Blog Entries tagged 'Meeting Planning'

Over-the-top meetings and events?

JoanEisenstodt — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 23:00:00 +0100

What is "over-the-top" when it comes to meetings and events?

Do we judge based on the cost of guest rooms? Travel costs? Mode of travel (private jet v. commercial; first class v. coach)?

Is it the cost of food and beverage or the specific items served?

How does entertainment play into our view of what is 'too much'? And if the 'swag' sparkles, is it bound to raise eyebrows?

An AIG incentive trip, held shortly [...]

Lessons learned

JoanEisenstodt — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:00:00 +0100

Have you been watching the Democratic National Convention? Read anything about it in print or on the web? Talked with colleagues who are there - either as delegates, guests, demonstrators, or volunteers?

Did you watch the Olympics and follow what went on .. beyond sports? Did you watch to see how crowds were handled?

Both events - and next week's GOP convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul - are all superb examples of how cities deal with major events.

As meeting [...]

Did you ever wonder...

JoanEisenstodt — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 23:00:00 +0100

... what it feels like to walk in someone else's shoes? Or ride in their chair or on their scooter? Or manage a day when pain overtakes you?

Recently, at an industry meeting (in a very large hotel) at which I moderated two sessions, I used a scooter to get around. (Sometimes my NHL makes me unable to walk long distances.) It was a fascinating experience - watching people ignore me and pretend I wasn't there by never looking down to my level, or the hotel that set the [...]

Travel glamorous? HA!

JoanEisenstodt — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 23:00:00 +0100

I flew from SEA to IAD on Friday afternoon. Fortunately, my flight was on time - and even arrived a few minutes early.

The day before, clients on flights from SEA to IAD were delayed on different flights from one to 2.5 hours.

Delayed flights and cancelled flights contribute to the nightmare of travel. More, airports and TSA do not seem ready to handle the huge numbers of people flying this summer. Airports are certainly not equipped, from what I'v [...]

WHY is the industry not talking more?

JoanEisenstodt — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:00:00 +0100

I am astounded that the industry, at least as far as I can see, is not talking about even more airline cuts today. CO announced cuts in flights and personnel. This on top of DL, AA and UA. The capacity cuts are going to impact meetings beyond anyone's comprehension I fear. And yet, I'm not seeing this as a subject that is being addressed on the web sites of the industry organizations. On another list I moderate (http://www.mimegasite.com/) we are talking about [...]

(Mouth tightly shut as I think "It's not my event!")

JoanEisenstodt — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 23:00:00 +0100

You know the drill: you are attending an event - it may be an event hosted by an industry partner, or something done by an industry association, or a friend's wedding or anniversary party. You make all kinds of observations about what is being done and not being done. You are ready to step in and offer suggestions.

Then you remember: it's NOT MY EVENT!

There you are tho', thinking all the "If-I-had-been-in-charge..." [...]

Where the jobs are ....

JoanEisenstodt — Fri, 30 May 2008 23:00:00 +0100

When I saw the headline, I began singing it to the tune of "Where the boys are ..." .. an old Connie Frances tune about going to FL for Spring break.

Watching the migration of jobs fascinates me. This article in today's New York Time made me wonder where jobs for our industry will be.

In the last weeks, as airlines cut service dramatically to many markets and fares went up and up and up (I paid $200 more for flights to and from the same cities for a trip booked [...]

You say "podium" and I say "lectern" ...

JoanEisenstodt — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 23:00:00 +0100

I was going to title this with the wonderful Gershwin song, "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" until I realized that some may not get the reference. (You know "You say either and I say either .. you say tomato and I say tomahto" .... or maybe not. Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ3fjQa5Hls to hear it and see Fred and Ginger do a great number while singing it.)

Language can be helpful or an interference if we speak different languages, even if we s [...]

An industry of relationships?

JoanEisenstodt — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 23:00:00 +0100

In the past week, two very special people have died of cancer: Crystal Simmons, a student member of the MPI (Meeting Professionals Intl) DFW Chapter, and Beth Calveard of the TN MPI chapter. Both were young, vibrant women who brought so much to our industry.

I met Crystal, a recipient of a scholarship to the MPI Future Leaders Forum - applications for the 2008 World Education Congress Future Leaders Forum are due 28 March - available to stude [...]