Determine the value of your meetings & events
by Rachael Alford

It’s a topic that pops up on discussion boards almost daily; one that many meeting planners have all figured out but leaves many others scratching their heads. Return on Investment (ROI).

I asked two groups of meeting and event planners how they are measuring the value of their meetings and events and specifically how that affected their business. 

Working together for the greater good

At the 2014 Midwest Society of Association Executives (MSAE) Annual Meeting & Expo, a full day of education and networking with over 400 attendees and exhibitors and a tradeshow with 100 booths, those in attendance were challenged to “Think Forward, Change the Game.”

Fun snack ideas for your next break

Mid-morning pastries and coffee and afternoon cookies are a thing of the past. Today’s meeting breaks call for innovative and creative snacks to keep attendees engaged and energized! Take a look at some fun ideas for your next meeting break.

Midwest planners share what’s on their minds

Inquiring minds want to know… Midwest Meetings reached out to planners across the Midwest with a request to answer a few questions that we could share with you, our readers. From saving the day to must have meeting items and, of course, food, a few planners shared their thoughts with us.

Uncovering culinary delights

There is no shortage of culinary art in the Midwest. To showcase their cities and region, the chefs featured here source and infuse local flavor from homemade condiments to locally raised beef, produce, ales and liquors. 

This issue’s star chefs selected signature items, along with the perfect beverage pairing, that will leave everyone’s mouths watering! 

Reinvigorate your panel discussions

You have a panel discussion scheduled for the next meeting you are planning and feel, for the most part, it should be pretty straight-forward. Pick a topic, select a moderator, choose the panelists and call it a day. Think again. 

Venue Lighting Considerations
by Jay Ward

When selecting a venue for an event even the most experienced meeting and event professionals often overlook lighting. While lighting may not be the most important element, it should be something that is considered when doing an overall assessment of how the venue will fit the event.

Today's planners are being rebellious with their meetings
by Terry Matthews-Lombardo, CMP

Szzzlip! Did you hear that? It was the sound of planners everywhere using their favorite tool, the box cutter, to slash through the stone tablet of meeting rules (you know the ones that begin with phrases like, “Thou Shalt Not Provide Any Fun During a Business Convention”) that’s been handed down over the ages and adhered to until, well, we’re all just ready to explode. In fact, from the sounds of recent planner discussions, the industry has reached spontaneous combustion. Suddenly it’s really cool to be a rebel with your conference planning. Perhaps it was sparked first by the introduction of TED talks in 1984, or maybe it is just a sign of an industry that has reached critical mass after years of offering the same old, same old. Whatever the reasons, there’s never been a better time for you out-of-the-box thinkers to try fresh ideas that can breathe new life into ordinary events and annual programs.

Shake things up and engage those multi-taskers
by Shawna Suckow, CMP

Does it feel sometimes like we all have Attention Deficit Disorder? It’s so difficult to stay focused on just one task at a time. We’re a multi-tasking culture these days and it shows in our conversations, our daily work routines and our relationships. 

Meet Kathy Miller
President / Chief Creative Officer, Total Event Resources

Kathy Miller lives and breathes events. After 35+ years and countless projects with Fortune 500 companies, major trade associations and not for profit organizations, she still thinks it’s fun. Kathy started Total Event Resources, a global, certified woman-owned meeting and event planning agency with a reputation for making waves, in 1995.

One of her proudest accomplishments is being hand selected to participate in, and completing, the inaugural class the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program in Chicago.

“Someone recently described me as having ‘moxie.’ I’m honored to be described that way. It’s been said, ‘when you've got moxie, you need the clothes to match.’ And I sure do! A seasoned planner can and should be confident and contemporary. Just because we are seasoned doesn’t mean we need to be frumpy.”

The cards are stacked in your favor
by Terry Matthews-Lombardo, CMP

If you want to get a strong reaction from your boss during your next brainstorming session for future meetings, ask if you can take it to a casino. You will either be hailed as a creative genius, as in “why have we never thought of that before?”, or asked what beverage is in your morning coffee cup. This is because those who have never attended a meeting at a casino are often unfamiliar with all they have to offer.

What are the kissing kings?
King of clubs and king of diamonds. The kissing kings are the two that meet in the middle of a newly opened deck of cards.

