How to be a Better Meeting Planner

What’s the real purpose of your event?
Just read a succinct but insightful article on MeetingsCanada.com that I’d like to share.  The article “What Does Your Meetings Client Really Want?” was written by industry insider Les Selby. Mr. Selby participated in M&IT’s recent IncentiveWorks trade show in Toronto and notes:
In the Executive Perspective session I moderated, [...]

Mediterranean Cruise Gems Are a Real Steal

Royal Caribbean just let us in on a special group offer:
4 and 5-night Mediterranean cruises, with balcony staterooms starting at $599* per person

LIBERTY OF THE SEAS – 4-Night Sailings – May 5, 2011 and May 19,2011
Balcony Stateroom starting at $599* per person
Barcelona – Nice (Villefranche) – Palma de Mallorca, Spain – Barcelona

LIBERTY OF THE SEAS [...]

Good News/Bad News for Financial Services Industry

Image via Wikipedia

Let’s get the bad news out of the way
Employee Engagement is Going Down the Tubes. According to a recent survey of 300 full-time financial services employees, only about half said they intend to stay with their employer for the long term or believe they have a promising future with their company, and only [...]

Getting dumped at sea and other fun stuff to do

Carnival Cruise Lines announced details of their newest “Fun Ship”, Carnival Magic, and the list of  brow-raising features includes several “first at sea” surprises, including a unique way to get dumped.
Cruising through the years
Before we look at Carnival Magic, let’s put things in perspective. Back in the day (circa 1990’s), cruise ship recreation meant [...]

Super Planners: This iPhone App is for You!

Have you seen the Super Planner iPhone App?
This handy business tool for professional planners was recently launched by Howard Givner, a widely recognized expert in the field of special events. With over 20 years of industry experience, Mr.Givner knows a thing or two about planning events – and the headaches that often come with the [...]

Success Secret: Change the way you see everything

Image by artfulblogger via Flickr

Shift Happens
I was driving (more like crawling) to work this morning, stuck in rush hour traffic and cursing the rude Miami drivers and road construction. Suddenly, a bumper sticker caught my eye: “Choose Optimism – It Feels Better. ” In an instant, my attitude shifted from grumpy to grateful as I [...]

The Vet and I… Cruising Alaska!

Tomorrow I’m off on my 6th Alaska cruise! Being in the business, it’s not so amazing that I’ve been there many times before… but when I touched base this week with the Vet who’s treating my Siamese “Susu” I learned that he, too, is headed to Alaska tomorrow… on his fourth Alaska cruise. And apparently [...]

Privacy Plus Choice – The Best of Both Worlds

This ship’s too small, that one’s too big (and we need privacy)!
It’s the classic Goldilocks syndrome – for meeting planners. You’re planning an elite meeting or incentive program and need 99 rooms. You want an enticing destination that will motivate and inspire, but group privacy is a must. An event at sea is the best [...]

Exceeding Expectations with All-Inclusive Value

The Meeting Planner’s Conundrum
Let’s imagine you’re planning a meeting or incentive program for a top-tier group that’s well-traveled and sophisticated. Each attendee has demonstrated stellar performance to qualify for this trip, and you want to wow them with an event that will exceed their expectations. They expect – and deserve – the best accommodations, service, [...]

From Tired to Inspired – How to Shake Up Your Meetings

In the August issue of Corporate & Incentive Travel Magazine, publisher Harvey Grotsky admonishes meeting and event professionals “It’s time to shake things up”. The thought of planning a meeting at sea might be out of your comfort zone, but that’s precisely why it’s a good thing.
In the magazine’s “Publisher’s Message”, Mr. Grotsky agrees [...]