Planning Tips

Have you ever wanted to experience more restaurants while in town for a short 2 – 3 day convention?  We sure have! We think the folks at Your Perfect Party provide some excellent ideas to accomplish just that.

Check out this blog post to see how you can experience multiple restaurants in one evening.  They suggest you start with cocktails and light appetizers.

Great advise to end your evening with a nice walk back to your starting point.  Work off some of that food you ate!
 

Be sure to check out the post by Your Perfect Party for the more details on how to plan your progressive dinner.

Have you been saving your hotel points for a special vacation? Most of us want to use them wisely. The challenge is that hotels, like the airlines, change the rules.  Your points will not be nearly as valuable as they once were.  Click here to learn more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzCdPDEjXCU

There are many creative individuals who have started an event planning business only to find it was not for them.  Most discover when they fail to deliver the event as expected by the client that event planning is not the glamorous job they had expected.  A great deal of work, education, experience and creativity is required.  We would like to share some tips on how to find a good event planner.

When you begin your search, start with some research by talking to event facility managers, caterers and others suppliers used by event planners. You may find these eight tips helpful.

You can save time hiring an event planner.  In most cases you will get more for your money when you hire an event planner.  In this article are more reasons why you should hire an event planner.

If you want to assure your event will be a success, contact Meeting Services Unlimited or call us at 317-841-7171.

Are you familiar with the TED conferences?  If not, check them out.   They have an interesting conference format that works for them. If you are thinking of tailoring your conference to resemble a TED conference, you might want to consider the points made in this article first.

In our profession, finding new ways to serve food that offers creativity, variety and all within budget is a challenge.

Check out these tips found on a “Successful Meetings” post.  We think you will enjoy some of the new concepts!

Our recent blog posts have included information on how to host an eco-friendly event, how to use social media during a conference, the benefits of working with a hotel negotiator for an event, and using a housing company to book your hotel.

If you are looking for more information on these subjects, here is a list of resources:

• Throw an eco-friendly event with these tips from EcoMagazine.com

• EarthTimes.org explains the push on businesses to publish environmental reports

• For some green tips for your business, visit EcoConcerns.net.

• Get ideas for your next corporate retreat from Fox Business.

• The Center for Social Media has a great page purely devoted to using social media during a conference. Check it out here.

Environmental awareness is a growing concern, especially in the world of business. You can help boost your company’s green image by hosting an event using environmentally conscious components. There are many eco-friendly elements you can incorporate into your business style, from advertising materials and operational supplies to the lunch menu. Here are just a few tips for how to throw a successful corporate event that will make a minimal impact on the environment:

1. Bring the Green Inside

Look for creative ways to use recycled materials for your next banquet, seminar, or official event. You can use bioplastic materials for trays and bowls, bamboo or corkboard for hanging signs and banners, wood tables that can be recycled after the event, and more. Think about the effect your event will have on the environment and look for ways to use recycled or recyclable materials. Or, simply have your employees carpool to the event; every little bit helps.

2. Reduce Your Paper Usage

It takes hundreds of trees to print paper invitations for your event, so consider using social media and e-mails to reach your potential attendees. You can also use recycled paper to advertise your event and decorate your event station. Take advantage of this high-tech world we live in and incorporate links to your company’s website, online registration avenues, Smartphone apps, and online updates on your event’s schedule.

3. Expand on Green Initiatives

Plan meetings, events, and activities that place emphasis on your company’s environmental goals. This will educate your attendees on environmental consciousness and boost your company’s reputation as a leader in green business initiatives.

If you need help throwing an eco-friendly event, then call Meeting Services Unlimited.  We specialize in helping business professionals host unique events that will inspire their potential customers and grow their business. If you want to host a meeting, trade show, seminar, or conference, then visit our website to see a list of the many event planning services we offer or call us at (317) 841-7171 to get the professional help you need.

Corporate events can give your business a boost in productivity and reputation. With the help of Meeting Services Unlimited, you can hold a successful event that your attendees will remember. We do all the planning so you don’t have to. Learn more on our website or call (317) 841-7171.

• Learn how to increase attendance at your next event with this article from About.com.

• Dummies.com has some tips on creating an effective business meeting.

• The rise of social media is explained in Soshable.com.

• Get more information about how technology can streamline business from Chron.com.

• Get ideas for your next corporate retreat from Fox Business.

Selecting the right location for your business’s events can bring in higher attendance and increased audience focus in your meetings. Some events allow you to get creative and choose exotic locations and others may require convention centers, conference rooms, and hotels. You have to consider what type of event you are holding to select the best location. Here are some tips on picking a great venue:

• Make Travel Considerations: A corporate retreat or out of town meeting is a great way to get employees excited about company events. However, it’s important to choose the right city for company travel. You will want to make sure that people can easily navigate the area, book convenient flights, and have business-appropriate accommodations.

• Book for the Size of Your Event: Holding an event in a large convention center or auditorium when only a small group of people is attending can give the impression of an unsuccessful event, not to mention being a waste of money. Know a rough estimate of how many attendees you will have before booking a venue.

• Keep the Mood in Mind: If you are holding a professional event, such as a meeting or seminar, then you will want a setting to reflect this, such as a conference room. However, more interactive events and casual functions can be in a variety of locations including a dining area or ballroom.

• Compare Costs: Shop around for the best deal when searching for a venue. There are many options available so you don’t have to spend your entire budget on the location alone. Hiring outside event planners can help you get the best deal on a venue.

If you are planning your company’s next event, then contact Meeting Services Unlimited. We specialize in organizing corporate meetings, seminars, trade shows, and other business-related events. Get more information on our website or call (317) 841-7171.

Social media can be instrumental while preparing for a large event or conference, but have you thought about the different ways social media can be used during a conference? Here are some innovative ways to incorporate social media into your next event.

Twitter

Real-time social media tool Twitter is quickly gaining popularity with use in business. At your next conference, invite attendees to join a Twitter feed using the hashtag to designate your event, for example, #tbex12. This feed will allow all online users to easily communicate with one another and contribute their thoughts to the discussion. During a conference, use Twitter innovatively by taking questions from the audience via Twitter, or, energize attendees by offering prizes through social media (ex: first attendee to Tweet a picture of their neighbor will win a gift!)

Facebook

Facebook pages are important tools that should not be overlooked. Use your Facebook page to get attendees excited before an event and work at growing your audience by posting interactive questions, taking a poll, sharing photos, or hosting contests. During an event, consider using your Facebook page during raffles. Make a list of your “likes” and in what order they are, and randomly select a number to give a prize away. You can also create a Facebook group made specifically for a conference, and allow participants to use the “chat” feature to discuss things with the group.

While Twitter and Facebook are heavy-hitters in the world of social media, try also to incorporate using other interactive websites, such as Foursquare, Google +, or MySpace.

For other creative ideas on how to incorporate social media into your next event or conference, call Meeting Services Unlimited at (317) 841-7171. Our friendly staff has years of experience in event planning and can help you make your next conference a huge success. Call today!