Meeting Planner Careers

Congratulations. You’ve just been promoted from exhibit graphics to Event Coordinator for XYZ Company, a manufacturer of brooms and brushes for the restaurant industry. That means you’ll be attending the National Restaurant Show. How will you make XYZ’s product stand out from the competition?

At a show attracting thousands of attendees eating free food to boot, it’s not going to be easy. But, you’ve been in graphics, so you know that the first impression on a date or a job interview is made in the first 30 seconds . At a trade show, we can cut that down to the first 3 seconds; so, given the budget, you’ll create a wowie-zowie back board for your 10’ x 20’ broom and brush display. Now you need to pack it, ship it, set it up, light it, tweak it, photograph it, stand in it for three days, break it down, and return it to the shop.

Arriving at the show, you’ll join the small town making the entire event, including your 10’ x 20‘ display, a smashing success. Once you collect your exhibit from freight, and because you filled out the services forms back home, you’ll be visited by a string of people to help you. So, here’s the most important part: events like the National Restaurant Show usually rotate between the three largest convention halls in the nation. Make friends with the people in this small town, because if you stay in your position, it’s highly likely you’ll be seeing them again.

Conferences, conventions, trade shows and expositions bring the equivalent of a small town together to work behind the scenes. Somewhat like the traveling productions of Broadway shows, these events are limited in duration, the act can’t be repeated, and lighting, the orchestra, and the ticket-takers must know their business! Similarly, there are a host of professionals working behind your event.

For conferences providing space for exhibitors, there are decorators to set up displays and labor to tear them down, electricians. utilities like A/V, telecommunications and plumbing, florists, photographers, bartenders, and entertainment.

Most associations who put on a trade show use a show management company http://www.conventions.net who have vetted the services included in the show packet for their event planners and/or exhibitors. In a venue like McCormick Place in Chicago, for example, utilities like electrical, telecommunications, and plumbing are provided exclusively by the center, but a separate show management firm will select outside contractors to provide room set up, flowers, photography, entertainment, and an array of other services.

Any way you slice it, literally hundreds of people are employed behind the scenes at these events. Consider that the Official Star Trek Convention attracts over 15,000 attendees annually. That’s a lot of support services!

Next, we will place you, the meeting planner in the center of a big “village.”

Cruise meetings can be an interesting combination of business and pleasure, and the fusion of meeting on a cruise has the innate ability to offer far more than a getaway or a business meeting ever could. Here are five examples of how cruise meetings are far better than simply cruising or having a traditional business meeting:

1. Incentive – Both employees and special customers might enjoy a chance to get away from their daily grind. This in turn could lead to positive feelings that could translate into better employees or more opportunities.
2. Build rapport – Taking special clients and/or staff members on a cruise meeting can strengthen a relationship. Relationships are the cornerstone of any successful business, and should never be underestimated.
3. No more guilt – Many professionals begin to experience guilt and/or anxiety whenever they take a lengthy break from the office. Cruise meetings allow the office to go along on the vacation!
4. Sharing an experience can break down walls – Some customers or partners may prove to be difficult to deal with in an office, but may be put off guard in a new setting. The visual splendor of most cruises often engages the part of the brain that appreciates beauty, cooperation, and respect.
5. Ease of planning – cruise meetings have the benefit of a full staff and crew waiting to meet any need.

Cruise ships are best known for their luxurious amenities and travel to exotic locations. Although sometimes criticized for their actions by the media, the cruise industry continues to help people affected by natural disasters. The Celebrity Eclipse is the latest case in point.

This solstice class cruise ship canceled at least the first part of her launch festivities in order to help travelers stranded due to the effects of recent volcano activity in Iceland. Celebrity Cruises are working with UK tour operators to arrange passage back to England for travelers who have not been able to return due to flight cancelations and airport closings. At least 2000 people, some of whom have been stranded for seven days, will sail back to England and enjoy the amenities of this ship.

Cruise ships have a history of offering aid in times of crisis. In January 2009, the Royal Caribbean delivered desperately needed food and supplies to earthquake victims in Haiti. Carnival Cruise ships rented out three of their vessels to shelter victims of Hurricane Katrina. The Ecstasy, Holiday, and Sensation provided shelter for seven thousand weary people who lost everything to the hurricane. In 2009 when Typhoon Ketsana hit Manila, Star Cruises, Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises of Australia, and others committed resources and money to help victims of this natural disaster and the subsequent tsunami.

