Expert Advice

Event Trends/New Ideas

The bite heard ‘round the world
03/24/10
When 4000 culinary gurus from 20 countries gather in Las Vegas, you know something is bound to happen. And happen it did. We attended the Catersource Conference and Tradeshow and we walked (and sometimes stumbled...it was Vegas after all) away with some...

Open Forum

Event Planning 101 – It’s not as easy as you think!
03/22/10
"It looks and sounds simple enough, anyone can do it." Oh, really? The successful event appears seamless to the attendee, and minor issues are resolved within minutes. The skilled planner makes it all happen; however, he or she understands it takes more...
Am I more than a meeting planner?
01/31/10
"I'm just the planner." How many times have you said that, or heard a colleague or team mate say that? We often hear, "remove the words should and can't from your vocabulary." Now is the time to also remove the phrase "just a meeting planner" from your...
Stop & Smell the Roses
01/25/10
Ever feel like your event or meeting is just ho-hum, nothing special, like all the rest? A little R&R never hurt anyone. And in the events business it's a part of the critical equation; you want to stand out from and above all the others and create...
The Jolly Green Giant
01/21/10
I am not a big believer in spring cleaning. Who wants to waste the first glorious days of spring cleaning? After all, spring means new life, rebirth and the promise of margaritas on a sunshiny deck. Now that I've got you salivating over icy, salty drinks...

Running Your Business

Social Networks That Boost Your Business
03/18/10
Most people are familiar with the term "Web 2.0," which refers to a second generation of Web development and design that focuses on fostering social networking via the Web. Innovative companies are beginning to embrace Web 2.0 as a way to enhance...

Corporate Planning

Making a Social Impact
03/9/10
Surveys have shown that although most people believe it's important to give back to their communities, they often don't know the best ways to go about it, and they feel they just don't have the time. By offering specific opportunities in the workplace,...

Suppliers Speak

It’s Just Nice to be Nominated
02/24/10
It's the season of red carpets and with the Oscars just weeks away you know the stars are prepping with an on-going round of tanning, highlighting, teeth-whitening and good old-fashioned starvation. And let's not forget the daily mantra in front of the...
From Farm to Catering Kitchen
02/18/10
When many people think of a chef, they assume that the job starts and ends in the kitchen. For me, this is not the case. My passion for food starts long before the products enter my kitchen and ends knowing I genuinely created something from start to...

Exhibiting/Trade Shows

Some of the Hidden Costs of Exhibiting at Trade Shows
02/15/10
In today's economic environment, watching the bottom line often carries the false perception of value. Many exhibit planners take their eye off of what is critical to success at a trade show in pursuit of shaving budgets and bargaining for what they...