Feb 28, 2014 by DeDe Mulligan
LiveTech londonlaunch, a master-class in digital engagement and social media, recently polled their attendees about the use of social media and technology for maximizing attendee engagement at their meetings and events. Below are the survey results broken up into two categories - Social Platforms/Apps and Technology - plus some of my ideas of how interactive technology tool rentals can help in each area.    SOCIAL PLATFORMS/APPS What social platforms and apps do you currently use ...

Feb 26, 2014 by DeDe Mulligan
Although the industry has been talking about this for a long time, there isn't one place to go to see the standards and certifications for going green. This blog brings the event information to you, will help you wade through it and gives you a few simple steps to bring your meeting to a more sustainable level.   STANDARDS  APEX/ASTM Environmentally Sustainable Meeting Standards The Convention Industry Council and ASTM International teamed up to complete nine individual standa...

Feb 24, 2014 by DeDe Mulligan
If you are a meeting planner, you know the stress associated with planning and executing a large, complex event. You can be the best project manager and communicator in the world, but when the event actually starts to unfold, things can go sideways rather quickly.  Here are three items that most planners deal with at every meeting and nine strategies to maximize attendee happiness and minimize your own stress levels.  NO SHOWS 10 years ago, the no-show rate was about 5-10% for all...

Feb 21, 2014 by DeDe Mulligan
Is your conference shrinking or does it experience high turnover? If this is the case, chances are your attendees have not received the kind of treatment they should have; either when registering for the event or at the conference itself. They have the budget approved and they want to be there - but something went awry in the process.   Here are the top three things that drive customers always as identified by Bill Murphy, Jr., an author specializing In leadership and entrepreneurship. ...

Feb 19, 2014 by DeDe Mulligan
When Daniel Lamarre, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cirque du Soleil, came to the SID LEE agency in 2010, he wanted a corporate event where business leaders could instill creativity and innovation into their organizations. And out of this collaboration, C2MTL was born - an intensive three-day event now into its fourth year. With 75% of the event sold out with three months to go, no wonder BizBash upholds it as a "must-attend conference" model. Here are seven takeaway i...

Feb 17, 2014 by DeDe Mulligan
As meeting planners, show managers and exhibitors work together toward a successful trade show experience, there are things they can do to make it better, as recently pointed out in the February 2014 edition of The Meeting Professional. So, rather than fight to make things happen, seasoned trade show pros highlighted ways managers and exhibitors can work more effectively as a team  Here are the ten items outlined in the article:  SHOW MANAGERS Get exhibitors involved in t...

Feb 14, 2014 by DeDe Mulligan
We have all had them - great, mediocre and just down right lousy speakers. The great ones resonate with the audience; they either make them laugh, cry or think. The lousy ones are all about their message and could be talking to a wall for all they care. You want the great ones, but how do you know if someone is going to make the mark with your attendees?  Here are six things you can do to make sure you hire the right talent:  Book a storyteller.  If possible, go s...

Feb 12, 2014 by DeDe Mulligan
With the Winter Olympics underway in Sochi, this is an exciting time for us to watch professional athletes all over the world compete for gold, silver and bronze medals. And while most of us watch in awe of these individuals who do things beyond the average person's capabilities, you might be wondering what the meeting profession can learn from these competitors. Here are my thoughts on the five things we all can do to be better meeting planners in 2014 and beyond.  Get a coac...

Feb 10, 2014 by DeDe Mulligan
Hilary Mason, Data Scientist in Residence at Accel Partners, recently spoke at PCMA's Convening Leaders 2014 about understanding and using Big Data. Below are her thoughts in an October 2013 interview with Sarah Beauchamp and concrete ways you can use this information when planning your next meeting. FACTS ABOUT DATA There has been more data produced in the last 18 months than in the history of the world.. Because of free cloud offerings, it is now cheaper to keep data than throw it a...

Feb 07, 2014 by DeDe Mulligan
Let's face facts: Sponsors are harder and harder to attract and close these days. They have finite dollars to spend each year and are constantly evaluating all their opportunities to maximize ROI. In addition to the folks you are pitching to, they have to sell your proposal to their boss and sometimes their boss' boss. So no wonder sponsorship dollars are beginning to look like a mirage -- every planner wants them but they seem so elusive to get.   Dave Lutz, Managing Directo...