Posts tagged “meetings” (Page 2)

Organizing flights is an important aspect of putting together a corporate retreat or out of town event, especially if you have attendees coming in from different cities. Knowing when to expect flights to come in can help you streamline registration and check-in to your business events.

The Flight Status app for the iPhone can tell you the status of flights worldwide and it is supported by over 4300 airports. Know when to expect your attendees and help them book flights with ease using this helpful app.

To help plan your next out of town meeting, consult Meeting Services Unlimited. Our experienced staff can plan every detail of your event down to the invitations. Contact us online or call (317) 841-7171 to see what we can do for your next event.

Corporate events can give your business a boost in productivity and reputation. With the help of Meeting Services Unlimited, you can hold a successful event that your attendees will remember. We do all the planning so you don’t have to. Learn more on our website or call (317) 841-7171.

• Learn how to increase attendance at your next event with this article from About.com.

• Dummies.com has some tips on creating an effective business meeting.

• The rise of social media is explained in Soshable.com.

• Get more information about how technology can streamline business from Chron.com.

• Get ideas for your next corporate retreat from Fox Business.

It is good to learn that there is growth in this economy and that it is in our industry. The trade show industry is advancing which indicates companies are more confident than they have been in recent years.  Check out this article for more information.

Selecting the right location for your business’s events can bring in higher attendance and increased audience focus in your meetings. Some events allow you to get creative and choose exotic locations and others may require convention centers, conference rooms, and hotels. You have to consider what type of event you are holding to select the best location. Here are some tips on picking a great venue:

• Make Travel Considerations: A corporate retreat or out of town meeting is a great way to get employees excited about company events. However, it’s important to choose the right city for company travel. You will want to make sure that people can easily navigate the area, book convenient flights, and have business-appropriate accommodations.

• Book for the Size of Your Event: Holding an event in a large convention center or auditorium when only a small group of people is attending can give the impression of an unsuccessful event, not to mention being a waste of money. Know a rough estimate of how many attendees you will have before booking a venue.

• Keep the Mood in Mind: If you are holding a professional event, such as a meeting or seminar, then you will want a setting to reflect this, such as a conference room. However, more interactive events and casual functions can be in a variety of locations including a dining area or ballroom.

• Compare Costs: Shop around for the best deal when searching for a venue. There are many options available so you don’t have to spend your entire budget on the location alone. Hiring outside event planners can help you get the best deal on a venue.

If you are planning your company’s next event, then contact Meeting Services Unlimited. We specialize in organizing corporate meetings, seminars, trade shows, and other business-related events. Get more information on our website or call (317) 841-7171.

Getting the word out about your next business event is essential to increasing attendance and planning an effective meeting. There are many ways to notify employees about upcoming events, including social media, e-mail, and traditional printed brochures. No matter what medium you choose, there are some essential pieces of information that you should include. Below are some details that are a must in your brochure:

• Your event’s name: Naming your conference is important for people to understand what it’s all about. You want to make the name clear and put it on the front of your brochure as well as the name of the company.

• The logistics: This is the essential information that tells people where to go, when to arrive, and what the fees are. The location and time of your conference can make or break your event, so be sure to plan these details carefully.

• A detailed agenda: Lay out a clear schedule of every event included in your conference, even the non-business aspects like lunch. This will showcase the interesting activities that will draw out attendees and allow people to plan ahead of time.

• Overview of events: You should provide a brief explanation of the speakers and activities included in your conference as well as the goals of the event. Attendees can come better prepared if they know what to expect, which will help your activities start and end on time and stay on topic.

If you are planning your company’s next business event, then consult the experts at Meeting Services Unlimited. We can help you design effective brochures, plan exciting and goal-oriented events, pick a venue, and schedule speakers. Our unique, technological approach to meeting planning can make your next event a successful one. Learn more about us online or call (317) 841-7171.

Many companies are realizing the potential of using technology to streamline marketing, improve communications, and create interactive and engaging corporate events. There are several technological approaches you can take to enhance your next conference that you should consider.

