Your regional industry News & Views.
Winter 2011
Expect the unexpected: thinking on your feet. Fundraising: don’t spend so much to raise that money.
Measuring engagement: what does that even mean? Planner’s life: conference-”ists” you know. Speaker perspective: why are you trying to ruin his suit?
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SUSAN MCLANE, a 20+-year meeting professional at Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. YESTERDAY’S MILITARY TRAINING OVERCOMES TOMORROW’S WAR STORIES!
by Serenity J. Banks
The Inbox: Letter From the Editor
WINTER 2011 Published by Hennen Publishing Randy Hennen
Editor Serenity J. Banks Serenity@MidwestMeetings.com
Please send press releases to:
I am, therefore I can.
Editor@MidwestMeetings.com
Office Manager Susan Zafft Susan@MidwestMeetings.com
Circulation/Subscription Department Circ@MidwestMeetings.com
I
n my inbox each day, I find a number of links to a variety of leadership-oriented blogs and online columns. Recently, I clicked my way to a guest post on the blog of a highly re-
garded publishing executive. The post was written by an entry-level professional who shared
her “Thoughts on Leadership From Someone Who Is Led,” and it stopped me in my tracks.
Art Director
What should have struck me were the author’s unique insights into the valuable characteris-
Amy Hennen Amy@MidwestMeetings.com
tics of past leaders who have taught her, inspired her, and aided in her personal and professional
Sales Director
development. Instead, what struck me were the first words of her post: “I’m only twenty-seven.”
Steve Van Maanen Steve@MidwestMeetings.com
What a hold-back qualifier, that “only” word. And how often do the rest of us use that word
Sales Manager Becky Sheets Becky@MidwestMeetings.com
to limit ourselves? To minimize our accomplishments, our capabilities, or our potential? When offered an opportunity, how reflexively do we respond, “but I’m only…”? Just a few weeks ago, I was on the phone with a company’s communications intern, chitchat-
A special “thank you” to all those who contributed to this issue’s articles:
ting about social media marketing for events. She mentioned a few aspects she wished her com-
Shadia Cook Heidi Fendos Justin Locke Lara McCulloch-Carter Patrick Payne Kirsty Pitkin Cindy Shanholtz Thom Singer Deanna Tassoni Linda Leier Thomason Nannette Vilushis Robert Ware Midwest Meetings® is a registered trademark owned by Hennen Publishing. Midwest Meetings is published by Hennen Publishing. 302 6th Street W, Brookings, SD 57006 800-288-8510 Fax: 605-692-9031 Info@MidwestMeetings.com www.MidwestMeetings.com Hennen Publishing reserves the right to reject or edit any manuscripts received for publication.
“Well, I’m only here until January, so I’m not really the one to change things here.” Looking
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
back, I wish she’d said, “Well, I am here until January, so I can change things while I’m here.” In a struggling economy and a challenged industry, how often do we as individuals diminish our capacity to learn or to do or to make a difference? In our own individual imperatives to keep America meeting, how often do we hold ourselves back from doing what we know we can do just because we haven’t done it yet? What if, going into 2012, we make a New Year’s resolution to replace the words “but I’m only” with the words “I am”? I’m willing to bet there’ll be an “and I can” soon to follow.
Grand Wayne Convention Center Michael Coffeen 120 W Jefferson Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46802 260-426-4100 • Fax: 260-420-9080 www.grandwayne.com • michaelc@grandwayne.com • 250-room connecting, full-service Courtyard by Marriott • 250-room attached, full-service, Hilton Ft. Wayne Hotel • 18 meeting rooms • 80,000 sq. ft. of meeting space • 50,000 sq. ft. largest meeting room • Reception capacity: 7,000 • Onsite and nearby restaurants • Golf courses nearby
With 225,000 sq. ft. of flexible space, Grand Wayne Convention Center offers a 50,000 sq. ft. carpeted, multi-purpose exhibit hall, two elegant ballrooms, 18 meeting rooms, 30,000 sq. ft. of public areas, a 12,000 sq. ft. kitchen with the capacity to serve 3,000 guests in a single banquet setting and the power and expertise to connect, coordinate and create any event. Other features include individually climate-controlled meeting rooms; automated, remote, dimmable lighting; theater-quality sound system; drop screens with remote operation; data and telecommunications in every room; and wireless and wired options throughout.
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
Meet in the Midwest
Questions, comments or suggestions? Email Serenity@MidwestMeetings.com.
Fort Wayne, IN
Postmaster: Send address changes to 302 6th Street W, Brookings, SD 57006 Midwest Meetings welcomes all unsolicited material. Volume 19: Issue 5 © 2011 Midwest Meetings. All rights reserved. Reproduction without written permission is prohibited.
pany would implement, and I offered to send her a link to a relevant case study. Her response:
1
Midwest Meetings ••••••••••• Winter 2011
Table of Contents Departments
Features
01|
18|
The Inbox: Letter From the Editor I am, therefore I can.
People You’ll Meet at a Conference Do they remind you of anyone you know?
by Serenity J. Banks
by Thom Singer
Industry Insites: The Web Roundup
14
06| 08| 10| 12| 13|
Expansions/Renovations
20|
Lower Your Fundraising Event Costs Are you using effective online tools?
Planner’s Life
by Nannette Vilushis
Technology/Solutions Expect the Unexpected
22|
How to Measure Engagement And what does that even mean?
by Kirsty Pitkin
Do you have a Plan B, C, D?
by Deanna Tassoni
Ask the Expert How can you support your local
24|
Why Are You Trying to Ruin My Suit? A look at your event from the other side.
bureau?
by Justin Locke
by Shadia Cook
22
14|
How Did You Get Here? Yesterday’s military training
26|
overcomes tomorrow’s war stories!
Costs vs. Benefits Meeting planning from a project management perspective.
by Robert Ware
by Linda Leier Thomason
28|
Tech Notes: Event Planning Tools Megalist
30|
All at your fingertips…
A Day in the Life of a Wedding Planner Does this sound like your Monday schedule?
by Lara McCulloch-Carter
by Cindy Shanholtz
32|
Put an End to Boring Sessions 15 ways mobile event applications turn them into dynamic interactive experiences.
by Patrick Payne
28 2
32
34|
The Ten Commandments of Event Entertainment What have you done lately?
by Deanna Tassoni
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
© 2011, City of Madison
Midwest Meetings ••••••••••• Winter 2011
Table of Contents
(continued)
CVBs 62| 70| 80| 87| 90|
CVBs: This Way In... to Your Next Midwest Destination! CVB Heroes Can they save the day for you?
by Shadia Cook
DMAP: Establishing Excellence Who’s accredited?
FAQs on CVBs Common questions answered.
Planner’s Diary Part I: The Mankato Marathon
112|
It’s a run to the finish!
97| Ahead of the Curve: Mobile Apps for Meetings 103|
114|
The Value of a CVB
117|
Can you count the ways?
by Shadia Cook
109| 5 Ways a CVB Can Help
122|
111| 5 More Ways a CVB Can Help
133|
What Does a CVB Do? The inside scoop on meeting destinations.
Did You Know: Grant Programs for Events Are you taking advantage?
Promotion, Anyone? CVBs get you more than media.
Getting Out the Word Are CVBs reaching you via social media?
by Heidi Fendos
Top 5 Reasons to Use a CVB What are you waiting for?
Meet In... 36|
Michigan
48|
Find them here... Amway Hotel Corporation ........................................42-43 Ann Arbor Area CVB ....................................................38 Bay Harbor Village Hotel & Conference Center................47 Bay Pointe Inn Lakefront Resort .......................................47 Discover Kalamazoo .....................................................88 Greater Lansing CVB .....................................................89 Holiday Inn West Bay Traverse City.................................46 Holland CVB ............................................................44-45 The Inn at St. Johns........................................................47 Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center.................................39 Little River Casino Resort ................................................46 Mackinaw Area Visitors Bureau .....................................47 MotorCity Casino Hotel.............................................40-41 Stafford’s Bay View Inn .................................................46 Stafford’s Perry Hotel .....................................................46
Left page: Presque Isle Park in Marquette This page top: Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Below: Detroit skyline
Michigan
w w w. M i c h i g a n . o r g
Akron/Summit CVB ..................................................113 Ashland Area CVB .....................................................61 Bowling Green CVB/Bowling Green State University.....50 Cherry Valley Lodge ...................................................60 Clinton County CVB ....................................................52 Crowne Plaza Cleveland Airport .................................60 East Liverpool Tourism Bureau .....................................61 Great Wolf Lodge.................................................56, 57 Greater Licking County CVB ........................................54 Grove City Visitors Bureau ..........................................61 Hocking Hills Tourism Assn. .................................54, 112 Holiday Inn Express Akron South .................................51 Holiday Inn Express Columbus/Polaris Parkway ...........51 Holiday Inn Express New Philadelphia .........................51 Holiday Inn Mansfield.................................................51 Holiday Inn Mentor ....................................................51 Holiday Inn Worthington ............................................51 Kalahari Waterpark Resort Convention Center........58, 59 Kings Island Resort & Conference Center......................60 Lake County Visitors Bureau ........................................61 Lake Erie Shores & Islands Welcome Center .................53 Lima/Allen County CVB ..............................................55 Miami County VCB .....................................................55
Ohio
Top left page: Toledo Zoo, Toledo This page top: Lake Erie shoreline, photo credit: Ohio Tourism Division Middle: Great Serpent Mound in southwest Ohio, photo credit: Ohio Tourism Division Bottom: Columbus skyline, photo credit: Ohio Tourism Division
w w w. D i s c o v e r O h i o . c o m
So Much To Discover.
Pure Michigan
S
tart planning your Ohio getaway, and take advantage of adventurous nights and dazzling days. Whatever your group’s idea
B
of fun, Ohio has more than one trip’s worth full of excitement, activities, history, heritage, culture, and attractions to fill an
ring your group to Michigan and discover pure, Up North adventure in some of the most beautiful settings the Upper Peninsula
action-packed group tour itinerary or a low-key break from the meeting pace. Known as a state rich in contemporary move-
has to offer your meeting groups. Explore the state’s automotive heritage, the area’s singular lakefront destinations and natural
ments and boasting a “Gateway State” reputation thanks to its roads, rails, and canals connecting its infrastructure to the best of
wonders, a wide array of gardens and parks, and unique lighthouse excursions like no others. Take advantage of the luxury
the surrounding Midwest landscapes, Ohio is an in-road to anywhere you want to meet. Today, Ohio’s resources include a wealth
and relaxation of the Great Lakes Region’s charming communities in the eighth most populous state in the US, featuring a sugar-sand shoreline named one of the 25 best in the world by Condé Nast Traveler. Home of industry and recreation alike, featuring business
of plentiful options to inspire the minds and hearts of your attendees in an atmosphere that helped shape the American way of life
and pleasure options everywhere you turn, Michigan has the appeal to move your attendees in any direction you want to go.
for future generations.
36
Winter 2011 33-48.indd 36
4
Find them here...
Ohio
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
11/4/11 3:11 PM
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
Winter 2011 33-48.indd 37
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
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48
Winter 2011 33-48.indd 48
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
11/4/11 3:11 PM
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
Winter 2011 49-64.indd 49
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
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11/4/11 3:17 PM
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
• Two city blocks with 225,000 square feet of flexible, innovative space. • Hundreds of meeting and convention configurations and combinations. • Superior technology throughout. • Spacious, versatile, and well-appointed pre-function areas. • Food and beverage service for up to 3,000 guests in a single setting. • 500 connected, comfortably appointed, guestrooms and suites. • Quick access to amenities and entertainments: ballpark, theaters, botanical gardens, museums, galleries, hiking and biking trails, zoo, pubs and fine dining. Find out more:
grandwayne.com | 260.426.4100
GWCC-MdwstMtgs11 7.375x9.875.indd 1 WWW .MIDWESTM EETINGS.COM
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
5
1/4/11 3:19 PM
Industry Insites: The Web Roundup Expansions/Renovations
The latest headlines and happenings from online industry sources. Visit MidwestMeetings.com for links to the full stories and much, much more!
Virgin Hotels Announces
Marriott Mint Program
St. Cloud’s Expanded River’s
First Property
Invests Millions in St. Louis
Edge Convention Center on
More than a year after its highly pub-
The St. Louis Marriott West an-
licized brand launch, Virgin Hotels an-
nounces a multi-million dollar renova-
As construction for the extensive ex-
nounced it purchased the Old Dearborn
tion adding a modern fresh look and
pansion at St. Cloud’s River’s Edge Con-
Bank Building in downtown Chicago,
expanded hotel amenities. Located on
vention Center progresses on schedule,
IL. Virgin will reopen the former office
lakefront property near Lambert Airport,
convention and event bookings for 2012
building as the 250-room Virgin Hotel
the St. Louis Marriott West is participat-
are now being accepted. River’s Edge is
Chicago in Fall 2013.
ing in the “Marriott Mint” program.
set to officially open this December.
hotelnewsnow.com
prlog.org
Schedule
granitecountry.com
Pabst Brewery Buildings to be
Hyatt Regency Indianapolis
Historic Park Inn Hotel
Brewhouse Inn & Suites
Guestroom Renovation
Reopened in Mason City
Groundbreaking was held for con-
Hyatt Regency Indianapolis recently
The Historic Park Inn Hotel, the only
struction on The Brewhouse Inn &
began a $19 million guestroom transfor-
remaining hotel designed by famed ar-
Suites in Milwaukee, WI. The project
mation. With completion anticipated for
chitect Frank Lloyd Wright, reopened
will be a re-use of part of the Pabst Brew-
January 2012, the hotel will feature the
in August in downtown Mason City, IA,
ery into a 90-room hotel and restaurant.
newest guestrooms and suites in the city.
following an $18 million renovation.
fox6now.com
6
hotel-online.com
visitmasoncityiowa.com
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Cedar Rapids Breaks Ground
Chicago Hotels Pledge $500
Crowne Plaza Cleveland City
on Convention Complex
Million Refurbishment to
Centre Hotel Plans $64 Million
Attract Tradeshows
Renovation
The City of Cedar Rapids, IA is building a new downtown convention com-
Recently, a group of Chicago hotels
Optima Ventures and Sage Hospitality
plex, which includes the renovation of
pledged to make more than $500 million
have partnered to purchase the Crowne
the attached U.S. Cellular Center arena
worth of improvements to their facilities
Plaza Cleveland City Centre. They will
and the former Crowne Plaza Five Sea-
to help boost the city’s convention and
convert the property into a 481-room
sons Hotel. The complex will be com-
exhibition industry. The announcement
Westin. The hotel will undergo more
pleted in Spring 2013 and will include a
follows a resolution between conven-
than $64 million in upgrades, including
renovated 238-room hotel.
tion center executives and union lead-
the complete remodel of all guestrooms.
ers about new work rules at McCormick
cedar-rapids.com
hotel-online.com
Place. exhibitionworld.co.uk
$22 Million Conventions
Radisson Blu to Make U.S.
Expansion at Kalahari Resort in
Debut in Chicago
Sandusky
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel in Chicago
Amway Grand Plaza Hotel
Ohio’s largest convention center re-
Celebrates 30th Anniversary
is the brand’s first hotel in the US. Oc-
sort is getting even larger. A $22 million
The Amway Grand Plaza Hotel has
cupying the first 18 floors of the 81-story
expansion will more than double the size
been instrumental in the revitalization of
Aqua Tower, a block off Lake Shore
of the Kalahari Convention Center in
downtown Grand Rapids, MI. A celebra-
Drive, the 334-room hotel includes
Sandusky, expected to open December
tion took place in September to mark its
28,000 sq. ft. of meetings space, includ-
2011 with a 120,000 sq. ft. addition.
30-year anniversary.
ing a 12,000 sq. ft. ballroom.
kalahariresorts.com
woodtv.com
travelweekly.com
Keep yourself up to date by making MidwestMeetings.com your home page. Our content lineup changes constantly - check back throughout the day!
MidwestMeetings.com WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
7
Industry Insites: The Web Roundup Planner’s Life
The latest headlines and happenings from online industry sources. Visit MidwestMeetings.com for links to the full stories and much, much more!
Shortcuts Can Short-Circuit
How to Become the #1 Tweeter
Guru Keeps Planners Tuned in
Corporate Event Effectiveness
at a Conference
to Technology
Instant
coffee.
Instant
messages.
In 2010, at MPI WEC, I unknowingly
Calling Dan Parks an early adapter is
Emails that circle the globe with the
became the #1 tweeter when I had no
a serious understatement. Parks has de-
click of a mouse. We’ve come to expect
cell phone access and only Wi-Fi. The
voted his career to being ahead of the
everything in an instant. When it comes
side benefits were hyper-networking by
technology curve. Parks is president and
to corporate event planning, many com-
meeting people and gaining fans and
creative director for Corporate Planners
panies also expect instant results.
trust with people I didn’t meet.
Unlimited.
blog.cvent.com
The Headaches of Doing It Yourself You program your meetings, decide your catering, perfect your invitation lists, plan your seating arrangements, set up your venues, book your own speakers, and work all day and all night to pull off your perfect event. midwestmeetings.com
8
engage365.org
travelmarketreport.com
What Makes Social Event
Jury Duty Through the Lens of
Planners Different
an Event Planner
Social event planners typically man-
Three decades, a half dozen summons-
age weddings, anniversaries and so on.
es, and I’ve managed to sidestep this civ-
Social event planners interact with indi-
ic duty every time. My employer would
viduals, couples and many other people
send a letter and I would be excused. A
- all of whom have the vision of their
few weeks ago, the next summons ar-
perfect event.
rived, but now I’m a solo-preneur.
institute-of-event-management.com
blog.cvent.com
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Event Planning: Proving Your
How to Manage Expectations to
Corporate Event ROI: 5
Value to Senior Management
Avoid Negative Event Coverage
Elements to Consider
This week I have a very interesting
You don’t need a complicated social
Five elements to consider include Pro-
assignment: I’m facilitating a continuing
media policy full of legalese to mitigate
motion, Sales, Team Engagement, Client
education workshop for training and de-
against this risk. You just need one web
Appreciation, and Employee Apprecia-
velopment professionals at a university.
page or blog post, written in straightfor-
tion. From product launches, advertising
You see, long before I became involved
ward language, explaining what you’re
initiatives that include events, and trade
in event planning, I was a training and
doing, how participants can engage, and
shows, it’s possible to tally the number of
development professional.
how they can get help if they need it.
leads and inquiries.
blog.cvent.com
viktorix.com
blog.cvent.com
A Behind-the-Scenes Look At
Gen X and Gen Y: Growth in the
A Wedding Planner’s Top Tips
An Event Planner’s Behind-the-
Meeting Planning Industry
for Cutting Your Budget
The future of meeting planning is in
If you’re overwhelmed by the seem-
“Do you want round tables?” the jani-
the hands of younger planners who are
ingly endless list of costs associated with
tor asked. My first thought was, Does it
enthusiastic about their careers and ea-
the Big Day, you’re not alone. With eco-
matter? But Charissa Bowditch, program
ger to bring change to the industry. They
nomic recovery still on shaky ground,
coordinator for the Department of Con-
may belong to a generation that lives
brides are spending less today than they
tinuing Education, treated the question
and works in cyberspace, but these young
did two years ago, according to BRIDES
seriously. We look in on a room for the
planners agree with older colleagues that
magazine’s 2011 American Wedding
speakers, and she scrutinizes the room.
face-to-face get-togethers are crucial.
Study.
Scenes Work
kstatecollegian.com
hotelsforhope.org
mint.com
Keep yourself up to date by making MidwestMeetings.com your home page. Our content lineup changes constantly - check back throughout the day!
MidwestMeetings.com WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
9
Industry Insites: The Web Roundup Technology/Solutions
The latest headlines and happenings from online industry sources. Visit MidwestMeetings.com for links to the full stories and much, much more!
12+ Meetings Technology
5 Tips for Using Google+ for
Trends to Watch for 2012
Your Event Marketing and
The rate of technology change is in-
Planning
ECTC Pods Entice Planners Event Camp Twin Cities spread its wings from Minneappolis, MN to en-
creasing. Meeting and tradeshow tech-
While it is still early days in the lifes-
compass live participants in Amsterdam,
nology continues to advance with prod-
pan of Google+ we’ve identified five
Philadelphia, Toronto, Vancouver, Sili-
ucts becoming better, cheaper and easier
ways you can use it as part of your event
con Valley, and two corporate sites. The
to use. Innovation is bubbling with new
marketing and even for planning. Not to
amazing feat was accomplished through
options. Here are some of the major
mention impressing all your colleagues
the use of remote pods, a format that is
technology trends to watch.
with your social savvy.
gaining interest among event planners.
corbinball.com
Why Twitter Lists Matter Have you ever seen that little area
blog.eventsforce.com
icon-presentations.com
App Tells You Which LinkedIn
Twitter Marketers Get Event
Connections Are in the Room
Planners
on your profile where it says how many
Sonar, a new app that tells you which
There’s no shortage of companies
times you’ve been listed? Have you ever
of your Foursquare, Twitter and Face-
claiming to help businesses in the world
wondered what that’s for? Twitter lists
book friends are in a room, is treading
of social networking. The CEO of Bume-
are really important, though often over-
into the professional world as it adds data
Box argued that what those businesses
looked on the site.
from LinkedIn.
really need isn’t just another widget.
lizkingevents.com
10
mashable.com
adweek.com
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
New Online Tool for Analyzing
Using Google Sites to Manage
StarCite and Experient Launch
and Mitigating Event Risks
Meetings and Events
MeetingComplete
According to Bryan Warren, COO of
Google Apps provide a full suite of
MeetingComplete is an innovative
Direct Event Insurance, “the event orga-
collaboration tools such as email, calen-
service and technology bundle that com-
nizer should be careful to think about all
dar and online document sharing. But
bines the benefits of Experient’s Strategic
the perils and the ‘what can go wrongs’
did you know that using Google Apps
Meetings Management (SMM) strategy,
ahead of time. Classic risk management
you can create a project management
implementation, and sourcing services
provides four alternatives to dealing with
website for your meetings, conferences
with StarCite’s industry-leading meet-
risk. Most common is to eliminate expo-
and events? It is called Google Sites.
ings management technology platform.
sure and avoid it altogether.”
meetingplannertoolkit.com
starcite.com
digitaljournal.com
The Way to Engage Attendees
Group Messaging Will Replace
7 Ways to Improve Your Event
Social Media
Planning With Facebook
Interactive technology at events is
Apparently, by 2014, mobile web us-
From professional event producers to
changing by the minute, so writing an
age will top desktop web usage. The near
volunteer committee members, event
article about the latest and greatest is
ubiquity of mobile devices and the cost-
planners see Facebook as a must-have.
risky at best. But we’ll give it a go, with
effectiveness of mobile apps and plat-
How can Facebook give a boost to your
the help of André Mika at event market-
forms are quickly replacing social media
next event? We spoke with a few ex-
ing agency TBA Global. Hot at the mo-
with group messaging. What exactly is
perts on using the world’s largest social
ment? Location-based services and QR
group messaging? Set up a group from
network for event planning. Read on for
codes.
your contacts and send a message.
their pro tips.
ip-telephony.tmcnet.com
updatefrom.com
mashable.com
Keep yourself up to date by making MidwestMeetings.com your home page. Our content lineup changes constantly - check back throughout the day!
MidwestMeetings.com WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
11
Expect the Unexpected P
by Deanna Tassoni
Do you have a Plan B, C, D…?
lans, plans, plans. Many of us got into the meeting and event
how to perform surgery on clothing, access a backup system, and
industry because we’re good at planning. Whether it is plan-
produce alternate entertainment. So what happens to our story?
ning floral arrangements, menus, itineraries, or entertain-
Armed with useful knowledge about how to change a tire,
ment schedules for meetings, we all make plans. That’s what we do.
our agent got out of her rental car and searched for the tire iron
That’s why we’re called planners!
and spare. The brand-new vehicle, however, came with its parts
Recently, I was reminded how much plans can change.
screwed in too tightly for her to get them loose in order to perform
One of my company’s agents was traveling to a client’s event in a
her roadside repair without assistance.
remote part of Canada. On-time arrival at her destination involved the coordination of travel by plane, ferry, and rental car. Before
3. Know where to find help.
When meeting and event planners find themselves in situations
leaving, she carefully ran through the what-if scenarios in case her
beyond their control, it’s time to call in backup. Are your cowork-
flight was delayed. She went through all the details to ensure a
ers and clients on your side? Are they willing to pull extra hours,
foolproof backup plan. As I went home for the weekend, she got on
take care of messy situations, and be your knight in shining armor?
a plane and began her journey.
If you don’t have anyone who falls under this category, I suggest you
You’re probably already rolling your eyes. After all, nobody wants to hear about plans that went without a hitch. Where’s the fun in that?
find someone - immediately! Luckily, some of the ticketing, technology, and website gurus we partner with were staying at a hotel within our agent’s proximity.
Which brings me to my first point:
Much to her surprise, they even answered her phone call in the
1. Things go wrong.
middle of the night. Clearly, answering 2:00 a.m. distress calls goes
If this is news to you, this is probably your first day on the job.
above and beyond the duty of any client. Within a short time, help
The rest of us are pretty used to change. Event planners are not
had arrived to our stranded agent. With a little elbow grease, she
only good planners - they’re good reactors. We may have a backup
was able to get back on the road and made her flight home - with
plan to fix a problem before it begins, or we may need to react to
time to spare.
the problem as it happens, fixing it as we go. Either way, the nature
The moral of the story: things go wrong. Be prepared for any-
of the job rests upon problem-solving. Call it Murphy’s law, call it
thing, and make sure you have backup. That way, you can always be
life, call it whatever you want - problems happen.
ready and waiting to impress your clients with your innate ability to
So my coworker was traveling home from the long weekend,
expect the unexpected.
relieved that it was coming to a close. She’d arrived at her destination, performed her job, packed up, and was in the car driving
Deanna Tassoni is the marketing and social media coordinator for
to the airport. Just when one would think all was well, her rental
entertainmentBuy™, a full-service event production company dedicated
car blew a tire. Smack-dab in the middle of nowhere, too early for
to providing meeting and event planners with entertainment services. As
any businesses in a rural town to be open to ask for help, she was
a source for booking big-name talent for corporate and private events,
stranded.
entertainmentBuy™ negotiates, contracts, and handles all aspects of live
2. A good planner is always prepared.
entertainment. Deanna integrates her passion for music with her love of
They carry sharpies and safety pins. They have their files backed
marketing. Creating social media strategy and implementation processes,
up on their computers, and they know that talent sometimes has
she ensures that entertainmentBuy, along with its clients, stay on the
to back out of an engagement. So when a dress rips, a computer
forefront of social media and inbound marketing opportunities. Learn
crashes, or a bus breaks down, planners have the plan. They know
more at www.entertainmentbuy.com.
12
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
by Shadia Cook
Shadia Cook, a veteran of the hospitality industry, is experienced in coordinating conferences with corporate, government and association meeting professionals.
Q: A:
How can you support your local bureau?
