“If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere.” Frank A. Clark This quote is perfect for those of us who choose to be entrepreneurs in the meetings and events industry. We are traveling a path with lots of obstacles…and we love overcoming them. There
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Previously, I have shared the importance of relationships as professionals in the hospitality industry. Relationships are also important in our personal lives. Being the father of two daughters has been a blessing, however watching them go through the highs and lows of relationships (especially the break-ups) has been a learning
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The hospitality industry is all about bringing people together. As I return from being onsite with one of my corporate clients for their sales kick-off meeting, I am reminded of the importance of bringing everyone together, so they receive ONE clear message from the organization. This enables everyone to immediately
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As a meeting planning professional, I am always searching for information that can help me improve and grow in the hospitality industry. It has been a few years since I read an article in Selling Power Magazine about a one degree increase and how that related to our careers. This
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For those of us in the meeting and event planning industry, achieving success each year is a huge challenge. In order to maintain success, it is necessary to constantly seek out new ways to grow and improve. I would like to share some habits that we have discovered and implemented
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Prior to pursuing my dream of being a self-employed meeting planner, I spent over 20 years working for a few major brand name organizations and people interacted with me professionally because of these brand affiliations. When I started my new opportunity, the first piece of advice I was given was
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If you are a meeting planner responsible for events that are optional for attendees, you face the challenge of getting them to choose your event over others being offered. This is critical as you strive to increase attendance. My plan for this post is to offer suggestions based on experiences
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As meeting planning professionals, we need to have a good return on our investment (ROI) when we attend a hospitality industry trade show. Our objectives are simple. Meet with the suppliers of currently sourced programs Meet new destinations/venues for future events Network to grow contact base Attend educational sessions that
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As an independent meeting planner, I always involve the applicable Convention & Visitor Bureaus (CVB’s) or Destination Management Organization’s (DMO’s) in the RFP process. They can be true partners in the process of selecting the right destination and/or venue when planning and during the operating of an event.The following are
Read moreEven as our economy and the hospitality industry enjoys a period of strength and growth, professional meeting and event planners have less time, less budget and less room for error when planning and executing events. Outsourcing various components of a function can allow the organization’s meetings department to focus on
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