• Social Media: Facebook and Twitter aren’t just for college students anymore. By creating a Facebook page for your event, you can increase attendance and save money on printing brochures. Twitter allows employees to communicate throughout conferences and share immediate feedback about event activities.

• Online Registration: Save time and resources by allowing your attendees to RSVP and register for events online. You can set up user-friendly secure login pages that allow access to event schedules and sign-ups, as well as links to the company website.

• Event Website: Let your employees and clients get the most out of your events by creating a website specifically dedicated to your event. You can provide links to marketing materials, an event floor plan, schedule of activities, and social media pages.

• E-mail Marketing: Utilizing e-mail is an effective way to reach your attendees and exhibitors. You can distribute promotional materials, link to online registration, explain live events, and advertise educational sessions for your event. Including a header with your company’s logo will increase recognition and you can even keep track of how many people have viewed your e-mail notifications to gauge general interest.

• Interactive Participation: With the use of handheld devices and laptops, attendees can have input and answer polls taken during large seminars and demonstrations. This keeps people interested, effectively distributes information, provides instant feedback, and increases general communication.  

Meeting Services Unlimited can organize all of the details of your company’s next event and help you include the latest technology to make your conferences and seminars successful. To learn more about us, visit our website or call (317) 841-7171.

Our recent blog posts have included information on how to incorporate raffles and contests into your next event, how to use social media during a conference, the benefits of working with a hotel negotiator for an event, and using a housing company to book your hotel. If you are looking for more information on these subjects, here is a list of resources:

• Incorporate social media into your next meeting or conference using these 11 ideas that work.

• If you’re on a budget, these raffle ideas are all under $50.

• Want to know more about hotel negotiation? These are the ABCs of Hotel Negotiation.

• This article has information on how to create raffle tickets online for free.

• The Center for Social Media has a great page purely devoted to using social media during a conference. Check it out here.

For help in planning a spectacular event, call Meeting Services Unlimited. at (317) 841-7171.

It is exciting to know that many hotels are analyzing how travelers prefer to workout. Those that have the in room workout options will see a return on their investment.

Planning an event where travel is involved can be difficult. A new Apple application called TripIt can help you organize your travels faster and more easily, so that you’re free to attend to the other aspects of the event.

To use TripIt, forward your booked itinerary to plans@tripit.com and the application automatically creates an itinerary that combines your travel plans with maps, driving directions, hotel reservations, and more, which can also be shared with others in your company or party. Tripit functions as your personal travel assistant so that you’re free to plan other logistics of your event, including organizing keynote speakers, lunches, contests, or raffles.

For help in throwing a spectacular event that your guests are sure to remember, call Meeting Services Unlimited, Inc. at (317) 841-7171. We’ll take care of all of the details so that you don’t have to! Call us today.

Social media can be instrumental while preparing for a large event or conference, but have you thought about the different ways social media can be used during a conference? Here are some innovative ways to incorporate social media into your next event.

Twitter

Real-time social media tool Twitter is quickly gaining popularity with use in business. At your next conference, invite attendees to join a Twitter feed using the hashtag to designate your event, for example, #tbex12. This feed will allow all online users to easily communicate with one another and contribute their thoughts to the discussion. During a conference, use Twitter innovatively by taking questions from the audience via Twitter, or, energize attendees by offering prizes through social media (ex: first attendee to Tweet a picture of their neighbor will win a gift!)

Facebook

Facebook pages are important tools that should not be overlooked. Use your Facebook page to get attendees excited before an event and work at growing your audience by posting interactive questions, taking a poll, sharing photos, or hosting contests. During an event, consider using your Facebook page during raffles. Make a list of your “likes” and in what order they are, and randomly select a number to give a prize away. You can also create a Facebook group made specifically for a conference, and allow participants to use the “chat” feature to discuss things with the group.

While Twitter and Facebook are heavy-hitters in the world of social media, try also to incorporate using other interactive websites, such as Foursquare, Google +, or MySpace.

For other creative ideas on how to incorporate social media into your next event or conference, call Meeting Services Unlimited at (317) 841-7171. Our friendly staff has years of experience in event planning and can help you make your next conference a huge success. Call today!