Thanks to current economic conditions throughout
bureau leadership after working with us, acknowledging the
the industry, I keep hearing about CVBs that are
efforts of the bureau and how our performance had made their
experiencing budget and funding issues. What can I
planning and execution of the convention much easier and
do to support the CVBs that support me?
more successful,” she says. “The fact that a meeting planner took
With city and state budgets being scrutinized,
the time and effort to write our leadership brought even more
funding resources for CVBs are a concern for plan-
credibility to the bureau and its existence.”
ners, suppliers, and visitors alike. Without locals’
“In today’s environment, CVBs and their clients need to work
understanding of how important a CVB is to a respective com-
more closely together than ever,” adds Deb Archer, president/
munity, it’s up to the city’s visitors and suppliers to support bureau
CEO of the Greater Madison CVB in Wisconsin. Archer notes logistical strategies that planners can use to sup-
efforts. Jayne DeLuce, president/CEO of the Champaign County CVB
port their bureau partners within the communities they serve
in Illinois, has dealt with budget restraints firsthand and says,
while also improving their own working relationships and com-
“The key for meeting planners is to keep traveling! Use the CVB
munications with CVBs. She recommends working to expedite
vs. directly contacting each hotel. Provide testimonials the CVB
contracts, which helps CVBs receive stronger support for closing
can use for print and Web or with stakeholders. Be open to more
deals quickly; working through bureaus to resolve attrition agree-
cyber relationships, since a lot of travel budgets limit CVB atten-
ments, which aids in win-win outcomes for planners and hotels;
dance at the major tradeshows. Offer to speak to stakeholders on
and providing historical data, which helps CVBs develop accurate
behalf of the CVB. Keep the relationships strong.”
proposals for future events in their communities.
Maureen Hofrenning, vice president of the Go Wichita CVB in Kansas, also recognizes the importance of word-of-mouth promotion. She says, “When meeting planners compare notes with other planners, and they share positive experiences about cities like Wichita, it’s very appreciated - and free PR, which is almost
CVBs act as resources and partners within their communities, and these organizations are often overlooked or taken for granted until financial crises bring their value into
like a budget increase for a CVB.” In addition to sharing your experiences with colleagues, another key to supporting CVBs is to specifically address, in writing, the value they offer to your event. This provides CVBs with backup when dealing with funding sources and communities. Bureau staff members can recommend city officials to write to, and planners should also copy the CVB on such correspondence.
question. By vocalizing the benefits of their bureau connections, planners can help the CVBs that are always ready and willing to help them.
Teri Ellis Schmidt, executive director at the Sioux Falls CVB in South Dakota, offers an example of such positive impact. “A national meeting planner wrote a letter to our city and WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
For more Ask the Expert articles, visit MidwestMeetings.com make it your home page.
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
13
How Did You Get Here?
by Linda Leier Thomason
Yesterday’s military training overcomes tomorrow’s war stories!
Susan McLane, a 20+-year meeting professional at Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc., headquartered in Chicago, IL
F
or more than 20 years, Susan McLane has been the board administration and meetings director at Attorneys’
Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. (ATG) and its five subsidiary
corporations headquartered in Chicago, IL. In this role, she plans and produces three ATG board meetings and 70 to 80 ATG committee meetings, including subsidiary companies’ board and committee meetings. In 2011, she is planning meetings in Chicago, as well as in Lake Geneva, WI and San Francisco, CA. Here, as a long-time meeting planner with ATG, McLane shares a few highlights of her tenure, insights about the industry, advice to new
One must be disciplined about the to-do list and keep an eye on the end goal.
planners, and her hopes for the future of the industry.
Midwest Meetings: What do you see as the key ingredients to success as a meeting planner?
Susan McLane: A successful meeting planner has a package of certain personality traits, including congeniality, superior people skills, perseverance, and discipline. Good organizational
the public.” ATG and each of its subsidiaries offer products and
and multi-tasking skills and an ability to think ahead are essential
services to lawyers that help them build their practices and serve
to be successful in this industry.
their clients.
MM:
Obviously, you have been successful, having served in
your current role for more than two decades. What has been the
MM: What advice do you have for meeting planners who are new to the profession?
SM: “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” What I mean is that success
foundation of your success?
SM: I have always applied the discipline and work ethic that
comes one step at a time. It is a building process, and one must be
I grew up with and refined through my military training and ser-
disciplined about the to-do list and keep an eye on the end goal and
vice to everything I have done in my job, my community, and my
what is required to get there. You might think you don’t have time
personal life. I am blessed that my husband of 40 years, Bill, shares
during the process to make follow-up notes, but I cannot tell you
these same values. The military background also helped prepare me
how many times I have been thankful over the years for this disci-
as a leader [and] manager and gave me the ability to work above
pline. When attempting to hold someone accountable for a prom-
and below the chain of command. I have worked over four decades
ise made or service performed that didn’t materialize, you have the
in the Illinois legal community - 20 of those years for the founder
backup needed to make things right.
of our corporation - prior to coming to ATG.
MM:
What can you tell us about the profile of your typical
meeting attendee?
Always stay calm, cool, flexible, and willing to ride the tide. In the event world, I have seen so many ugly blowups between planners and hotel staff over the years. I always wonder what went
SM: It is the ATG and subsidiary board of directors and their
wrong for them and try to remember that no one is perfect and,
guests. The men and women who serve on our boards are attorneys
sometimes, one has to implement Plan B or Plan C. It is part of be-
who are partners in successful law firms in Illinois, Wisconsin and
ing prepared. Examine the processes and find ways to work smarter,
Indiana. Other attendees include the ATG subsidiary executive
not harder, and, by all means, accept that you will make mistakes
staff and their spouses or guests, or fellow managers and coworkers.
- then learn from them.
Many of ATG’s leaders are also leaders in their communities and sometimes serve in government and military positions at the state and federal levels. I couldn’t ask to work with better people.
MM: What compels these individuals to attend your meetings?
Finally, always remember success is a team effort. Acknowledge those who have worked alongside you to make things happen.
MM: Identify three ways you have seen the meeting planning industry change in the past five years.
SM: They attend because they serve on the boards and board
SM: The first is software. Every year, better technology and
committees of ATG and its subsidiary corporations. Our directors
tools are released to help meeting planners improve meeting de-
play an important and dynamic role in achieving the goals of
tails and data.
the parent company’s mission statement: “To be the premier
Second is internet research and email communication. The
lawyer service organization for the benefit of the profession and
ability to search for meeting destinations online is wonderful.
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
15
Sometimes, I wonder how those of us who remember doing it all by phone, fax, and mail got it all done before the internet. Communicating electronically with destination management companies, chambers, visitors’ bureaus, hoteliers, attendees and their guests, plus every contracted vendor, is beneficial beyond
I appreciate the
measure. However, there is no substitute for a one-on-one conversation to investigate possibilities, identify the needs, secure the plan, and start building trust. I will never commit to a site or hotelier without a site inspection. For me, meeting face-to-face with the people I will ultimately be working with and seeing the products and services is a must. Third is the greening of the industry. The meeting planning in-
opportunity to conduct and keep business in our own backyard, especially the Windy City.
dustry should be commended for its efforts to become greener. I appreciate knowing upfront who scores highest in this regard. ATG continues to offer meeting materials and mailings electronically, and electronic communication with vendors, attendees, and their guests is paramount to successful management because we often
the right reason, and you scored big-time - [that] is rewarding and
need an immediate reply so we can go forward with the details.
memorable. To see the smile, to hear the heartfelt “thank you,” that
MM: What do you value most about planning meetings in the Midwest?
SM: I appreciate the opportunity to conduct and keep business
goes miles with me.
MM: Describe a meeting-related disaster and how you overcame it.
in our own backyard, especially the Windy City. Chicago is very
SM: In my 21 years, I have been in the bowels of a hotel three
competitive with other major metropolitan cities for convention
times because of weather-related issues [including] tornadoes in
and meeting business. Midwesterners are warm, friendly, and usu-
Wisconsin and Missouri. Once, in St. Louis, we had a board dinner
ally display a great work ethic.
in a hotel wine room, on the lowest level next to the kitchen, so
MM: What do you personally do to contribute to the better-
when the alarm sounded, we didn’t have to leave. In fact, we had
ment of the industry, and how do you stay current on industry is-
the best spot in the hotel - access to all of their finest wines and
sues?
food enough to feed armies!
SM: I try to attend Destination Showcase in Chicago and the
MM: Who are your meeting planning idols and why?
annual IT&ME meeting each year. I also subscribe to several [in-
SM: I have great admiration for JoAnne Hibbs of the Illinois
dustry] magazines. Reading and hearing true accounts and war sto-
State Bar Association and Susan Van Kollenburg of NCA Higher
ries from fellow meeting and event planners is very helpful.
Learning Commission. Each knows what it means to multi-task,
MM: What do you see in the future of the industry?
how to quickly assess needs, and draw upon their experience and
SM: Meeting planners must be able to adapt. Stay in touch
knowledge to quickly resolve problems. I appreciate their willing-
with the latest in communications and document-sharing technol-
ness to guide and to share their experiences with me.
ogy, but know when an actual phone call or an in-person meet-
MM: What brings you the greatest daily joy?
ing is best. Building relationships with vendor contacts, leaders of
SM: Well, personally, it is the love of my husband and my fam-
peer organizations, and other community members is also critical.
ily of three daughters, sons-in-law, and five grandchildren. Profes-
Knowing who to call when time is tight serves one well.
sionally, it is the wonderful folks I work with each day at ATG.
MM: What is the best compliment you’ve ever received from a meeting attendee, and why does it stand out?
After 21 years, we are like family, too, plus the extended work family of my board members and their spouses/guests and those in the
SM: “Susan, you always go above and beyond.” Especially today,
meeting industry with whom I have had the privilege of working
people so appreciate quality customer service. To know that, out of
for two decades. I come to work each day with a grateful heart.
all the things you have been asked to do and have on your plate,
There are many weeks when I work beyond the standard 40-hour
you went “above and beyond” to pay special attention to a personal
workweek. I try to strike a balance between family and work and
need or you followed up on an idea to make a situation better, with-
live by the Ethel Percy Andrus quote: “What I spent is gone; what I
out asking a peer, because you knew it was the right thing to do for
kept, I lost; but what I gave away will be mine forever.”
16
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
by Thom Singer
Do they remind you of anyone you know?
I
speak at business meetings, and I’ve seen it all. Every event is unique, but the people you meet are often the most fascinating part of the conference experience. Several months ago, I was at an event with “thought leader ex-
traordinaire” Matt Church, and we were talking about the meetings industry. Soon we were joking about all the people you can expect to meet at a conference, and I’ve been collecting ideas about “-ists” ever since that conversation. Here are some of the interesting personalities who often show up.
1. The Conference Pacifist
3. The Conference Masochist
The person who finds joy listening to speakers who are unprepared, monotone, and bring awful PowerPoint presentations. The talks most of us find painful are their favorites. Unfortunately, they find plenty of joy, since too many events highlight speakers who may or may not have good content but are totally lacking in public speaking skills.
4. The Conference Narcissist
The person who cannot stop delivering their elevator pitch -
The person who does not want to witness or participate in con-
even when nobody is listening. They enhance the story of their
flict, controversy, or hands-on activities. Anything can make them
life and hold court rather than looking to make any real connec-
uneasy and cause them to flee the conference and seek diplomatic
tions. They lead with their business card and are sure people will go
immunity in their hotel room.
home remembering their one-sided conversation. If this person is a
2. The Conference Socialist
The person who wants all the power at a conference to be distributed. They do not like it when keynotes receive more attention than breakouts. They can’t stand that there are VIP activities. These people love the new trend of the “unconference.”
18
featured speaker, you can expect a 60-minute commercial for their product, service, or coaching program.
5. The Conference Apologist
The speaker who starts his or her talk by telling the audience that he or she is not a good public speaker. They hope to lower
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
the expectations for their speech, but their pre-apologizing just ensures nobody pays attention.
6. The Conference Obstructionist The long-time attendee or board member who crushes every new idea that is proposed to enhance the conference experience or introduce new trends or technologies. They argue against new concepts because “that’s not the way it’s always been done.” These people hate change and will work hard to ensure their event organizers are not allowed to experiment.
7. The Conference Colonist
The person who attends the organization’s na-
tional convention and then brings the best ideas home to implement at the local chapter. They spread the best of what they see to new audiences and help to expand best practices.
8. The Conference Educationalist
The person who attends the conference only for the educational opportunities. They take pages of notes and never miss a keynote or breakout session. However, they avoid all the meals, happy hours, breaks, and anything else fun. They get good information, but miss out on meeting new people. When these people are on the com-
12. The Conference Accompanist
The person who attends the event with a coworker, spouse, or friend, and who never leaves the companion’s side the whole time.
13. The Conference Hobbyist
The person who makes a hobby out of attending events. They
mittee to plan events, they undercut the importance of the human
can be found at all types of conventions, conferences, tradeshows,
experience.
and seminars. They love the atmosphere. They network and learn,
9. The Conference Receptionist
The person who attends all the happy hours, dinners, coffee breaks, etc., but never seems to be able to sit through an entire keynote or breakout session. These people meet everyone they can
but never seem to cultivate any long-term relationships or turn their participation into real business opportunities.
14. The Conference Protectionist
The person who often acts like the Conference Obstructionist,
on a superficial level, but they’re never a true part of the overall
but under the guise of preserving traditions. They want to keep the
conference society, as they are not engaged in the shared learning
meeting the same as it has always been, and they do not care about
experience.
attracting new attendees.
10. The Conference Aromatherapist
The person who is wearing too much cologne or perfume. Need I say more?
11. The Conference Capitalist
The person who finds a way to sign a new client or gets a new job offer while attending a conference. This person can make mon-
For 15 more personalities you will encounter, visit MidwestMeetings. com and look for the Winter 2011 page under the Resources tab.
Oh, the people you’ll meet at a conference! Thom Singer is known as “The Conference Catalyst.” As a speaker,
ey grow on trees, regardless of their actual involvement with the
he transforms average conference hallway chitchat into impactful net-
event. They do this without being pushy or obnoxious; they just
working and long-term, mutually beneficial relationships that lead to
happen to be able to create opportunities in any situation. They
more business. He is the author of eight books on the power of business
do not need to be a vendor or sponsor to do business while at the
relationships, networking, and presentation skills. For more information,
event.
visit www.ConferenceCatalyst.com.
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
19
by Nannette Vilushis
Your Fundraising Event Costs
I
Are you using effective online tools?
f you work for a nonprofit organization, you’re probably
attendees and less revenue.
using online tools to help promote and administer your
Avoid over-sending email to your list to avoid your messages
fundraising efforts and events. Are you using those tools
being labeled as spam. Many email program filters are programmed
to their fullest capacity to help you streamline opera-
to recognize frequent emails from a particular source, and may start
tions and reduce your workload?
automatically sending your email to your recipients’ Junk or Trash folder, where it may not be read. Include at the bottom some brief instructions about how recipients can adjust their filters so your email always goes to their inboxes.
Email Outreach Email makes it much easier for recipients to respond. They can answer immediately upon reading the email, without completing a written form or finding a stamp and a mailbox. For those few
Online Registration and Donations
donors who do not respond to email, consider following up with a
Provide an online registration option for recipients of email in-
printed invite to those who have not already submitted an RSVP.
vitations. You will eliminate the cost of including a pre-printed
You can explain to those donors that email reduces overhead costs.
RSVP card and envelope in the invitation, and you will get reg-
Your donors will appreciate your effort to maximize the value of
istration information more quickly so you can make sure procure-
the money they contribute.
ment, event seating, food, and beverage are all lining up with your
Email campaigns can generate buzz and awareness for your
attendance numbers.
event and can be used to reach out to donors who cannot attend
If your website is already equipped to process donations, the ad-
but would still like to donate. You may be surprised by the dollars
dition of a registration page should be relatively straightforward. If
you raise from people who cannot attend your event. Always give
you are not currently accepting donations online, this may be the
your donors another option to help. Use verbiage like “Can’t at-
right opportunity to implement an Internet strategy that covers
tend? Click here to donate.”
year-round giving capabilities as well as registration for events.
Prior to sending an email to your entire list, test your message
Set a goal to register a percentage of your invitees online. The
and format. The key to a successful email campaign is preparation
target number of online registrations will be related to event size,
and refinement. Your presentation and message will help deter-
donor habits, and how well you communicate your message. By
mine the response rate for your email. If you have time, develop
setting registration benchmarks specific to your event and making
several options and poll key donors and your board as to which
increased online registration a goal, you should have no trouble
message is most appropriate. Ignoring this step may lead to fewer
increasing the online volume from one event to the next.
20
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Establishing an ongoing, online giving page on your site will al-
segments of your donor list on other issues pertinent to your
low you to solicit and collect donations year-round, not just at your
organization. This ongoing dialog will create a stronger relationship
fundraising event. If you solicit donations for a variety of causes,
between your organization and your donors - but be prepared to
create pages for each cause. Make sure that you have a description
take action based on their input.
of the cause and, if possible, descriptive images on the donation page to remind online donors of why they are there. And make sure that you offer a secure way to donate funds to protect your donors from possible fraud. Including your sponsors on your online giving page will give them more marketing exposure and give them compelling reasons to continue being a sponsor. Include sponsor logos and messages on the page, and review the copy with your sponsors to make sure their message aligns with yours.
Website Promotion Promote your website with every form of communication, including direct mail, phone conversations, and email messages. Make your site the default location for the latest information about events, fundraising campaigns, and organization news. Create a standard email signature template for you, your colleagues, and volunteers that includes general contact information, your site URL, and a follow-up teaser. For the teaser, you can say, “Click here to sign up for our email newsletter” or “Click here to
Online Surveys
register online for our annual dinner.” Make sure the email signa-
Prepare your post-event survey before the event so you can field
ture is always up to date.
it while your attendees’ memories are fresh. Event attendees have
Train staff and volunteers to conclude phone conversations by
a unique viewpoint that you and your team don’t have, and their
reminding people of the promotion mentioned in your current
comments can help you substantially improve next year’s event.
email signature and pointing them to your website for more infor-
Surveys help you to identify what went well (so you can repeat it)
mation. Get others to spread the word for you. Ask partners, peers,
and what didn’t go well (so you can avoid it).
colleagues, etc. to reach out to everyone in their core groups and
Start your survey by thanking attendees for their attendance.
plug your event, cause, and organization via their own email lists
Tell your guests that their feedback is valuable and will help you
or bulletin board services. To do this effectively, you may want
improve next year’s event. To maximize the number of responses,
to write a short description including the usual who, what, when,
keep the survey short enough that a recipient can complete it in
where, and why. Remember to include your URL for further infor-
ten minutes or less.
mation.
You’ll learn more - faster - if you conduct an online survey. Sur-
Many nonprofit organizations are enjoying the benefits of using
vey tools like SurveyMonkey and Zoomerang are easy to use, allow
the Web to supplement or replace traditional marketing efforts.
you to deploy a survey quickly, and enable you to tabulate results
When assessing the relative merits of these tools for your organiza-
fast.
tion, remember that it’s okay to start small and build over time.
Mix closed- and open-ended questions on your survey. For closed-ended questions like “Did we successfully communicate
Nannette Vilushis has over 20 years of technology sales and mar-
our mission at the event?” include a selection of possible answers,
keting experience. Prior to joining Greater Giving (www.greatergiving.
such as “Strongly Disagree, Disagree, Agree, Strongly Agree.” This
com), she was senior product marketing manager at Sage Software.
will help you to pinpoint the degree of attendee satisfaction so you
Previously, Nannette was a senior manager at Citrix Systems, where
know how much emphasis needs to be placed on every issue at
she managed a team that planned, promoted, and executed over 400
next year’s event.
marketing and training events a year. Her background also includes
Keep open-ended questions as specific as possible. Rather than
marketing and program management positions at IBM and a Carnegie
simply asking, “How can we make next year’s event better?” you
Mellon University spin-off, with responsibilities ranging from public re-
can segment that question into categories like entertainment,
lations and marketing programs to event strategy. She is a member of the
venue, food and beverage, sound and lighting, etc. You’ll get much
Advisory Board of the Heartwood Institute, a non-profit organization
more actionable answers.
providing literature-based ethics and character education programs for
Also, consider fielding online surveys to your donor list or WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
children.
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
21
by Kirsty Pitkin
How to Measure And what does that even mean?
A
fter an event is over, we take stock. We measure the
how actively engaged the audience is with the topic at that point
number of tweets, the number of people who could have
in time, when there is a collected audience sharing that experi-
possibly seen those tweets, the number of blog posts, the
ence with them in real time. However, after the event, the ideas
number of discussion threads in the LinkedIn group, etc., etc., etc…
discussed and the connections made may not be associated with
We take these numbers to indicate the level of engagement sur-
the conference hashtag, making them difficult to trace. We can’t
rounding an event. But is this what they are actually telling us?
currently record new follows that result from use of a conference
A recent post by Ann Priestley challenged me to think about
hashtag (to my knowledge!) and we can’t automatically determine
the ways we measure the online engagement with a conference.
if a conversation a month afterwards is an extension of ideas raised
She presented a graph from Socious, who use the high peak of ac-
by the conference, unless the participants have tagged it. Once the
tivity during an event and sharp tapering of this activity after the
flush of public activity around the event is over, this might not
event as part of their argument to sell their product. Their implica-
be appropriate for either party, so the traceable link diminishes,
tion is that unless your event has a long tail of post-event activity,
but the engagement between the participants about related issues
it is not as successful at long-term engagement.
remains.
My concern here is that it is easy to confuse “activity” and “en-
Equally, a reflective blog post after the event demonstrates that
gagement.” I admit that I have been as guilty of this as anyone
one individual was deeply engaged with the issues raised at that
else. The number of tweets generated during an event can sound
point in time. If it is tagged, we can find it. However, unless we
impressive and help event organizers to see the value of supporting
measure the number of people who read that post over time, com-
the use of Twitter by the audience. However, the number of tweets
mented on it or linked to it (both literally and thematically), then
on a hashtag only represents the level of current activity, not nec-
we have no idea whether it has led to further engagement beyond
essarily the level of ongoing engagement. At the end of the day,
this point.
all event-related activity tapers off sharply after the event itself, moving aside for more natural discourse and engagement with the topics, without the constraints of the event identity and structure. Conference producers may be interested in connecting everything back to the original event, but the delegates themselves are usually more interested in the topics than the event identity. This Engagement is very much a soft issue and difficult, if not im-
makes it especially difficult to attribute the results of engagement to
possible, to measure accurately. Activity is easy. You can see out-
the event the farther away from it that you get. With an amplified
puts of activity very clearly. They can be tagged and identified and
event, the person engaging may only have a very general awareness
measured and visualized. Engagement is much more subjective and
of the original event that triggered the content or conversation in
dispersed, along with the audience.
the first place, significantly reducing the likelihood that they would
Tweeting prolifically during a conference may demonstrate
22
tag their response to make it traceable.
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Once this initial activity has died down, that is the end of the engagement.
The level of research and the amount of time required to get a
an event by disseminating information as far as possible beyond the
clear picture of the long-term level of engagement with the event
confines of the conference hall. Impact, in this case, is quantified by
outputs is often outside of the scope of most conferences. This
measuring the number of people a message reaches.
results in an approach that favors generating maximum activity
Brian Kelly has made this argument before in relation to Slide-
around the event itself to get as much stuff out there as possible,
share as a way of extending the life of a presentation - increasing its
then trusting to the quality of that content - or just hoping for the
impact by increasing its visibility over time. But again, whilst we
best - in terms of long-term engagement. However, this assumption
know how many people have looked at the slides, we do not know
is rarely reflected in the post-event reports, giving the impression
how deeply those people engaged with those slides, except where
that once this initial activity has died down, that is the end of the
their engagement led to what we could call an extreme response,
engagement, and there is, therefore, a problem to solve to increase
such as embedding the slides into a blog post to reflect on them in
long-term engagement.
more detail. This is highly engaged activity. But what about all the people who merely linked to the slides? This more casual response is not currently reported by Slideshare, so it can be difficult to trace. What about the people who showed them to a colleague or used
It also depends how we define engagement on a fundamental level: is it about attention, or is it about responding? People can engage with an event just by listening. In a lecture, an audience can be engaged without speaking, or creating any mea-
them in a class? There is no way to get a complete picture, any more than there’s a way to judge the way a paper handout is used post-conference. The only difference is that no one questions the value of the paper handout!
surable activity at all (except perhaps a lot of noise over the follow-
Thus, how we define engagement and impact will affect the
ing coffee break). We have very little information about engaged
types of metrics we attempt to collect to demonstrate the success of
listeners at events. We know how many are watching a live video
an amplified event over time. However, accepting that engagement
stream, but we can’t tell how many have left it running whilst mak-
with the event will not necessarily lead to clearly definable, trace-
ing a cup of tea or how many are only half listening. We know
able digital objects may be the first step in rethinking not just how
how many people could possibly see tweets relating to the event,
we measure success, but what we are trying to achieve through the
but we have no idea if or when they might read that content, or
event in the first place.
how deeply they will engage with those tweets. With more people learning how to temporarily screen prolific conference Twitterers,
Kirsty Pitkin is a professional event amplifier who works closely with
we cannot even guarantee that they have seen them. We may get
conference producers to help deliver an online dimension to traditional
better at this, but we can really only know “how many,” not “how
events. She provides strategic advice and practical services, including
deeply.”
live commentary of events, live video streaming, event reports, remote
Another word for engagement might also be “impact.” This is a popular word at the moment, particularly in HE circles, where event amplification services are often used to increase the impact of WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
audience support and conference curation, using a range of innovative techniques. For more information, visit eventamplifier.wordpress.com.
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
23
e
in Lock
by Just
W
A look at your event from the other side. hen I decided to become a professional speaker, I had
form their clips.
to address an issue: what to wear. Some people can
Granted, one doesn’t want the microphone falling off. But I was
get away with the “rumpled professor” look, but that
planning on wearing this suit more than once, and it’s hard to do
was not for me. I’d spent too many years as a musician,
that once one has ripped a gash in the lapel. This chronic issue has
wearing a tux or tails every night, to feel comfortable performing in
taught me to bring gaffer’s tape to wrap around the teeth of the clip,
casual attire. Besides, professional speaking is a little like bullfight-
thereby lessening its ability to rend and tear delicate silk fibers.
ing. One should feel confident. Feeling good about how one looks is a big part of that.
One might think it would end there, but it doesn’t. Some airlines don’t have suit hangers anymore, so despite my best efforts,
My preexisting collection of ragtag suits was not up to the task,
I sometimes unpack a wrinkled suit and have to put in a massive
so I popped over to the men’s department at Bloomingdale’s and
hotel-room effort to steam the wrinkles out. Worse, even in the
said, “Okay… I want something sharp.”
best hotels, the irons are usually clogged with rust-laden starch resi-
They had just the thing: beautiful suits, shirts, and ties, all Ital-
due, and - Murphy’s Law being what it is - when ironing my shirt,
ian. I figured out how some got the brand name. At the end of the
the rust always comes off on the front of my collar. I’ve learned to
transaction, the salesperson said, “Well, it was your money, but now
clean the hotel-room iron before using it, ask the front desk for a
it’s all Armani.”
brand-new one, or just bring my own.
