Successful Meetings - September 2008 - (Page 60) Conference > Stepping Up in Class Centers At centers that offer event management assistance, planners should be aware that center staff faces the same challenge in notifying vendors of changes, Mikschl says. “In a hotel, it’s more of a tight-knit community,” Mikschl says. “It’s easier to disseminate that information, while at a big convention center, there’s a lot more entities that are going to be working on the event. The quicker you can get information to the event management staff, the better off you are going to be.” vention center a success is the ability to project your needs well in advance, says Di Padova-Tannehill. If attendance rates are expected to increase during a certain year, or budget constraints are to be put into effect in the future, notifying a center ahead of time can help you get a better deal or bigger rebate. “If a venue or package works for you, try to rebook as soon as you can. They are going to be more willing to want you back, especially if it was a good fit for them too,” she says. First-time convention center users need a little more “hand-holding,” according to Philadelphia’s Guise. “There will be more components, especially if they are adding exhibit space or a big banquet for the first time,” Guise says. “We at the center have to educate and make it a lot easier for them.” Many planners’ first reaction to seeing a convention center may be negative, Mikschl says. Convention centers are designed to be an empty canvas to create whatever aesthetic is needed. However, that blank canvas can be used to a planner’s advantage, and the best strategy is to ask for whatever you want, even if you think it can’t be done, he says. Planners should expect convention centers to adapt to their needs as much as the planners themselves are required to adjust their expectations for a property. Everything from billing requirements to decorations can, and should, be customized. “Just because they don’t do it, and the hotels do, doesn’t mean the building couldn’t adjust their ways to better suit the needs of the customer,” Mikschl says. “A lot of groups do themselves a disservice by trying to remain in a hotel,” Mikschl says. “They think if they make that transition, their attendees will feel less comfortable, and they would be less likely to attend. But really, you may be stunting the growth of your event by not making that transition.” TAKING THE LEAP The key to making your first event at a con- don’t worry; you’re going to be ok Our diagnosis for a successful meeting is the combination of Knoxville’s “Meeting Docs” and world-class venues like the Knoxville Convention Center. Contact us today and let us prescribe the perfect remedy for your next event. 800-727-8045 • sales@Knoxville.org • www.Knoxville.org SEPTEMBER 2008 SUCCESSFUL MEETINGS http://www.Knoxville.org http://www.Knoxville.org
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