Oct 31, 2011 by DeDe Mulligan
We are a society that is used to instant turn around. With the integration of more smartphones that are usually carried in a person's hand or on their hip, we expect instantaneous responses to our texts, emails, and social media comments. In fact, when no response is given within what we consider to be a reasonable period of time, say 1 hour, we start to get upset with the other party that they are not being attentive to our needs. We have become impatient and spontaneous.  Believe it or n...

Oct 28, 2011 by DeDe Mulligan
Corbin Ball Associates recently posted their "12+ Meeting Technology Trends to Watch for 2012".  Today, lets highlight the technology trends that apply to the event audio visual rental industry. Mobile applications, iPads, and Tablets will provide a new medium for accessing data at events.According to MPI's FutureWatch2011 Study, only 9% of planners have used mobile technology for their own meetings. According to Ball, there will be a very significant adoption of mobile ...

Oct 26, 2011 by DeDe Mulligan
Exhibit floors are often the lifeblood of an association meeting, but it is becoming trickier to attract people to the booths. Many times attendees just fly down the aisles or worse, they just want to collect the tchotchkes. Every year, you keep telling yourself, there has got to be a better way, and now there is. Here are a few suggestions to make your next trade show really stand out:Make it Easy for Attendees to Find the Booths They Want to VisitRather than making each attendee go up and down...

Oct 24, 2011 by DeDe Mulligan
Executives used to "have the life" for their corporate retreats. 5-star luxury hotels. Lavish receptions. Entertainment. Spa treatments. And plenty of golf. All this changed in 2008 with the AIG scandal, when corporate retreats came to a screeching halt. Here is a recap from Meetings Focus of why planners and suppliers are optimistic about the future of these C-suite meetings and what they see as the changing landscape of executive retreats. "I think we've gotten through...

Oct 21, 2011 by DeDe Mulligan
Your boss just entered the office to let you know that she expects you to plan a super-duper customer appreciation event between now and the end of the year. Since you have limited knowledge with this type of event, the task before you seems daunting. But it doesn't have to! Here are 4 great tips to help you see your way clear and make everyone happy; most importantly your customers! Tip #1: Establish a budgetIf your boss did not give you a budget from the get go, march right back into her ...

Oct 19, 2011 by DeDe Mulligan
It's hard to believe that Steve Jobs is gone. So many tributes have been written about him lately, but a blog titled "What I learned from Steve Jobs" written by Guy Kawasaki, caught my eye. Guy actually had the pleasure of working with Jobs and even though his blog had 12 poignant lessons, I have shortened it down to 5 as they apply to the events industry.1. Customers cannot tell you what they need.Apple marketing research is an oxymoron. Customers can only describe their desires ...

Oct 17, 2011 by DeDe Mulligan
Touch panel kiosks provide attendees with self-service benefits and can now be the one-stop service option for many of your conference goers. Because kiosks are now thinner, wireless, and very reliable, more and more applications are being written for this technology. Kiosk rentals also have a great deal of system security, remote monitoring, and most apps are highly intuitive. Kiosks can be equipped with a printer, credit card reader, and/or badge reader. Here are 6 common ways kiosks can ...

Oct 14, 2011 by DeDe Mulligan
The meetings industry has been trying to come up with a "green" standard for over 10 years and it looks like they just got closer with the Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX) launch of best practices for green meetings. Even though the entire document isn't complete, there are some basic questions you can ask when renting audio visual equipment about the supplier's practices and equipment in order to determine their commitment to being green. Here are 5 questions to get you start...

Oct 12, 2011 by DeDe Mulligan
So your company is going to roll out a new product or service and you are in charge of the big event. You are so excited! But after the initial joy passes, suddenly you blank out on ideas and have no clue on how you are going to make this all happen. You are desperate for inspiration and you don't know where to turn. Here are 3 key ideas to keep you focused and make the launch a great success.InvitationProduce a creative invitation that works both in the print and digital arena. If you are havin...

Oct 10, 2011 by DeDe Mulligan
Planners are in a bind. They want to implement creative, state-of-the-art technology solutions for their attendees but they don't have the funds to make it happen. Sponsors want to laser their brand into the brains of every attendee, to the point of being obnoxious. So, just like an unhappy marriage, the planner and sponsor continue to work together even though they don't want to. Does it really have to be that way? The short answer is No. Here are some ways to make the relationship better, al...