So far, so good. But now that I’ve invested in these spectacular
So, having been through all that, the big day arrives. So I am
duds, I never cease to be amazed at the number of saboteurs in the
at your event, and we have all sat down to dinner. I’ve managed
events world that seem intent upon messing up my suit.
to keep my suit clean, pressed, un-torn, and free of rust stains and
The first thing trying to ruin my suit: nametags.
adhesive residue. I don’t have to speak until after dinner, so I can
Some nametags are benign enough, but many are designed with a
finally relax and enjoy the meal you’ve provided before standing up
spring-loaded, kung-fu death-grip, interlocking cobalt steel clamp,
in front of several hundred of your guests to give an entertaining
which is apparently designed to attack fabric and cut it, stretch it,
talk.
or put a permanent crease in it. Those are bad enough, and then sometimes, one gets the crackand-peel adhesive labels. Again, some of these are very benign (in
Then there’s the menu: a choice of spaghetti, spare ribs, or inshell crab claws, with complimentary red wine. Hey, what could possibly go wrong?
which case they’ll inevitably fall off within ten minutes), but others are designed to adhere permanently. When my dry cleaner sees that stuff, he gives me “the look.”
Justin Locke is a speaker. He likes to share hilarious “behind-thescenes” stories of his many years of playing the bass with the Boston
In case you’re interested in the ideal nametag solution, I recently
Pops and unique insight into the management tricks of the many famous
appeared at an event where the planner supplied nametags held on
conductors he’s played for. He is the author of Real Men Don’t Re-
by magnets. Super strong, yet totally flat, and no sharp edges, so
hearse (a humorous musical memoir) and Principles of Applied Stu-
no damage to one’s front pocket. I could have kissed that planner.
pidity (a look at unconventional wisdom in management). For more
The next threat to my new suit: wireless lavalier microphones… or, perhaps I should say, the razor-sharp, piranha-esque teeth that
24
information, visit his website at www.justinlocke.com or his blog at justinlocke.typepad.com.
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
25
by Robert Ware
Meeting planning from a project management perspective.
P
roject managers and project team members, like all business professionals, attend numerous meetings of various types, purposes and durations. Examples range from sta-
meeting and its necessity to the group.
Meeting Purpose
The first and most important question the project manager must
tus update meetings, which generally last 30 minutes to an hour
ask is, “What is the purpose of this meeting?� Is the purpose of
and are focused on reporting on the current status of a project, to
holding the meeting merely to provide attendees with information,
performance reviews, on the other hand, which last from one to
or are the attendees expected to work together to generate new in-
several days.
formation? Are attendees expected to arrive at key decisions during
For project managers, meeting planning falls under the more general domain of project communications management. Meet-
the meeting, or are they merely gathering information during the meeting for decisions to be made at a later time?
ings, like other forms of communication, are evaluated in terms
Very importantly, meetings themselves are rarely considered to
of the degree to which they facilitate the efficient and effective
be deliverables, but instead are considered to be venues or systems
achievement of project objectives. Consequently, the costs associ-
utilized to produce deliverables (e.g., decisions made, clarification
ated with holding meetings are weighed against the benefits de-
of issues achieved, documents produced, etc.).
rived from the meetings. The project manager must consider not just the direct costs of staging the meeting, but also the costs associated with having personnel attend the meeting instead of doing other project-related work. From this perspective, the importance of properly planning for meetings is clear: poorly planned meetings can be costly endeavors that have a low probability of contributing value to the project. By considering the process from a project management perspective, a planner can weigh the objective costs vs. benefits of a particular
26
Clearly determining the purpose of the meeting often contributes significantly to answering other key questions involved in planning for the meeting, such as the following.
3 Who should attend? 3 Where should the meeting be held? 3 Is remote attendance by teleconferencing or video conferencing needed or appropriate?
3 What documents must be prepared for dissemination? 3 What equipment must be made available (laptops, projection screens, white boards, flip-charts, etc.)?
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
The meeting planner needs to clearly envision the meeting as he or she wants and expects it to be carried out.
3 Will food or refreshments be provided?
meeting agenda should be distributed to attend-
Meeting Action Plan
ees no later than two days prior to the meeting.
Meeting Closeout
The meeting planner needs to clearly envision the meeting as he or she wants and expects it to be carried out. It often is helpful to develop a storyboard in order to clearly visualize and plan for the phases of the meeting, clearly state what one
Meetings, like projects themselves, go through the phases of initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closeout.
wants to accomplish during each phase, and the actions that will
While conducting the meeting, the meeting leader executes the
need to be taken during each phase in order to accomplish each of
meeting plan that has been developed, and he or she monitors and
the meeting objectives.
controls the meeting to ensure the meeting plan is followed. The
While developing the storyboard, it is also helpful to simultane-
meeting is closed out by ensuring that all items on the meeting
ously develop any needed checklists to be used during the meeting
checklists have either been completed or moved forward to future
to ensure that nothing is forgotten (e.g., that minutes are captured,
meetings. Closeout also includes ensuring that action items gener-
action items are assigned, summaries of the meeting’s accomplish-
ated by the meeting have been listed and that individuals have
ments and decision points are generated and disseminated, and so
been assigned to each action item. The final step in closing out a
forth).
meeting is to distribute and finalize the meeting minutes.
Once the logistics are outlined and the meeting planner has a
Meeting management - including meeting planning - is not
clear vision of the intended meeting in mind, he or she is now
unique to the field of project management. However, applying some
ready to develop the meeting agenda, which should include the
of the tools, techniques and methods utilized by project managers
following information.
to the process of meeting management can increase the chances
3 Proposed topics for discussion 3 Discussion leader for each topic 3 Time allotted to each topic
of holding meetings that add genuine value to a team’s business endeavors.
Next, a meeting invitation, along with the meeting agenda,
Robert Ware is vice president of instruction for Project Masters, Inc.
should be distributed to expected attendees, no less than one to two
He has more than 30 years of experience in design and implementation
weeks prior to the meeting date. The meeting invitation should
of automated information processing systems for government, educa-
clearly state the goals of the meeting, where and when the meeting
tional and private organizations. He has extensive experience in training
will be held, and whether or not participants are allowed to request
and educating others in the concepts and use of these systems as well
additional agenda items - and, if so, how and within what time-
as in managing information systems projects. Robert can be reached at
frame. If additional agenda items are allowed, a revised and final
rware@projmasters.com.
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
27
by Lara McCulloch-Carter
All at your fingertips…
P
lanners are being challenged to work faster, harder, and more efficiently. The past few years have seen a cumulative number
of tools created to help us accomplish more. I take great delight when I find a tool that helps my clients and me, so I thought I’d share some of my favorites to make your job easier. Engagement • Quora: Ask and answer questions about an event. Listen to
events. When someone indicates they’re attending, all of their connections will be notified. • Lanyrd: A site that allows you to promote your conference, incorporate social conversations about the event, and include links to speaker bios, presentations, videos, and podcasts.
what people are asking about you. This tool is getting a lot of
Search Engine Optimization
buzz right now, good and bad. Definitely worth checking out.
• Thumbtack: Create a great-looking listing for your business
• SurveyMonkey: Create surveys for free, then share and embed them easily.
and be notified when someone is looking for your services in your area.
• Storify: Turn what people post on social media into com-
• Google Places: Create a storefront for your business so that
pelling stories. You collect the best photos, video, tweets,
when people search for products or services like yours, they
and more to publish as simple, beautiful stories that can be
find you in Google local search results.
embedded anywhere. • BuddyPress: Create your own social network for your event.
Creativity • Elance: Post a project (logo design, Web design, invitations,
Awareness
newsletter design, etc.) and let tens of thousands of designers
• Eventbrite: Create events online, share via social network-
bid on your project.
ing sites, sell tickets, and manage affiliate partners. • Plancast: A way for people to share what they’re doing (think events) with their friends. • MailChimp: An email marketing tool that is 100% free.
28
• Facebook Events: An incredibly powerful tool to share
• 99 Designs: Post a project and review submissions from designers around the world. Website • Snappages: Lets you create a great-looking website, for free,
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
with no HTML/CSS knowledge. Simply use their templates as a base and drag and drop to create your own custom site. • Unbounce: Create landing pages simply, then split test to determine the most effective design. • Stipple: Label your website photos with descriptions and weblinks (and even shopping information). Productivity • Skitch: Lets you capture images, share them across multiple Web platforms, and create discussions. • Teux Deux: The most visually and functionally simple to-do tool I’ve seen. • SelfControl: Email, social media, and Web surfing can be procrastination’s best friend. This application lets you block access to specific sites for a predetermined amount of time.
Reprinted with permission of the author. Lara McCulloch-Cart-
• MinutesPlease: Unlike SelfControl, this tool lets you time
er is an international speaker, educating businesses on the evolving
exactly how long you want to spend on a site, so you can
branding, marketing, and social media revolution. She’s known for
control your time on the Web.
her storytelling style and for delivering new ideas in original ways.
Customer Relationship Management
She engages an audience, whether the room contains thousands of
• Batchbook: Great for small businesses. Manage all of your
attendees or tens, with humor and likeability. Lara has spoken to
contacts, pending deals, confirmed revenue, customer
audiences across the US, Canada, the Caribbean, Asia and Aus-
social media accounts, calendar, and to-do items at a very
tralia, including call center managers, association executives, res-
low monthly fee. Batchbook also integrates well with
taurateurs, camp operators, and meeting planners, to name a few.
MailChimp, EventBrite, FreshBooks, and many other small
For more information, visit www.ready2spark.com.
business management tools. Inspiration • Thirty Conversations on Design: They asked 30 of the world’s most creative professionals two questions: “What single example of design inspires you most?” and “What problem should design solve next?” • Ted: Video inspiration from some of the biggest thought leaders around the world. • Notcot: A collection of some of the most beautiful and inspiring design content on the Web. • Stumbleupon: This tool helps you discover the best of the Web. Click on Stumble and discover a new website based on the recommendations of others. Travel • Kik: For those who travel… a lot, Kik lets you send free, real-time text messages between iPhones, Androids, and BlackBerries. • TripIt: Keep track of your travel details and share your schedule with friends. • Yapta: Track flight prices and save money before and after you buy. What tools would you add? WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
29
by Cindy Shanholtz
Does this sound like your Monday schedule?
5:00 a.m. Alarm goes off. 5:15 a.m. Out for a run. 6:00 a.m. Answer the 27 emails that came in from 11:00 p.m. last night to 6:00 a.m. this morning, including the following:
Email from mini-cupcake supplier informing me they cannot fulfill the order for this weekend’s wedding due to plumbing problems at store. Email for this weekend’s other wedding vendors; answer logistical questions.
8:15 a.m. Leave office in the suburbs for meetings in the
city. While in the car:
Call from this weekend’s bride telling me she would like to add her two aunts for hair and makeup. Leave messages for three cupcake suppliers asking them if they can fill an order for 300 mini cupcakes, plus deliver to the suburbs by 12:00 p.m. this Saturday. Call from mother of the bride in August who wants to discuss upgrading linens and what the costs would be. Call from bride for July wedding, asking me to show her a floor plan including long tables in addition to the current floor plan of round tables. Leave message for both hair and makeup stylists to add two aunts and adjust their arrival times. Call bride and explain why she cannot try the 27 food items she has picked out for her tasting.
10:00 a.m. Meeting with Photographer #1 for June 2012 wedding
with out-of-town bride and groom who are in for a few hours to meet with possible vendors.
11:30 a.m. Meeting with Photographer #2. 1:00 p.m. Meeting with DJ #1. 2:30 p.m. Meeting with DJ #2. 3:15 p.m. Meeting with bride and groom to recap meetings and
discuss next steps before they leave to go back home.
4:00 p.m. Answer emails and phone messages that came in during
30
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
answer questions
the day, including the following: Two prospective clients asking for help with approaching wed-
and make snacks
dings in August and September, who have nothing done yet. Both
for
become new clients.
boys who clearly
Hair stylist called while I was in meetings and left a message.
12-year-old
have not eaten in a year.
Call her back and leave a message. One cupcake supplier can fill the order for the wedding this Sat-
9:20 p.m.
An-
urday; call back to provide the order and details. Other cupcake
swer email and voice-
supplier will not come to the suburbs.
mail:
just signed me on and nothing is done yet.
have decided not to have
5:00 p.m. Meeting with florist for September wedding; client 6:45 p.m. While in the car, return voicemail:
Saturday bride’s aunts hair and makeup done.
Call hair stylist to give her details and new start time.
Notify hair and makeup
Call makeup stylist to give her details and new start time; aunt
stylists.
has makeup allergies, so we need to use special products. July wedding client calls to discuss transportation and budget
proofread her invitations, now,, so she can place order tomorrow morning
issues for 550 guests. 12-year-old son calls to see if he can have three other boys sleep over - now.
7:15 p.m. New cupcake supplier and hair and makeup stylists
have the details and new start times for Saturday.
8:30 p.m. Arrive home, talk to the family about the day,
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
Other bride wants me to
before she goes to work.
11:00 p.m. Go to bed, even though there is plenty left to do!
Cindy Shanholtz is a Chicago, IL planner and owner of Effortless Events. For more about Cindy, visit www.effortless-events.com.
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
31
www.photos.com
by Patrick Payne
15 Ways Mobile Event Applications Turn Them Into Dynamic Interactive Experiences
I
woke up confused and panicked. The lady sitting next to me nudged
their audience’s attention right in the palm of their hands, and
my shoulder just in time for question period. Startled, I looked from
they’re making a huge difference. So if you’ve ever found yourself
side-to-side wondering what had just happened - and soon I was over-
walking out of a session struggling to remember what you have just
come with a sense of dread. I had fallen asleep during the session. From the very beginning, my session experience started off on the wrong foot. I opened the printed event guide and looked up the location of the session, but something wasn’t right: the session room was completely empty. A security guard approached me to inform me that the room had changed. I was on the wrong side of the convention center. I raced
learned, read on. Here are 15 ways a mobile event application can turn a session into a dynamic interactive experience and help you get the most out of your next session experience:
1.
Find sessions that are relevant to you: Have you ever discovered that you missed a session that was relevant to you? A mobile
event application provides more ways to track down all of the ses-
across the building and found the lecture hall in minutes, but it wasn’t
sions that you should be attending. You can quickly search for ses-
fast enough - I had missed the first ten minutes of the presentation and
sions by name, view them listed by track or quickly flip through a
other attendees had already snatched all of the printed materials. I took
scrollable event schedule organized by date and time. Often times
my seat at the back of the room and strained over the heads of others to
you’ll find a relevant session when you least expect it, like when
see the presentation slides. That is the last I can remember.
you’re browsing speaker profiles that provide links to each speaker’s
Before I knew it, the session had ended and everyone had bolted out of the room before I could find out what I had missed. I decided to fill out a session evaluation form based on my short experience, but couldn’t; the form was included in the printed materials that had disappeared before I arrived. This story relayed to me by a friend and associate that recently attended a conference made me realize that the way we have been running sessions for decades needs to change. Sessions need to do more than just keep us awake. They need to be inspiring, engaging, interactive and a lot more convenient. Despite his semi-conscious
sessions.
2.
Never forget a session: Mobile event applications provide calendar functionality that helps you organize your own personal
event schedule. The moment you find a session that you want to attend you can instantly add it to your personal schedule with the tap of a button. If there’s a conflict, the mobile application should tell you right away.
3.
Always come prepared: Sessions are always more meaningful when you arrive well versed on the subject matter - or at least
have a chance to give it a moments thought. Mobile event appli-
experience, the good news is that more and more event organizers
cations make it convenient to access session collateral before you
are making big changes to the way we’ve been running sessions for
attend, whether it’s a PowerPoint presentation or PDF, and refer
so many years. They’re embracing mobile technology to capture
back to it after you’ve gone home.
32
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
4.
Purchase a ticket: Some events require advance purchase of
required to scribble on a paper form (usually with very little time)
tickets for attending sessions. Rather than waiting in line to
before they leave the room. Now with mobile event applications
make a purchase, attendees with mobile devices can easily pur-
attendees can fill in session evaluations at their leisure and be
chase tickets using a credit card and flash their electronic ticket
sure that their feedback will get back to the speaker. Speakers and
at the front door.
event organizers can also send out friendly reminders to attendees
5.
Find your session: A clear map of the venue makes all the difference when you’re trying to find your session. Many events
are now going the extra mile to include interactive maps that instantly map session locations and trade show booths on your
to fill in their session evaluations and thank them for attending.
12.
Download post-session material: A mobile event application becomes invaluable when speakers choose to share
their slide presentations and other session-specific documents
mobile device to help you find your way. If there’s a change to
after their sessions are over. That means that attendees can often
the session location, the new location is instantly updated by the
gain access to materials that are not only prepared by the speaker
event organizer along with an alert to let attendees know.
but also those generated by the audience during the session, such
6.
Check in at the session: Checking in at a session with your mobile device can provide a multitude of benefits. Some
event organizers use social media such as FourSquare to let at-
tendees check in and later share feedback and stay in contact
as results and analysis of polls and surveys from the session.
13.
Tell others what you think: After your session is over you can use a mobile event application to share your thoughts,
comments and praise with a wider audience than those who at-
with one another. Others provide a scannable QR code for
tended the session. Not only is it possible to tweet to the confer-
checking in, giving the speaker (or everyone) access to who is
ence Twitter feed and post Facebook messages to the conference
attending and any session-specific collateral, session evaluations
Facebook page, many event organizers display the Twitter feed
and invitations to other related sessions.
right on the home page of the application. In addition, some
7.
Take notes and share with others: Mobile event applications
organizers are incorporating “mobile gamification” to encourage
come with note taking features built-in. That means you can
sharing of information amongst attendees, awarding points to
select a session on your mobile device and instantly start taking
those who tweet, post Facebook messages, check in at sessions
notes with the tap of a button. When you’re finished, you can
and perform a variety of other participation-driven tasks.
save your notes and email them to others to share what you’ve learned.
8.
Participate in live polls: Staying actively engaged and partic-
14.
Build your network: In the past, the end of a session meant the end of the learning and group interaction that took
place during the session. With mobile event applications, the
ipating in sessions does more than keep you awake - it helps
end of a session is just the beginning: attendees can now keep
you learn. Live polls on topics of interest allow all participants
in contact with one another via built-in messaging, phone di-
a chance to participate using the mobile event application and
rectories, and social media, making it easy to plan post-session
view the results in real time.
get-togethers with the people you just met. Groups can cue up
9.
Submit questions: With a mobile event application you’ll
a time, make a reservation in a hotel restaurant or lounge and
never have to wait until the speaker is finished to ask a ques-
exchange ideas using the application - and who can resist taking
tion. Just enter your question on your mobile device and tap the
a group photo and uploading it to the conference mobile applica-
submit button. Your question will be sent to a moderator who
tion photo gallery?
prioritizes all of the audience’s questions and gives the speaker access to them during the presentation. Questions can even be projected onto a screen to share with the audience, helping to make the session more interesting and engaging.
10.
15.
Watch the session again and share with others: No matter how much you prepared, participated and networked with
others at a session, you may still need to refresh your memory after you go home. Many event organizers now take audio and
Exchange contact information: Chances are you’ll be sit-
video recordings of sessions and post them on the mobile event
ting next to someone you will want to keep in touch with at
application, making it much easier to review what you’ve learned
your next session. Mobile event applications help you exchange
and share your experiences with your colleagues who remained
contact information with others using various technologies, such
back in the office while you were out networking and having fun.
as scanning QR codes on nametags, using near-field communications technology or simply sending a quick email using the application messaging feature.
11.
Patrick Payne is co-founder and CEO of QuickMobile, a company that develops mobile meeting applications for conferences. To speak
Provide feedback at your leisure: Many speakers receive
with someone about creating a mobile app for your conference, call
minimal feedback after a session because attendees are
604-875-0403 or visit quickmobile.com.
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
33
by Deanna Tassoni
m
L
What have you done lately?
ike most of you reading this, I spend a lot of time with
event is educational and informative. But I believe you can have
many people who plan and facilitate events, concerts,
your cake and eat it, too. Integrating some fun into your events is
festivals, and parties full-time. Last week, I was given
integral to keeping the group engaged and excited.
a new perspective. I had the pleasure of spending some
Naturally, I was intrigued by my friend’s experience, and I picked
time with an old friend who was in town for a healthcare technol-
his brain while driving away in the “getaway car” to find refuge in
ogy conference. Instead of greeting me with a nice to see you or an
a giant bowl of chips and salsa. And thus, the Ten Commandments
it’s been a long time, he threw up his hands and screamed, “Thank
of Entertainment were born.
you for saving me!” as he jumped into the car. It turns out that after spending three straight days with his boss
Give your attendees time to process and gather notes. There’s
and 500 other engineers, he was bored out of his mind. My friend
nothing worse than information overload. Offer options to review
didn’t elect to be at this conference, and he made it clear he didn’t
information post-conference, either online or via emailed summa-
care for the lack of available activities outside of his work obli-
ries.
gations. Throughout our entire conversation, I couldn’t help but put myself in the shoes of the event planner for the conference. It
When I was 16 years old, my boss at a retail job told me that if
sounded like the planner spent a great deal of time and energy gath-
you don’t have anything in common with a customer, talk about
ering distinguished speakers, arranging flights, and compiling the
the weather. It’s something everyone has in common. You can start
latest information on technology and industry news for the meet-
with the weather and lead into another topic of mutual interest
ings and presentations. So what went wrong?
that applies to your event. Using a “secret” handshake, a silly say-
After all the work that goes into an event, one would hope one’s guests would leave with a sense of camaraderie and pride in their
ing, a T-shirt or swag giveaway, or a charitable component to your event are great ways to unite a group.
industries’ achievements, instead of regret for attending and having a miserable time. It doesn’t matter how much great content you provide for your audience if they’re too bored to soak it in. Of course, we all understand the importance of making sure your
34
Allow your guests to have a laugh on you. All industries have common jokes or annoyances that you can poke fun at. Even the driest subjects have a softer side - calculus jokes, anyone?
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Involving senses other than sight and sound, you will encourage
Don’t tell your guests everything about how you plan to blow
all types of learners. Ask yourself and your staff members how you
their socks off. Use the element of surprise, build excitement - then
can incorporate taste, touch, and smell into the experience.
blow their socks off!
Give the people what they want. Include a band, an industry icon as a keynote speaker, a comedian, or another type of performance. It’ll give them a much-welcomed break from “talking shop” the whole time.
Find out what worked and what didn’t, so you can build on this event for the next time! Now that you know the Ten Commandments of Entertainment, please, for the sake of your guests, inject some fun into your meetings. Happy guests will absorb more of what you want them to - and
In classroom settings, students don’t typically spend more than two hours sitting at once. Don’t make your meetings worse than
want to return! Allow your guests to leave with the satisfaction that they learned a lot and enjoyed their time.
high school. Please. Deanna Tassoni is the marketing and social media coordinator for entertainmentBuy™, a full-service event production company dedicated Not everyone learns the same way. Incorporating video presen-
to providing meeting and event planners with entertainment services. As
tations or live demonstrations with speakers is a great way to get
a source for booking big-name talent for corporate and private events,
your audience to really connect with your content.
entertainmentBuy™ negotiates, contracts, and handles all aspects of live entertainment. Deanna integrates her passion for music with her love of
Everything you do, you do it well. Make the most of your bud-
marketing. Creating social media strategy and implementation processes,
get, but don’t spread it too thin. Talent buyers and event producers
she ensures that entertainmentBuy, along with its clients, stay on the
can help you secure top-notch performers while staying within your
forefront of social media and inbound marketing opportunities. Learn
event’s budget.
more at www.entertainmentbuy.com.
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
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Michigan Pure Michigan
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ring your group to Michigan and discover pure, Up North adventure in some of the most beautiful settings the Upper Peninsula has to offer your meeting groups. Explore the state’s automotive heritage, the area’s singular lakefront destinations and natural wonders, a wide array of gardens and parks, and unique lighthouse excursions like no others. Take advantage of the luxury
and relaxation of the Great Lakes Region’s charming communities in the eighth most populous state in the US, featuring a sugar-sand shoreline named one of the 25 best in the world by Condé Nast Traveler. Home of industry and recreation alike, featuring business and pleasure options everywhere you turn, Michigan has the appeal to move your attendees in any direction you want to go.
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MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Find them here... Amway Hotel Corporation ........................................42-43 Ann Arbor Area CVB ....................................................38 Bay Harbor Village Hotel & Conference Center................47 Bay Pointe Inn Lakefront Resort .......................................47 Discover Kalamazoo .....................................................88 Greater Lansing CVB .....................................................89 Holiday Inn West Bay Traverse City.................................46 Holland CVB ............................................................44-45 The Inn at St. Johns........................................................47 Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center.................................39 Little River Casino Resort ................................................46 Mackinaw Area Visitors Bureau .....................................47 MotorCity Casino Hotel.............................................40-41 Stafford’s Bay View Inn .................................................46 Stafford’s Perry Hotel .....................................................46
Left page: Presque Isle Park in Marquette This page top: Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Below: Detroit skyline
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- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
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MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center Located on the campus of Michigan State University, the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center is ‘Where Hospitality Begins’ in the greater East Lansing area. Kristina Baxendale 55 S Harrison Ave East Lansing, MI 48824-1022 www.kelloggcenter.com baxenda1@msu.edu 517-884-2909 Fax: 517-432-1014 Rooms/suites: 160 Meeting space sq. ft.: over 35,000 Meeting rooms: 32 Reception capacity: 35,000 sq. ft. Largest room sq. ft.: Big Ten ABC 12,000 Nearby golf courses: Forest Akers MSU Golf Course Onsite restaurant: State Room Restaurant
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lanning the perfect event starts with choosing the best in the business. The accommodations are first-class, and the professionally trained planners of the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center will personally make sure you have a well-planned and successful event. Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center has hosted thousands of conferences, seminars and social functions since 1952 and is the perfect setting for a gathering of ten to 1,000. Our thirty-two fully functional meeting rooms offer a total of over 35,000 sq. ft. of flexible space including a 300-seat auditorium and a fifty-seat tiered lecture hall. Your audiovisual equipment needs are covered with our extensive array of services and most importantly, the staff to make sure your event runs smoothly. From microphones to satellite connections, we’ve got you covered. We also provide a complimentary portable box of office supplies for last minute backups! Our expert sales and banquet staff is waiting to help you plan the perfect event to accommodate your group.
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
If you’re looking for 4-Star excellence in a hotel near Michigan State University, you’ll find it at Kellogg Center.
