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

Jill Stone

Your Meeting Matchmaker Fairy Godmother

RFP Organization 101

Welcome to the RFP Organization 101 Class. Oh wait, what are you doing here? You do not need this class! Why? Because . . . . you have me. Okay, I know that organizing RFP responses from hotels ranks in your top five of fun when it comes to meeting planning. Oh, it doesn’t? It’s[...]

Third Party Planners; the New Power Brokers in Meetings

Have you checked out your latest (February 2012) issue of Meetings & Conventions Magazine? Notice that none other than our own Roger Helms graces the cover. The article focuses on how third party planners have gained momentum as a definite and necessary player in the meetings industry. Meeting planners have watched their departments dwindle over[...]

Must Have Technologies for Meeting Planners (and the next must have step to take)

There are many technologies that will make your meeting planning life so much easier. If you are not up on these technologies, then here is a soft nudge to get you moving in the right direction.  Don’t get left behind! Smartphones: If you are not packing a smartphone in your tote, then what are you[...]

Hi-Tech Scavenger Hunt

The uses of QR Codes are staggering! You can create QR Codes that will point to a website, carry your contact information (like a digital business card), go to a video, even contain a quote or secret message. With this in mind, here is a fun idea for your next meeting. You can create a[...]

The Meeting Planner Technology Report

I have written about the important technologies available to today’s meeting planner. It is astounding the amount of information that can be found right at our fingertips. Here is a nice checklist for you on what you need to be aware of, working on and considering.  Social Media. Are you on it and active? If[...]

Go for the Green!

“Green Meetings” continues to buzz about in the trends – which is a very good thing! Some cities are greener than others. So why not plan your next meeting where green efforts abound and support these cities’ efforts? In San Francisco the city streets are lined with blue bins for recyclables, green for compostables and[...]

All-Inclusive in the USA

The allure of the All-Inclusive Resort is quite enticing. Think of the easy budget planning; all the sleeping rooms, meetings space, food, beverage, gratuities, fees and more conveniently rolled into one price. Since meeting planners always seem to be short on time, this option may be a fantastic and easy way to go; especially for[...]

Meeting Planners will soon be Vying for Space

According to Meetings and Conventions, there are less hotel rooms. They state that the “total active US hotel development pipeline decreased by 10.1 percent in July over the previous year.” This fact was issued by STR/McGraw Hill Construction Dodge Pipeline Report only a few weeks ago. They went on to state that, “Currently in the[...]

Really Plan for your Next Conference

Conferences are a fantastic way to keep up with the latest and greatest in your industry, connect with like professionals, learn, exchange and grow. It’s one thing to sign up, choose your sessions, and pack all the appropriate necessities and outfits (and shoes!) for the various conference meetings and activities. But in order to get[...]

New Fun Meeting Ideas

Keeping your meetings fresh with interesting ideas is always a good idea. It is a way to set you apart and add that extra bit of something. Here are a few ideas for you to include in your next event: Have some inexpensive t-shirts made up for the staff. The t-shirts can have the name[...]