• Arenas host all-around events
• Rodeo and gala side-by-side
• Behind the scenes event wizards

Have you ever walked into an event, tradeshow, conference, or sporting event and been awestruck by the sheer capacity, attention to details, and amazing layout? If so, you have a planner, event coordinators, and crew members to thank. These behind the scenes event wizards can turn a tradeshow floor by day, into a concert arena by night, and into a basketball court for the next day, all in one weekend.

• Modified competitive and recreational sports
• Physical activity for all ages and abilities

Adapted sports are recreational or competitive sports for individuals with disabilities. Modifications in equipment, rules, and activity space provide players the ability to enjoy sports of all kinds, in all seasons. From downhill skiing in Ohio to rock climbing in Missouri, and many sports and destinations in between, modified sports competitions are big events.

by Shawna Suckow, CMP

• Collaboration is fundamental
• Consider moving outside your comfort zone
• Experimental cooperation

Those of us “of a certain age” remember vividly when a has-been band collaborated with some newcomers to the music world, and changed the entire music industry. I’m talking about none other than hard rockers Aerosmith and hip-hop group Run-D.M.C. (as an aside before I get into my story, I love that ‘DMC’ has an entirely different meaning in our industry, i.e. Destination Management Company instead of the initials of one of the famous rap duo).

Stay with me here, because even if you weren’t born in 1986 when a little slice of musical magic called ‘Walk This Way’
happened, I do have a point.

Aerosmith, headed by Steven Tyler, was on its way down the charts after a string of gold and platinum albums in the 1970s. They were known for hard rock and hard partying. As they struggled to regain their original stardom in a changing industry, along came the rap scene. 

• Scottish Games are growing
• Celebration of heritage
• Athletics of a different breed

Far from “The Bonnie Banks o’ Loch Lomond,” nestled in the Midwest, you will find kilt-clad athletes and spectators making their way to Scottish Highland Games and festivals each fall.

The earliest Highland games were said to have originated from the Scottish clan system. When a chieftain called his members (family clan) together to devise plans for raids against rivals, challenging tests of speed and strength proved the most powerful warriors. These clan gatherings could become days of feasting and entertainment, and often friendly clans would join together in festivities.

• 2017 USA Weightlifting National Championships
• Dynamic partnership in DuPage County CVB
• Community and Clubs are a driving key

When it comes to creating a true success with national sporting events, it takes a commitment, from not just the planners, but the entire community!

This was proven by the 2017 USA Weightlifting National Championships, which took place from May 11 – May 14 in Lombard, IL.

Pedro Meloni, Events Senior Manager, USA Weightlifting, had “heavy” goals that the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center and the DuPage County CVB were prepared to handle from every angle with the common vision of creating a memorable event for everyone involved.

• Meet Sean R. Schuette, CMP, owner of Schuette On Duty Solutions
• Building relationships is key
• From live theatre to live events

Sean R. Schuette is celebrating his 18th year in the meetings and events industry. This native Minnesotan is the youngest of three boys who grew up in the shadow of the Jolly Green Giant in LeSeur. Sean knew early on that he loved singing and musical theatre. As he pursued his theatre major and communications minor at Luther College in Decorah, IA, he learned about and fell in love with stage management, which, as he put it, “is similar in many ways to the skillset needed for a meeting planner. 

• Healthy and flavorful entrée
• SuperFoodsRX™

Amidst the City of Fountains, surrounded by great jazz music and barbecue, The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center rises in the heart of a vibrant area surrounded by shops, restaurants, theaters, and attractions for all ages.

The Brasserie, located in the lobby of The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center, is a casual and relaxed setting producing culinary delights from breakfast to dinner, daily. 

• Know your attendees' skill levels
• Making the most of the outing for everyone
• Considerations for golf fundraising events

Getting outside is a great enhancement to any event. Fresh air and sunlight give attendees a sense of ease and relaxation, which makes golf a great team activity. 

Golf outings provide a unique opportunity to build relationships, Kerry Brahm, Sales Manager, Geneva National Resort, explained, “You are spending four to five hours on the course with three other people. If you don’t know each other going into the game, you will! Golf outings help build relationships and pull your team together outside of the office. On the golf course, everyone is relaxed and having fun. You see different sides of people’s personalities and get to know each other on a different level.” 