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MotorCity Casino Hotel Leave ‘Em Speechless Michelle Duffy 2901 Grand River Avenue Detroit, Michigan 48201 MotorCityCasino.com MDuffy@mccemail.com Phone: 313-237-1585 Fax: 313-309-4720
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otorCity Casino Hotel specializes in creating extraordinary events. Our awardwinning meeting professionals, acclaimed culinary staff, and the city’s friendliest and most professional event team ensure your next event is not only flawless, but completely unforgettable. Our conference and meeting facilities are designed to ensure flawless delivery of any type of event, from cutting-edge presentations to gala banquets. With 67,000 sq. ft. of function and banquet space, including an 19,604 sq. ft. Grand Ballroom, meeting rooms for 90 to 800 people, boardrooms for up to 26 people each, and Sound Board, our live music and presentation venue, we’ve got your event covered. On-property sound, lighting, and audio/video technicians provide a turn-key experience. One of only a select few AAA Four
Diamond Award-winning recipients in the Detroit area, MotorCity Casino Hotel has 400 custom hotel rooms and 33 suites with services, amenities, and a level of attention that will forever change your expectations of what business accommodations should offer. Guests will enjoy complimentary valet parking, 24-hour business and fitness centers, full 24-hour room service menu, luxury bedding with 300 thread-count Italian cotton linens, a pillow library to ensure a perfect night’s rest, and Wi-Fi throughout the property. After a long day, guests will escape into Detroit’s most innovative entertainment venue featuring AAA Four Diamond Awardwinning dining, a 13,000 sq. ft. luxury spa, live entertainment nightly, and the hottest gaming in town.
MotorCity Casino Hotel has everything you need to wow the guests at your next event. From cutting-edge presentations to gala banquets, MotorCity will make the extraordinary happen with its sophisticated boardrooms, 67,000 sq. ft. of flexible banquet and meeting space, and a state-of-the-art theater. Guests will enjoy AAA Four Diamond Award-winning accommodations and dining, a world-class spa, and the hottest gaming in town.
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MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Amway Hotel Corporation 1,100 rooms. 1 host. Make it yours. Ron Brondyke 187 Monroe Ave NW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 www.1100rooms.com rbrondyke@ amwayhotelcollection.com 616-776-6408 Fax: 616-776-6496
Meeting space sq. ft.: Over 240,000 Onsite restaurants: 9 Spacious ballrooms: 6 Meeting/breakout rooms: 68 Surrounding parking spaces: 7,000
The convention center and hotels together feature over 240,000 sq. ft. of meeting and exhibition space and limitless configurable possibilities.
AMWAY HOTEL CORPORATION
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mway Hotel Corporation encourages meeting planners to think outside the box and seek luxury at affordable price points, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The collection is comprised of three distinct hotels: the graceful and historic Amway Grand Plaza, the four-year old chic JW Marriott, and the newly renovated Downtown Courtyard by Marriott. Boasting over 1,100 guestrooms and 9 restaurants, the collection provides one host and point-of-contact with a variety of price points and services. In striving to meet the needs of planners and attendees, the Amway Hotel Corporation unveiled several new amenities this year, including a new Spa & Salon in both the Amway Grand Plaza and JW Marriott; the expanded jdek outdoor patio at the JW Marriott with gazebos complete with fire pits and soft seating that can be rented for private events and dinners; and coming in March 2012, a newly renovated Ambassador Ballroom. All three hotels are attached to one another and to DeVos Place Convention Center via a climate controlled skywalk, ensuring that meetings are an impressive experience in every season. The convention center and the hotels together feature over 240,000 sq. ft. of meeting and exhibition space and limitless configurable meeting locations, including two of the largest ballrooms in the region. All food for the meeting space and DeVos Place is overseen by the Amway Hotel Collection, bringing the culinary team’s five-diamond experience to the banquet food.
The collection is home to 9 restaurants and lounges and offers a wide array of culinary delights including Ruth’s Chris Steak House and the four-diamond Cygnus 27, the highest dining destination in Western Michigan boasting impeccable skyline views, and six.one.six, the signature market-fresh restaurant at JW Marriott Grand Rapids. For groups with green on their minds, Grand Rapids was named “America’s Greenest City” by Fast Company in September 2008 and leads the nation in the number of LEED-certified buildings per capita, including the Grand Rapids Art Museum, the world’s first LEED-certified art museum. The JW Marriott Grand Rapids was recently certified by Green Lodging Michigan for its cost-saving green efforts. Grand Rapids offers a wealth of cultural experiences, boasting Michigan’s only professional ballet company, the only professional opera company in West Michigan, as well as a host of national performers stopping at Van Andel Arena during concert tours. Each month there is a host of community-sponsored events to enjoy. In the fall, Grand Rapids is transformed into a canvas for artists during ArtPrize, the international arts festival and competition that turns the city into a true artist community. In the spring, laughter is in the air during LaughFest, a 10-day event featuring comedic talent from around the globe. The Amway Hotel Corporation invites you to come see how our collection has set the standard for meetings and conventions in the Midwest.
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Holland CVB
You Don’t Need a Passport!
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Wendy Link 76 East 8th Street Holland, MI 49423 www.holland.travel wendy@holland.org 855-342-7624 Fax: 616-394-0122
Area rooms: 1,500 Meeting facilities: Doubletree by Hilton, Haworth Inn & Conference Center, Hope College, CityFlats Hotel Entertainment nearby: Museums, galleries, theatre, shopping, boating, sailing, fishing, golfing, biking, Dutch attractions, dining, festivals & events
ward-winning Holland, Michigan offers the perfect backdrop for your next meeting! Located on the shores of Lakes Michigan and Macatawa, Holland is home to first-class hotels, restaurants, and lakefront parks. Conveniently located thirty-five minutes west of Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Holland is three hours from Chicago and Detroit. Our friendly Dutch hospitality and beautiful landscapes provide the perfect setting to boost meeting attendance and increase family participation. We can accommodate small board meetings and conferences to mid-size conventions and trade shows. Every meeting should include time to get out and explore the host community… and Holland will not disappoint! Your attendees can take advantage of our white sandy beaches, and parks and trails for hiking, biking, and fishing. They can take in a round of golf or opt for contemporary art exhibits. If history is important, they can check out the Holland Museum or we can arrange a tour of Big Red, one of Michigan’s most photographed lighthouses. Our award-winning downtown features a variety of shops, galleries, and eateries and comes alive throughout the year with summer Street Performers,
waterfront concerts in the park, a “Live Mannequin” night and an ice-sculpting competition. Our stateof-the-art snowmelt system keeps downtown’s streets and sidewalks virtually snow-free all winter long! From mid-May to mid-December you can enjoy one of Michigan’s best Farmer’s Markets! Market events include the Saturday morning Chef Series, a “Salsa Showdown” competition, and “The Carve,” where culinary students turn the market’s bounty into amazing works of “food art.” Year-round festivals include the world-renowned Tulip Time Festival, Dutch WinterFest, and the Tulipanes Latino Art & Film Festival. Stop in at our unique Dutch attractions, including Nelis’ Dutch Village, with its festive import shops featuring authentic Dutch wares, and a mini-theme park set in a replica of a small Dutch town. At Windmill Island Gardens, you can tour DeZwaan, a 250-year-old working windmill imported from the Netherlands, and enjoy acres of gardens, klompen dancers, a vintage Dutch carousel and a street organ that was pulled through the streets of Amsterdam. Plan now to make Holland the backdrop of your next successful meeting!
Conveniently located on the shores of Lake Michigan, mid-way between Chicago and Detroit, Holland offers a unique setting for any meeting. Dutch attractions, festivals, and turn-of-the-century architecture combine with an award-winning downtown and beautiful beaches to create an inviting atmosphere year-round. Our friendly Dutch hospitality greets you at every turn and ensures a warm Dutch “Welkom” for you and your attendees.
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MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
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MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
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Ohio
So Much To Discover.
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tart planning your Ohio getaway, and take advantage of adventurous nights and dazzling days. Whatever your group’s idea of fun, Ohio has more than one trip’s worth full of excitement, activities, history, heritage, culture, and attractions to fill an action-packed group tour itinerary or a low-key break from the meeting pace. Known as a state rich in contemporary move-
ments and boasting a “Gateway State” reputation thanks to its roads, rails, and canals connecting its infrastructure to the best of the surrounding Midwest landscapes, Ohio is an in-road to anywhere you want to meet. Today, Ohio’s resources include a wealth of plentiful options to inspire the minds and hearts of your attendees in an atmosphere that helped shape the American way of life for future generations.
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MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Find them here...
Akron/Summit CVB ..................................................113 Ashland Area CVB .....................................................61 Bowling Green CVB/Bowling Green State University.....50 Cherry Valley Lodge ...................................................60 Clinton County CVB ....................................................52 Crowne Plaza Cleveland Airport .................................60 East Liverpool Tourism Bureau .....................................61 Great Wolf Lodge.................................................56, 57 Greater Licking County CVB ........................................54 Grove City Visitors Bureau ..........................................61 Hocking Hills Tourism Assn. .................................54, 112 Holiday Inn Express Akron South .................................51 Holiday Inn Express Columbus/Polaris Parkway ...........51 Holiday Inn Express New Philadelphia .........................51 Holiday Inn Mansfield.................................................51 Holiday Inn Mentor ....................................................51 Holiday Inn Worthington ............................................51 Kalahari Waterpark Resort Convention Center........58, 59 Kings Island Resort & Conference Center......................60 Lake County Visitors Bureau ........................................61 Lake Erie Shores & Islands Welcome Center .................53 Lima/Allen County CVB ..............................................55 Miami County VCB .....................................................55
Top left page: Toledo Zoo, Toledo This page top: Lake Erie shoreline, photo credit: Ohio Tourism Division Middle: Great Serpent Mound in southwest Ohio, photo credit: Ohio Tourism Division Bottom: Columbus skyline, photo credit: Ohio Tourism Division
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Meet in Ohio…
City or countryside? When you bring your group to Ohio, you can have your pick.
As a center of industry and innovation, Akron also has a lot to offer your attendees in terms of entertainment and recreation. From the Akron Art Museum to the Akron Fossils & Science Center to the Akron Zoo, not to mention the Winery at Wolf Creek, Hale Farm & Village, or Harry London Candies, Inc., Akron and the surrounding area promise treats for the culinary and cultural tastes of your group all year round. If that’s not enough to satisfy their appetites, take your attendees to Bowling Green and hit the BG Culinary Tourism Trail. Once their bellies are full, you can discover where the inner children really come out to play, whether it’s while appreciating big-kid toys at Snook’s Dream Cars Automobile Museum or while stimulating the sights, sounds, and senses at the Children’s Discovery Garden of the Simpson Garden Park.
Photo credit: Ohio Tourism Division, www.DiscoverOhio.com
Cleveland is known for rockin’, and thanks to much more than the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
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(left). Supporting the city’s renowned music history, Cleveland also features the second largest performing arts center in the nation at Playhouse Square, as well as a full square mile of arts and culture in University Circle. If the city lights and sights are your group’s thing, take the crowd to downtown Columbus and turn them loose in the Arena District, the city’s latest and greatest entertainment, dining, and sports hotspot. Dinner and a movie… and an NHL game, all in one night? Or meet in Lake County, and your group will be charmed and calmed by a taste of New England. With venues featured on The Travel Channel and Made in America, among other popular broadcasts, the quiet country ambience can include a Lake Erie fishing charter for the adventurers in your group or a peaceful afternoon of window-shopping in Ohio’s sixth largest retail-shopping district.
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
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- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
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More About Ohio As one of Central Ohio’s
County is known as “Ohio’s Largest Playground.” The
fastest growing suburbs, Grove
area offers the best of both worlds as an easy access point
City prides itself on maintain-
to regional attractions like the Cincinnati Zoo & Botani-
ing a small-town climate while
cal Garden, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, a variety
serving as a major lodging center for
of nearby waterpark destinations and roller coaster adventures, and
the area. Located within proximity
Ohio’s #1 rated public golf course.
of Ohio State University sporting
Home to the “World’s Best Amusement Park,” Sandusky will
events and featuring local equestrian
have your participants screaming with more than 150 rides, shows,
attractions like Scioto Downs and Beulah
and attractions spread over Cedar Point’s 364 acres. Attendees can
Park, Grove City offers unique entertain-
bring the whole family and take in the sights and sounds of stunt
ment options alongside homegrown festivals
performances, live music shows, and even in-person appearances
and group tour opportunities.
by their favorite PEANUTS characters.
Pick up the pace at a stock, sprint, or midget car race at the mo-
In Springfield, your group can meet in some of the local attrac-
tor sports park in Lima or let your attendees get in on a teambuild-
tions, including Frank Lloyd Wright’s Westcott House or the Clark
ing challenge at Paint Ball Plus. History buffs will be thrilled at
County State Performing Arts Center. Recognized for its historic
the many opportunities to explore local Ohio culture at the Allen
architectural landmarks, Springfield celebrates its heritage with a
County Museum, the Gomer Welsh Community Museum, or the
variety of group tour options and stunning settings that take your
Delphos Canal Commission Museum.
attendees off the normal beaten path.
Centrally located between Cincinnati and Dayton, Warren
Meet in Ohio and see it all!
Clinton County CVB “Meet In The Middle” Debbie Stamper 13 N South St Wilmington, OH 45177 877-428-4748 Fax: 937-382-1738 www.clintoncountyohio.com info@clintoncountyohio.com Airport: Dayton Intl. - 35 miles, Cincinnati Intl. - 60 miles, Columbus Intl. - 60 miles Area rooms: 600 Major meeting facilities: Hampton Inn & Suites Conference Center, Historic Murphy Theatre, Roberts Conference Centre, Wilmington College, Expo Center, Clinton County Fairgrounds Attractions: Historic Murphy Theatre, Cowan Lake State Park, Caesar Creek State Park, Kings Island, Cincinnati Reds Baseball, Cincinnati Museum Center, U.S. Air Force Museum, Prime Outlets Mall/Jeffersonville, Cincinnati Art Museum
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entrally located in the “golden triangle” of Southwest Ohio, the metro centers of Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton are only a short drive from Wilmington and Clinton County, making it a perfect location for regional meetings. Easily accessible from I-71, the north/ south corridor through Ohio, sixty percent of the U.S. population is located within a day’s drive of Wilmington, with the convenience of three international airports close by. From large to small meetings, we can handle your event. Choose Southwest Ohio for your next event. The Clinton County CVB stands committed to providing personalized service to ensure a successful event.
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Lake Erie Shores & Islands Welcome Center Memorable Meetings, Miles of Shoreline Amanda Smith Rasnick 4424 Milan Rd, Ste A Sandusky, OH 44870 1-800-255-3743 • 419-625-2984 Fax: 419-625-5009 www.SHORESandISLANDS.com/group amanda@shoresandislands.com Area rooms: 8,000 Major meeting facilities: Kalahari Resort and Convention Center, The Lodge at Sawmill Creek, Put-in-Bay Resort and Conference Center, Lakeside Association, Great Wolf Lodge, Hotel Breakers Conference Center Attractions: Cedar Point, Lake Erie Islands, island-hopping cruises, indoor waterparks, golf, wineries, museums, fishing charters, bird watching and lighthouses
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
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his freshwater destination provides an exceptional location for your event. It is less than an hour’s drive from both Cleveland and Toledo airports, and is easily accessible via the Ohio Turnpike and other major state routes. Parking is complimentary at nearly all the meeting locations and resorts. And, this coastal region offers stunning scenery and natural areas as well as numerous entertainment options, including Cedar Point, cruises to the islands, four indoor waterpark resorts and flourishing fishing opportunities. With over 615,000 sq. ft. of versatile meeting space and multiple alternative venues, the Lake Erie Shores & Islands has the ability to host most traditional events, but it’s the nontraditional events that peak with
creativity. From intense board meetings and intimate banquets to largescale tradeshows, the site options are endless. Choices range from a professional, top-notch convention center connected to Ohio’s largest hotel and the nation’s largest indoor waterpark to a quaint, Victorian-style island retreat that is accessible by means of a relaxing ferry ride or scenic flight over the lake. From initial contact to the final good-bye, professional welcome center staff is eager to help with every detail. Submitting formal proposals; coordinating bids for facilities and accommodations; providing photos, logos and copy for your promotional materials; and offering a welcome speaker, registration assistance and visitor literature are all standard services.
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
Discover a meeting destination that’s anything but dry!
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MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Lima/Allen County CVB A Community of Real American Strength Sharree Brenneman-Reehling, Meetings & Conventions Sales Director 144 S Main St, Ste 101, Lima, OH 45801 www.lima-allencvb.com • sharree@lima-allencvb.com 419-222-6075 • 888-222-6075 • Fax: 419-222-0134 Area hotel rooms: 1,390 Entertainment nearby: Museums, heritage & history, train displays, arts & cultural activities, events, festivals, hiking, biking, bowling, racing, golf, shopping, a variety of restaurants Meeting facilities: In need of a convention or meeting site? We have many. From a variety of meeting spaces and venues to the state-ofthe-art Veterans’ Memorial Civic & Convention Center that features a 15,000 sq. ft. Exhibit Hall, 10 meeting rooms, the Crouse Performance Hall and a customized catering network to meet your needs.
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estled conveniently in the heart of Northwest Ohio at the crossroads of the historic east-west Lincoln Highway and the accessible north-south I-75, Lima/Allen County is ready to welcome you. Big or small, we’re here to make your next event both memorable and successful… it’s the American way!
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
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Great Wolf Lodge
Your Meetings, Your Way at Great Wolf Lodge Cincinnati/Mason, OH Betsy Kang Director of Sales and Marketing 2501 Great Wolf Dr Mason, OH 45040 www.greatwolf.com/mason masongroupsales@greatwolf.com Contact Group Sales at 513-459-8885 ext. 557
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our Meeting, Your Way - Great Wolf Lodge Cincinnati/Mason, Ohio - A fresh, new approach to
the meeting business. The staff at Great Wolf Lodge - Cincinnati/Mason, Ohio understands it’s more than just a meeting. It’s your meeting. They listen to you and your needs to make you
If you are a corporate meeting planner looking for a unique spot to host your next corporate meeting or outing, Great Wolf LodgeCincinnati/Mason is the place. Great Wolf Lodge redefines value for corporate events. It’s not just about affordable rates and delectable cuisine, it’s about Great Wolf’s potential to drive attendance, deliver a memorable experience, and make the planning process a pleasure.
look great - for those you are trying to please. Your goal is to plan an event your attendees will talk about and remember. Their Meeting Services team is ready and prepared to handle it all. The logistics. The cuisine. The service. The technology. Perfect execution is the deliverable of each and every event you plan at the Great Wolf Lodge. As the region’s most unique 401 all-suite facility, Great Wolf’s conference center features 15 separate rooms, offering the flexibility to accommodate events from 10 people to 1,000. There are tastefully appointed pre-function spaces, a permanent registration desk, and outdoor patios for your attendees to enjoy a little fresh air between meetings. Great Wolf will add a new dimension to your event. When it’s time to relax, the enormous indoor waterpark, restaurants, Spa Salon, gigantic Arcade, and proximity to Kings Island Amusement Park, world-class golf, outlet shopping, historic downtown areas, and all that Cincinnati has to offer make it easy to see how Great Wolf Lodge creates excitement for all aspects of your event. There’s just nothing like a Great Wolf meeting.
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MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
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Kalahari Resort Kalahari Resort Unveils Latest Expansion: Convention Center Enhancements Impress With Size and Accommodation Options David Friedburg, Director of Sales Natalie Ennis, Sales Manager 7000 Kalahari Dr Sandusky, OH 44870 KalahariResorts.com OHGroups@KalahariResorts.com Toll free: 877-642-6847 Fax: 419-433-7748 Rooms/suites: 890 (229 one to 10 bedroom suites) Largest meeting room: 38,232 sq. ft. with 28 ft. ceiling Meeting rooms: 39 Reception capacity: 4,000 Onsite restaurants: 11 Onsite lounges: 2 Onsite shops: 5 Waterparks: 2 Adventure Parks: 1
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n December 2011, the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Sandusky, Ohio will unveil $22 million in upgrades to its meetings and convention center. Already regarded as America’s Largest Indoor Waterpark, this addition more than doubles the size of the existing convention center, making Kalahari Resort - Sandusky the only under-one-roof complex in the Midwest to offer a convention center and hotel of this scope. The 120,000 sq. ft. addition, which will bring Kalahari’s convention center total sq. ft. to 215,000, will include a 38,000 sq. ft. grand ballroom and expo center, a 12,000 sq. ft. junior ballroom, 14 meeting rooms, 30,000 sq. ft. of pre-function meeting space and 70,000 sq. ft. of accessible exhibit space for up to 400 booths. “We pride ourselves in striking the right balance of features for convention guests and leisure travelers to ensure that each has a top-notch, yet very different experience,” said Todd Nelson, President and owner of Kalahari Resorts who notes that, with this addition, the resort will have added more than $175 million in expansions since opening in 2005. “This expansion further demonstrates our commitment to building a premier meeting and convention center in Northeast Ohio.” The distinctive meetings philosophy, for which Kalahari Resort is known, will be incorporated into the convention space to include state-of-the-art visual equipment such as interactive whiteboards, video conferencing options, high-end acoustical sound systems, HD-quality projectors and formatted screens, advance lighting control systems and digital signage. Meeting planners will also appreciate smart design elements including electronically lockable built-in registration and office areas as well as service kitchens in key areas to enhance food and beverage service options.
Meeting and convention attendees will also be greeted by authentic African artwork, décor and furnishings that have been hand-selected by Kalahari staff in Africa, as well as one-of-a-kind fixtures designed by the resort’s private theme shop. “Many groups we’ve hosted have been surprised to discover the level of our meetings and event offerings. Although groups want to bring larger statewide or national conventions to us, in the past we were able to accommodate their guest room needs, but we couldn’t accommodate their function space needs,” said Kevin Shanley, Corporate Director of Sales for Kalahari Resorts. “We’re excited to open new doors for Kalahari Resort and the surrounding community with our added meeting space which will draw significantly more attendees.” In addition to the convention center upgrades, Kalahari Resort - Sandusky offers ultimate lodging accommodations. Guests can select from one-bedroom to tenbedroom suites or stay in one of the resort’s five-bedroom villas, which include a fully-equipped kitchen, dining area and breakfast nook, indoor six-person hot tub, outdoor living area, washer and dryer and much more. Visitors can also explore one of the other many attractions while staying at the resort, including America’s largest indoor waterpark, the Safari Outdoor Adventure and Animal Park, nine restaurants, a luxury spa, five retail shops, an outdoor zipline, ropes course and a climbing wall. To make reservations for your next meeting or event at Kalahari Resort - Sandusky, please call or email our Group Sales department at (877) 642-6847 or OHgroups@KalahariResorts.com. You can also visit our website at www.KalahariResorts.com/OH/Conventions.
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
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MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Tour Our Potteries & Purchase Wares Speciality Shops Antiques Visit The Museum of Ceramics Enjoy Our Riverfront Wharf Lou Holtz Upper Ohio Valley Hall of Fame Parks Lodging Boating Dining Museums Golf & Disc Golf Entertainment at Nearby Race Track & Gaming Resorts
Visit our website at www.visitelo.com & contact us for a complimentary DVD WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
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CVBs: This Way In… to Your Next Midwest Destination!
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f you have yet to work with a Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) when plan-
ning a meeting or event, what are you waiting for? CVBs are your #1 players in your Midwest destinations of choice, and they’re ready to deliver support and assistance for all your event planning, promotion, and logistics needs. If you’ve never asked what a CVB can do for you, you’ll be surprised to find out about all the ways - large and small - a CVB can save you time, energy, and resources when it comes to gearing up for your next gathering. Read what these planners had to say about working with Midwest CVBs… then turn the page and read all about why you should be working
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“We appreciated the warm welcome we received from the [Columbia, MO] Convention and Visitors Bureau. Our speakers loved the gift baskets the CVB provided.” -Casey R., Midwest Regional Association for Developmental Education “The [Akron/Summit CVB] process was quick, easy, and at no expense. How fantastic!” -Theresa S., InfoCision “The meeting package offered in [Fort Wayne, IN] was an excellent complement to our meeting needs and everything went very smoothly. We plan to return in the near future.” -Brian R., SIRVA Moving Services “The Fox Cities [WI] Convention & Visitors Bureau was incredibly helpful in planning and suggesting tour ideas. The CVB put together the whole package for us, and their help was greatly appreciated. The entire staff is very friendly and helpful. They really bent over backward to assist us.” -Bob G. and Juanita G., USS Cushing Association Reunion
with a Midwest CVB!
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MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Check out the best CVB options the Midwest has to offer your meeting or event. Learn Here 70. CVB Heroes Can they save the day for you?
Meet Here
109. 5 Ways a CVB Can Help 111. 5 More Ways a CVB Can Help
by Shadia Cook 80. DMAP: Establishing Excellence
Who’s accredited?
112. What Does a CVB Do? The inside scoop on meeting destinations. 114. Did You Know: Grant Programs for
87. FAQs on CVBs Common questions answered.
Events Are you taking advantage?
90. Planner’s Diary Part I: The Mankato
117. Promotion, Anyone? CVBs get you more than media.
Marathon It’s a run to the finish! 97. Ahead of the Curve: Mobile Apps for
Meetings
122. Getting Out the Word Are CVBs reaching you via social media?
by Heidi Fendos
103. The Value of a CVB
133. Top 5 Reasons to Use a CVB What are you waiting for?
Can you count the ways? by Shadia Cook
Illinois ........................... 63 Indiana ......................... 69 Iowa ............................. 72 Kansas .......................... 81 Michigan ....................... 88 Minnesota ..................... 92 Missouri ........................ 98 Nebraska .................... 104 North Dakota............... 109 Ohio ........................... 112 South Dakota ............... 116 Wisconsin.................... 124
Chicago Southland CVB
The Biggest Backyard in the Nation!
Mary Patchin, Director of Sales
2304 173rd St, Lansing, IL 60438-6006 888-895-3211• Fax: 708-895-8288 www.meetchicagosouthland.com meetings@visitchicagosouthland.com
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elcome to the Chicago Southland! Chicago Southland - the 61 south and southwest suburbs of Chicago - is the affordable, accessible meeting location, with 70 hotels and motels offering more than 6,000 rooms for every budget and FREE parking. A variety of meeting and convention venues are available to meeting planners, including the newly expanded Tinley Park Convention Center. Unique meeting places abound, with golf courses, horse racing tracks, historical buildings and one of the only corporate teambuilding facilities in the Midwest. Located at the crossroads of Interstates 57, 80, 94, 294, 90, 55 and 355, the Chicago Southland is easily accessible to both Midway and O’Hare International Airports, and additional transportation options are readily available, including commuter rail, bus and Amtrak. The Chicago Southland CVB assists meeting planners with site selection, bids/proposals, transportation coordination, registration, and more. Be sure to ask about our current incentive promotion and our FREE convention services! For additional information, please call the Chicago Southland CVB toll free at 888-8953211.
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
Quick Look
Area rooms: 6,000+ Major meeting facilities: Newly expanded Tinley Park Convention Center, Orland Park Civic Center and other alternative venues for small/ mid-size meetings Attractions: TOYOTA PARK, home of the Chicago Fire Major League Soccer team, First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, Balmoral Park Race Track (horse racing), 36 public and semiprivate golf courses, antique shopping, teambuilding course, Windy City ThunderBolts (Frontier League pro baseball)
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
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Chicago’s North Shore CVB Kimberly Wright, Director of Sales
Our service is personalized and
8001 Lincoln Ave, Ste 715 Skokie, IL 60077 847-763-0011 Ext 23 Fax: 847-763-0022 www.visitchicagonorthshore.com meetings@cnscvb.com
complimentary and we will work within your budget needs to arrange every aspect of your special event–whether small or large.
