Bravo Christopher Illitch! Michigan will benefit not only from the increased revenue, but also from the long term goodwill generated when meeting attendees realize what the Detroit area has to offer. http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200880520034

-- Carol Galle

As a provider of destination management services in Detroit, Special D Events staff can’t wait for September 2008. That is when the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport will open a new North Terminal, replacing the older Smith and Berry terminals. If you have traveled through Smith and Berry recently you understand why this is so important for Detroit. ‘Nuff said.

One interesting note: the North Terminal will be the first terminal designed and built in the U.S. since 9/11. So, instead of retrofitting old space to meet new guidelines, the North Terminal was conceived with these new rules in mind. Getting through security should be much easier Detroit than in other cities.

When you consider the fact that Detroit’s other terminal (McNamara) opened in 2002 and still looks great, we will make a great first impression on the world. So, what are you waiting for? Come check us out! Life is good in The D.

-- Carol Galle, CMP

The Olympics are coming, and all these stories about China in the news have me thinking…

Sometimes planning for the unexpected is just as important as planning for the expected. In my family, we actually have an expression for it. My mom was all too well known for her WCS’s or “worst case scenarios.” Was she a worrier? Absolutely. Did she sometimes take it too far? By all means. But, that doesn’t mean that anticipating the unexpected is a bad idea.

As event planners, we instinctively anticipate what could go wrong, all the while maintaining a positive perspective that everything will go off without a hitch. Over the years, we have dealt with labor strikes, illnesses, births and even a death on site. That’s why many years ago we instituted a company wide best practice that involves the creation of various emergency documents and crisis communication action plans.
Now, when we are on-site working an event, we know exactly how far the nearest hospital is and we have the contact information of the police department in our cell phones. We even have a company “meeting place” where we plan to gather should an emergency arise. Our crisis management plan assures not only our clients, but also our staff, that there is a plan in place should things go awry.

Right now event planners all over the world are readying themselves for Beijing. We know what you are up against, and we wish you well.

Sharon McMurray

This just in:  The University of Nevada Las Vegas is now offering live, college-level classes online featuring UNLV faculty, faculty from other prominent hotel colleges, and leading industry experts. Each one-hour, commercial-free webinar is designed to be a stand-alone learning experience.

Event planners, meeting planners, and hospitality industry professionals can gain new levels of expertise and receive specific, relevant information to enhance their performance--all without leaving their offices. Plus, attendees receive continuing education units. For more info click on https://hotelunlv.webex.com/mw0305l/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=hotelunlv

-- Carol Galle, CMP

Here are some simple, useful green meeting tips I picked up from Certain Software.  Thought I would pass them along.  Cheers!

GREEN MEETING TIP NUMBER 1
Choose host cities and event venues stratigically to minimize travel and transportion
Locating events in a location central to your attendee base can reduce the overall carbon footprint of personal travel and materials shipping. Keep public transit, group transportation and walking distance options in mind when planning on multiple venues and hotel blocks.

GREEN MEETING TIP NUMBER 2
Make the entire online registration process paperless
Online registration software completely eliminates the need to produce paper event marketing materials or registration forms. Gas guzzling shipping and waiting times are things of the past when you have dynamic, custom designed registration websites that are available 24/7/365.

GREEN MEETING TIP NUMBER 3
Downsize or eliminate collateral entirely
Design smaller scale printed show guides and supplements. Be revolutionary and eliminate printed show guides entirely. Make details available online before and after events or at strategically placed touch-screen kiosks with details during events.

GREEN MEETING TIP NUMBER 4
Encourage reusable water containers
You can keep tons of individual water bottles from crowding up landfills and even save on the energy that would be used to recycle them by encouraging reusable water containers. Give attendees an eco-friendly drinking container or logo jug that at registration that can be refilled at water stations located through out your event. If you are planning a small meeting or training, offer glassware service.