• Gymnastics in Milwaukee
• Familiarize yourself with state associations
• Tips for planning a meet

​After an extensive bid process, BMO Harris Bradley Center and the Wisconsin Center, in Milwaukee, WI, will host the 2017 USA Gymnastics Championships. More than 1,800 of the nation’s best gymnasts in acrobatic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, and trampoline and tumbling will compete from June 27 - July 2, 2017.

• The rise of the mocktail
• Artisan beverages
• Locally roasted coffee

Mocktails, non-alcoholic cocktails, are on the rise. Looking back to Tasty Trends in our Spring 2017 issue, the National Restaurant Association released their ‘What’s Hot’ list for everything from food and concept trends to beverage trends.

Though locally made and artisan spirits are still at the top, homemade soft-drinks and gourmet lemonades made the top ten, with locally roasted coffee and specialty iced teas coming in right behind.

​These mocktails and concoctions are a breath of fresh air for non-drinkers and those attempting to remain health conscious while traveling. Luckily, the Midwest is home to many local and artisan purveyors setting the bar for mocktails in the Midwest, Arrow Coffee Co. is just one.

• Flying competition turned festival
• The sport and art of kite flying
• Pseudo-schedule to accommodate the wind

It’s a bird, it’s a plane….no, it’s a kite! The 29th Annual Great Lakes Kite Festival was held in Grand Haven, MI this past May. Hundreds of kite builders, flyers, and enthusiasts flocked to the shores of Lake Michigan at Grand Haven State Park beach.

​This free event marks the beginning of summer each year, for individuals from the area, the weekend before Memorial Weekend.


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by Heidi Mayer Kruse

• Reconnecting with nature and your team
• All the fun of youth summer camp for your attendees
• Significant upgrades and charming extras

As Spring transforms to Summer, your mind may be wandering back to a simpler time. A time where hours were measured in open skies, canoes, and toasted marshmallows. The creative, carefree days of summer camp were both restorative and invigorating: two things most adults need badly. And that may be exactly what your attendees need too. You can make it happen.

• X Games in Minneapolis, MN
• Three days of events like no other
• Metropolis partnerships make it happen

The official announcement came in July 2016, Minneapolis will host the summer X Games events for the next two years at the new, state-of-the-art U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis on July 13-16, 2017 and July 19-22, 2018.
​
If you know about the X Games, names such as Tony Hawk and Travis Pastrana may come to mind, but for those of you who don’t — X Games is the annual extreme sports event produced by ESPN. The inaugural event was held in the summer of 1995 and its popularity continues to gain momentum. In 1997, a Winter X Games was introduced and in 2002 the event began to be televised live, giving viewers around the world access to the best of the best in skateboarding, Moto X, BMX, and so much more. 

• Experts provide health tips
• Making good choices while traveling
• Combat travel fatigue

We have all been there — grabbing chips and soda at the gas station before hopping back into the car to resume our road-warrior expedition, not getting up to hit the gym at our hotel after a day of traveling, enjoying the ample buffet supplied at lunch with every intention of hitting the lounge after our meetings. Yes, this can be part of the traveler’s life and by all means once in awhile you have to let loose and just enjoy, but if you are looking to continue working toward your health goals while traveling, there are many experts with great tips for you to employ.

​What are the keys to staying healthy while traveling? According to Ashley Kohler, Manager of Yoga on the Lake at Destination Kohler, “Staying hydrated, stretching often, and eating small, healthy meals while you travel, instead of large, rich, high-fat meals will help you sustain energy and beat fatigue.”

by Emily Giunta

• Introduction to event lighting techniques
• Questions to ask your venue
• Information your tech partner needs

Lighting may be one of the easiest ways to transform the look and feel in a meeting or conference room. To keep it simple, event lighting can be broken down into two categories: decorative and functional.

This article will focus on functional lighting, with decorative and fun lighting coming in a later issue. Functional lighting is the lighting needed to help your audience see the presenters, product, etc. In its most basic form, functional lighting is house lights on or off. 

With baseball and softball season in full swing, have you considered your plan of action if your team makes it to the championships? You may think, ‘Yeah, right, we don’t need to worry about that,’ but sometimes the underdogs take the trophy. Have you seen Bad News Bears?

So, if you want to have a plan, just in case, here are a few tips to make it easier and help you cut costs while traveling with youth.

1. Know where the tournament will be located. You may not be able to have official dates, but familiarize yourself with the town. Explore the CVB website and learn about lodging, dining, and attractions.