Quick Look
Area hotel rooms: 3,150 Attractions nearby: Chicago Botanic Garden; Illinois Holocaust Museum; Ravinia; North Shore Center for the Performing Arts; Northwestern University; Westfield Old Orchard, The Glen Town Center, and Northbrook Court shopping centers Meeting facilities: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel and Conference Center, Renaissance Chicago North Shore, Hilton Orrington, Holiday Inn North Shore, Wyndham Glenview Suites, Hampton Inn & Suites Chicago North Shore, Hilton Garden Inn Chicago North Shore, Sheraton Northbrook, Courtyard by Marriott, The Glen Club
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B
ordering Chicago along beautiful Lake Michigan, Chicago’s North Shore represents the most scenic communities in the Midwest that are also home to state-of-the-art meeting and event facilities. Our region proudly hosts groups from 20 to 500 people. The hotels of Chicago’s North Shore offer world-class meeting facilities – all close to downtown Chicago, O’Hare International Airport and the I-94 corridor. Our properties offer a range of amenities including rooftop ballrooms, conference centers built with IACC specifications, wireless internet connectivity, advanced audiovisual capabilities as well as a ballroom that can accommodate over 1,000. Chicago’s North Shore is a preferred destination for meeting planners who choose to offer their meeting delegates a broad and diverse range of attractions, restaurants, entertainment and shopping options. Chicago’s North Shore CVB will offer you personalized assistance in planning your meeting or event. You may also utilize the interactive planning tools on our website.
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
DuPage CVB Chicago’s Western Suburbs Lisa Landers, CMP, DOS
N
eed a reason to bring your next meeting to DuPage County? How about ten of them!
915 Harger Rd, Ste 240, Oak Brook, IL 60523 800-232-0502 • Fax: 630-575-8078 www.discoverdupage.com • meetings@discoverdupage.com
1. Location, Location, Location: Just a few miles west of Chicago, with quick, easy access to O’Hare and Midway Airports, major interstates, and regional mass transportation. 2. Best of Both Worlds: Urban excitement of a major metropolitan area combined with the charm, convenience and value of the suburbs. 3. Lots to See & Do: World-class shopping and dining choices, with a wide variety of attractions and events. 4. Diverse Accommodations: Over 100 hotels and resorts of every type from high-end conference to boutique hotels with 16,000+ total guest rooms. 5. Plenty of Meeting Space: Nearly 2 million square feet of combined meeting space in all shapes, sizes and locations. 6. Four Beautiful Golf Resorts: All offering excellent meeting facilities, and nearly 50 more public and private golf courses in the area. 7. Seven IACC-Approved Properties: Perfect environments for training with all the latest technology and CMP pricing. 8. DuPage CVB Sales Team: Credentialed area experts with years of experience providing valuable resources regarding the Chicago area. 9. Complimentary Signature Services: Hotel/venue searches and prompt proposals, site visit coordination and hosting, visitor information and more. 10. Signature Elite Planner Incentive Program: Rewarding reasons to hold your meeting or event in DuPage.
Quick Look
Airports: O’Hare, Midway and DuPage Major meeting facilities: Eaglewood Resort & Spa, Hilton Chicago Indian Lakes Resort, Oak Brook Hills Marriott Resort, Pheasant Run Resort, Chicago Marriott Oak Brook Hotel, Drury Lane Theatre & Conference Center, Odeum Sports & Expo Center, Westin Lombard Yorktown Center Attractions: Bolingbrook Golf Club, Brookfield Zoo, Cantigny Park, Elmhurst Museum Campus, Lynfred Winery, The Morton Arboretum, Oakbrook Center, The 2012 Ryder Cup
•
•
Proud partners with the PGA to host the 2012 Ryder Cup, we offer Signature Services that are second to none, nearly 2 million sq. ft. of meeting space and 16,000+ guestrooms. Consistently ranked as a favorite Midwest destination by meeting planners! WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
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Meet in
Naperville
The Museum’s a one-of-a-kind venue perfect for family-focused fun for company outings, fundraisers and special events! Flexible options for facility rental are available.
ashington St. • Naperville • Illinois • 60540
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MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
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Meet in
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Illinois
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Meet in
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
Indiana
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
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by Shadia Cook
CVB Heroes
www.photos.com
Can they save the day for you?
I
s it a bird? Is it a plane? No… it’s the local CVB! In many cir-
where they would be able to see real-world urban planning first-
cumstances, a Midwest bureau can come to the rescue - or just
hand. In addition, instead of planning a typical breakfast, the CVB
take an event over the top. When meeting professionals think of a
suggested and helped organize a unique event in conjunction with
CVB, they might think of the basic services: help with distributing
the Farmers Market, so attendees could experience capital city of-
RFPs, organizing site visits, suggesting itineraries, providing local
ferings while tying in with the group’s mission and vision.
maps, assisting with registration and welcome packets, and more.
John Norquist, former mayor of Milwaukee and current presi-
While such services are useful in planning and executing a success-
dent of the Congress for New Urbanism, says, “The result was
ful event, there are many incidences in which CVBs go beyond the
outstanding. The dozens of local volunteers, the Greater Madison
expected, much to the delight of meeting planners and attendees
CVB, and Monona Terrace worked as a cohesive team, providing
alike.
seamless and thorough service to all our attendees. We hope to
Exceeding the Norm For example, the Greater Madison CVB in Wisconsin lives and breathes a commitment to “Going Beyond Visit,” a concept staff members take seriously.
return in the future.”
Switching Gears In more extreme circumstances, CVBs often step in. When the town of Joplin, MO was devastated by a tornado in June, the city
Janine Wachter, CMP, director of convention and event servic-
was faced with major cleanup, and the Missouri Trucking Associa-
es, recalls going “beyond visit” with the Congress for New Urban-
tion was faced with finding an alternate site for its annual meeting.
ism, a national group that focuses on urban planning. As home to
To the rescue: the nearby Springfield CVB. Challenged with a lot
the largest farmer-produced Farmers Market held weekly in down-
to accomplish in a short amount of time, the association and the
town Madison, the Greater Madison CVB staff knew congress
Springfield bureau worked quickly and closely to make the move to
attendees would be appreciative of the local community event,
a new location.
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MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Stephanie Swanson (right), National Society Daughters of the Union 1861-1865, Colonel William Hoffman Chapter, credits the Quad Cities CVB for saving her group’s annual convention. By finding a venue within the immediate area, the Missouri
From that call came the answer: problem solved. The Celebration
Trucking Association was able to keep all its regular volunteers
Belle would continue to run boat tours during the flood. Looking
who work with the event, as well as the same event dates - a crucial
back, Swanson recalls “a heavy sigh of relief, compliments of QC-
factor for the annual meeting, since its attendees are truck drivers
CVB.”
who aren’t typically able to reschedule easily. In addition, when
Sealing the Deal
organizers mentioned they needed to transport attendees from the
A key element of success in working with CVBs is that bureau
hotel to the training site, Diane Gillespie with the Springfield CVB
staff members can help cut through red tape that planners aren’t
leapt into action and made a call. Soon after, the group was hooked
always able to navigate on their own. In June, Teresa Alfaro, CMP,
up with a supplier who could not only fulfill transportation needs
meetings manager for Volunteers of America, held an annual con-
but also extend a discount to aid in the transition.
ference in Sioux Falls, SD. For the welcoming reception, the local
Staying Afloat
CVB landed Falls Park, a venue that normally wouldn’t be obtain-
Throughout the typical ups and downs of event planning, a CVB
able under the group’s parameters.
can act as a steady support system as well as an emergency lifesaver.
“When I contacted the park, I was told that because it is a public
For Stephanie Swanson of the National Society Daughters of the
venue, they cannot book more than a few months out,” Alfaro says.
Union 1861-1865, Colonel William Hoffman Chapter, the Quad
“Bottom line: it wouldn’t have worked for us, as we have to have
Cities CVB in Moline, IL came through to ward off a drastic head-
that venue confirmed more than a couple of months out.”
ache for the group’s annual convention. But first, the bureau proved
Teri Ellis Schmidt, executive director of the Sioux Falls CVB,
to be an outstanding resource in the planning process, Swanson
came through to secure the park for the group in advance, and she
says, as the QCCVB program director “suggested tours, contacted
also arranged for the permits the group needed to use the venue. In
tour providers, developed maps through our very confusing infra-
addition, Alfaro says, the bureau staff worked with her from Sep-
structure construction zones, provided hospitality bags filled with
tember 2010 through June 2011, and “they were instrumental in
brochures about our area, set up an information desk in the lobby
the flawless execution of the conference. I would not hesitate to
of our host hotel, and the list goes on.”
bring another meeting to Sioux Falls simply to work with such a
However, the true test of the bureau came when the Mississippi River reached flood stage about a week before the event, “which is
fine group of dedicated professionals. I love them!”
Making Memories
often a fact of life in the Quad Cities, but not so great if a group tour
Conveying the important roles CVBs can play within their com-
is scheduled on a paddle wheel boat for 60 guests,” Swanson says.
munities, such words of gratitude and appreciation are common
“I was frantic. It would have been impossible to schedule some-
among meeting professionals. Bureau staff members may not wear
thing else on such short notice, and refunding the monies already
capes or move faster than speeding bullets, but they certainly go
received from attendees would be a monumental task. What to do?
down in many meeting histories as local heroes for event planners
Simple: call Joan [Frank] at QCCVB.”
and groups, time and time again.
With the help of the local CVB, Volunteers of America secured Falls Park in Sioux Falls, SD as a unique venue for its annual conference’s welcome reception. WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
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Meet in
72
Iowa
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Clinton CVB
“Things to do… with a River View”
Marsha Smith, Director Quick Look
721 S 2nd St Clinton, IA 52732 563-242-5702 Fax: 563-242-5802 www.clintoniowatourism.com msmith@clintonia.com
Area hotel rooms: 632 Entertainment nearby: Museums, live summer stock theatre, professional baseball, hiking, biking, fishing, golf, antique shopping, arboretum, casino gaming Meeting facilities: Gil’s Ballroom, The Tuscany, Vista Grande, Wild Rose Casino & Resort
C
linton, Iowa is located on the Mississippi River, just 30 minutes from I-80 and 20 minutes from I-88. On our beautiful riverfront, you will see the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre, Candlelight Inn with a beautiful river view, baseball stadium and much more. In Clinton, we pride ourselves on our hospitality. The CVB will help you customize your meeting needs, provide welcome bags, greeting services and/or registration assistance. Come to Clinton and have a memorable experience!
Waterloo CVB
Break Free from the Ordinary!
Erin Schmitz, CMP
500 Jefferson St, Waterloo, IA 50701 800-728-8431 • 319-233-2733 TravelWaterloo.com • Erin@TravelWaterloo.com aterloo, Iowa is the perfect location for your next meeting or convention! Choose from an W array of unique and affordable facilities that provide
the right ambiance and amenities to accommodate your event’s needs. Your attendees can enjoy spectacular attractions and entertainment, great lodging and dining options, and fantastic shopping and outdoor recreation. Explore 100+ miles of paved recreational trails, learn about the history of the Five Sullivan Brothers at the Grout’s Iowa Veterans Museum, discover arts and culture at the Waterloo Center for the Arts, take a tour through John Deere Operations, or experience dining like never before at Galleria De Paco. Waterloo is easily accessible from every location in the Midwest. Conveniently located at the crossroads of Interstate 380 and Highways 218, 63 and 20, and just minutes from Waterloo Regional Airport. We’ll help make the planning process easy and ensure a successful event that you will be proud of. Visit TravelWaterloo.com or call us at (800) 7288431, and ask about our grant program for non-profit organizations hosting their event in Waterloo.
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
Quick Look
Area hotel rooms: 2,200 Nearest airport: Waterloo Regional Airport - 4 miles Major meeting facilities: Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo - 5,000 sq. ft., Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center 40,000 sq. ft. Attractions: Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo, Lost Island Water Park, Cedar Valley Trail System, Grout Museum District, Waterloo Center for the Arts, John Deere Operations, Galleria De Paco, National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Wrestling Museum, College & Regional Sports
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
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Council Bluffs CVB Meet Best in the West Josee Beier, Director of Convention Sales
149 West Broadway, PO Box 1565 Council Bluffs, IA 51501 800-228-6878, Direct: 712-256-5653 Fax: 712-322-5698 www.councilbluffscvb.com jbeier@councilbluffsiowa.com
Quick Look
Area rooms: 2,300 Major meeting facilities: Mid-America Center, Ameristar Casino Hotel, Holiday Inn at Ameristar, Harrah’s Casino Hotel, Hilton Garden Inn Attractions: Bass Pro Outdoor World, Bayliss Park and Veterans Plaza, Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, Children’s Square, Commemorative Air Force Museum, Ditmars Orchard, Historic General Dodge House, Historic Squirrel Cage Jail, Kanesville Tabernacle, Lewis & Clark Monument, RailsWest Museum, Union Pacific Railroad Museum, Western Historic Trails Center, Western Iowa Wine Trails
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Our city offers a multitude of meeting and conference sites. Come see for yourself and get together in the bluffs!
O
ur Convention and Visitors Bureau is devoted to promoting Council Bluffs, Iowa, as a surprising, affordable location for small to mid-sized meetings and conventions. Our CVB is known for exceptional personalized service, including bid proposals, site visits, planning assistance, bags and name badges specific to your group. Council Bluffs is centrally located, at the intersection of I-80 and I-29, and just 10 minutes from the Omaha Eppley airport. Free parking and ample amenities make us a Midwest favorite! At the heart of our meeting space is the Mid-America Convention Center with over 66,000 sq. ft. of smoke-free meeting space, 13,500 sq. ft. of pre-function space, eight breakout rooms, and two ballrooms. Plus 9,000 sq. ft. of arena hosts multiple concerts, arena football, and more. Connected to the Mid-America Center is the 133-room Country Inn and Suites. Across the parking lot, Spring Hill Suites by Marriott features 151 rooms, and the Holiday Inn Express, Microtel and Hilton Garden Inn are steps away. Council Bluffs has three distinct casinos, a 16-screen cinema and 3D IMAX, a Go Kart indoor track, 20 area museums, shopping areas with names you know and boutiques, and multiple new restaurants to satisfy every taste.
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Dubuque Area CVB Where thinking outside the meeting space is always encouraged. Julie Kronlage
LOOKING FOR A DESTINATION THAT
300 Main St, Ste 200 Dubuque, IA 52001 www.traveldubuque.com jkronlage@dubuquechamber.com 563-557-9200 Fax: 563-557-1591
Quick Look Area hotel rooms: 1,800 Entertainment nearby: Live entertainment at local casinos, River Cruises, Museums, Theaters Meeting facilities: 2,000 sq. ft. - 86,000 sq. ft. available
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
THINKS OUTSIDE THE MEETING ROOM? Look no further than Dubuque, IA.
T
his reinvented Mississippi River town features the 86,000 sq. ft. Grand River Center with 11 different meeting rooms on the banks of the Mississippi River. It is attached to the 193room Grand Harbor Resort. The $36 million restored Hotel Julien Dubuque opened in 2009 in downtown Dubuque, featuring 133 hotel rooms and 14,000 sq. ft. of space. At the Holiday Inn Dubuque/Galena enjoy their 193 rooms, 9,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and downtown location. Next to the Holiday Inn Dubuque/Galena is the 24,000 sq. ft. Five Flags Center. The Best Western Plus Dubuque Hotel & Conference Center features 151 hotel rooms and 10,000 sq. ft. of space. If a small meeting location is what you need, consider the Hilton Garden Inn. The 116room property features 2,000 sq. ft. of space and is connected to the Mystique Casino. Unique off site event opportunities also abound in Dubuque. Enjoy a cruise on the Mississippi River for an opening or closing reception. Step into the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium (a Smithsonian affiliate) to dine with the fish and enjoy unique exhibits or tap your foot to the beat of a national act at a local casino.
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
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Meet in
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Marshalltown
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Meet in
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
Newton
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
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Meet in
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Okoboji
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Meet in
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
Pella
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
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DMAP: Establishing Excellence Who’s accredited?
T
being the best of the best,” Warren says. “But it’s
he Destination Marketing Association Inter-
also about the process of analyzing your own
national’s (DMAI) Destination Marketing
Accreditation Program (DMAP), launched
organization, improving it and maintaining
in 2007, establishes standards of perfor-
that level of excellence. Once you’re
mance for the destination marketing indus-
accredited, you have to live up to it.”
try that serve as a benchmark for meeting
The standards encompass governance,
and event planners to weigh a bureau’s ser-
finance, management, human resources, technology, visitor services, group services,
vices.
sales, communications, membership, brand
“A CVB that has acquired accreditation
management, destination development, research/
through DMAI has had to go through a very inten-
market intelligence, innovation and stakeholder rela-
sive presentation and examination of their policies, procedures, mission and goals,” says Julie Warren of the Bloomington/
tionships.
Monroe County CVB in Bloomington, IN. “This means that every
Accreditation of a CVB translates into reassurance for a planner
aspect of the bureau has been scrutinized, from the way the orga-
that the bureau in question adheres to standards of excellence set
nization is managed to the service that it provides to its clients.”
in place by a recognized, professional industry association.
Resulting in a four-year accreditation, the program was designed
“Being accredited means a CVB has accepted the standards
for all destination marketing organizations (DMOs, also known as
of excellence put forth by DMAI and is going to perform at that
CVBs), regardless of organizational structure. The process of evalu-
level,” Warren says. “This happens in every department and in ev-
ating a bureau reveals its strengths and weaknesses in preparation
ery experience we have with meeting planners, visitors or industry
for seeking accreditation, which requires stringent adherence to 54
professionals. There are certain goals and experiences a bureau has
mandatory standards. In addition, 33 voluntary standards are also
to have in order to get accredited, so a meeting planner knows that
in place.
this CVB recognizes the importance of their event and has worked
“Just like any accreditation, it’s an honor to be recognized as
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on a similar project before, no matter the size or scope.”
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Accredited Midwest CVBs As of September 8, 2011 Bloomington/Monroe County CVB Bloomington, IN www.visitbloomington.com
Fargo-Moorhead CVB Fargo, ND www.fargomoorhead.org
Indiana Dunes Tourism Porter, IN www.indianadunes.com
Quad Cities CVB Moline, IL www.visitquadcities.com
Butler County Visitors Bureau West Chester, OH www.destinationbutlercounty.com
Go Wichita Wichita, KS www.visitwichita.com
Indianapolis CVA Indianapolis, IN www.indy.org
Rockford Area CVB Rockford, IL www.gorockford.com
Chicago Southland CVB Lansing, IL www.cscvb.com
Greater Des Moines CVB Des Moines, IA www.seedesmoines.com
Kansas City CVA Kansas City, MO www.visitkc.com
South Shore CVA Hammond, IN www.southshorecva.com
Door County Visitor Bureau Sturgeon Bay, WI www.doorcounty.com
Greater Green Bay CVB Green Bay, WI www.greenbay.com
Lake County, IL CVB Gurnee, IL www.lakecounty.org
Springfield CVB Springfield, MO www.springfieldmo.org
Dublin CVB Dublin, OH www.irishisanattitude.com
Greater Lansing CVB Lansing, MI www.lansing.org
LaPorte County CVB Michigan City, IN www.michigancitylaporte.com
VISIT Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI www.milwaukee.org
Elkhart County CVB Elkhart, IN www.amishcountry.org
Greater Madison CVB Madison, WI www.visitmadison.com
Lisle CVB Lisle, IL www.stayinlisle.com
Visit Topeka, Inc. Topeka, KS www.visittopeka.com
Experience Columbus Columbus, OH www.experiencecolumbus.com
Hamilton County CVB Carmel, IN www.hamiltoncountytowns.com
Peoria Area CVB Peoria, IL www.peoria.org
Warren County CVB Mason, OH www.ohioslargestplayground.com
Experience Grand Rapids Grand Rapids, MI www.experiencegr.com
Harrison County CVB Corydon, IN www.thisisindiana.org
Positively Cleveland Cleveland, OH www.positivelycleveland.com
Woodfield Chicago Northwest CVB Schaumburg, IL www.chicagonorthwest.com
Source: Destination Marketing Association International
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
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Kansas City Kansas CVB Kerry Green
PO Box 171517 Kansas City, KS 66117 800-264-1563 Fax: 913-371-0204 www.visitkansascityks.com kerry@visitkansascityks.com
Quick Look
Area rooms: 1,670 Nearest airport: Kansas City International (MCI) - 17.29 miles Major meeting facilities: Reardon Convention Center Attractions: Kansas Speedway, Legends Outlets-Kansas City, Cabela’s, Nebraska Furniture Mart, National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame, Great Wolf Lodge - KC’s Premier Indoor Waterpark, Moon Marble Company, Schlitterbahn Kansas City Waterpark, Community America Ballpark, Livestrong Sporting Park
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For your copy of the Visitors Guide, Meeting Planners Guide or information on hotels, attractions, and dining contact us at www.visitkansascityks.com or 800-264-1563
W
hether you’re planning a convention, major business meeting, or just need some event space… We have what you’re looking for! Kansas City, Kansas and Wyandotte County are located on the banks where the Kansas and Missouri rivers meet. In Kansas City Kansas you’ll find unique convention and meeting facilities mixed with a variety of one-of-a-kind attractions. The Reardon Convention Center, conveniently linked to the Hilton Garden Inn, offers a restaurant onsite to compliment the 147 guestrooms for your use. No matter the size, we will accommodate your event. With newly built hotels and unique function space, you can be assured of a successful event. Kansas Speedway, The Great Wolf Lodge, Cabela’s, The National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame and Legends Outlets-Kansas City are only a few of the sites waiting to welcome your next event. Many national and local restaurants are located in Kansas City, Kansas for your dining experiences. From barbecue to steaks, we have something for everyone! The Kansas City, Kansas - Convention and Visitors Bureau is here to assist you in making your event a memorable one. Make plans now to visit us soon for your next event.
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Manhattan CVB
Q&A with… Christy Chase, Convention Sales Manager
501 Poyntz Ave, Manhattan, KS 66502 www.visitmanhattanks.org christy@manhattan.org 800-759-0134 • Fax: 785-776-0679
new in your destination? Q:It’sWhat’s hard to keep up! In November 2011, Manhattan opened a brand-new conference center and Hilton Garden Inn. This new, full-service property offers A: 30,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space and 135 sleeping rooms. We added a new attraction as well. The Flint Hills Discovery Center is Kansas’s newest attraction and a Manhattan gem. The museum will also have meeting space to complement the new conference center.
Q:Why should planners choose a Midwest destination? A:It’s called Midwest hospitality, and being located in the Heartland, we have plenty to go around! What types of attractions does your destination offer attendees? Q:The is home to the continent’s largest remaining tract of true tallgrass prairie. The rolling hills, wildflowers, and wildlife not only grab artists but A:visitorsFlintas Hills well. The Flint Hills Discovery Center will be the largest attraction to help experience the Flint Hills. How is technology improving your destination? Q:Instant is key, and our staff takes pride in our social media capabilities. Need help with promotional assistance? Social networking and technology A:has madeinteraction this an even faster avenue to get the word out that you need vendors, sponsorship, volunteers, or more attendees! Name one reason to choose your destination. Q:Relationship! In Manhattan, KS, you’re not just “another planner.” We take pride in our hands-on approach that many larger destinations don’t have time A:for.
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
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Olathe CVB The Crossroads to Adventure. Olathe. Ashley Arnold
18001 W 106th St, Ste 160 Olathe, KS 66061 www.olathecvb.org cvb@olathe.org 913-764-1050 Fax: 913-782-4636
Quick Look Area rooms: 1,128 Airport: Kansas City International - 35 miles Major meeting facilities: Holiday Inn/Olathe, Bell Center, Ball Conference Center Attractions: Mahaffie Stage Coach Stop, Deaf Cultural Center, Shopping, Dining, All of Kansas City.
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The Olathe Chamber of Commerce provides tourism services to groups, meeting planners, leisure and business travelers!
O
lathe is home to big city adventures and small town escapes. Here, you will find a plethora of activities and attractions perfect for groups of all sizes and interests, just minutes from downtown Kansas City. Plus, Olathe offers the lowest guest tax rates and is home to some of the most affordable hotels in the city. With citizens that embody Midwestern hospitality, Olathe is big on local charm. We offer unique meeting facilities ranging from hotel conference centers to team building retreat facilities; golf courses to historic sites. Group tours, team-building and down-time activities include experiencing early pioneer life at the Mahaffie Stage Coach Stop and Historic Site, local live theatre productions, Timber Ridge Adventure Center and European indoor racing. Enjoy modern flavors such as world-renowned art museums, culinary and shopping experiences found throughout the metro. If you are looking for an experience your business group will never forget, Olathe is your perfect destination. The Olathe Convention & Visitors Bureau is committed to ensuring that you are able to provide the best experience for your guests. Please contact us at 1-800-921-5678 to start planning your meeting today or visit us on the web at VisitOlathe.org for all of your planning needs. Welcome to our town. Welcome to Olathe.
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Go Wichita CVB Dan Schemm, Director of Sales and Services 515 S Main St, Ste 115 Wichita, KS, 67202 316-265-2800 800-288-9424 www.gowichita.com dschemm@gowichita.com
Quick Look
Area hotel rooms: Over 8,000 Entertainment nearby: Old Town red-brick warehouse district Five distinct shopping/dining districts Museums on the River district Meeting facilities: Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center INTRUST Bank Arena Hartman Arena Area hotels
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
T
ake a closer look at Wichita. Big-city amenities at Midwestern prices! Our central location makes access simple, by land or air. We have 8,000 hotel rooms from luxury to economy. Our
Convention Center boasts 200,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space. INTRUST Bank Arena has the flexibility to host religious assemblies, tradeshows and much more. We offer many other unique meeting venues. Great attractions and 1,000+ restaurants make Wichita a true destination. If you’re looking for a unique and out-of-the-ordinary meeting space, how about meeting among wild animals? In an authentic Old West setting? Even in a renovated cathedral church? Wichita has a wide variety of unique spaces to give you an amazing meeting experience. We can assist you with all aspects of planning, including meeting site coordination, registration, activity planning, promotion, site tours, brochures, publicity, or housing operations. Visit gowichita.com to start planning your next successful meeting.
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
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Visit Salina
Right place. Right reason. Right now.
Jo Ann McClure
120 W Ash • Salina, KS 67401 785-827-9301 www.visitsalina.org • jmcclure@salinakansas.org
Quick Look
Area hotel rooms: 2,000 Entertainment nearby: Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure, Smoky Hill Museum, Historic Downtown Lee District, Stiefel Theatre, Art Center, Community Theatre, Golf Area meeting facilities: Bicentennial Center, Ramada Convention Center, Courtyard by Marriott, C & W Ranch, Webster Conference Center Salina…the right choice for meeting planners! ee why meeting planners choose Salina! At the crossroads of I-70 & S I-135 in Central Kansas, find Heartland Hospitality at 25+ lodging facilities. Unique venues accommodate intimate groups in zoo, theater, museum or ranch settings. The versatile Bicentennial Center welcomes groups of ten to arena seating for 8,000, with breakouts and exhibit space. Local attractions and events provide entertainment at museums, theatres, festivals, art center and cinema, specialty shops in our historic downtown Lee District, farms and ranches. Visit Salina specializes in customized convention/conference service packages to fit your particular needs. Call today for personalized service. We work closely with meeting planners so that every detail is perfect.
