Successful Meetings - May 2008 - (Page 51)

MAGNIFICENT SEVEN AGA IAAPA PBCBA SEMA NBTA THE Top Association Meetings ACFAS ASAE Behind the scenes at these awesome association events By Ben Chapman Ever wish you could be a fly on the wall, learning the secrets of successful association events? Here’s your chance. Successful Meetings identified seven exceptional association events held around the country and quizzed the event planners to find out what made the meetings work. Some of the events faced challenges common to many, and others took creative steps to address unusual circumstances, but all of them succeeded in the eyes of show managers and attendees. And everyone agrees that effective meetings are critical to associations’ success. “Meetings are the one opportunity for associaSUCCESSFUL MEETINGS MAY 2008 mimegasite.com tions to communicate with members, face to face. From a communications standpoint, it’s the linchpin of their efforts,” says Helena Lehman, vice president at Leading Authorities, a speakers bureau and event company based in Washington DC. “And, associations also value meetings for financial reasons. They’re a source of non-dues revenue and a big fundraising opportunity.” Meetings are where the rubber hits the road for many associations, serving as a communications medium and a revenue generator. Success in this arena is of paramount importance. So why not take a page from the playbook of these successful events? 51 http://mimegasite.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Successful Meetings - May 2008

Successful Meetings - May 2008
Contents
Editor's Note
Industry Trends
Destination News
Destination News
Suppliers
Destination News
Calendar
On the Record
Websites of the Month
Management Matters
Mouth for Sale
Meetings Law
Planner's Spotlight
Pre-Event
On Site
Tools of the Trade
Pre-Event
Counting Change
Giving Them the Business
The Magnificent Seven
All-American Gift Guide
Green Lights
Places & Spaces
Anaheim & Orange County
Upstate New York
Cincinnati
Detroit
San Diego
Phoenix
Gurus

Successful Meetings - May 2008