by John Otrompke
As the desire on the part of meetings planners and their clients for team-building exercises has grown, so has the need for newer, previously-untried ideas and locales, as more conventional ideas for team-building have grown passe.
For instance, when a high-tech Silicone Valley client hired APEX Adventures for a team-building project, they had more in mind than a simple hunt and quest adventure using GPS.
by Linda Leier Thomason
Soccer is one of the country’s most popular youth sports and participating in a well planned tournament is one of the best experiences players can have. Barclay Kruse, Chief Communications Officer at the National Sports Center (NSC) in Blaine, MN, the world’s largest amateur sports and meeting facility, and Isaac Bush, Activities Director at Kids America, a non-profit organization in Coshocton, OH share insider tips on planning successful tournaments regardless of organizational size or budgets.
by Linda Leier Thomason
Renee Price is passionate about her industry and has a lot to say. As the Western Regional Sales manager for
Camden on the Lake Resort, Spa, & Yacht Club at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, Renee sells “experiences” to nearly 100 association and corporate groups annually. Here she shares perspective on creating winning situations for both properties and planners, keeping current on industry trends, and receiving feedback from clients that improve events and morale.
MM: Complete this sentence. The best meeting planners…
RP: Are doers, not planners. They have never met a task and said, “That is not my job”; this applies equally to both suppliers and planners.
MM: How can planners make your job of providing an outstanding meeting experience easier?
The Incentive Research Foundation’s (IRF) newly released executive briefing, 2012 Trends in Rewards and Recognition, reveals that businesses will be emphasizing “individualization” in their motivation programs this year. Specific trends include:
· Personalization. Increased use of gift cards and award elements that allow employees to do their own “discounted” shopping during the redemption process.
· Participation. Non-cash incentive programs that can increase wellness participation by 26% to 90%, returning more than $3 for every $1 invested.
· Convenience. Integrating mobile applications into all phases of incentive program communications to keep employees connected 24/7.
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The National Conference Center compiled ten tips for conducting more productive meetings. According to Sarah Vining, marketing manager at The National Conference Center, “To conduct the most productive meetings, smarter conversations should occur with venue contacts and on the site-tour to ensure the right factors are being addressed.” Vining notes that there is reassurance in knowing that your meeting is going to go off without a hitch, however there are certain steps in order to guarantee its successfulness.
by Linda Leier Thomason
The health and well being of employees is closely tied to the success of an organization. Executives down to employees are encouraged and rewarded for adopting healthy lifestyles and creating balanced lives, resulting in greater workplace productivity. A healthy body is perceived to contain a sharp, productive mind.
Today, this wellness concept has found its way into meetings, influencing planners who realize that from the foods offered to the activity options, a company is exerting influence on the wellness choices employees make.
by Shadia Cook
Give your players the pro experience.
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Think outside the box for those extra-special touches that get attention, such as this unexpected participant at the Irby Outdoor Adventure.
When you think golf outing, what comes to mind? Panic because you’re not a golfer? Concern for the folks in your group who might not be ready to hit the pro circuit just yet? How about Sheboygan, Wisconsin… or, more specifically, how about golf courses like Blackwolf Run, host of the 2012 US Women’s Open, or Whistling Straits, home to the 2015 PGA Championship?
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A great warm-weather fundraising event is a golf fundraiser. Hosting your own golf tournament is actually fairly easy and if done right, you can raise a significant amount of money. Here are some tips for maximizing your results.
Big turnout
Obviously, the bigger the crowd, the better you’ll do with your tournament. Promote with quality posters at golf stores, your own offices, and other high-traffic, high-visibility locations. Use your newsletter and email lists as additional ways to get the word out.
Have you considered it?
What is Disc Golf?
Disc golf is played much like traditional golf. Instead of a ball and clubs, however, players use a flying disc, or Frisbee®. The sport was formalized in the 1970’s, and shares with “ball golf” the object of completing each hole in the fewest number of strokes (or, in the case of disc golf, fewest number of throws). A golf disc is thrown from a tee area to a target which is the “hole”. The hole can be one of a number of disc golf targets; the most common is called a Pole Hole®, an elevated metal basket.
Golf is more than just a game.
Many corporations and businesses may think eliminating golf from their program is an easy way to cut costs, when in reality it’s a fairly inexpensive way to accomplish multiple goals.
Whether your attendees are avid golfers or first timers, with the right approach it can be a successful way to encourage camaraderie and let people get to know one another outside the boardroom and office.
Staff members at most golf courses are experienced in creating customized golf outings that are fun for all levels of players. In planning your event you can solicit the avid golfers to be team captains and assist in making the other inexperienced teammates feel comfortable.
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