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MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
FAQs on CVBs Common questions answered.
Q: A:
A:
For most services, CVBs do not charge their clients - the
What is a CVB?
visitor, the business traveler, or the meeting planner. In-
A CVB is a not-for-profit organization charged with representing a specific destination and helping the long-
term development of its communities through a travel and tourism strategy. CVBs are usually membership organizations bringing together businesses that rely on tourism and meetings for revenue.
stead, most CVBs are funded through a combination of hotel occupancy taxes and membership dues.
Q: A:
What information can CVBs provide about hotels?
CVBs keep track of room counts, as well as other meet-
For visitors, CVBs are like a key to the city. As an unbiased resource, CVBs can serve as a broker or an official point of contact
ings coming to the area. In this way, they can help plan-
ners avoid conflicts with other events. Moreover, as CVBs have
for convention and meeting planners, tour operators, or visitors.
firsthand familiarity with the hotels and meeting spaces in the
They assist planners with meeting preparation and encourage
area, they can help planners match properties to specific meeting
business travelers and visitors alike to visit local historic, cul-
requirements and budgets.
tural, and recreational sites.
Q: A:
Why is a CVB valuable to a visitor, business traveler, or meeting planner?
Q: A:
Why are meetings and tourism important to CVBs?
Travel and tourism enhance the quality of life for a local
CVBs offer unbiased information about a destination’s services and facilities. In addition, CVBs save visitors
community by providing jobs, bringing in tax dollars for
improvement of services and infrastructure, and attracting fa-
time and energy, as they are a one-stop shop for local tourism
cilities like restaurants, shops, festivals, and cultural and sporting
interests. CVBs can provide a full range of information about a
venues that cater to both visitors and locals. Travel and tourism
destination, and most services provided by CVBs cost nothing.
are economic engines, and CVBs are the key drivers.
Q:
If CVBs don’t charge for their services, how do they make money?
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
Source: Destination Marketing Association International. For more information, visit www.destinationmarketing.org.
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
87
Discover Kalamazoo You’ll be back. We promise. Specialty properties abound in Kalamazoo County. These venues include scenic conference and golf resorts, the famous Kellogg Manor, the former home of W.K. Kellogg, as well as impressive facilities on the campus of both Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College.
Mary Ridderman, DOS
141 E Michigan Ave, Ste 100 Kalamazoo, MI 49007 1-800-888-0509 • Fax: 269-488-0050 www.discoverkalamazoo.com mridderman@discoverkalamazoo.com
Quick Look
Area hotel rooms: More than 3,000 Nearest airport: The Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport is located just minutes from downtown Entertainment/attractions nearby: Air Zoo, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, Kalamazoo Nature Center, Gilmore Car Museum, golf, wineries, breweries, theatre, professional sports, annual festivals and events Meeting facilities: The Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites offers 44,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, 22 conference and banquet rooms. The Kalamazoo County Expo Center and Fairground now offers 61,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space.
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A
sk one person what they think about Kalamazoo and they’ll tell you it’s warm, welcoming, and helpful. Ask another and they’ll tell you we’re fun, exciting and friendly. One thing they’ll both tell you is this is where you need to hold your event. Impeccable service combined with a can-do attitude and a broad smile… it exists in everyone from the Discover Kalamazoo team to the hospitality professionals at your meeting venue. The Discover Kalamazoo team is expertly trained to provide you with the personalized service you deserve. You would be hard-pressed to find a more dedicated group of people to ensure your event is a success. Broadway quality theater productions, charming wineries, ethnic festivals, eclectic shopping venues and the taste of a hand-crafted brew where everyone knows your name (or at least they will before the night is over) beckon your attendees when the work day is done. If you’re in the market for an off-site venue, Kalamazoo is home to attractions you won’t find anywhere else. Guests can take the controls of a jet aircraft at the Air Zoo, or learn what life was like at the summer home of W.K. Kellogg. So give us a call, or check us out online. We’ll introduce you to both sides of Kalamazoo. With more than 3,000 rooms to meet all preferences and budgets, there will always be a place for you in our home.
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Greater Lansing CVB Great Events Come Together in Greater Lansing David Buckenberger, CMP, CMS, CTA Vice President of Business Development
Work with the best and the
500 E Michigan Ave, Ste 180 Lansing, MI 48912 www.lansing.org • sales@lansing.org 866-377-1409 • Fax: 517-487-5151
Quick Look
Airport: Capital Region International Airport - 4.5 miles from downtown Area rooms: 4,300 Major meeting facility: The Lansing Center, The James B. Henry Center for Executive Development, The Breslin Student Events Center (MSU), The Capital Centre, Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center Attractions: State Capitol Building, Michigan State University, R.E. Olds Transportation Museum, Impression 5 Science Center, Potter Park Zoo, Michigan Historical Museum, Michigan Women’s Historical Center and Hall of Fame, Kresge Art Museum (MSU), Michigan State University Museum, Michigan Supreme Court Learning Center, Turner-Dodge House, Oldsmobile Park (home of the Lansing Lugnuts minor league baseball team), Wharton Center for the Performing Arts (MSU)
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
brightest to make your event planning stress-free.
G
reater Lansing is Michigan’s Capital City and our warm Midwestern hospitality will make all of your attendees feel right at home. The region offers over 4,300 hotel rooms, affordably priced, and conveniently located near unique area attractions and restaurants. Area meeting facilities include everything from large arenas and convention halls, to unique and intimate settings. The region is home to Michigan State University, putting some of the most influential minds in America at your fingertips as guest speakers and panelists. For fun and excitement after your event, visit our many family-friendly attractions, parks, art galleries and over 30 golf courses. To learn more about how the CVB can provide personalized assistance for your next event visit our website at www.lansing.org or call 866-3771409. Make your next event truly memorable - choose Greater Lansing!
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
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Planner’s Diary Part I: The Mankato Marathon It’s a run to the finish!
Anna Thill, president of the Greater Mankato CVB, who oversees an extensive planning process for the Mankato Marathon in October.
“The Idea Wall” in Anna Thill’s office is constantly updated with notes, reminders, and ideas for the next Mankato Marathon in 2012.
O
nce upon a time, a marathoner came to the Greater Mankato
Greater Mankato CVB staff members put on their planning shoes
CVB and said, “You know, Mankato should put on a mara-
and worked to bring a bigger, better Mankato Marathon to the city
thon.” The conversation went to the Chamber of Commerce, then
in 2011. Here, in Part I of a series, Thill recounts the stages of the
to the City of Mankato, and from there, the CVB took the reins to
planning process leading up to the final weeks before the event.
bring that runner’s vision to life.
The course has been set, lessons have been learned, and challenges
Working from the very start with Final Stretch, Inc., a Nerstrand-based race management company owned by Mark Bongers, the Greater Mankato CVB team dove into the challenge under the
are yet to be overcome before the Mankato Marathon takes place on October 22, 2011.
February/March 2011
direction of bureau president Anna Thill. Two years of planning
Our course was set fairly early with a small group of people, most
later, in 2010, the inaugural Mankato Marathon took place, and
of them runners in our community who have run multiple mara-
this year, it came back with a bang.
thons and know a good course. We’re a very hilly community, and
How did it all come together? Midwest Meetings followed along as
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it’s a beautiful area, so we wanted to make sure we avoided the
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
“The Binder” that goes everywhere Anna Thill goes. Herein lies all Mankato Marathon details!
hills and hit highlights such as Minnesota State University here in
Something we did this year that we didn’t do our first year was
town. They happen to have a whole row of parking lots, which can
giving an option of a three-year sponsorship agreement, and a lot
accommodate thousands and thousands of runners, so we thought
of our bigger sponsors came in for three years because they see this
that would be a great place to start the race. We chose parts of the
as something they want to stick with. We limited the cap on how
course that would take the runners out in the country - 26 miles is
much the sponsorship costs could go up, and they appreciate that
quite a bit - and then bring them through town on our trail system,
because if our numbers double again for next year or go up another
along the river and through the city center to the finish.
2,000, they’re not having to pay the ratio for that difference. So
We have them finishing right in front of the Civic Center here
that three-year agreement is going to help us, but we still have a
in the core of town. The Civic Center is owned by the City of
couple of sponsors we need to secure early this year to make sure we
Mankato, which is great because the city has been very supportive
can include them in promotion for the 2012 marathon.
of this event. And it’s very important to have a place where medi-
May/June 2011
cal support can be set up to grab those runners who are in need of
A speaker series is an expectation that goes along with this kind
medical attention. At the Civic Center, there’s an area where the
of an event. In most marathons, people go to the expo, and they’ll
medical team can set up inside, close to showers, in case they need
do their pasta feed in conjunction with the speaker series. So they’ll
to cool down runners or so forth. The course was chosen with those
go through the buffet to get their pasta dish, then go sit down and
factors in mind: where medical needs to be, what points of the
listen to a speaker talking about all kinds of different topics.
community we want the runners to see and experience, avoiding
We’re doing something different with our pasta feed, and our
the hills, and making sure it’s a great run according to our mara-
speaker series is taking place right in the middle of the expo. We’ve
thoners.
got people here talking about running with a pacer, nutrition to
This year, the city decided to open up Riverfront Street, which
prepare for a marathon, running gear and the proper shoes, taking
is a major artery that runs right along the city center. That’s a pret-
care of injuries, and so forth, and then we have Rebecca Meyer
ty big deal because that allows us to expand the marathon to quite
from Biggest Loser. She’s one of our highlights this year. She’s going
a few thousand people. Last year, the city wasn’t going to open up
to run our 10k, and that’s how we got her in the first place. She was
the streets for us because they weren’t sure what to expect, so we
looking for a Minnesota race, and she had her eyes on Mankato,
had to cap registration at 2,200 runners. Our goal at the beginning
which is cool!
of this year is 5,000 runners.
We also have Frank Shorter as our headliner. He’s an Olympic
March 2011
medalist from the United States, and he’s got a very, very interest-
We weren’t able to secure our presenting sponsor as soon as we
ing story about life growing up. He’s going to talk about training
would have liked, so we didn’t get out as early with our promotions,
and intensive footwear, which is interesting.
and that kind of hurt us. We had three to four companies compet-
Some marathons have just a couple of really good keynote
ing for the opportunity, and it was taking some time to negotiate
speakers, and we’re doing a speaker series with a bunch of local
between them. Their interest is certainly to support the event, but
people talking about different things, and then we have a couple of
they want to get recognition as well, so we can’t go out with pro-
bigger speakers like Rebecca and Frank. When you’re going after
motional materials until we have the key sponsors on board. Here
a national speaker, you have to get on their calendar months and
it is March before we had our presenting sponsor on board, so that’s
months ahead of time…
the first three months of the year that we’ve already lost in promo-
Would you like to read Anna’s journal from August through Octo-
tion. So one lesson learned right off the bat: get your sponsors on
ber? Find these entries and more on the Winter 2011 page under the
board as early as possible!
Resources tab at MidwestMeetings.com.
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
91
Austin CVB
Meet in Minnesota
Cheryl Corey
104 11th Ave NW, Ste D, Austin, MN 55912 507-437-4563 • Fax: 507-433-1052 www.austincvb.com • visitor@austinmn.com
Quick Look
Area rooms: 376 Airport: Rochester - 40 miles Major meeting facilities: Austin Holiday Inn Conference Center and the Hormel Historic Home Banquet Center Attractions: SPAM® Museum, Paramount Theater, SPAMettes, Hormel Historic Home, The Hormel Institute
A
ustin, MN is known as SPAM® Town USA and is home to Hormel Foods Corporation and the world-famous SPAM® Museum. The community of Austin is a great place to visit; be sure you take some time between meetings to enjoy the beautiful city and discover ALL of its unique charms! Austin has nearly 400 hotel rooms, plus two bed and breakfasts and three campgrounds nearby! While you’re in Austin, check out all the destinations and attractions of historical, cultural and entertainment venues. We invite you to plan your very next meeting in Austin!
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MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Burnsville CVB Accommodations and Meetings Made Effortless. Amie Burrill
12600 Nicollet Ave, Ste 100 Burnsville, MN 55337 952-895-4690 www.burnsvillemn.com amie@burnsvillemn.com
Quick Look
Area hotel rooms: 960 Entertainment nearby: Burnsville Center Buck Hill Ski Area Minnesota Zoo Mall of America® Paragon Odyssey 15 Theater Valleyfair Amusement Park Meeting facilities: Burnsville Performing Arts Center Whittier Room at Buck Hill and Burnsville hotels
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
W
hether you’re planning business, leisure or somewhere in between, Burnsville, Minnesota is always ready to accommodate almost any agenda in the Twin Cities’ most convenient rendezvous place. Burnsville is just south of the Minnesota River and only 20 minutes from both downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul for the best of all worlds. Start with a small town welcome in a perfectly sized metropolis. Comfortable, clean and affordable hotels with amenities that bring you closer to home. Meeting spaces that cover almost any size group with everything you need to make your event a success. Nearby dining and shopping venues that are anything but ordinary - and year-round local activities and celebrations that create lasting memories. Some of Burnsville’s unique venues include the new 1,014 seat Burnsville Performing Arts Center located in Burnsville’s Heart of the City, and indoor racing at ProKART Indoor Racing. For assistance with planning your next meeting or event, or to request your FREE Experience Burnsville Meeting & Event Guide, call 800.521.6055 or visit www.burnsvillemn.com.
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
93
Eagan CVB Meetings are Made Easy in Eagan Roberta Ryan
We know you’ll enjoy everything
1501 Central Parkway, Suite E Eagan, MN 55121 651-675-5546 or 866-324-2620 Fax: 651-675-5545 EaganMN.com Roberta@EaganMN.com
Quick Look
that Eagan has to offer and we’re anxious to help make your event both memorable and successful!
Area hotel rooms: 1,538 Major meeting facilities: Select Eagan Hotels, Eagan Community Center, Royal Cliff Conference Center, Lost Spur Golf and Event Center, Moonshine Retreat Center Attractions: Canterbury Park Racetrack, Cascade Bay Waterpark, Caponi Art Park, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Great Clips IMAX Theatre, Historic Fort Snelling, Mall of America®, Minnesota Zoo, Nickelodeon Universe®, Science Museum of Minnesota, Valleyfair Amusement Park
E
agan meets your needs with an exceptional experience. With easy access to both downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul, free shuttle service to Mall of America® and the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport, free parking and state-of-the-art venues, why would you want to meet anywhere else but Eagan? Meeting attendees will surely be impressed with the elegant Oaks banquet room located in the renowned Eagan Community Center, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking an oak forest and breathtaking fountain. Other prime locations include Royal Cliff, just minutes south of the airport and Mall of America®, Lost Spur Golf and Event Center, a brand-new building on the site of the former City View Conference Center, Lebanon Hills Visitors Center, situated in a pristine natural setting perfect for both meetings and retreats, and Moonshine Retreat Center, an ideal spot for corporate retreats. Looking for entertainment following the big meeting? No problem. In Eagan and the surrounding area, you’ll enjoy plenty of spectacular shopping, delectable dining and of course amazing attractions!
866-324-2620 • www.EaganMN.com 94
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Owatonna Area C of C & Tourism Owatonna - Meet Here!
320 Hoffman Dr, Owatonna, MN 55060 800-423-6466 • Fax: 507-451-7972 www.visitowatonna.org • oacct@owatonna.org
Quick Look
Area rooms: 550 Airport: Owatonna Degner Municipal Airport, Minneapolis Intl - 60 miles Major meeting facilities: Four Seasons Convention Centre, Owatonna Country Club, Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, AmericInn Hotel & Conference Center Owatonna, Gainey Conference Center
O
watonna is well placed, well paced. Just 45 minutes south of the Twin Cities metro area on I-35 and Highway 14 it’s an easy location for your group to find. Owatonna offers a wide range of meeting facilities, lodging and dining options. We are suited to manage large conventions as well as everyday business meetings. Experience the services of Owatonna’s dedicated hospitality, meeting and tourism professionals. Request a Planner’s Packet featuring our visitor guide and helpful meeting planning information.
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
95
Meet in
96
Minnesota
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Ahead of the Curve: Mobile Apps for Meetings
Overland Park CVB is able to offer those planners a complimentary, customizable way to sample mobile app technology for their groups. Event-specific pages are built in-house by the Overland Park CVB staff and can include a welcome video, an agenda, and links to speaker bios, PowerPoint presentations, post-
T
oday, meeting planners have an overwhelming, ever-changing
event surveys, and more, all in a password-protected area only ac-
array of technological options and add-ons to choose from when
cessible by event attendees.
it comes to enhancing the event experience. When it comes to
“A lot of planners wanted to know, ‘Can we keep this up after
mobile apps, the Overland Park CVB in Kansas now offers meeting
our event?’” BenDor says. “And we said, ‘Absolutely.’ There’s no
planners a “try before you buy” option that enhances the Overland
expiration date. It’s your page, and it’ll live here as long as it needs
Park destination experience while helping planners gauge whether
to.”
this kind of technology is a fit for their groups. “There are so many destination mobile applications out there today,” says Liron BenDor, vice president of marketing. “They’re
The Overland Park CVB’s new meeting app is enjoying frequent requests and great feedback from planners, BenDor adds, with a new event page being built about once a week since July.
all wonderful, and they’re really fantastic tools for visitors coming
“The main selling point is that it’s free,” BenDor says. “There are
to any destination. What we were noticing is that we get a lot of
so many apps out there that do maybe a little more than ours does,
meeting planners, and a lot of meeting planners are seeing this for
but before organizations make such an investment in a mobile app
the first time - let’s give them a taste of what you can do with mo-
that could cost $5,000 to $10,000, they want a taste of what it can
bile app technology.”
do. In the end, we can say, ‘This is how many people accessed this
As a bureau that prides itself on staying ahead of the tech curve,
page; your group really liked it’ or ‘You know, people didn’t really
BenDor says her team pays close attention to trend reports such as
download this; maybe this isn’t the right audience.’ There are so
MPI’s FutureWatch study, which shows that about 80% of meet-
many different scenarios in the way we want to help our meeting
ing planners use smartphones. Through various partnerships, the
planners. It’s really an education tool for them.”
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
97
Branson Lakes Area CVB Branson - It’s Your Show. PO Box 1897, Branson, MO 65615 800-252-1742 Ext 306 Fax: 417-348-0649 www.ExploreBransonMeetings.com groupsales@bransoncvb.com
Quick Look
Area hotel rooms: 22,000 Entertainment and recreation: Over 100 live shows in 50 Theatres with 64,057 seats Shopping: 300+ shops - Branson is home to 3 outlet shopping malls with more than 200 retailers. Historic Downtown Branson and the new Branson Landing shopping & dining district are also a shopper and diner’s delight. Lakes: 3 pristine lakes with all manner of water sports and aquatic activities Theme parks: Silver Dollar City, White Water Museums: 12 plus the Titanic - The World’s Largest Museum Attraction Dinner shows: Showboat Branson belle, Dixie Stampede, Branson Scenic Railway and more Meeting facilities: New Branson Convention Center, The Keeter Center, Tri-Lake’s Center, PLUS 29 hotels and resorts with meeting space, including: Grand Plaza, Chateau on the Lake Resort & Spa, Radisson, Clarion, Big Cedar Lodge and StoneBridge Golf Resort, Lodge of the Ozarks and the Thousand Hills Golf & Conference Resort.
98
Call today or go online and download a copy of our new Meeting & Convention Planner Guide!
B
ranson, Missouri provides a personal and friendly small town experience while hosting more than eight million visitors a year. As one of the Top 20 family vacation destinations in America, Branson offers a wide range of world-class live entertainment (pop, rock, Broadway, country, bluegrass, magic and comedy), award-winning theme parks, fabulous shopping and dining, plus many one-of-a-kind facilities and attractions. Blend these unique man-made characteristics with those crafted by Mother Nature three pristine lakes surrounded by wooded foothills provide abundant outdoor recreation and offer the perfect setting for more than 200 holes of championship golf. Now open: 220,000 sq. ft. Branson Convention Center located near Branson Landing, an exciting new upscale shopping and dining district along the shores of Lake Taneycomo. New Branson Airport (BKG) also now open with low-cost carriers! Branson provides wholesome, safe fun and the perfect backdrop for a very successful meeting or convention!
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Springfield CVB
Q&A with… Dana Maugans
815 E St. Louis St, Springfield, MO 65806 800-678-8767 • Fax: 417-881-2231 SelectSpringfield.com dmaugans@springfieldmo.org
Q: A:
What’s new and improved in Springfield this year?
The Ramada Oasis Hotel & Convention Center is expanding its convention center by adding an additional 13,000 sq. ft., which will bring over 30,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, including the new 20,000 sq. ft. Grande Ballroom. The entire property will now be situated under one roof. Also, the O’Reilly Family Event Center is an arena over at Drury University. It’s close to hotel properties, it has seating capacity for around 3,600, and it opened just a year ago. Plus, there have been a lot of infrastructure improvements with our roads and highways, so Springfield is easy to get around. We also have a new airport: the Springfield-Branson National Airport.
Q: A:
How is technology improving Springfield events?
We’re looking at having a mobile app for our convention groups. Groups will be able to use it to put their event information out, share bios or seminar information, anything to do with their conference. We try to stay on top of the latest when it comes to technology!
Q: A:
Why should planners choose a Midwest destination like Springfield?
The Midwest is full of great hospitality. Our central location makes it convenient for most people traveling around the United States, whether you’re flying or driving. And Springfield’s a dynamic community. We hear a lot of great things about our downtown: it’s unique, it’s eclectic, it’s cute, lots of local, trendy dining options. There’s always something to do in Springfield!
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
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Greater Saint Charles CVB Saint Charles, Missouri offers first-class facilities and historic backdrop.
Martha Little, CMP
230 S Main St Saint Charles, MO 63301 www.historicstcharles.com gsccvb@historicstcharles.com 800-366-2427 Fax: 636-949-3217
Quick Look
Number of hotel rooms: 3,000 Major area attractions: Ameristar Casino, First Missouri State Capitol Historic Site, Missouri’s largest historic shopping district, Foundry Art Centre, Lewis & Clark Boat House & Nature Center, Frenchtown Historic District & Heritage Museum, Katy Trail, and Adrenaline Zone/Demolition Ball Meeting facilities: Saint Charles Convention Center, Ameristar Casino Conference Center, National Equestrian Center, Family Arena, Embassy Suites, Quality Inn, Heart of St. Charles Banquet Center, Banquet Center of the Little Hills, The Columns Banquet Center, Hampton Inn, Stegton Regency Banquet Center
Saint Charles is known for its warm welcome and historic backdrop. Located right along the Missouri River, this charming community offers shopping, dining, and museums.
W
ith the same high-style and high-tech amenities you find in bigger cities, Saint Charles is a smaller city just outside of St. Louis that offers four-star hotels and award-winning meeting facilities. It is a prime destination for meetings and conventions of all sizes because it’s centrally located and easily accessible - located just ten minutes from Lambert-St. Louis International Airport and convenient from major area Interstates. The award winning Saint Charles Convention Center offers 154,000 sq. ft. of meeting space with state of the art amenities. This facility showcases a beautiful grand ballroom, junior ballroom, exhibit hall, board room, and additional breakout options. Directly attached to the Convention Center is the award winning Embassy Suites Hotel offering 296 guest suites and 6,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. Both of these facilities are located a short distance from the St. Charles Historic District. The Ameristar Conference Center offers 19,200 sq. ft. of high end meeting and banquet space set within a premium entertainment facility and luxury resort - the Ameristar Casino Resort Spa with 400 luxury suites. The Saint Charles Family Arena offers 10,000 fixed arena seats and 40,000 sq. ft. of interchangeable exhibit/banquet space and 3,500 parking spaces. Saint Charles also offers traditional banquet space and specialty venues to accommodate groups of any size and activity. Some interesting meeting spots include the 60-acre National Equestrian Center, Missouri Wing Commemorative Air Force Airplane Hanger, Boone’s Colonial Inn and Market, Mid-1800 Train Station, the Foundry Art Centre, and the Lewis & Clark Boat House. Looking for a traditional hall with full-service catering services? Saint Charles has plenty to offer including The Heart of St. Charles, The Columns Banquet Center, Stegton Regency Banquet and Conference Center, All Occasion Banquet Center, Banquet Center of the Little Hills, and more. Because we’re a smaller city, we pay special attention to safety, comfort, and convenience. Saint Charles offers comfortable lodging for groups up to 3,000 including several bed and breakfasts throughout the city and historic districts. Use our full-service CVB offering extensive convention services for the experience and contacts to make your meeting plans come together perfectly. For assistance with planning your next meeting or convention, or for a free copy of the Saint Charles Meeting Planners Guide, call 1-800-3662427 or visit www.historicstcharles.com for online resources.
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MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Columbia CVB
The smart, innovative, artsy, eclectic, clever, savvy, vibrant, too-dynamic-to-fit-into-a-short-tagline city.
Amy DeSalme
300 South Providence Rd, Columbia, MO 65203 800-652-0987 Fax: 573-443-3986 www.VisitColumbiaMO.com AMDeSalm@GoColumbiaMO.com
Quick Look
Lodging: 36 hotels representing more than 3,500 rooms Location: Conveniently located halfway between Kansas City and St. Louis at I-70 / Hwy 63 Airport: Columbia Regional Airport - 9 miles Meeting facilities: 11 hotels with meeting facilities ranging up to 20,000 sq. ft. Attractions: University of Missouri, Missouri Theatre, The District, Shelter Gardens, Rock Bridge State Park
102
he Columbia Convention and VisiTColumbia, tors Bureau invites you to experience Missouri. Our unique blend of
small town and big city offers an exciting venue for a well-planned and successful meeting. The sights and sounds of Columbia are ever-changing. One of Missouri’s best restaurant towns, Columbia boasts an eclectic and vibrant downtown featuring unique shopping, galleries, entertainment and so much more! We are happy to provide a full range of complimentary service packages for meetings and events. When planning your next event, be sure to check out our Online Request for Proposal, located at www.VisitColumbiaMO.com.
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
by Shadia Cook
The Value of a CVB Can you count the ways?
Q: A:
How can a CVB help me with my event?
