don't face.  Government planners may also be asked to act as a Protocol Officer.  Protocol Officers are keenly focused on international etiquette, the importance of precedence and rank, and how to properly host international visitors during an event.  An Event and Protocol Officer may plan a United Nations Summit or a small dinner featuring heads of state.  Planners that enjoy working with high ranking officials, in a government and/or military environment, have experience with a diverse population, the ability to stay on top of ever changing guidance and updated regulations, and thrive under pressure given the sometimes extremely short lead times (as little as days - 2 weeks in some cases) would do well with this specialty. For more information on Protocol, visit the Protocol School of Washington and the Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP). 


Stay tuned for the next blog dedicated to the supplier side planners.  I didn't forget about my conference services managers, convention sales and catering sales managers, and venue coordinators!




Thursday, June 13, 2013

My Meeting Planning Bucket List

I'm in my 30s (somewhere in between 30 and 39) and up until now haven't really thought about what I'm going to do next in my career.  Gone are the days where remaining at one company and in one career field through retirement are the norm.  

Meetings and events are evolving and it's becoming even harder to predict what this industry will look like in the next 10 years.  While I'd love to stick around for another 30 years as a planner I'm not naïve enough to think I have that luxury. 

 


So, as I sit here pondering my 3-5 year career plan, I've decided to make a short Meeting Planner Bucket List.  These are things I want to do over the next few years before I move on to my next career challenge!

1.  Obtain my Certification in Meetings Management certificate.

2.  Plan an event involving the President of the United States.

3.  Find the perfect temperature in a meeting room that works for ALL attendees throughout the duration of the event.  This one is least likely to occur.

4.  Study and receive a Digital Event Strategist (DES) certification.

5.  Take a train instead of a plane to a cross country meeting.

6.  Coordinate a meeting in Paris, France. 

7.  Pitch a reality show series about meeting professionals.

8.  Have fresh flowers and cookies delivered to my room each day while I'm on travel...just because. 

9.  Speak at a conference.

10.  Buy and wear something from Tiffany & Co. 

11.  Eat a meal prepared by a famous chef.

12.  Pack more flats, Motrin, bandages and Icy Hot.

13.  Negotiate a "Laugh and Smile" clause in the contract.  "Hotel and Group representatives agree to share mutual laughter and smiles at least twice per day over the course of the meeting."

14.  See my former manager and mentor, Stacy P. Andres, one more time.  She served as Director of Education & Meetings where I started my planning career.  I'd tell her how much she influenced me, looked up to her, love and miss her.  I will NEVER forget... http://www.amcpmeetings.org/stacy/


What's on your career bucket list?  Tweet me at @meeting_pro or add your comments below!

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

The Government Meeting Hangover: Recap and Remedies for the Government Meeting Professional

What Happens in Vegas...
First it was the OIG report on a $16 muffin the media so lovingly dubbed "MuffinGate" in 2011 . Then came the tax-payer funded GSA "Vegas Vacation" conference debacle unveiled in 2012, 2 years after the actual conference had taken place.  Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Justice also came under fire for spending more than $600,000 for conferences held mostly in DC and CA.  Do you remember this video? 

 
Fast forward to 2013.  Federal agencies beyond GSA are slashing funding for training, conferences, food and beverage and travel.  Hotels, conference centers, and travel providers that rely on government business are losing revenue, government employees are missing out on training opportunities, and communities of practice are losing valuable face to face time and interaction with peers and decision makers.

According to an article in the Washington Post, agencies are reducing costs by trying to eliminate meetings, conferences and the need to travel.  "In August [2012], the GSA said it had canceled 47 conferences and cut $11 million in related spending since April. The Labor Department is in the process of eliminating 100 conferences, and the State Department has announced that it will increasingly hold meetings in government facilities instead of hotels".

In addition to reducing funding for meetings and travel, an online article in FCW states that GSA is trying to implement an enterprise-wide Meetings Management Program (MMP).  "GSA’s idea—the Meetings Management Program - would offer a disciplined, enterprise-wide approach to managing conferences and events, including the activities, processes, suppliers and data regarding the meetings."  Agencies are also following suit and drafting official guidelines that govern the planning of meetings and events. It sounds a lot like what corporations have been doing for years but a bit ironic given one of the reasons behind the renewed scrutiny on conference/travel waste and abuse stems from GSA's very own mishandling of their conferences and events. It also begs the question, how will implementing such a large program affect government and contract planners in the future?
 
