Meetings 101

Here are some articles I have written for the Examiner, under the heading Meetings 101, which address issues beginning planners might face:

How do I convince my boss to let me attend a conference?
Business is down, and money is tight. Your boss is asking you: Is this any time for you to go flying off to a meeting? Now you can tell the boss that, according to these experts, the best time to attend a conference is RIGHT NOW.

How can I become a professional meeting planner?
With the economy at low ebb, recent college grads with a flair for organizing parties, reunions, and weddings may want to capitalize on this talent while they pursue that elusive “dream job.” To help budding meeting planners, 21 professionals from all parts of the industry have stepped up to offer a wealth of recommendations, which mainly fall into four categories of importance: professionalism, networking, education, and related experience. 

Goodie bags that rock
One of the best ways to keep attendees remembering the good times is to send them off with a goodie bag. But what products make a goodie bag a great one? Here are some examples:

What is IACC?
Beginning planners, inquiring of a hotel property for meeting availability, may be confused when they are assured by that property that it is “IACC-certified.” What does that mean?

Where can I get rid of my leftover event and exhibit stuff?
After the caterers depart, the chairs and tables are stacked, the audiovisual equipment put away, and the rented linens and dishes are sent off to be cleaned, you may still be looking at uneaten food, exhibit floor displays, leftover decor, and 4,000 tulips. What to do?