Sep 28, 2011 by DeDe Mulligan
Technology is a tool...it isn't magic, mysterious, or hard to implement into your meetings and events. However, many planners back away from new or unique technology options because it is outside of their comfort zone. Yet, most of us readily use technology in our everyday lives -- whether it be a laptop, smartphone, or HDTV. We would never go back to a typewriter, rotary phone, or black and white TV...so why are we crippled by the thought of new technology options at our events? Lets identify t...

Sep 26, 2011 by DeDe Mulligan
Have you ever wondered what it really takes to produce a first-class event...from an AV standpoint? Would it surprise you learn that the average AV production team spends 65 to 350 hours to plan and produce a quality conference? If the answer is yes to both questions, the timeline below is for a hypothetical 2-day conference that is indicative of the effort a partner-focused AV team puts into your event.Day 0 (The day before your event)5 AM       Load the trucks with all the Audio...

Sep 23, 2011 by DeDe Mulligan
Meeting and Event Planners have to use a variety of suppliers and partners in order to ensure that their event is successful. From the venue to the caterer to the AV company, these partners are critical to the meeting. Here is a list of Do's and Don'ts for meeting suppliers to consider when trying to build a relationship with an event planner: DON'T ask to be on the preferred vendor list. First of all, most planners don't have such a list any longer unless they work for a huge corporation. Seco...

Sep 21, 2011 by DeDe Mulligan
You are having a large event with attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, media, and staff. The venue and hotel space is booked, the speakers selected, and the food and beverage secured. Anything else you need to worry about? Yes there is...network connectivity! Network connectivity can make or break your event and having the right Wi-Fi network that includes wireless network array rentals, enough access points, and bandwidth is as important as having dynamic presenters. Lets address the different ty...

Sep 19, 2011 by DeDe Mulligan
What does a great speaker look and sound like? It is often hard to put into words, but we usually know when we find them. Besides wonderful peer reviews, it is important to have a checklist of things to ask your speaker during the interview process. Before signing a contract with them, consider the following questions as a useful speaker's guide.    PreparationHow much time does it take to prepare their presentation?How do they tailor their presentation to the audience demographics and...

Sep 16, 2011 by DeDe Mulligan
The invitations have been mailed out, the food and beverage has been ordered, and you are anticipating a good number of attendees at your event. What could possibly go wrong? The quick answer is: Plenty! Meetings and events require more that basic logistics and old marketing strategies. Here are some common mistakes planners make and what you can do to avoid them:  No Digital Marketing Strategy. It is time to recognize the power of Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. With millions of peo...

Sep 14, 2011 by DeDe Mulligan
According to a recent study by New Media Trend Watch, the Milennial Attendee (ages 18-34) has the following technology profile: 91% use the Internet 86% use Social Media 84% view online videos and 62% use Internet services on their mobile devices In addition, New Media's research found that Gen-X (ages 35-46) and young Baby Boomers (ages 47-55) are increasing buying or renting tablets, such as iPads, to access the Internet for mobile web browsing.  Given these stati...

Sep 12, 2011 by DeDe Mulligan
Are you evaluating different cities for your next convention or large event? It can be a daunting task, especially since it is often like comparing "apples to oranges". Below are some tips that can make your evaluation process a little easier, especially during the early phase of your site selection journey. Convention Center. Find out when it was built, when renovations occurred, how much meeting space it has, and its proximity to hotels. Ask the follow question of the Confere...

Sep 09, 2011 by DeDe Mulligan
Are you looking to give your next PowerPoint presentation some punch? Want to improve your message and have a more successful sales meeting? Then follow these simple, effective tips to make your message stand out: Include no more than 5 bullets per slide Overloading or reading the slide is a big no-no. Make certain that you have large enough fonts that the audience can see the slide from the last row of the meeting. Powerpoint presentation equipment is meant to aid the presenter, not r...

Sep 07, 2011 by DeDe Mulligan
We all know AV Technicians are important to the flow of our meetings, but have you ever considered hiring an AV Project Manager (PM), too? A highly experienced project manager works with meeting planners from the pre-planning to the execution stage. Below are some of the key benefits a project manager can bring to your next event: Team Player: They act as a liaison between the technical staff, the meeting planner, the venue staff, and any other partner involved in the meeting. Go-to Pe...