 
The Future of the Government Meeting Professional
There has been open chatter among members in LinkedIn groups like the Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP) and Society of Government Travel Professionals (SGTP).  Outside of online discussion, many individual planners and event management business owners are sharing their thoughts and concerns face to face at networking events, offline in small groups, or at community Round Table discussions.  Government agencies are handing out employee furlough notices while government contractors have laid off staff due to contract cancellations and delays.  Small businesses are suffering and the economy is stalling as a result.

Government and contract meeting planners are worried about their jobs.  One SGMP National Capital Chapter (NATCAP) LinkedIn group member said, "I'm feeling the effects at my company.  I had to take another position just to keep full time and not lose my benefits...This inability of our government to do its job is only causing the rest of the country to have to deal with the consequences."  

Professional and trade associations such as U.S. Travel Association (USTA), Meeting Professionals International (MPI), Convention Industry Council (CIC), The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), and American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) have displayed a strong show of support publicly through campaigns and letters designed to bring awareness to the economic significance of both the meetings and travel industries. 
 
While these actions and campaigns have indeed captured widespread attention and created awareness, it does not offer solace to the government meeting professionals who have already lost their jobs or have been forced to transition into another career field to stay employed.  We are part of an industry that was already struggling to find a collective voice in an economy not yet fully recovered.  You can imagine the uncertainty facing those planners who support government agencies.  As a contract planner currently waiting to support a task order that has been delayed, I can attest firsthand to the difficulties of trying to anticipate the federal government's next move.  Agencies were notorious for red tape, delays and cancellations even before it became sequestrationally fashionable. Yes, that's a word I just created, no need to Google it! 
 
I'm not arguing against cutting costs by any means but I do take issue with the reactive and blanket approach to breaking "news" stories as it relates to such large industries. It's not just the government and administration's knee jerk reaction, it's federal and contract employees' lack of concern about the positions they hold and public perception.  These type of actions may also stem from a lack of professional development and training. 
 
I learned about the "Washington Post Test" early in my Certified Government Meeting Professional (CGMP) training course.  When planning a government meeting, don't do anything that will land you on the front page of the Washington Post.  Simple. If by chance you did forget what you learned, well, just use common sense. 
 
By now you know where we've been, how we got here and what we are currently facing, but where do government meeting professionals go from here?  I don't know all of the answers but I can offer some advice about how to stay agile and ready for whatever comes next.  

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Stay CONNECTED
Both literally and figuratively.  Stay plugged into professional networks and online groups and attend events if budgets allow (or pay out of pocket, it's worth it!).  Start looking into virtual meeting and event training and certifications.  Agencies are starting to invest in virtual collaboration tools to host training sessions and conferences remotely.  They will need someone versed in the latest trends!
 
Stay RELEVANT with Training
Society of Government Meeting Professionals has beefed up their professional development and training offerings since hiring Ms. Garland Preddy as the Education & Training Director.  Take advantage of these extremely low cost opportunities when you can.  

Stay in the Know and Let Your Voice Be Heard
One person can make a difference.  Read about, write about it, make a stink about it! Write your representatives and professional associations, support initiatives already in progress, or start your own campaign.  Meeting planning is indeed a true profession.  Planning a meeting isn't rocket science; but planning a meeting for a group of rocket scientists requires knowing how to navigate federal government regulations and agency guidelines.


Share your thoughts on the future of government meetings and events below or follow me on Twitter @Meeting_Pro!








Thursday, May 16, 2013

Being a "Parent Planner": My Not So Delicate Work-Life Balancing Act

I fell into the Meeting Planning profession as a new graduate with a carefree attitude, a willingness to learn, and nothing but time on my hands.  I was making $26K a year and the happiest Meetings Assistant you'd ever want to meet.  This is my story and I'm sticking to it.

I fondly remember working 14-16 hour days for months at a time leading up to annual meetings and 18 hour days for a week while assisting on-site.  There were moments I'd be one of the only people left in the office at 11 p.m. putting the final touches on documents to send to the printer by morning.  Others had to leave early to take care of families and get ready for the next day. I couldn't imagine having to go home and worry about children too. 