How can’t a CVB help you is a better question. CVBs can be an invaluable resource to you and
your attendees. Where to start? A CVB is a great place to begin your search for the perfect venue. As you begin investigating location options, the best place to start is at the local CVB. Most CVBs have a sales and service staff designated to work with meeting professionals. On your initial call you can discuss your needs, from hotel guestrooms to convention space to transportation, etc. The CVB staff can then distribute your request for proposal (RFP) to its local members and have them reply directly to you with proposals. When you are researching multiple cities for an event, a local CVB can help you narrow down your location more quickly. They are experts on what their city has to offer guests and can easily share the unique aspects of their particular city. They are also an easy resource for testimonials and referrals, offering you a chance to get personal experiences from a variety of different types of conferences and events. Since the CVB is representing the entire city, it is easier to get a non-biased take on
CVB staff members can also assist with your program’s goals.
all of the city’s hotels and attractions. Keep in mind that the CVB
They can help match your needs with local venues and speakers
does have to equally represent all of its hotel and venue partners, so
that tie into your organization’s vision.
you should request outside sources for referrals.
Onsite services are common and may be complimentary based
After receiving your RFPs, you can set up a site visit to the vari-
on your group’s expected revenue. Many CVBs offer staff to help
ous venues and locations that you are interested in. CVBs can es-
you with onsite registration, informational booths that can include
cort you on your tours, and depending on the bureau and the size of
area restaurant information and reservations, tour itineraries for
your program, a CVB may even pick up the cost of your trip.
people looking to explore the city, and other local information.
Depending on the size of your group, CVBs can often set up
If your group is interested in volunteer opportunities while visit-
online housing for citywide events. Your attendees can then make
ing, the CVB can help match your needs with a local group which
their hotel reservations online through a customized website. This
offers the attendees a chance to give back to the community.
also helps track your hotel pick-up easily.
After your event is over, the CVB can help gather your post
Promoting your event has never been easier when working with
conference information, room pick-up, estimated revenue to the
a CVB. A bureau’s professional staff can offer a variety of services
city, etc. These tools are invaluable to you as you can use them to
to promote your meeting to your attendees. From complimentary
find the next perfect location for your meeting.
websites, web links, pre-mailers, e-vites, photographs and press re-
A CVB’s purpose is to make sure visitors enjoy their time at the
leases, a bureau can do as little or as much as you need to help you
selected location; they are a great resource for meetings and events
reach your attendance goals.
of all sizes.
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
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Columbus/Platte County CVB Where Meetings are Meant to Bloom!
Deb Loseke
764 33rd Ave, Columbus, NE 68601 402-564-2769 • Fax: 402-564-2026 www.visitcolumbusne.com • dloseke@megavision.com
Quick Look
Area rooms: 623 Airport: Columbus Municipal Airport (non-commercial), Eppley Airfield - Omaha (95 miles), Lincoln (80 miles), Grand Island (65 miles) Major meeting facilities: New World Inn & Conference Center, over 20,000 sq. ft.; Platte County Agricultural Park, 18,500 sq. ft. exhibit space Attractions: Andrew Jackson Higgins National Memorial, Pawnee Plunge Water Park, Dusters/Gottberg Brew Pub, Glur’s Tavern, public golf courses, Lake North recreational area, US 30 Speedway
community of over 22,000, Columbus is easy and convenient to reach. A It is located 90 minutes from Omaha and Lincoln, 75 minutes from Grand Island and 50 minutes from I-80. U.S. Highway 30 (Historic Lincoln
Highway) and 81 intersect in the city. Columbus is affordable, accessible and ready to take your event to the next level! During your attendee’s free time, they can enjoy shopping in our unique specialty shops, antique stores and mall, dining in our fine restaurants with a local flavor and relaxing and playing at our recreational facilities. Experience the difference! The Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau offers complimentary services to help make any event go smoothly. Contact us today so we can share the services and facilities we can offer your group or event. We guarantee service above and beyond!
Gering CVB
Western Nebraska’s Great Escape!
Karla Niedan-Streeks, Executive Director 1050 M St, Gering, NE 69341-2821 308-436-6886 • Fax: 308-436-6888 www.VisitGering.com • karlan@geringciviccenter.com
Quick Look Area rooms: 856 Major meeting facilities: Gering Civic Center 25,500 sq. ft. Adjacent headquarters hotel: Monument Inn & Suites Attractions: Scotts Bluff National Monument, Oregon Trail Days, Five Rocks Amphitheater, Monument Shadows Golf Course, Wildcat Hills Nature Center, Robidoux 1851 Trading Post, Farm And Ranch Museum, North Platte Valley Museum, Wildlife World, Riverside Discovery Center, Historic Midwest Theater, unique shops and culinary experiences downtown, along the historic Oregon Trail
G
ering is where business and recreation Great Escapes come together! Newly renovated with a fresh new look at the Gering Civic Center, Western Nebraska’s premier multi-function conference and event facility offering 25,500 sq. ft. of attractive and affordable space for meetings of all types. The Grand Ballroom accommodates large general sessions up to 1,000 and divides into five individual meeting areas. Small break-out rooms and board room are adjacent to the Ballroom with large and spacious lobby for registration and vendor areas. State-ofthe-art AV capabilities, onsite catering services offering creativity, experienced meeting planning staff provide tailored services to complete the meeting package. Extraordinary food and exemplary customer service are Gering’s earned reputation and trademarks. The Gering CVB provides complimentary meeting and registration services from our convenient location in the Gering Civic Center.
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MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Lincoln CVB
The Prairie Capital City
Derek Feyerherm
1135 M St, Ste 300, Lincoln, NE 68508 www.lincoln.org • dfeyerherm@lincoln.org 800-423-8212 • Fax: 402-436-2360
Quick Look Area rooms: 4,351 Airport: Lincoln Municipal Airport - 4 miles Major Meeting Facilities: Pershing Center, Lancaster Event Center, Holiday Inn Downtown, Cornhusker Marriott, Embassy Suites Attractions: University of Nebraska, State Capitol, Historic Haymarket
iscover Lincoln, Nebraska for your next meeting destination. Lincoln is D home to one of the most impressive state capital buildings in the U.S., great dining, shopping, the Historic Haymarket District and the mighty Uni-
versity of Nebraska Cornhuskers. Lincoln is clean, scenic, with quality museums and attractions. Best of all, it is easy to navigate. Lincoln offers a variety of flexible meeting spaces from event centers with state-of-the-art facilities to gracious hotels with conference rooms to that perfectly appointed little bed and breakfast. Lincoln hotels offer 100,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting and exhibit space in a two mile radius of downtown. Pershing Center is a multi-purpose event facility capable of hosting meetings, tradeshows, sports, concerts, family entertainment and more. Versatility allows Pershing to host meetings of 20 to 7,000. Lancaster Event Center features 400,000 sq. ft. of open-air pavilions.
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MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Travel Powers the Midwest S = Spending • J = Jobs
IL • S: $27.1 billion • J: 288,700
Scotts Bluff County Tourism
Nebraska like you’ve never seen it. 1517 Broadway, Ste 104 Scottsbluff, NE 69361 308-632-2133 • 800-788-9475 www.VisitScottsBluff.com tourism@VisitScottsBluff.com
IN • S: $8.6 billion • J: 95,700 IA • S: $6.2 billion • J: 65,000 KS • S: $5.2 billion • J: 56,200 MI • S: $14.8 billion • J: 142,600 MN • S: $10.3 billion • J: 135,300 MO • S: $11.5 billion • J: 121,100 NE • S: $3.7 billion • J: 43,900 ND • S: $1.9 billion • J: 23,800 OH • S: $15 billion • J: 160,500 SD • S: $2.2 billion • J: 26,700 WI • S: $9 billion • J: 109,400 Source: PowerOfTravel.org
cotts Bluff County Tourism exists to serve S you. Experience the finest multi-function meeting and convention facilities in Western Nebraska. We will make everything from initial planning to the final banquet a pleasant, rewarding experience. A true one-stop shopping experience, we are ready to assist with local programs, registration assistance, name badges, local information, room blocks, custom itineraries, activities, spouse tours and recreational opportunities. Scotts Bluff County Tourism customizes your experience to suit your needs. Relax, let us take care of the details. This is Nebraska like you’ve never seen it...
Sarpy County CVB
Where the cities meet the country.
Linda Revis, Tourism Director
14333 S Hwy 31 #C108, Gretna, NE 68028 402-332-5771 • Fax: 402-332-0018 www.gosarpy.com • lrevis@gosarpy.com
Quick Look
Area rooms: 1,800+ (503 rooms attached to convention center) Nearest airport: 20 miles Major meeting facilities: LaVista Conference Center - built in 2008 with 45,000 sq. ft. of private meeting space and spacious parking at no charge. Attractions: Golf, parks, lakes, Cabela’s, mall, specialty shops, theatres and more.
W
elcome to Sarpy County, home of Bellevue, Papillion, LaVista, Springfield, Gretna, and Offutt Air Force Base. The La Vista Conference Center with Embassy Suites and Courtyard by Marriott is conveniently located at Exit 442 on I-80. Sarpy County has it all… rural life, beautiful scenery and the cities with great shopping and fine dining. WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
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Meet in
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Grand Island
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
1.
5 Ways a CVB Can Help
Bismarck-Mandan CVB Meet Your New Meeting Place
Quick Look
Attendance builders.
A CVB can send promotional mate-
rials to potential registrants including destination guides, brochures, reminder postcards, tourism information, and more, all designed to attract potential attendees to your meeting destination.
2.
Attrition management.
Some CVBs will assist planners in
managing attrition by actively promoting the room block to attendees, highlighting special group rates and the benefits - for the attendee and for the organization - of reserving rooms within the block.
3.
Area rooms: 2,500 Airport: Daily jet service to and from hub cities Meeting facilities: Bismarck Convention & Event Center, 5 full-service meeting hotels Attractions: Lively downtown, 7 area golf courses, antique shopping, local gaming & nearby casino, riverfront activities, hunting and fishing.
Sheri Grossman
1600 Burnt Boat Dr Bismarck, ND 58503 800-767-3555 • Fax: 701-222-0647 www.discoverbismarckmandan.com sheri@discoverbismarckmandan.com
L
ocated in the heart of North Dakota and tucked in the scenic Missouri River Valley, Bismarck-Mandan will set the stage for your most memorable gathering. Our wideopen spaces and friendly people make it easy to put other worries aside and concentrate on recharging, networking and team building. The perfect setting for your next meeting or event, we offer what most cities twice the size can’t - our scenery is distinctive and our hospitality is unsurpassed. From a private meeting area to an arena setting that can accommodate over 10,000, we offer a wealth of different meeting facilities as well as attractions and activities for your associates, family and friends. And through the Bismarck-Mandan CVB, we can make just about any special request a reality. Just ask! So have you met here yet? Make Bismarck-Mandan your new meeting place.
Bids.
During the process of selecting your
meeting or event venue, an area CVB can act as a relay and assist in collecting bids from the facilities under consideration.
4.
Booking space.
Once you have decided on a venue,
the CVB can act as a liaison to hotels and other facilities to book the space and rooms you need. CVB and facility staff members typically work together in bringing meetings and events to the destination.
5.
FAM visits.
When considering meeting or event
venues in a new location, planners can often arrange for a familiarization trip through the area CVB. This allows planners the chance to see and experience the venues and overall destination for themselves before making a final decision. WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
109
Dickinson CVB
Explore the Western Edge, Dickinson, ND
Julie Obrigewitsch
72 E Museum Dr Dickinson, ND 58601 701-483-4988 800-279-7391 Fax: 701-483-9261 www.visitdickinson.com julie@visitdickinson.com
Quick Look Area rooms: 1,115 Major meeting facilities: Ramada-Grand Dakota Lodge, Elks Lodge Attractions: Theodore Roosevelt Natl. Park, Dakota Dinosaur Museum, Ukrainian Cultural Institute, Dickinson Museum Center, West River Community Center, Heart River Golf Course, Enchanted Highway, Patterson Lake Rec Area, Bully Pulpit Golf Course
D
ickinson is located next to the ND Badlands, the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The Dickinson CVB can help you create a fun, well-planned conference with lots of Western hospitality! Located in southwest North Dakota, Dickinson is positioned at the intersection of Interstate 94 and state Highway 22. If you are traveling by air, the Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport provides three daily flights connecting to Denver. Once you arrive, you will find over 1,100 lodging rooms that offer everything you need to make your overnight stay comfortable. Dickinson also offers quality conference and recreational facilities. The Dickinson CVB will work hard to ensure your satisfaction is met for all sizes of meetings, large or small.
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MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Fargo-Moorhead CVB
5 More Ways a CVB Can Help
Always Warm Always high quality, always great value, always warm welcomes.
Teri Onsgard, DOS
1.
Greeter service.
When attendees first arrive, a CVB
can often provide personnel to meet them at the airport or bus terminal, welcome them to the destination, and
2001 44th St S Fargo, ND 58103 800-235-7654 701-365-4560 Fax: 701-282-4366 www.fargomoorhead.org teri@fargomoorhead.org
transport them to the appropriate venue.
Quick Look
Area rooms: 4,100 Airport: Hector International Airport - 2 miles Meeting facilities: For a full list of meeting facilities visit our website or contact us directly for a complimentary Meeting Planner Guide Attractions: Hjemkomst Center, Fargo Air Museum, Fargo Theatre, Bonanzaville, Red River Zoo, Plains Art Museum, The Children’s Museum at Yunker Farm, The Comstock House, FargoDome, Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre, Fargo-Moorhead Civic Opera, Roger Maris Museum, West Acres Regional Shopping Center, Moorhead Center Mall, Fargo-Moorhead Red Hawks, Maury Wills Museum, Thunder Road Family Fun Park, Rourke Art Museum, North Dakota Horse Park, S.S. Ruby Pontoon
F
2.
Itinerary planning.
Many CVBs have pre-planned itin-
eraries available for groups that include area activities, tours, entertainment, and dining opportunities. If a CVB’s itinerary doesn’t quite fit your needs, most bureaus will also work with planners to create a customized itinerary to
argo-Moorhead is one of the friendliest places in America! This is a fun, warm-hearted community of two cities in two states with a population of over 200,000. We also have more than 4,100 sleeping rooms, 350+ restaurants, and the largest selection of shopping opportunities in the upper Midwest. We’re a combination of metropolitan style and hometown hospitality. There’s also plenty to do during your off hours: • See the last Vikings ship to sail the Atlantic and experience its thrilling voyage. • Walk through a pioneer village with authentic buildings from our prairie past. • Engage your sense of wonder at a zoo that specializes in rare and endangered species. • Pay homage to heroes at our air museum with planes that still fly. • There’s also a restored movie theatre from the 1920s as well as unique art museums. • We have a feast of festivals for you to choose from during your stay. You can get here from there! We are located at the intersection of interstate highways I-94 and I-29. Our 20 daily jet flights serve four hub cities including Minneapolis, Chicago, Denver and Salt Lake City. Fargo-Moorhead loves visitors! Visit us and we’ll show you.
appeal to a specific group.
3.
Locating suppliers.
In order to save a bundle on shipping
costs, meeting and event planners can often work through CVBs to coordinate with local vendors for decorating, catering, audiovisual, transportation, and other services or supplies. CVBs will know exactly where you can find what you need in the area.
4.
Onsite registration.
Most CVBs can supply staff members
for onsite registration assistance. These personnel can be on-hand at the registration desk to greet attendees, answer questions, and provide general assistance with the registration process.
5.
Welcome packets.
CVBs can provide destination infor-
mation, coupons or tickets, and other helpful tidbits that attendees can use while they’re in the area. WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
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111
What Does a CVB Do? The inside scoop on meeting destinations.
T
he essential element all CVBs have in common is working
issues and proactively help solve the issue. This could include act-
to bring outside visitors into their locales. A CVB exists to
ing as a liaison between parking authorities in the civic realm as
market a location’s hotels, meeting facilities, dining facilities and
well as working with the convention facility to possibly work out
attractions in order to generate revenue for the community. This
a shuttle schedule.
means marketing many different aspects of the area’s general tourism industry to people outside the community.
Some CVBs also work in tandem with a city’s convention facility. This can be a win-win situation. For example, when the
CVBs are funded in several different ways. In the US, a CVB
CVB acts as the facility’s public relations branch and also works
is often funded by a hotel tax. Other sources of funding might
with meeting planners, the CVB has some authority to ensure the
include government allocations, dues and membership fees from
facility cooperates to the fullest. Some cities do not use this type
local entities, corporate sponsorships or a combination of these.
of setup, but the relationship between the CVB and convention
The backbone of a CVB is its partnership between civic entities and the private sector. For example, a planner develops an event in a downtown area, which has limited parking or rigorous parking laws. The planner might not even be aware of a problem such as this. A CVB that has partnered with a planner will relay any potential
112
facility still remains intertwined to better serve visitors and planners. CVBs can minimize risk, provide information, collaborate on solutions to issues and help eliminate any surprise elements. Utilizing this type of one-stop resource is vital to the success many planners achieve.
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
113
Did You Know: Grant Programs for Events Are you taking advantage?
Terry Baker, assistant director of the Fairfield CVB in Iowa, believes her bureau’s grant program is a “smart investment” for the community.
W
hat if you could get paid to bring your event to a particular
will promote a positive image to potential visitors, generate over-
destination? In essence, depending on the nature of your
night visits, extend visitor stays, and create a desire to return.”
gathering and the city you’re considering, you can. Some Midwest
“We have had our grants programs since 1992, when the CVB
CVBs offer grant programs to support new or existing groups in
recognized that there was a need to assist groups that had potential
attracting or increasing attendance at events held within their bor-
to contract in our area and create an economic impact in our com-
ders.
munity,” Boos says. “We have had small groups [and] committees
As rough economic times continue to challenge many types of events, such longstanding assistance programs offered by some re-
attempting to create large-scale events in our area and needing the assistance with marketing and promoting their event.”
gional bureaus may be more attractive than ever for groups looking
The Fairfield CVB in Iowa offers a similar program that has yiel-
to get together. In a self-supporting effort to aid groups in bringing
ded valuable results for groups that have already chosen Fairfield
more visitor dollars to town, these grant programs are a common
as a gathering place, according to Terry Baker, assistant director of
bureau strategy geared toward encouraging new events to get on
the bureau.
their feet and to keep existing events coming back.
“We are very proud of our grant program and what it offers to
For example, the Visit Eau Claire bureau in Wisconsin awards
the community,” Baker says. “It’s a smart investment for us and
grants for tourism events and cultural arts events twice annually,
helps us target some of our destination marketing funding toward
according to Jackie Boos, group sales manager. The bureau’s grant
existing events.”
programs focus on assisting organizations in hosting events “that
114
In Fairfield, Baker explains, “Funding will vary each year, as the
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
In helping planners and organizations to extend the reach of their event marketing efforts, Midwest CVBs that offer grant programs are working to create win-win partnerships that bring the benefits of visitors’ dollars back home. total grant money given out is a percentage of the hotel-motel tax
conditions have challenged the programs intended to improve
received by the CVB.”
economic conditions. The Galena/Jo Daviess County CVB in
Supported by tourism organizations at the local or state (or both)
Illinois, for instance, was operating a successful grant program for a
level, grant program availability depends on the types of events a
number of years, which helped many planners and organizations to
particular bureau is looking to target. In Visit Eau Claire’s case,
fund brochures, advertising, and event services such as bus rentals.
preference is given to new and expanding festivals, sports tourna-
“Unfortunately, the recession has affected the program for the
ments, conventions, cultural arts, and special events that benefit
new fiscal year, which begins here December 1,” says Katherine
the City of Eau Claire. Criteria for grant awards focus on projected
Walker, executive director. “At that time, the program goes on a
impact to the community, public benefit, and uniqueness of pro-
one-year hiatus, with status to be evaluated for FY13.”
jects. With application deadlines on April 15 and November 15,
To preserve such funding assistance, many statewide organiza-
the program encourages business organizations, volunteer-managed
tions are working together throughout the Midwest to maintain
organizations, and individuals to hold events in Eau Claire to foster
and promote the availability of CVB grant programs.
mutual benefits for the community and for groups that might not be able to meet without such financial support.
“With the times that we are in, everything helps the bottom line, and every effort and program should be examined,” Boos says.
In Fairfield, funds are awarded with the expectation that they
“Every community wants business, both new and repeat. The state
will be used for promotional and marketing purposes, so existing
of Wisconsin is highly involved with grants, both on the bureau
groups are able to attract more visitors to their events. The bureau
side and also the state side. Bureaus are creating grant committe-
begins taking applications in the fall with deadlines in December,
es on the meeting side and also the sporting side. The Wisconsin
after which time a committee meets to evaluate grant applications
Department of Tourism is actively looking for bureau input for su-
on the basis of visitor attraction and enhancement of Fairfield’s cul-
staining grant programs and ensuring that the planners, committe-
tural experiences.
es, boards, etc. are all aware of this incredible gift.”
“We are also looking to see if the event provides any direct be-
In helping planners and organizations to extend the reach of
nefit to Fairfield and Jefferson County residents,” Baker says. “Our
their event marketing efforts, Midwest CVBs that offer grant pro-
philosophy is to enhance our destination marketing by supporting
grams are working to create win-win partnerships that bring the
events that are growing or might be in need of additional marke-
benefits of visitors’ dollars back home.
ting funds to expand their reach. We are committed to providing
“My experience shows that many local organizations want to
marketing dollars to enhance the tourism environment of our area,
host a variety of events but lack the funding needed to market their
increase overnight stays and expenditures by visitors to Fairfield,
event out of town,” Baker says. “Our organization can offer mar-
promote a positive image and increased visibility of the county’s at-
keting funds that can help make their event a success. While past
tractions, and provide programs and activities beneficial to drawing
recipients have been local nonprofit and for-profit organizations,
additional visitors to the area.”
we welcome event planners who are interested in hosting events
For some bureaus, an all-too-familiar catch-22 of recent years has threatened the existence of some of these event lifelines: economic WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
in Fairfield and can show that they will provide a positive tourism benefit to the community.”
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115
Meet in
Old Sanctuary 605-692-4859 www.oldsanctuary.com • contact@oldsanctuary.com You’ve planned your special event, now you need to find a special location. Look no further than Old Sanctuary, which will provide the ambience and flexible elegance you desire. Old Sanctuary can create warmth and atmosphere for your special event. Choose Old Sanctuary, the elegant setting for events worth remembering. The elegant Old Sanctuary Auditorium can seat 400 guests, and works beautifully for events such as receptions, lectures, performances, and other community gatherings. The conference room is ideal for business meetings and small gatherings. It comfortably seats 25, and includes tables and chairs, a refrigerator, and sink. Banquet Hall includes: •Full linen service available. •Full kitchen is available for your use. •Bar service - wine and malt beverages. •You get to choose your caterer and musician or disc jockey. •Round or rectangular tables.
116
Brookings
Swiftel Center Jenny Hammrich 605-692-7539 www.swiftelcenter.com swiftelcenter@swiftelcenter.com The Swiftel Center is the perfect place for your next meeting, convention, training program or banquet. With over 40,000 sq. ft. of meeting space we offer flexibility and versatility to meet today’s business demands. We have many spaces available to accommodate your specific needs. While all of our meeting rooms feature individual lighting, sound and temperature controls, additional amenities may be required to meet the needs of your group. Let our experienced staff assist you in selecting the perfect space as well as organizing all the extraneous details associated with your event. Dining and hospitality spaces are also available with in house catering and a full liquor license. Our friendly, professional staff coordinates and implements the details necessary to make your event productive and stress-free. We live by our motto, “Midwest Hospitality at its Best!” Our experienced sales team strives to provide excellent client service and will ensure your needs are met. Visit us online or call today to book your event.
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Promotion, Anyone? CVBs get you more than media.
S
o you’ve booked an exciting, fun-filled destination for your
fore-seen new product.
next meeting or event, and you’d love to tell your potential
If you’ve got some-
attendees all about the activities and attractions to be had. How
thing
do you get out the word about the benefits of attending?
worthy
Enter the local CVB. Chances are you can enlist CVB staff
publicitygoing
on, CVBs can
members to help promote the destination. Most CVBs offer an
work with their
array of promotional tools you can utilize to increase attendance.
local media outlets
Need some attractive, photo-filled visitors’ guides that high-
to help increase exposure
light the beautiful scenery, fascinating history or one-of-a-kind
and awareness. This could involve
sights to see in your Midwest destination? Want a link to an on-
submitting press releases and announcements,
line video showcasing all the wonderful activities your group will
or even result in interview opportunities for your stakeholders,
miss if they don’t attend? How about an e-marketing campaign
speakers or high-profile attendees.
targeting your potential attendees?
Why do CVBs offer such services? They want your meeting
And don’t forget about the power of the media. Say your meet-
or event to be successful, too. Ask the local CVB about its pro-
ing or event involves a big fundraiser for a good cause, or it’s the
motional services, and you might find just the trick to attracting
first of its kind to go completely green, or it will launch a never-be-
record attendance.
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
- ALL NEW LOOK, ALL NEW PURPOSE, ALL FOR YOU
117
Rapid City CVB Affordable Meetings. Unforgettable Adventures. Lisa Storms, Sales & Servicing Director
Thousands of hotel rooms, direct flights and unique facilities surrounded by Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills make Rapid City a first-rate meeting destination without the hefty price tag.
444 Mt. Rushmore Road N Rapid City, SD 57701 605-718-8487 Fax: 605-348-9217 www.RapidCityMeetings.com storms@visitrapidcity.com
Quick Look
Area hotel rooms: More than 5,400 rooms in Rapid City Entertainment nearby: Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial, Badlands National Park, Custer State Park, Wind Cave National Park, hiking, wildlife parks, golfing, winter sports and various festivals and events. Meeting facilities: Rushmore Plaza Civic Center (175,000 sq. ft.), The Dahl Arts Center, The Journey Museum and a variety of hotel meeting facilities.
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R
apid City, South Dakota is an affordable, accessible choice for meetings of all sizes. Located in the center of the United States, Rapid City is an ideal meeting destination with thousands of hotel rooms and unique adventures. After meeting sessions are over attendees can explore Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial, Badlands National Park, two national caves, Custer State Park and more. Guests can also enjoy hiking, biking, wildlife parks, historic gaming and golfing. Meeting spaces around Rapid City offer boardrooms, ballrooms and banquet facilities for groups of all sizes. The newly expanded Rushmore Plaza Civic Center features meeting areas from a 1,745-seat theatre to a 10,000-seat arena. Locations like The Dahl Arts Center and Journey Museum offer smaller groups unique meeting venues. Convention hotels also provide FREE WiFi in hotel and meeting rooms, FREE on-site parking and FREE or discounted shuttle service.
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Sioux Falls CVB The Heart of America
Krista Orsack Director of Sales
200 N Phillips Ave, Ste 102 Sioux Falls, SD 57104 www.visitsiouxfalls.com korsack@siouxfalls.com 605-373-2036 800-333-2072 Fax: 605-336-6499
Quick Look
Area rooms: Sioux Falls has 48 hotels with 4,100 total guest rooms of which 800 are within a 1-mile radius of the convention center. Entertainment/attractions: Sioux Falls offers abundant shopping, unique restaurants, a historic downtown, arts, theatre, parks, golf courses, museums, water parks, year-round events, area wineries, and much more! Meeting facilities: The Sioux Falls Convention Center offers over 100,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting and exhibit space including a 16,800 sq. ft. ballroom and 12 breakout rooms. The facility offers on-site audio/visual services, staging and an experienced event management and catering staff to ensure the success of your event. One look at the chef’s amazing culinary creations and guests will know they are in for something special. Whether it’s a coffee break, trade show luncheon or celebratory gala, they have the extensive experience and resources to execute a perfectly catered event. The Sioux Falls Convention Center and 8,000 seat Sioux Falls Arena are attached to a 243 room hotel and adjacent to Howard Wood Field, a 10,000 seat track and field, football and soccer stadium and Sioux Falls Baseball Stadium, which seats approximately 4,000.
