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[...]

Now that spring has sprung, your thoughts may be turning to summer vacation.  Now is the time to start planning! But if your budget is not meeting up with your plans, it may be time to get creative. Home Swapping may be the way to go. It’s not for everyone, so do your homework.  Also,[...]

Have you heard the saying, “Jack of all trades, master of none?” Well, when it comes to meeting planners, the saying should be “Jack (or Jill!) of all trades and master of all you survey!” Am I right or am I right? Yes, my dear meeting planners, you not only have to be super creative[...]

As a meeting planner you are all too aware that taxes can do quite a number on your budget. Taxes must be figured into the meeting-planning equation; the price of rooms in one city may sound quite reasonable at first, but once taxes come into play, those rooms can quickly go from affordable to astronomical.[...]

I have talked about QR Codes in the past and I dare say that at this point QR codes are more popular than ever! The potential for their application is ever more diversified, offering a greater range of possibilities. A recent feature from M&C highlighted that the team at VisitPittsburgh wear custom lapel pins which[...]

A surprising article from USA Today Travel revealed that more hotel rooms than ever were sold between January through June 2012. Over 500 million room nights – a new record has been set! If you have been traveling as of late, you are also aware that room rates have gone up.  During 2008 – 2009,[...]

As much as I would love for each of you to call me TODAY and engage me to assist you in finding the perfect place for you meeting, you may simply not need my help. And, here is why: You have tons of time on your hands: Perhaps you are one of the few meeting[...]

As meeting planners I know the word “budget” can cause a bit of  teeth gnawing and jaw grinding. You can create the best, most awesome, outrageously amazing meeting, but if it does not come in on or under budget, those powers that be will not be very happy. The next time you are in budget[...]

Anyone in the meetings industry will tell you that it is an all-encompassing sort of deal. We may be quite good at what we do, but we also know that we rely on several other entities, many of which are out of our control, to make a meeting go off without a hitch. And well,[...]