Expert Advice

Running Your Business

Small Thank-You Gift Ideas
11/16/09
In these economic times, it's always a challenge to figure out how to thank your clients without violating their company rules on the value of the gift. The other chance you take is to give them the impression that you're doing well-thus signaling your...
Generate Business Recession or Not
11/16/09
It seems of late we are hearing some encouraging, although hesitant news about our economic situation. Some sources are reporting we are at the bottom of the recession, and others indicate we still have some hurdles to overcome. Regardless in business we...
Customer Service Should Always be Front and Center
11/10/09
So many modifications to the way we have done business have been observed over this past year. A new administration has promised change. Companies once considered bedrocks of our nation have declared bankruptcy, or asked for bailout loans. Jobless...

Suppliers Speak

How Suppliers Can Thrive Now
11/11/09
There has never been a better time to bring out your "A" game. Never. Particularly if you are a business leader in the events production industry. For the moment at least, the amount of money being spent in the live events world has sagged-not only...
Creating a Win-Win Negotiation with a Venue
11/10/09
Vendor savvy is a skill that has always been critical for the successful meeting planner.  Now more than ever, skillful negotiating can mean the difference between whether or not you retain your job.  Unfortunately, many event planners today...

Corporate Planning

An Attendee’s Perspective
11/8/09
When you are an event attendee and don't have the special access of a host, speaker, or sponsor, how can you still maximize the return on that event by making it your own? How can you turn that event into an investment? A Case Study in Carpe Diem As an...

Event Trends/New Ideas

Use of Art and Antiques as Display Items at Events
11/5/09
Like many event and meeting planners, I am always looking for fresh new concepts and ideas for our events. As many of my friends and clients know, I am also an art and antique aficionado whose abode overflows with interesting and unique antiques and art...

Open Forum

Prepare Your Conference for Flu Season
11/4/09
The travel industry took a hit after the first reports of swine flu emerged from Mexico in the spring. And with winter quickly approaching, the industry, already shaky from the effects of the recession, has reason to be cautious as the flu season gets...
Preschool for Planners
11/2/09
A couple of weeks ago a vendor invited me to a Detroit Tigers game. It was supposed to be the game where the Tigers clinched the division. Sadly, that was not the case. However, the day was not without its silver-no, scratch that-platinum lining. I work...

Getting Started

You never know until you try…
11/3/09
Isn't that something our mothers always told us, ‘how can you say you don't like something if you have never tried it?!' The same holds true for looking at new venues or destinations. Right now is the perfect time to accept the invitation to learn about...