One night, my boss said to me, "I used to think just like you but then I had kids."  She then added on the infamous cliché, "You'll see, just mark my words!".  I was adamant; nope, that wouldn't be me. 

But only 2 short years later, it was. 

I didn't immediately feel the effects of parenthood until I returned from maternity leave and got back into the swing of things.  I thought I had everything under control until I didn't.  Waking up at 5 a.m. to drop my son off at the child care center by 6 a.m., on the road by 6:30 a.m., a lengthy commute and in to work by 9 a.m. 

By the time I arrived at work, I was exhausted and hardly ready for a morning production schedule meeting.  Those meetings were the worst.  My mind would be all over the map and I'd break out in hives just pondering different scenarios that could go wrong that day.

**
Did I merge the Speaker Letter correctly?

I hope the child care center doesn't call me...

How many times is she going to edit my session descriptions?

God, I hope the child care center doesn't call me...

Why is my name added to that task, don't I do enough around this place?!

Last time they called me because he pee'd on the playground.  For crying out loud he learned it while camping!!

Wait, what is that smell?  Is it me?  OMG, I must have left these clothes in the washing machine too long.  I wonder if anyone else notices?  

Am I crying?  What. In. The. World.
**

I was an exhausted, miserable wreck, not to mention that with all of the politics happening in the office it was close to impossible to get promoted.  My blood, sweat and literal tears had to have been for something right?  No, apparently not.

When the promotion didn't happen, I decided to leave.  It was only then that they offered to promote me. I declined and took a similar position on the education/content side where I didn't have to do much if any traveling and the hours were manageable.  The flexibility was great, the people were amazing, the job was fine but...

"But what?", my husband asked. "I need to find another job, I can't do this."  He was floored at my admission after only 3 months on the job.  Ultimately he wanted me to find happiness in my career which meant any job that was event related would probably require travel which in turn would place a bigger burden on him at home. 

I actually MISSED staying up late to meet a deadline, the travel, the planner pounds that crept up silently while having every meeting and pre-con over a meal!  I felt selfish for wanting it; yes, I did.  I was almost 30, in the prime of my life and my planner friends were jet-setting while I was combing the internet for articles on "3 year old bed-wetting".  I stayed put for a while though, I pushed my "need for speed" down to the pit of my soul and waited until the right time and opportunity came along. 

I never got any sleep because I was up all night checking to make sure my son was breathing...because you know, reading things on the internet will make you feel like the world can come tumbling down around you at any minute, so you have to cherish every moment.  When I wasn't up at night, I was sleeping during the day...in my car on my lunch break.  There were some trips and site visits I couldn't attend when my son developed a case of bronchitis and my husband had to attend a week long conference away.  My husband expertly prepared microwaved dinners during the few times we both had to work late and because a picky eater only likes nuggets and "maconi and teese" in a bowl. I started doubting my desire to get back into a Meetings Department and on the road. 

My husband and I found a happy medium when he started telecommuting more and I received a job offer to plan government meetings for a contracting firm.  The travel was limited to local venues and I received a lot of experience providing direct client support.  It was quite a change from the world of association members, annual meetings, and volunteers but the basic planning principals were still the same.  It was the best of both worlds.

Then a funny thing happened on the way to finding my Zen.  Surprise!  It's a girl! 

Fast forward to 6 years later. I'm still planning government meetings and very happy with my career and goals I've set for myself.  I travel locally and regionally.  As our support expands to other projects I'm sure the travel and duration will increase, though I don't have the same worries as my kids grow older and gain self-sufficiency.  I don't know what the future holds, but today I'm in a good place and thankful for the supportive network of people in my life.  

How do I balance my work and home life?  Here are some things that have helped me along the way and may help you should you decide to continue working full time in this industry while raising a family.

1.  Don't Suffer from an Identity Crisis - You're a parent now, but you weren't always.  Never forget that you are "Connor's mom/dad" AND a professional.  You still have a career and you have to tackle each project and event with the same passion as parenting.  The event is your baby at work.  In fact, planning an event is a lot like raising a child.  From conception on - you create, develop, nourish, stay up all night, make mistakes and learn from those mistakes.  In the end, it is so satisfying to see it all come together and all you can do is smile and say, "Wow, that was grueling but worth it!  Let's do it again!" 

