With all the available options and directions for an event there is nothing more effective at bonding people, team building and creating a lasting impact than moments attendees can feel. There is abundant research to support the value of fun and entertainment. According to communications guru Dale Carnegie, “People rarely succeed unless they are having fun in what they are doing.” By creating an environment where people enjoy the time they spend at an event, you set a welcoming…
When it comes to creating menus not typical of the North American convention scene, look no further than chef Duff Lampard. The executive chef of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) in Toronto has more than 20 years of experience in some of the most renowned hotels across Canada. He has also worked in London, England where he brought to life exciting menus for renowned clients such as Chanel Paris, The National Gallery and Sir Richard Branson. He took…
Corporate lingo for “mind the planet” is constantly changing. Start feeling comfortable talking about “sustainability” and “CSR”, and suddenly it’s all about “carbon neutral” and “net zero.” As challenging as it can be to keep up, it is important for event professionals to stay on top of what these terms mean if they are to deliver value and avoid liabilities in the corporate event space. So what do you need to know to speak confidently about net zero? To begin,…
by Heather Reid As an entrepreneurial event planner since 1994, I’ve been through the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the SARS outbreak in 2003-2004 and the Great Recession of 2007-2008. After each of these crises, there was a palpable buzz in the industry about the importance of event contracts and balanced contract clauses, and yet each time, that buzz quickly took a “backseat” to the plethora of planners’ more pressing responsibilities. Now that we are all emerging from the…
2022 is ramping up with many eager to see a return to in-person events. Most are also leveraging the widespread improvements in technology and increased digital dexterity on the attendee side. This new digital confidence is unlocking the potential for wider reach, stronger networks and longer, more meaningful conversations. It’s also helping the events industry feel positive about its future and building confidence in creating impactful and measurable hybrid experiences. Many have taken on the challenge of merging digital…
Over the last two years, everything has moved online. Our commutes to offices have been replaced with working from home computers; dining out has been replaced with Uber Eats orders or at-home meal boxes; and even in the world of events – an industry grounded in bringing people together – has had to transition online too. From hosting virtual meetings, cooking with famous chefs, attending galas… the list can go on and on. But despite the progression we’ve made…
Writing great proposals is not rocket science. But too often we try to short cut the process. If you follow these four simple steps you will be successful with your proposals. 1) Understand the prospect’s needs. This means extensive discovery sessions. Before you can build a proposal, you need to know the prospect’s specific goals. Are they sales? Is it about building brand awareness? Is it a PR or GR move? Perhaps it is about employee engagement. Perhaps it…
Business leaders have a problem. On one hand, their workforces are saying that they are tired of Zoom meetings and feeling isolated as they work from home, and mostly, that they miss the human connection. Leaders miss connecting with their teams in person too. But, on the other hand, employees are not keen to rush back to five days a week, 9-5pm office setting with crammed commuting and cold corporate cubicles. So how do leaders reconcile this problem? How do…
Historically major events have spiked huge investment by the hosts and bring about the construction of new venues and infrastructure, and while in recent times efforts have been made to limit the environmental impact, construction always has some impact. After all, the most sustainable event is the one that doesn’t build anything. Hosting a major sporting event, such as the Olympics or FIFA World Cup is notoriously controversial, whereby the hosting prestige can, and often is, outweighed by substantial…
If you made it through the last two years and still have your company and team intact, then you are still standing and are ready to take on what is happening in our industry. The work is coming in harder, faster and with staggering momentum and we will need to learn to ride the wave. Our team decided early on that we would never call (whatever was to come) a tsunami, but that’s exactly what it is. For more…