GREEN MEETING TIP NUMBER 5
Make notes and presentation handouts digital
During speaker presentations and program sessions, you can greatly reduce paper waste by encouraging attendees to take notes on their PDA device. Even more convenient, make presentations and handouts viewable or downloadable online after the event or email them to attendees.

GREEN MEETING TIP NUMBER 6
Choose give-aways that are made from recycled and/or biodegradable materials
Give-aways items are a great way to connect with attendees, and they can also be eco-friendly if they are made from recycled and/or biodegradable materials.

-- Mike Galle,  Executive Producer/Creative Director

Ugh! That was my reaction when I learned my college required real world experience in the form of an internship for me to graduate. To me, intern was synonymous with copy-girl.

“Oh great”, I thought, “An entire summer making copies, running errands and answering phones for no money -- just what I need. I’m will learn nothing.”

Silly me! Twelve weeks later I had learned much more about the industry and about myself than I ever thought possible.

The instant I walked in the door on my very first day of work, I was thrown into the chaos that comes with putting the finishing touches on an event; and it didn’t end until my last day as an intern.

Many of the tasks requested of me were what I would consider typical of the event planning industry: e-mailing clients, creating material booklets for attendees, researching new locations for meetings, writing proposals for potential hotels, doing food tasting for menu choices , etc. I also worked with internationally known dignitaries, assisted with major star performances, ran silent auctions, and even served as a production assistant for a televised rock concert but…

That doesn’t mean that I didn’t have my fair share of odd requests. I spent hours looking for a giant blow up penguin for a meeting entranceway; I traveled into the middle of farm country in Ohio to take pictures of a potential event site; I ran around unfamiliar cities in the middle of the night in search of Kinkos to copies of executive speeches. I could fill pages with stories and memories from my summer as an intern!

Looking back, I was a fool to mumble and groan at the thought of “real world” experience. I couldn’t have asked for a fuller and broader experience than my internship with Special D Events provided me.

The chance to apply what you learn in the classroom is invaluable; not to mention what an internship can teach you about life. You are given a chance to push yourself to heights that you didn’t even think were possible. Not only does an internship experience confirm that you are making the correct choice in choosing a major, but it also gives you an excellent opportunity to see what to expect when you finally go to work.

When you get your chance for an internship -- paid or unpaid -- jump at it!

-- Nikole Kennedy

I’ve been a meeting professional for over 15 years -- so why was I so nervous about taking the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) exam?  I wondered, why do I even need those three simple letters behind my name? I know what I am doing when it comes to planning a meeting; well, at least I think I know...  Okay, maybe that is where the apprehension came in – what if I was "street smart" but not "book smart?" What if I fail the exam?  How could I face my colleagues and clients?

I realized, however, that certifications like these establish credibility and demonstrate commitment to the special events industry.  So, recently, I decided to accept the challenge. 

Earning and maintaining your CMP is no small accomplishment.  I spent many nights working with a local study group and pouring over textbooks.  So, when it came time to take the exam, I was confident.  When I learned I had passed, I immediately added those three important letters (CMP) to my e-mail.  I admit, it was a great feeling. 

I can tell you it was definitely worth the effort.  More and more companies are recognizing the significance of certification, and Special D Events management is proud to say they have CMPs on their staff. 

So, to all you professional meeting planners out there, I say, "What are you waiting for?"

Denise Rondo, CMP

--

Non profits typically spend a great deal of time securing silent auction donations, as does Special D Events on behalf of its clients.  Ever wonder which items bring in the most cash?  This newsletter includes an interesting summary:  http://www.charityauctionhelp.com/newsletter.php

These green meeting ideas came across my desk today, so I thought I would share them. 

A green giveaway for attendees:  indoor herb gardens (3 small plants) on a wooden base customized with your corporate logo.

Eco lanyards:  Name badge lanyards made of 100% corn.  Even the easy to open clip attachment is made of sustainable materials.

