Meeting News - January 28, 2008 - (Page 38)

MN Webcast Report Golf events are different strokes for different folks T here are more than 1.5 million corporate and charity golf events held annually, begging the questions “Why do I want to come to your event?”and “What sets your event apart?”said Eddie Smith, during the recent MeetingNews Webcast “Maximize Your Business Golf Meetings and Increase ROI Immediately.” Smith, president and founder of Infinity Sports Marketing Inc., in Jupiter, FL, said that in order to have golf-event success, planners must determine the goal of the event in advance—be it building relationships, securing a deal, or raising money. A putting contest and other on-course competitions that create an opportunity for interaction are valuable, said Smith, because not only will this encourage contact among players, it will also create a point of differentiation between your event and other golf events. If the on-course activities include a hole-in-one contest with a lucrative prize, planners should consider event insurance, according to panelist Vincent Alonzo, editor-in-chief of Successful Meetings, MN’s sister magazine. Insurance for contests and cancellations are part of an effective risk-management strategy that should also include a course of action in case of rain, low turnout, injury, or tournament high jinks, such as excessive drinking. Jack Reed, director of sales at the Hilton Head Island Visitor and Convention Bureau, reminded planners to be imaginative. For a group that recently visited Hilton Head to celebrate its 13th anniversary, the host course coordinated a 13-hole tournament. The format was creative but maintained the integrity of the sport instead of veering into silly games. Don’t forget about the non-golfers; developing a fun and unique activity for them will make the whole group happier. Smith recommended out-ofthe-ordinary options, such as sport fishing or tennis, to make the day as fun for non-golfers as it is for those on the links. r —Kinley Levack Upcoming Event Don’t miss “Strike Better Deals, Improve Contract Negotiations, and Drive Higher ROI”—our first Virtual MeetingWorld event! This free, live event will offer planners insight, strategies, and guidelines on how to save money and prove a return on investment. The live event will be held on Jan. 31; Webcasts will be archived for on-demand viewing. Going forward, all MeetingNews Webcasts will be housed at Virtual MeetingWorld, giving registrants onestop-shop access to educational content. To get more info and register at no cost, visit www.virtualmeetingworld.com. TAKE YOUR NEXT MEETING TO A HIGHER ELEVATION. Gourmet restaurants. Sleek ultra lounges. A lavish spa. 440 luxurious rooms and suites. And a 16,000 sq ft convention center with wireless Internet access. And these are just the highlights of MontBleu’s multi-million dollar renovation. It’s easy to soar above the competition when you start from the top. montbleuresort.com To learn more, please call our Convention Sales Department at 1.800.367.4554. 38 MeetingNews January 28, 2008 www.meetingnews.com http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/events/webcasts.jsp http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/events/webcasts.jsp http://www.virtualmeetingworld.com http://www.virtualmeetingworld.com http://montbleuresort.com http://www.meetingnews.com

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Meeting News - January 28, 2008

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