EXPERTS & OPINIONS
Dec 05, 2017
Every summer on beautiful Cape Cod our Convention Data Services (CDS) team organizes an advisory group event for our clients. Our annual event gathers people of different backgrounds from all over the country to network, share ideas and build relationships. With 11 years of experience planning and executing this meeting we’ve gained first-hand knowledge of what makes a corporate event successful. Here are a few tips and ideas for creating a memorable event:
Define your objective:
Kick off the planning of your event by determining your objectives. What are your goals for the event? Is… more
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Nov 27, 2017
Your title may be meeting planner, event coordinator, event marketing manager or vice president of conferences or some combination of the above. No matter what it is, my goal is that in five years’ time that title will be out of style and the word, ‘strategic’ will be the first word that describes the position you hold. It’s not just a title change that I want to see, it’s an entire industry shift to a strategic mindset.
Here’s why: currently, most planners execute logistics. A myriad of details handled effortlessly, last minute and onsite changes are managed with aplomb, budgets are tracked… more
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Nov 20, 2017
I recently spoke with a number of procurement representatives and event professionals from large corporations about how the two groups interact. For the sake of keeping to a reasonable length, the article didn’t cover everything I wanted to share.
The following tips are based on those conversations, plus my own personal experience.
1. Formally Define Your Processes
Do you have a Strategic Meetings Management Program (SMMP) in place with clearly defined policies and processes? Do you have an event request or intake form that other groups can use to request assistance with events? Is… more
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Nov 14, 2017
Event attendees don't just want a mobile event app. They expect it. Mobile event apps create a better user experience – making schedule-building, networking, wayfinding, and attendee engagement and interaction more efficient and trackable than ever before.
But what happens once the event is over? Without a plan in place, that time, energy and resources put into developing your corporate event app can quickly be forgotten. Or worse, the app gets the dreaded “delete.”
There is a way to keep your event app relevant and out of the trash bin. Event Planners should shift thinking of their mobile… more
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Nov 08, 2017
Corporate events are supposed to bring some joy and refreshment to your workforce - but anyone can agree that a boring and uncomfortable corporate affair is the last thing most people want to go to.
Event planning has faced considerable developments and significant changes in recent years. New event trends bring about fresh opportunities and challenges. These recent trends in corporate events will help yours outshine every work party that came before, and will make your staff eager for the next one.
We're not talking about door prizes where the same old people from HR win some cheap kitchen… more
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Oct 30, 2017
While there may be no such thing as a stupid question, there is a correlation between the smarter the question, the more in depth and valuable the answer will potentially be. That’s why when someone asks you to plan a meeting, regardless of how large or for whom, your first question needs to be, ‘What’s the goal of the meeting?’
You may be told, “because it’s held every year” or “we need to have an annual sales meeting. That’s just what we do” or something equally vague yet definitive and entirely unhelpful. If the person asking for the meeting can’t articulate its purpose, how can you… more
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Oct 25, 2017
Bizzabo recently surveyed over 400 mid- to senior-level event marketers about the future of the industry. The result is Event Marketing 2018: Benchmarks and Trends.
With contemporary digital marketing practices, brands have the ability to reach more people with more targeted strategies than ever before. Yet at the same time, nothing can quite compare to a face-to-face conversation. This isn’t a nostalgic longing for simpler days. It’s what the data says.
The average Chief Marketing Officer allocates 24 percent of their total annual budget to live events in order to connect with customers,… more
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Oct 19, 2017
When it comes to building strong connections between a brand and an audience, there’s nothing quite like brand experience.
The medium combines several different elements — physical space, digital technology, interpersonal communication, and community — all to create a powerful and engaging marketing tool. In fact, nearly two-thirds of marketers say brand experience helps creating ongoing relationships with key audiences and make them feel valued.
Planning is key to ensure you’re getting the most out of a brand experience strategy. Here are three steps you can take to look across your event… more
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Oct 12, 2017
Does an event like CEMA Summit even need an introduction?
This annual conference by the Corporate Event Marketing Association (CEMA) attracts event marketers of all tenure for learning, networking, and soaking up best practices.
Luckily for you, I had a special vantage point this year. So you’re about to get privileged best practices from the inside. Freeman was attending as a sponsor, speaker, and — thanks to my newly announced assignment to the CEMA board (thank you, thank you) — as a committed partner.
Give first-timers a flawless experience
CEMA Summit 2017 had the usual hungry… more
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Oct 04, 2017
Spreading the word has, thankfully, evolved beyond smoke signals and an elaborately dressed town crier shouting “hear ye, hear ye” in the town square. It’s no secret that one of the easiest ways to get your message to the masses is via online social media. And you are no longer limited to text or pre-recorded video. You can record your event live in the all-encompassing networks of social media and it’s remarkably effortless. No campfire or voice projection required, just a smartphone and a little know-how.
The Basics
Social Media is fast paced and replete with information. To ensure that… more
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Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is renowned for its exceptional service and diverse venue options across Las Vegas, Detroit, Springfield, National Harbor, Biloxi, and Atlantic City, providing flexible spaces for meetings of any size. Beyond these offerings, MGM Resorts distinguishes itself through a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for your next meeting.
At the core of MGM Resorts' company values is its platform, "Focused on What Matters," dedicated to meeting customer needs while advancing socially responsible practices. This commitment is evident more