If you would more info, just give us a call at 248.336.8600. Meanwhile, check back here for some overall green meeting tips from Special D's "Green Meetings Czar, Tina Jackman" later this week.

Being a novice exhibitor is not easy.  As a matter of fact, it’s comparable to learning a new language.  I remember planning my first exhibit at a tradeshow – it began with a large “Exhibitor Prospectus” being plopped down on my desk.  Knowing nothing of tradeshows, or their secret language, it was almost like receiving instructions to put together a swing set; only getting the foreign language version by accident. 

Fast forward a couple years, after having a few shows under my belt, I realize how nice it would have been to have had some sort of Glossary of Terms to reference in my journey. So, to help you in your journey to become “exhibitor extraordinaire,” I present to you just  a few of the most common tradeshow terms and their definitions.

Advanced Warehouse/Advance Receiving – A location set by show management to ship exhibit freight for storage immediately before a show.  Freight will then be shipped to the tradeshow venue at the appropriate time for exhibitor setup.

Bill of Lading - A document that must be filled out by the exhibitor at show close to establish how your material will be shipped back to your office.  This form will list a physical description of all boxes to be shipped, where they will be shipped, how the shipping will be paid for, and what transportation carrier will transfer the items.

Decorator/Official Contractor - An individual or company providing services such as installation and dismantling of exhibits; or rentals such as furniture, carpet, or pipe and drape for a tradeshow and its exhibitors.

Direct Shipping – Shipment of exhibit freight directly to the tradeshow venue.  This is usually only allowed the first day of setup and during a very narrow timeframe, depending on your situation a better alternative would be to ship to the advance warehouse (see Advance Warehouse/Advance Receiving).

I&D – The actual Installation and Dismantle of an exhibit,  this can be done by an individual representing your company, by the show appointed decorator/service contractor, or by a contractor hired by an exhibitor.

These are just 4 of the 20 in my glossary. I won’t take up space with all of them here today, but if you would like a complete copy of the glossary, just send me an email at Jennifer.riggs@specialdevents.com.

-- Jennifer Riggs

Now for the cheap ideas!  My last post was all about the outrageous and expensive, but I picked up a few inexpensive but valuable ideas at "The Special Event" conference as well.

Seat Incentives -- getting event attendees to sit in the front row is always a challenge.  No one wants to make that "commitment."  One of the speakers last week suggested using chocolate as seat incentives; only those in the first two rows receive it. 

Break Incentives -- Chocolate can also be used reward attendees for returning to the meeting room in time after breaks or lunch.  Bottom line:  people will do just about anything for chocolate!  Use that to your advantage.

Executive Meet & Greet -- Most employees rarely get to meet senior management in person.  At the next all employee meeting, encourage your execs to serve as the welcome team at the door.  To make them comfortable with this role, make sure everyone wears legible name tags and arm the execs with a 3'x5' card of FAQs such as "when does the meeting start?", "where do I sit?", "where are the restrooms?"

- From Carol Galle

Just returned from a week long event management training conference called, "The Special Event" in Atlanta and am full of ideas. Here are three of my favorites:

The disappearing balloon wall. This cool reveal technique is reasonably priced and the effect -- albeit brief -- is dramatic. It could be used to reveal a guest speaker, new product, or at a grand opening. More info...

Acrobacks! This "performance design firm" offers one-of-a-kind visual treats like the "human" mobile -- performers artfully balanced above your guests to create an Alexander Calder-like mobile. They also have a human disco ball which consists of an aerialist wearing a costume made of thousands of tiny mirrors. Amazing. More info...

And finally -- drum roll please -- Dinner in the Sky. "Wow" doesn't begin to describe it. Dinner in the Sky takes place at a table suspended 165 feet in mid air. Your customers, board, or VIPs will never forget this experience. Check out the photos...

It was a great week. I'll continue to go through my notes and post the best ideas, so check back here again soon!