Successful Meetings - December 2007 - (Page 27)

MORE WAYS TO PLAY. SNOWMOBILING tion where people who are trying to do good are confused or working at crosspurposes. It is crucial to relate the charitable activity to the meeting content. Connect the company’s mission or product poses for your client. It is advisable to find an organization that has a demonstrated track record and a broad appeal. People want to connect with charitable organizations that are well-run and have low administrative overhead. Make sure that the gift fits the need. For example, if you are assembling care packages, find out whether or not the charity has ample and secure storage. The gift should not create a financial or logistical burden for the recipient organization. 5 2 Consider, first and foremost, the recipients. If the beneficiaries of the charitable donation are children, it may be tempting to have them at the meeting to receive the gifts, but it’s not always appropriate. While you want to have your meeting attendees see the direct results of their efforts, you do not want to make anyone feel uncomfortable, least of all the people you seek to help. Find out if the organization you’re planning for has links to charitable entities. You will have served multiple purSUCCESSFUL MEETINGS DECEMBER 2007 3 Seek assistance—there are a lot of logistics to consider. Ask a reputable DMC to help you navigate the challenge. Relax. Even though you are introducing what is likely a new concept, people will be receptive. 9 10 SKIING to the act of doing good in a community. Bear in mind that planning events such as these is not an easy task, but it carries far-reaching benefits—including increased ROI. Meeting attendees will leave feeling that they have personally contributed and that their company cares about more than the bottom line. 8 4 Molly Rothgery is the director of business development for the Philadelphia-based Destination Management Company GEP Philly. She can be reached at mrothgery@gepphilly.com. mimegasite.com 800-KEWADIN kewadin.com MACKINAC ISLAND Home Depot employees build a playground Seek to find matching donations in any way possible. If you are building bikes, see if the manufacturer will donate a bike for every two that you purchase to give to charity. If you are assembling hygiene kits for shelters, see if you can get products donated. If you need to have things delivered, see if a local courier service is willing to assist. ICE SKATING 7 SNOW TRAIN 6 http://kewadin.com http://kewadin.com http://mimegasite.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Successful Meetings - December 2007

Successful Meetings - December 2007 Contents Editor's Note Special Report Research Industry Trends 2008 Meeting Events Planner Spotlight Websites of the Month Mouth for Sale Technology Talk Food & Beverage Pre-Event On Site Pre-Event Tools of the Trade Goodbye, Booth Babes Five Tips to Improve Your Golf Events When Crime Pays Office for Hire More Miles for Your Money Places & Spaces South Florida Biloxi / Mississippi Gulf Coast Fort Worth Monterey Beijing Gurus Special Supplement: Hawaii Island-by-Island Guide

Successful Meetings - December 2007

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