Meeting News - February 25, 2008 - (Page 4)

What’s Up @ MeetingNews.com Web Top 5: Jan. 29 – Feb. 11 #2 Planner’s Workshop: Pre-Event sales meetings as much as their attendees, offering meetings John Mackenzie said planners benefit from management strategies that take into consideration success for both. See meetingnews.com/top50032 #1FIND A WINNING KEYNOTE Industry guru M.J. Gilhooley struck a chord with our online readers, offering tips for hiring a keynote speaker that will really make an impact with your group. Find it at meetingnews.com/top50031 Center News #3 Puerto Rico Convention for the 10,000-capacity “techno tropic” facility merit a numberThe latest construction updates three ranking. See meetingnews.com/top50033 #4 Marriott International Sales Restructuring planners one contact point for properThe hotelier is creating centralized sales offices, giving meeting ties in most of its brands. The exception is Ritz-Carlton. Read more at meetingnews.com/top50034 Meetings Through NBTA’s New #5 Greener about hotel environmental programs take RFP Questions prominence on the new-for-2008 standard hotel RFP form. What does this mean for planners? See meetingnews.com/top50035 Soapbox Clap Three Times Posted by Vincent Alonzo Several years ago, I had to give an address at an evening reception. The hosts wanted me to give a fairly substantive speech rather than just a few quick informal comments. My thought was, “These people don’t want something challenging. They just want to enjoy the buffet ” To make matters worse, they didn’t even dim the lights (the universal signal to shut up) when I went up to the podium. That’s why I was holding my breath when Mary Boone, of Boone Associates in Essex, CT, gave the luncheon address at the MPI Professional Education Conference - North America. Like my situation, the lunch was a buffet. Also like me, the lights were not dimmed. The din was comparable to a high school cafeteria. But then, Barb Taylor Carpender, of Taylored Alliances, in Denver, saved the day. She went to the podium to introduce Mary and said: “If you can hear my voice, clap once.” About a quarter of the audience clapped once—and, more importantly, shut up. Then, she said: “If you can hear my voice, clap twice.” About three-quarters of the audience clapped and stopped talking. Finally she said: “If you can hear my voice, clap three times.” Practically the entire audience clapped—followed only by the sound of knives and forks clinking against plates. That neat little trick subdued the audience and got them in the proper frame of mind to listen to Mary’s terrific presentation. For the complete blog and responses, go to: meetingnews.com/soapbox0007 Pollster Have the signs of a serious economic downturn affected your program planning? We have reduced attendee counts 15% Meetings have been postponed due to uncertainty Meetings have been canceled due to uncertainty 28% Budgets have been reduced overall 14% 6% 4% Other 33% No – there has been no change “Other” responses included one planner who increased programs to generate more business. Hot Deals meetingnews.com/hotdeals * MEETING PACKAGE: More “Fore” Groups The Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club: The Golf “FORE” Free group meetings package includes one-night, single-occupancy accommodation, meeting room rental, continental breakfast, coffee break, boxed lunch, and one round of golf at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club. Good for Sundays through Thursdays in May, June, or October. 4 MeetingNews February 25, 2008 * MEETING PACKAGE: The Hawaiian Touch The Kahala Hotel Resort in Honolulu: Book 10 rooms a night from April 1 to June 30 or Sept. 1 to Dec. 20 and receive a lei greeting and refreshment greeting, a daily newspaper, nightly turndown, discounted staff accommodations, one suite upgrade for every 30 rooms booked per night, and free wireless Internet access in hospitality and registration area. * MEETING PACKAGE: Renovation Celebration San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino: To celebrate the recent completion of a $38-million renovation that included guest room upgrades, a casino expansion, and upgraded meeting space, this Puerto Rico resort will offer a special rate for the first 2,000 group room nights booked after Feb. 15: $150 per room, per night, for groups of 30 or more. www.meetingnews.com http://www.MeetingNews.com http://www.meetingnews.com/top50032 http://www.meetingnews.com/top50033 http://www.meetingnews.com/top50034 http://www.meetingnews.com/top50031 http://www.meetingnews.com/top50035 http://www.misoapbox.com http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/index.jsp http://www.meetingnews.com/soapbox0007 http://www.meetingnews.com/hotdeals http://www.meetingnews.com

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Meeting News - February 25, 2008 Contents What’s Up @ MeetingNews.com Convention Centers Technology MN Webcast Report Successful Meetings University People Making News New NBTA Trustees Leader & Ad Index Live from the Forum

Meeting News - February 25, 2008

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