Expert Advice

Running Your Business

We’re Only as Good as Our Last Event
03/22/11
In an industry filled with many talented planners and designers readily available for the asking, “striving to be the best” is a phrase that can get old pretty quickly. For creative businesses, staying ahead of the trends and showcasing innovation on a...
Economizing without Agonizing: 20 Tips to Stretch Your Planning Dollar
03/16/11
In January, PKF Hospitality Research published results of a survey sponsored by Convention South Magazine. Of the 148 planners responding, nearly 32% said that they will be planning more meetings in 2011 than in 2010. And 37% said that they expected...
How to Tweet without Being a Twerp
03/7/11
Do you have a Twitter account? If you have a Facebook business page, it seems that acquiring a Twitter account is the next item on the social media checklist. Do you know why you have a Twitter account (other than the fact that everyone is telling you...

Open Forum

Mentoring the Millennials
03/11/11
Aging Baby Boomers working longer means more age disparity in the workplace, making it more likely you could end up working with and mentoring a Millennial: those born roughly between the mid 70s and early 2000s. Channeling this generation’s skills...
Define 'Good'
01/25/11
I once worked with a woman who was touted as a fabulous chef. When it came to potlucks in the office, Susan G’s creations (I won’t name names but you know who you are and why I love you) were always the first to go. I’d like to say that the reason her...

Event Trends/New Ideas

The Business of Growing Green
03/4/11
The growing emphasis on “green” business practices has many meeting and event planners around Arizona wondering whether it’s possible to rely on locally based food producers for the meals, appetizers and snacks that are often the centerpiece of an event...
Oh, Honey
03/1/11
Pink–technically “honeysuckle” pink–is apparently THE color for 2011 according color experts at Pantone. Most color trends pop up across many industries, including fashion and décor, so you can count on honeysuckle showing up at events.“It’s like the...
What Does Green Really Mean? Give Me More than Lip Service
01/31/11
It’s the fashionable thing to do today---going green. I’ve seen t-shirts telling me to “Go Green,” “Think Green” and that “Being Green is Sexy.” I’ve heard that my LBD (little black dress) should be replaced because “green is the new black.” There’s good...
You’re Invited! The Guests’ Experience Starts with the Arrival of the Invitation
02/21/11
Who among us doesn’t love getting a beautiful invitation in the mail? The anticipation and excitement as you make your way from the mailbox, oohing and ahhing over the calligraphy, admiring how the stamp so perfectly coordinates with the envelope and...
Valentine’s Day: Lovey Dovey or Stupid Cupid
02/14/11
It’s Valentine’s Day. Again. Love it or hate it, there it is … every February 14th. No one knows for certain where or when it really started but you can probably put some of the blame on those pesky ancient Romans because one legend has it that the love...