S
You’ll find that your dollars stretch dramatically farther in Sioux Falls. Hotels & meeting facilities, food, entertainment, shopping and special events all cost less here. Bring your next meeting to Sioux Falls and be assured the perfect setting for any gathering!
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
ioux Falls, South Dakota’s largest city is located in The Heart of America at the junction of I-90 and I-29; is easily accessible by major airlines offering connections to more than 200 domestic cities including direct flights to 9 major cities. A historic downtown, home-grown restaurants, rich arts and culture, abundant shopping, professional sports, water parks, area wineries and a wide variety of entertainment and attractions await your arrival! Experience Falls Park, which is home to a triple waterfall, visitor information center, five-story viewing tower, Falls Overlook Café, and historic ruins. The park is visited by people from all over the world. From site selection and planning to city tours and accommodation bids, we are a full service CVB promising exceptional hospitality and spirit! The Sioux Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau assists in creating and promoting enjoyable, quality experiences for individual visitors, convention delegates and event goers. Services include: • Site selection • Accommodation bids and arrangements • Convention registration • Name badges • Welcome booths • Promotional and printed material • Entertainment and city tours • Public Relations • Expertise in convention & event planning • Attendance building • Web-based Housing Bureau “From the beginning you had vision and determination to host a memorable conference; YOU accomplished that and more… CONGRATULATIONS! And THANK YOU for teaching me a valuable lesson - to never second-guess what willpower and determination alone can accomplish. The 2011 National Conference held in Sioux Falls, has registered in my ‘history book of meeting planning’ as warm, friendly, hospitable, unique, heartfelt, enriching, intense and… one of the BEST conferences Volunteers of America has offered in a long time!” -Teresa Alfaro, CMP, Meetings Manager, Volunteers of America
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Watertown CVB
Elegant to Casual… Just Plain Fun
Karen D. Witt, CHSP, Executive Director
1200 33rd St SE, PO Box 225, Watertown, SD 57201 605-753-0CVB • Fax: 605-753-0394 www.visitwatertownsd.com • karen@visitwatertownsd.com
Quick Look
28,000 sq. ft. convention center Golf courses: 2 Area rooms: 825 Located on I-29 and US 212, Watertown, SD Mileage: Minneapolis - 200, Fargo - 140, Sioux Falls - 100, Omaha - 300 Airport: Watertown Municipal - direct daily flights to/from Minneapolis
T
he Watertown Convention & Visitors Bureau is here to enhance and add value to your meeting. Our services are complimentary and include coordinating welcoming arrangements, speakers, media coverage, name tags, registration assistance, welcome bags and extra networking activities. When desired, shuttle service can be arranged for special events. Watertown, home of Terry Redlin’s originals, is unique and a perfect location for tri-state meetings
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Meet in
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South Dakota
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Getting Out the Word Are CVBs reaching you via social media? by Heidi Fendos
Allison Potter, SMERF Sales and Marketing Manager for the Dublin CVB in Dublin, OH
Brent Foerster, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for VISIT Milwaukee in Milwaukee, WI
I
f you’re looking for a way to educate your site selection committee or potential convention attendees about an upcoming meeting destination, you might consider beginning with a visit to a
few popular social media websites. In a growing trend, many CVBs across the Midwest are utilizing more online resources for teaching groups about the exciting things to see and do in their cities. According to Allison Potter, SMERF sales and marketing manager for the Dublin, OH CVB, “We utilize social media daily to interact with consumers and provide the latest information about our city as a meeting destination. Using sites like YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr helps us to reach the meetings market with new arms and lead them to the Dublin CVB’s main website to discover more. The bureau’s blog also provides an ‘insider’s look’ to the different attractions, restaurants, and events attendees can enjoy. These social media sites tell stories about our meeting destination that wouldn’t necessarily be told on our bureau’s main site.” Brent Foerster, vice president of sales and marketing for VISIT Milwaukee, agrees with Potter.
Liron BenDor, Vice President of Marketing for the Overland Park CVB in Overland Park, KS
“Two years ago, when we set up our strategic plan for how to utilize social media, we really focused on the leisure side of our market. However, we quickly realized that our social media outlets could also be a great way to educate potential convention attendees who are unfamiliar with Milwaukee
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“Video is a powerful way to educate potential meeting attendees about the fun things to do in a city,” says Foerster.
about what there is to see and do. Social media helps us to bring this message to them in a timely and creative way.”
In addition, the CVB’s clients are also using the videos. According to BenDor, last summer, a large sports group hosting an event in
According to Foerster, VISIT Milwaukee started its social me-
Overland Park placed the bureau’s YouTube video link on its web-
dia efforts with some blogs that highlighted the hidden gems of
site as a way to help build attendance for an upcoming tournament,
the city, then ventured into Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube,
with a tournament video placed reciprocally on the bureau’s site.
FourSquare, and Groupon. Today, the VISIT Milwaukee website
In addition to YouTube, Overland Park uses Facebook, Twitter,
maintains an entire section dedicated to its social media efforts,
blogs, and a new mobile application to provide attendees with lo-
where meeting planners can view the bureau’s most recent Face-
cal information and spread the word to local partners about current
book and Twitter posts and even click on links to YouTube video
groups that are in town. BenDor says her bureau also utilizes these
posts.
tools to show prospective clients what the CVB can do for them if
The Milwaukee bureau also recently began producing Quick-
they select Overland Park as a destination.
Click videos, which can be viewed on YouTube. These two- to
Potter says the Dublin CVB’s Facebook page is geared more to-
three-minute narrated clips are produced in partnership with bu-
ward leisure visitors. However, it still acts as a useful resource for
reau members, and they highlight certain popular Milwaukee at-
meeting planners, since all of the bureau’s blog posts automatically
tractions. For example, an upcoming QuickClick video on Miller
show up as new wall posts on Facebook.
Park shows not only the stadium but also the places where groups can utilize the ballpark for meetings.
“We have several blogs that are of interest to meeting planners such as ‘Car Shows Cruising Into Dublin, OH’ and ‘How to Pro-
“Video is a powerful way to educate potential meeting attendees
duce a Successful Golf Outing,’” Potter says. “And by ‘liking’ our
about the fun things to do in a city,” says Foerster. “A viewer can
bureau on Facebook, meeting planners can easily see when we have
see others enjoying what they like to do and easily place him- or
new posts on these blogs.” Dublin’s CVB also manages four Twitter accounts, including
herself into the scene.” Visit Milwaukee’s PR team also recently purchased some flip
@Meet_inDublinOH, @DublinCVB, @alli_DublinCVB and @
cams and has being using a “street team” to go out to various festi-
marys_DublinCVB. The @Meet_inDublinCVB Twitter account
vals in the city to film these fun events in a casual manner.
follows organizations that hold meetings, meeting planners, and
“These videos are created on the premise of fun,” adds Foerster.
actual conferences. According to Pottter, Twitter is the fastest way
“They provide a unique glimpse into Milwaukee that we hope
to see what groups are currently doing in order to react accordingly.
meeting attendees will be drawn to.”
The bureau’s four accounts also allow the bureau to hold targeted
Liron BenDor, vice president of marketing for the Overland
conversations with locals, military organizations, wedding indus-
Park, KS CVB, says her bureau is also utilizing videos on YouTube
try professionals, and association executives, as well as to seek out
to help educate meeting planners and potential meeting attendees
Dublin champions to bring events home. VISIT Milwaukee also uses Facebook and Twitter as means of
about the city. “At trade shows, all of our salespeople carry iPads with them so
promoting what is new and happening in Milwaukee on a daily
they can access our videos on YouTube,” she says. “It is a great way
basis. The bureau promotes major and seasonal events as well as
to educate people in a concise yet entertaining way.”
attractions, what is being said about Milwaukee in the media, and
The Overland Park bureau is also working on expanding its so-
promotions or contests co-sponsored with bureau members.
cial media efforts to direct prospective clients to 360-degree virtual
“We view our Facebook and Twitter accounts as two more tools
tours in cases in which they are not able to physically come to
that meeting planners and potential meeting attendees can utilize
the city for a site inspection. These personal virtual walking tours,
to get an up-to-the-minute pulse on our city,” says Foerster. “They
which are being recorded by the bureau’s own salespeople, will also
can see how vibrant Milwaukee is, get excited about what is going
be hosted on YouTube.
on, and look forward to hosting their event with us.”
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Fox Cities CVB Shopping for a Great Meeting Place?
Mae Ibe, CMP
3433 W College Ave Appleton, WI 54914 www.foxcities.org mibe@foxcities.org 800-236-MEET Fax: 920-734-1080
Quick Look Area rooms: 3,100+ Airport: ATW (Outagamie County Regional Airport) - 2 miles Major meeting facilities: Radisson Paper Valley Hotel & Conference Center, Best Western Bridgewood Resort, Holiday Inn Appleton, Holiday Inn Neenah Riverwalk, Hilton Garden Inn Attractions: Fox River Mall, Fox Cities PAC, Bergstrom-Mahler Museum, History Museum at the Castle, Paper Discovery Center
Fox Cities, WI offer a unique mix of urban style and small town warmth. You’ll find excellent service at top-notch facilities with affordable rates, plus a great variety of shopping, restaurants and attractions.
S
afe, affordable and convenient, the Fox Cities of East Central Wisconsin are a great find! Groups ten to 2,000 will get exceptional service at more than 17 facilities with meeting space. This variety ensures a perfect fit for your next meeting or convention. The
Fox Cities CVB has a seasoned staff to serve your meeting planning needs. All Bureau services are FREE, and may include site selection assistance, visitor packets, name badges, service provider referrals, volunteers to assist with registration and more. Your attendees will ap-
preciate our location: we’re less than a two hour drive for 80 percent of Wisconsin’s population. Meeting planners and attendees enjoy the “walkability” our large downtown convention hotel and entertainment district offer during a convention: restaurants, shops and nightlife are all just steps from the convention hotel. Along with great shopping, the Fox Cities offer diverse cultural opportunities and excellent restaurants. The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center features top-notch Broadway shows and many local and regional performers. The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers fill the summer with Minor League Baseball, and a spectacular children’s museum, Paper Discovery Center, planetarium and earth science museum provide hours of entertainment and education. Many of our attractions are available for meetings, dinners and receptions. Please call 800-236-MEET to request a Meeting Planner’s Guide or visit the Meeting Planner’s section of our website: www.foxcities.org.
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Janesville CVB Janesville… Wisconsin’s Park Place… Wisconsin’s Meeting Place Ashley Zoellick
20 S Main St, Ste 17, Janesville, WI 53545 www.janesvillecvb.com • jvlcvb@jvlnet.com 608-757-3171 • 800-48-PARKS (7-2757)
A selection of meeting and conference sites from traditional to unique, with firstclass service that is friendly and efficient. You’ll find plenty of sleeping rooms and an abundance of restaurants to choose from.
Quick Look
Area hotel rooms: 750 Entertainment nearby: Armory Dinner Theater, Rotary Botanical Gardens, Lincoln-Tallman Restorations, Janesville Performing Arts Center, 10 historic districts, miles of hiking and biking trails, malls, antique shops, theatre performances, 15 area golf courses, local sporting events and much more Meeting facilities: Americas Best Value Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Janesville Conference Center, Pontiac Convention Center, Rotary Botanical Gardens
J
anesville… Wisconsin’s Park Place… Wisconsin’s Meeting Place provides a compelling combination of amenities, convenience and affordability. We invite you to experience our variety of meeting and banquet spaces and wide selection of hotels, restaurants and
attractions. We offer the meeting planner flexibility and plenty of opportunities unique only to Janesville. Easy driving access from anywhere in the Midwest makes Janesville’s location perfect for district or regional conferences. The proximity of four major airports and top-notch ground transportation services make travel trouble-free for national meetings as well. After the meeting is adjourned, we invite you to come out and play. With more than 2,000 acres of park land and trail systems to enjoy, Janesville provides an abundance of recreational activities throughout the year. Retreat to one of 15 area golf courses. Relax on a tour of the historic Lincoln Tallman House. Soak in the beauty of our 20-acre internationally themed Rotary Botanical Gardens or hike through our 15 miles of trails. Shop your way through our malls or linger in a downtown antique store. We have it all! The Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is a full-service CVB offering numerous complimentary services to ensure your meeting is a true success. We look forward to assisting you with everything from pre-convention support and site inspections to name badges and registration. Call us at 1-800-48-PARKS (7-2757) or visit our website at www.janesvillecvb.com and let us make planning your next meeting a walk in the park.
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Lake Geneva Area CVB It’s Always Been the Place
Grace Eckland
201 Wrigley Dr Lake Geneva, WI 53147 800-345-1020 Fax: 262-248-1000 info@lakegenevawi.com www.lakegenevawi.com
Quick Look
Area rooms: 2,200 Nearest airport: General Mitchell International Airport (46 miles), Milwaukee and O’Hare International Airport, Chicago (63 miles) Major meeting facilities: Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, The Abbey Resort & AVANI Spa, Lake Lawn Resort, Delavan Lake Resort, Harbor Shores, Mill Creek Hotel, Bella Vista Suites, Covenant Harbor Bible Camp & Retreat, French Country Inn on the Lake, George Williams College of Aurora University, Lake Geneva Comfort Suites Nearby major attractions: Lake Geneva Cruise Line, Dancing Horses Theatre, Geneva Lake Shorepath, Aerial Adventures and Lake Geneva Canopy Tours, Fireside Dinner Theatre, Yerkes Observatory, and nationally rated golf courses.
This historic and nationally acclaimed resort community, offering close proximity to both Chicago and Milwaukee, is a surprisingly affordable option for meetings of all sizes.
N
estled on the shores of Geneva Lake in Southeastern Wis-
the lake, or enjoy a five-star full-service salon or a rejuvenating
consin, Lake Geneva has always been an ideal meeting
day spa. Several teambuilding activities abound, including zip
destination with the uniqueness and ambiance of a bygone era.
line canopy tours.
The area is renowned for its expansive lakeside mansions built
When visiting groups work up an appetite, they won’t have to
by wealthy families during the 19 century, and today the area
travel far to enjoy a Wine Spectator award-winning restaurant,
draws visitors for its beautiful natural surroundings, lively down-
an informal breakfast at a local coffee shop or any of the other
town and understated opulence.
diverse options available in Lake Geneva. Many restaurants are
th
With all the amenities of a national destination, meetings
nestled in historic buildings, offering unmatched ambiance.
held in Lake Geneva have plenty to offer. Hotels range from
Lake Geneva is located approximately 60 miles from Chica-
luxurious retreats to boutique hotels. Entertainment options in
go’s O’Hare Airport and 50 miles from General Mitchell Airport
Lake Geneva include waterfront piano bars, sports bars, a dinner
in Milwaukee. Meeting planners will enjoy the affordable rates
theater and the famous Dancing Horses Theatre, an enchanting
found in Lake Geneva, and there is a variety of flexible meet-
Vegas-style performance. Try one of the legendary golf courses
ing space to accommodate groups of all sizes. Most importantly,
in the area designed by some of the greatest players of the game,
meetings in Lake Geneva allow visitors to relax and unwind,
view historic mansions by water on the Lake Geneva Cruise
helping them to focus on the task at hand. For more informa-
Line, walk a portion - or all - of the 21-mile shore path encircling
tion, visit lakegenevawi.com and click on “Meeting Planners.”
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Eileen Arnold
14015 Washington Ave, Sturtevant, WI 53177 262-884-6407 • Fax: 262-884-6404 www.aboutracine.com • eileen@racine.org SC Johnson’s Fortaleza Hall
Quick Look
Area hotel rooms: 1,186 Nearest airport: General Mitchell International - Milwaukee, 20 miles Major meeting facilities: Racine Marriott and Festival Hall Attractions: Downtown Racine, Frank Lloyd Wright sites, North Beach, charter fishing and boating, Racine Art Museum Wind Point Lighthouse
Racine’s Famous Kringle
North Beach “Wisconsin’s First Certified Clean Beach”
www.realracine.com facebook.com/realracine
L
ocated on the shores of Lake Michigan and situated nicely in the Midwest between Chicago and Milwaukee, Racine County is convenient for you and your attendees. Real Racine will provide outstanding services to accommodate your event’s needs. See a vibrant community that is ready to excite and wow your attendees without hurting your budget. Witness the art of pampering with our full-service lodging properties. Explore the great Frank Lloyd Wright treasures in the area. Because Racine County is between two large markets, Racine offers affordable rates but with the amenities of a large city. Smart planners have enjoyed planning events in Racine County. Attendees have enjoyed their stay. Call us today for your free meeting planner.
Stevens Point CVB Q&A with… Tom Coleman, Group Sales Manager
340 Division St N Stevens Point, WI 54481 www.conventioncentral.org • TomC@stevenspointarea.com 800-236-4636 Ext 304 • Fax: 715-344-5818
Q: A:
www.StevensPointArea.com • 800-236-4636
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Why should meeting/event planners choose a Midwest destination? The Stevens Point Area is the halfway point between Chicago and Minneapolis, with small city charm and warm, friendly service and big city amenities. Nestled in the center of Wisconsin, just off of Interstate 39, makes driving easy and convenient. How are you using technology to improve meetings in your destination? In 2012, we will be launching a brand-new website that will make it easier for planners to view all the great venues and learn about the services we can offer. If you had to name one reason to choose your destination, what would it be? We offer affordable state-of-the-art facilities that will make every planner’s budget look good.
Q: A: Q: A:
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Top 5 Reasons to Use a CVB What are you waiting for?
1.
Save time. - Instead of spending hours or even days researching, calling and emailing several different venues within the destination of choice, you can fire off a single inquiry to a CVB and get the information you need in an expeditious amount of time.
CVBs will often gather bids from qualified area facilities and present them to planners, saving the effort of researching facilities that might turn out to be inadequate for the meeting or event.
2.
Save money. - CVBs offer a wide array of services that are complimentary for planners, such as meeting or event promotion, onsite registration assistance, printing of attendee nametags or providing welcome materials. In addition, CVB staff members can
leverage their knowledge and business relationships to get you deals on space and sleeping rooms.
3.
Get in the know. - CVB staff members know their destination’s hotels and meeting facilities. They know what other groups will be in town and when. They know the local peak and off-peak times. By working with a CVB, you’ll have an insider’s perspective
on the best time to book your meeting or event and the best tools with which to negotiate.
4.
Find the right site. - With a single phone call, you can determine whether the right site for your group is available in any given destination. If you need state-of-the-art convention space for 2,000 attendees or a non-traditional hole in the wall for 20 at-
tendees, a CVB can not only tell you if the space exists, but also enlighten you as to special venues that might not even normally host groups, such as museums, art galleries or other unique facilities.
5.
Get it all. - The work of a CVB is not just about booking meeting space and hotel room nights for your group. CVB staff members can also help you make informed decisions on the best dining spots, popular or off-the-beaten-path activities and entertainment,
ongoing events and festivals and many other area attributes. Work with a CVB and get the best of the whole destination.
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
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Waukesha & Pewaukee CVB Meetings So Good‌ Waukesha & Pewaukee! Deana Birmingham-Heinisch, Group Sales Manager
Left: Country Springs Water Park Conference Center
N14 W23755 Stone Ridge Dr, Ste 225 Waukesha, WI 53188 262-542-0330 www.visitwaukesha.org deana@visitwaukesha.org
Quick Look
Area hotel rooms: 1,000 Entertainment nearby: Dozens of clubs, pubs and restaurants within the city and a 15-mile radius, museums, attractions and events for every season Meeting facilities: The Clarke Hotel, 2,400 sq. ft. meeting space in Historic Downtown Waukesha, 20 guestrooms Country Springs Hotel Water Park Conference Center, 40,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space, 187 guestrooms Holiday Inn Pewaukee/Milwaukee West, 5,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, 119 guestrooms Milwaukee Marriott West, 14,000 sq. ft. of meeting and banquet space, 281 guestrooms Waukesha County Exposition Center, 40,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting space
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Right: Milwaukee Marriott West
W
aukesha & Pewaukee are conveniently located in the southeast corner of Wisconsin, between Madison and Milwaukee and easily accessible from I-94 and I-43. Personalized service, quality, and affordability are what we offer in our suburban location. Offering 100,000 sq. ft. of affordable meeting space including a Grand Ballroom with the flexibility to segment into six 650 sq. ft. breakout rooms and two 1,700 sq. ft. meeting spaces, Executive Learning Center suites tailored for state-of-the-art training sessions seating 36, tradeshow exhibit space for thousands, luxuriously intimate meeting rooms set in the historic downtown and warm, inviting Frank Lloyd Wright inspired spaces. In addition, select from over 1,000 sleeping rooms from budget, luxury and water park! Parking is complimentary at all facilities. Log on to www.visitwaukesha.org or call Deana at 262-542-0330 to receive a complimentary DVD and comprehensive meeting planner’s guide to learn more about Waukesha & Pewaukee meeting facilities.
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011
Meet in
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
Wisconsin
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Illinois
Champaign County CVB ........................68 Chicago Southland CVB .........................63 Chicago’s North Shore CVB ...................64 DuPage Children’s Museum.....................66 DuPage CVB ............................................65 Jacksonville Area CVB ............................68 Macomb Area CVB .................................68 McHenry County CVB............................67 Naper Settlement.....................................66 Naperville CVB .......................................66 Quad Cities CVB .....................................68 Woodfield Chicago Northwest CB ..........67
Indiana
Belterra Casino & Resort....................... BC Grand Wayne Conv Center ..................1, 5 Hendricks County CVB ..........................69 Lafayette - West Lafayette CVB ..............69 Marshall County CVB .............................69 Visit Fort Wayne CVB .............................69
Iowa
Americas Best Value Inn .........................77 Ames CVB ...............................................72 Arrowwood Resort & Conf Center .........78 Best Western Regency Inn Conf Center ...........................................76 Bos Landen Golf Club .............................79 Cedar Falls TVB .....................................72 Central College........................................79 Clear Lake CVB.......................................72 Clinton CVB ...........................................73 Council Bluffs CVB .................................74 DMACC Newton Conf Center..............77 Dubuque Area CVB.................................75 Grand River Center .................................25 The Inn at Okoboji..................................78 Iowa Speedway .........................................77 Okoboji Tourism ......................................78 The Orpheum Theater Center ................76 Pella CVB ................................................79 The Pella Opera House............................79 Marshalltown CVB ..................................76 Newton CVB ...........................................77 Waterloo CVB .........................................73
Kansas
Dodge City CVB ......................................86 Go Wichita ..............................................85 Greater Hutchinson CVB........................81 Hilton Garden Inn Manhattan Hotel & Conf Center ...........................................35 Holiday Inn Wichita ................................31 Kansas City Kansas CVB .........................82 Manhattan Kansas CVB ..........................83 Olathe C of C/CVB .................................84 Visit Salina ...............................................86
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Michigan
Amway Hotel Corporation .................42,43 Ann Arbor Area CVB .............................38 Bay Harbor Village Hotel & Conf Center ...........................................47 Bay Pointe Inn Lakefront Resort .............47 Discover Kalamazoo .................................88 Greater Lansing CVB ..............................89 Holiday Inn West Bay Traverse City .......46 Holland CVB ......................................44,45 The Inn at St. Johns ................................47 Kellogg Hotel & Conf Center .................39 Little River Casino Resort .......................46 Mackinaw Area VB .................................47 MotorCity Casino Hotel.....................40,41 Stafford’s Bay View Inn ...........................46 Stafford’s Perry Hotel ...............................46
Minnesota
Austin CVB .............................................92 Burnsville CVB ........................................93 Eagan CVB...............................................94 Greater Mankato CVB ............................92 Owatonna Area C of C & Tourism .........95 Red Wing VCB ........................................96 Shooting Star Casino Hotel ....................17 St. Louis Park CVB ..................................96 Stillwater/Oak Park Heights CVB...........95 Visit Bemidji ............................................96 Water Street Inn ......................................95 Willmar Lakes Area CVB ........................96
Missouri
Branson Lakes Area CVB ........................98 Columbia CVB ......................................102 Greater Saint Charles CVB ...........100, 101 Maryland Heights CVB .........................102 Springfield CVB .......................................99 Tan-Tar-A Resort, Golf Club, Marina & Indoor Waterpark...................................29
Nebraska
Columbus/Platte County CVB ..............104 Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Grand Island ........................................108 Gering CVB ...........................................104 Grand Island/Hall County CVB............108 Kearney VB ............................................105 Lincoln CVB..........................................106 North Platte/Lincoln County CVB .......106 Sarpy County CVB ...............................107 Scotts Bluff County Tourism .................107 Stuhr Museum........................................108
North Dakota
Bismarck-Mandan CVB.........................109 Dickinson CVB......................................110 Fargo-Moorhead CVB ...........................111 Ramada Grand Dakota Lodge ...............110
Ohio
Akron/Summit CVB..............................113 Ashland Area CVB..................................61 Bowling Green CVB/Bowling Green State University .....................................50 Cherry Valley Lodge ................................60 Clinton County CVB ..............................52 Crowne Plaza Cleveland Airport.............60 East Liverpool Tourism Bureau ................61 Great Wolf Lodge ...............................56,57 Greater Licking County CVB .................54 Grove City Area VB ................................61 Hocking Hills Tourism Assn.............54,112 Holiday Inn Express Akron South ..........51 Holiday Inn Express Columbus/Polaris Parkway.....................51 Holiday Inn Express New Philadelphia ...51 Holiday Inn Mansfield .............................51 Holiday Inn Mentor.................................51 Holiday Inn Worthington........................51 Kalahari Waterpark Resort Conv Center..........................58,59 Kings Island Resort & Conf Center ...........................................60 Lake County VB ......................................61 Lake Erie Shores & Islands Welcome Center ....................................53 Lima/Allen County CVB ........................55 Miami County VCB ................................55
South Dakota
Brookings Area C of C & CVB .............116 Deadwood Chamber & VB....................117 Huron CVB/Huron Event Center .........121 Old Sanctuary ........................................116 Pierre Area CVB ....................................121 Rapid City CVB.....................................118 Sioux Falls CVB............................. IFC/119 Swiftel Center ........................................116 Visit Spearfish ........................................120 Watertown CVB ....................................120 Yankton CVB.........................................121
Wisconsin
Brookfield CVB...............................124,125 Fox Cities CVB ...............................126,127 Janesville Area CVB .......................128,129 La Crosse Area CVB ..............................135 Lake Geneva Area CVB .................130,131 Landmark Resort................................... IBC Monona Terrace® Conv Center.................3 Real Racine ............................................132 Stevens Point CVB ................................132 Visit Eau Claire ......................................135 Visit Milwaukee .....................................133 Waukesha Pewaukee CVB.....................134 Wisconsin Rapids CVB/Hotel Mead .....135
MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2011