An Independent HelmsBriscoe Associate | 636-678-7661 | jstone@helmsbriscoe.com

Jill Stone

Your Meeting Matchmaker Fairy Godmother

Luxury Ice Ice Baby

Who knew that one day frozen water would become so fancy! A 2020 survey by Bosch, found that a whopping 51% of Americans declared themselves as “ice obsessed.” The ice cube has moved way beyond the standard freezer tray or gas station version. If you want a great “ice breaker” for your next event, load[...]

Save Money on Meetings

save money

Keeping an eye on the budget and spending wisely is a consistent concern for meeting managers. As gas prices rise and affect air travel costs, as the world continues to open creating demand for meeting space, and the myriad of other changes going on at this time, budgets are a top of mind subject. Here[...]

Sponsorships Start with Relationships

Sponsorship

Finding sponsors is not easy. It takes a lot more than a brochure and a good story. Setting the foundation for a relationship is the best ways to start and is key to creating a sustainable sponsorship process. Spend more time cultivating relationships now and you’ll spend less time chasing that next dollar down the[...]

The “F” Word (but not that “F” word)

There are a lot “F” words out there, many that I would definitely prefer to use over others. Today I share with you some of my most favorite “F” words! Financial: I love this word because it plays a huge role in what we do as meeting planners. Does the cost of a meeting make[...]

Are you Fee-ling it?

fee

Probably. Sometimes we meeting planners fee-l it; paying fee after fee after fee. We find ourselves asking – Do I have to pay them? Is there room for negotiation? Why so many fees? Let’s explore the world of fees. Resort-ful: Even if you do not plan to use the pool or gym, these fees could[...]

Fee, Fi, Fo, Fum, FEE!

hotel fees

Whenever and wherever we take our meetings to, we know that there will be fees and surcharges involved. Some such charges we have become accustomed to. While, some tend to make us scratch our head about, and others just make us a bit perturbed. 2016 is looking to be a banner year for rising hotel[...]

Budgets on Track

budgets

Budgets are a tricky deal. Little things add up, big things end up costing more than expected and then there are the surprises that catch us off guard. Before you head in to plan your future events’ budgets, take these few points to task! Review and Revise: You know the ole sacred cow issue, if[...]

Win Big with One Billion Dollars!

“Wow!” This was my reaction when I opened up an email from Roger Helms, founder of HelmsBriscoe, stating that our total bookings in 2014 came to over one billion dollars. One billion dollars! No one has delivered a billion dollars in room revenue in one year ever before. I have been with this company for[...]

ROI for Sponsors and Exhibitors

A few months ago I wrote about a plan for ensuring that the ever-important ROI happens for your event. If your events include sponsors and exhibitors, their ROI greatly affects your ROI! They look to you to create opportunities for them that will make it worth their while to be a part of your event.[...]

Conference Truths

Conference Truths

I came across this quite funny list from Buzzfeed the other day; 33 Things Every Conference Attendee Knows To Be True.  If you notice, actual attendees of the Northeast Festival & Conference compiled the list. While some of these items are beyond a meeting planner’s control, some could actual get a little bit closer to[...]