What is the difference between an American roulette wheel and a European roulette wheel?
An American wheel has a double zero. The American wheel has a zero and a double zero giving the house twice the chance to win against the player.

From where it all began in the US to where it is today

1931: Nevada legalizes casino gaming.

1947: The Flamingo, operated by mobster Bugsy Siegel, opens in Las Vegas.

1950: The Senate Committee to Investigate Organized Crime in Interstate Commerce, chaired by Sen. Estes Kefauver, begins to hold hearings on criminal influence in the casino industry.

1955: Nevada passes legislation creating the Gaming Control Division under the Nevada Tax Commission.

Checklist to create a winning hand at your casino event

Meeting Professionals are generally list makers, but when it comes to planning an event at a casino property one requires a unique set of considerations. Planners who have held events at casino resorts know firsthand what to look for and ways to maximize their time and attendee experience. 

Just thinking about the game of baccarat conjures up images of James Bond, high rollers and huge bets. It’s one of the most popular casino games today and requires little to no strategy, yet it remains unfamiliar to a large number of people. Did you know it’s pronounced “baa-ca-rah?”

Best practices for blending families into casino meetings
by Terry Matthews-Lombardo, CMP

Families and casinos – two words you don’t very often hear being spoken in the same sentence. And yet let’s face it, plenty of families travel together through thick and thin. So that means if mom or dad have to attend a meeting that’s being held at a gambling facility, Junior might just be coming along as well!

Marie Altizer, MGM Grand Detroit

Marie Altizer started at MGM Grand Detroit as a Group Sales Manager in September of 2007 and was promoted to National Sales Manager in August of 2008. In the position of National Sales Manager, she is responsible for soliciting, negotiating, contracting, and closing on group accounts of 10 - 350+ people. She supports accounts in the Midcentral region of the United States as well as professional sports teams, entertainment, unions and third party affiliates.

Prior to working at MGM Grand Detroit she was a Banquet Team Trainer,  Catering and Conference Service Manager as well as a Group Sales Manager for 10 years at The Ritz Carlton, Dearborn.

As a new mom to Nicholas, who was born in March of 2014, Marie is conscious of maximizing her time at work so she can be her best at the office, as well as at home with her family.

A variety of activities await at waterpark resort/hotels

You’re planning your next event at a waterpark resort/hotel and while you have everything covered on the meeting side, you’re a little unsure about the waterpark side.

What will everyone do? What about the attendees who will bring their families? Will those family members be able to participate in planned group activities? Should you even plan activities?

Now that your head is spinning, rest easy. Midwest Meetings spoke with a few waterpark resorts/hotels to learn about all the amazing activities for groups and just how easy it is to plan a few of them for your next event.

Don't forget the necessities

The waterpark has been booked for your next meeting and every little detail has been taken care of. You’re all set, right?

You may want to provide a handy packing list for your attendees. There’s a chance that some of them have never attended a meeting at a waterpark before and you want everyone to be prepared and ready for a good time (after the business at hand, of course).

Reducing the environmental impact of events

Sustainability is on everyone’s minds and meeting professionals and their partners are working together to find innovative ways to improve and reduce their environmental impact and most importantly have successful events. Sustainability may not be the deciding factor for planners, but it is a piece of the puzzle and a definite plus when comparing locations and creating new practices. Oftentimes it begins with simply reevaluating and questioning if and how things could be done differently and more environmentally friendly.

Shari Prause, Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center

Shari Prause, of Alexandria, MN, is the Director of Sales & Marketing for Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center. Shari was born and raised in the hospitality industry as her parents owned a Pizza and Ice Cream Parlor in Marshall, MN which was later renovated into a Family Restaurant featuring a large banquet room. Shari and her sister worked side by side with their father at the restaurant and offsite caterings. This began her passion to work in the hospitality industry. After living in Minneapolis for seven years and working at two hotels, she moved to Alexandria in October 1998 to become the Director of Catering. She works with many clients planning  their meetings, conferences and wedding of all sizes. In September 2013, she was promoted to Director of Sales and is now on the front end of the business, working with existing and new clients in securing their events to be held at the resort. When not working, Shari enjoys spending time with her hubby, two dogs, baking, playing the piano, scrapbooking and relaxing at the lake.