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Lessons from the Trenches,
by Timothy Schneider,
Publisher, Association News
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 Los
Angeles, CA – August 2016 / Newsmaker Alert / As
the planners of Meetings Quest,
the nation’s longest-running series of trade shows and educational conferences
for meeting planners, we have the opportunity to practice what is oftentimes
preached in the pages of this
magazine. Because the attendees are a mix of meeting planners and hospitality
industry professionals, we know better than to take shortcuts when planning
Meetings Quest. Having just held Meetings Quest in Bloomington, Minnesota—an
event that received overwhelmingly positive reviews from attendees and
exhibitors—we asked and answered five key questions that every meeting
planner would do well to consider.
1.
Is your agenda allowing attendees to experience the destination where your
meeting is being held? Meetings Quest attendees enjoyed a welcome to
our host city that included a chartered sunset cruise on the mighty Mississippi
River. For ideas on how to showcase a host destination, be sure to contact
the DMO in the city where your meeting is being held for ideas and suggestions.
The DMO will typically make several suggestions, provide its services for
free and can recommend off-site activities that will not break your group’s
budget.
2.
How does your host hotel and primary meeting venue stack up against the
competition? The host hotel for Meetings Quest was the JW Marriott
Minneapolis Mall of America, which just opened last fall. Our attendees
really enjoyed being at such a new hotel. If you’re considering a hotel
that’s been open for a while, ask about any plans for renovations and updates
so that you can schedule your event in a way that provides your attendees
with a new and fresh experience.
3.
Is your programming timely? With news headlines focusing on terror
attacks and the Zika virus, an educational session on event crisis management
and security led by “Association Doctor” Steven Hacker was especially timely
and very highly rated at Meetings Quest. A separate session on the increasing
use of drones at events featured Jennifer Hoff of Taffy Event Strategies.
Be sure you perform a “timeliness scan” as you prepare your event’s educational
program.
4.
What can you do to increase productivity for attendees and exhibitors alike?
At Meetings Quest, we overlay a traditional trade-show format with an app-based
system for requesting appointments in the exhibitors’ booths. We believe
this approach provides the best way to facilitate meaningful and productive
conversations between buyers and sellers.
5.
Is it time to promote a family-friendly meeting? Many associations
would be well served to create additional spouse and family programs for
their meetings. I had the opportunity for my wife and younger son to join
me in Bloomington as I knew what a family-friendly destination Bloomington
is. (At the center of the 4.2 million-square-foot Mall of America is the
Nickelodeon Universe, a seven-acre indoor amusement park.)
Please
look for the complete photo report from Meetings Quest in Bloomington in
next month’s issue. For additional information about upcoming Meetings
Quest events, please see
the ad on page 11, call 877-577-3700 or visit MeetingsQuest.com.
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 Timothy
Schneider is the publisher of Association
News and SportsTravel
magazines, which serve group travel planners responsible for generating
106 million hotel room nights annually. Schneider
Publishing also organizes Meetings
Quest, America's longest-running series of trade shows for meeting
planners, and the TEAMS Conference
& Expo, the world’s largest gathering of sports-event organizers.
TEAMS ’16 will be held September 26–29, 2016, in Atlantic City. For further
information on advertising or sponsorship opportunities, please call toll-free
877-577-3700 or 310-577-3700 if calling from outside the United States.
The
current issue of Association
News can be viewed in digital format online by clicking
here.
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Media
Contact:
Timothy
Schneider
310-577-3700
Schneider
Publishing Company, Inc. |