2.  Power Down - I know it's hard, but at some point you have to draw a line in the sand when it comes to family time.  When you come home, it's easy to get lost in a flurry of emails that come through after hours but resist the urge to answer them. 

3.  Family-Friendly Work Environment - Find one!  The flexibility, benefits, perks and even office demographics should be strongly considered when accepting a position. 

4.  Constant Communication - Child care centers and schools have made advancements in electronic communication.  Knowing that you have a good, open line of communication with your children's teacher/provider will ease some of the worry parents tend to experience during a work day. 

5.  Network of Support - This is extremely important. I wish I'd known then what I know now.  Having family and friends close to share experiences with and in case of emergencies is a must. 

6.  Wine and Whine - No, seriously.  Either one will work depending on the time of day and who's around :)

I would love to hear your thoughts on how you balance being a parent and working as a Meeting or Event Professional.  Send me a tweet @Meeting_Pro, connect with me on Linked In or write your comments in the box below. 







Thursday, May 9, 2013

The Meeting and Event Industry Sizzle in '13: What's Hot and What's Not


Some of the biggest changes in the industry right now have happened due to increased scrutiny of events and travel.  There has been a renewed focus on strategic meetings management, cost effectiveness and ROI. 

Many organizations are hosting meetings and events closer to where the bulk of attendees reside to cut down on travel costs,  shortening the duration of the event and/or cutting out face to face events all together and opting for the virtual alternative. The current environment has created a new landscape.  It's back to basics with sustainability and "back to the future" with technology.

Here's a quick list of what's hot and what's not in the event and meeting world right now.  Of course things are ever changing and what may be considered in today could be out tomorrow. 

What would you add to this list? 
Add your ideas in the comments section below!
 
Registration and On-Site Management

What’s Hot
What’s Not
Attendee check in with kiosks, mobile apps and QR codes
Traditional, manual attendee check in using Microsoft Excel at a stationary registration desk
Eco-friendly thumb drives containing all event/meeting conference information
Tote bags containing printed event/meeting materials
Using document readers/editors, note taking apps and cloud-based storage like Drop Box to access and manipulate meeting files
Carrying meeting binders and printed files onsite
Coverless eco-friendly name badges with a recyclable/reusable clip
Traditional name badges, plastic holders and lanyards
Digital signage
Printed signage

 
Food & Beverage

What’s Hot
What’s Not
Creative twists on every day food – crab and avocado  shooters, maple bacon on a stick,  fruit salad served in an edible bowl, make your own trail mix, veggies cut like fries and served in a paper cone
Chicken satay, mini crab cakes, crudite, granola bars and cheese platters
Locally sourced and sustainable (so local that some hotels are sourcing foods from their very own gardens!) and more gluten-free options
Imported food, one size fits all approach
Food trucks
Off site dinners at restaurants
Hydration stations and naturally infused water in pitchers
Bottled water

 
Attendee Networking and Engagement

What’s Hot
What’s Not
Using gamification to turn ordinary traffic building activities into an interactive, engaging and fun competition
Using printed forms for “scavenger hunt” type games
Integrated and continuous attendee networking with social media apps for your event/meeting
Specific times set aside for attendee networking and physical attendee message/communication boards

 
Destinations and Venues

What’s Hot
What’s Not
Pedestrian friendly cities with lots of options for eco-friendly transportation (pedestrian pathways, bike lanes, electric pedicabs, hybrid taxis)
Simply put destinations that aren’t!
“Green Venues” that have adopted environmentally  responsible practices: i.e. LEED certified, designated hybrid parking spaces, solar panels, recycling and compost program in place
Venues without a sense of environmental responsibility; no recycling program, energy efficient lighting, etc.
Complete meeting package options, customizable to fit budgets
A la carte pricing
Using social media and web based event/meeting management software to source meetings
Traditional RFP process
Virtual site inspections
Traditional in person site inspections

 
Technology
What’s Hot
What’s Not
Charging station for attendee tables, smart phones and laptops
Cyber Café with provided laptops
Virtual whiteboards
Traditional whiteboards
Free Wi-Fi in meeting space
Paying for Wi-Fi per connection
Hybrid events/meetings
Face to face meetings without incorporating some type of virtual component
Presence on social media platforms such as Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, and Vine
No presence on social media platforms
Telepresence and immersive experiences
Traditional video conference
And for fun…Google Glass
Ray-Ban