Cruise ships are a marvelous way to take a vacation and employees rave about all-inclusive incentive cruises. The ships are more elegant, classier, and more fun than ever before. Here are a few things about cruise ships you may not have known:

• The biggest cruise ship is the Freedom of the Seas, part of the Royal Caribbean fleet. She weighs 160,000 tons, measures 1,112 feet long and 184 feet wide, and boasts 15 passenger decks.
• The Olympic Voyager travels on average at 27 knots, which puts this Royal Olympic ship at the head of the fast lane.
• Did you know that Disney cruise ships are painted black, white, yellow, and red? The color palette is based on none other than Mickey himself.
• The Royal Caribbean Freedom Class ships feature an ice rink. Can you imagine learning to ice skate at sea?
• The Queen Mary is considered the most haunted cruise ship ever to set sail. She is permanently docked in California, but staff and guests have reported wet footprints around the pool when it was completely empty. Some people heard an infant crying in an empty playroom; others saw a woman in a lovely evening gown dancing in the Queen’s Salon when it was empty.

One of the most important aspects of any meeting is ensuring that the team arrives on site. No one wants the guest speaker or the corporation president stranded at the airport and meeting planners often go to great length to make sure that doesn’t happen. Every member of the team is important; every individual is entitled to a smooth transition from the train station, airport, or hotel to the meeting site.

Ground transportation is the face of the convention. People remember how they are treated when a limousine, town car, or shuttle arrives to whisk them to their destination. Does the driver collect them as if they are part of the baggage? Does he greet the team and help them load the baggage into the trunk of the vehicle? Eye contact and a pleasant manner create a good first impression.

Is the driver on time? It is much better to be half an hour early than ten minutes late. Conventions often convey a heightened sense of energy and anticipation. Everyone wants to be on time for the events that are the most important to them. Ground transportation can be as creative as a horse drawn carriage or as conventional as a minibus, the important thing is to get the team to the event.

In 2011, Disney’s third cruise line will set sail on the high seas. Like her sister ships, the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder, the vessel is a combination of classic cruise ship design infused with Disney magic. An all-inclusive cruise on this family themed cruise ship is a perfect reward for members of hard working corporate teams who prefer to spend vacations in a fun-filled G-rated environment.

The Disney Dream offers the best in luxurious suites and family fun. Entertainment on this vessel is unlike anything offered on other cruise ships. First run movies, live shows, and even a roller coaster at sea are just part of the things adults and children can enjoy on this vessel. Disney also provides youth clubs for children and young adults of all ages. There are three swimming pools to suit every need: one for children, one for families, and one for adults. Adults can enjoy a quiet meal in the adults only lounges and nightclubs or choose one of the family dining areas.

The Disney Dream will cruise to Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, as well as Nassau and Key West. Select from a 3, 4, or 5-day cruise and relax. When you consider a corporate incentive cruise geared toward good clean fun, think Disney.

You may be wondering why you would want the assistance of a cruise advisor when planning your next cruise event. If you are a meeting or event planner you should not need any help planning an event on a cruise ship – right? While you may be an excellent meeting planner well-versed in planning events in a variety of venues, it never hurts to make your job easier by using systems put in place specifically to assist you in planning group cruises.

Using group cruise planning tools and cruise advisors, like those available through Seasite.com, can make your planning process much simpler and more convenient. Employing these useful tools can also assist you in finding the right ship for your event and help you enjoy significant cost savings. For example, one of the handy search options available on Seasite.com allows you to peruse meeting space grids to determine which ship will best meet your needs, and their E-RFP allows you to easily send your RFP to multiple cruise lines, with the added benefit of them following up on the RFPs for you.

When you can receive this kind of personalized attention and assistance without paying any more than you would have when buying direct, there is absolutely no reason to not take advantage of these great services and tools – and plenty of reasons why you should.

Whether you are considering your first cruise event or have used cruise ships as meeting and event venues several times, there are a few things about cruises that you might not know. Aside from offering all-inclusive packages with great prices, there are many other benefits that make group cruises particularly enticing.

Here are three benefits that make group cruises rather appealing:

1. Planning your next meeting or event on a cruise ship can save you up to 40% when compared to using a hotel venue. Meeting rooms, audio/visual equipment, onboard activities and entertainment, room service and meals are all included in your upfront price and you will avoid paying for many event necessities, such as lighting, floral arrangements, linens and labor. Add the benefit of no state or city taxes and it is easy to see how you can experience serious cost savings by opting for a cruise.
2. More than 80% of people have never been on a cruise, which will make your cruise event much more exciting and appealing to the majority of your attendees who have likely never experienced the luxury and relaxation of cruising.
3. Cruise ships offer numerous onboard activities and nightly entertainment, which means plenty of options for your participants and no entertainment planning tasks for you.

If a cruise ship venue sounds right for your next event, make planning even easier by using the convenient group cruise planning tool at Seasite.com.

It is no secret that incentive travel is an excellent way to improve staff morale, motivate your sales staff and encourage top performance. Opting for incentive travel allows you to treat your hardworking employees to a fun, memorable reward for their loyalty and commitment and is a more cost-effective option than raises and bonuses. Of course, companies who have a budget that allows for all three of these options can motivate their staff even more by using a combination of earned bonuses, merit raises and incentive travel, but all companies can benefit from incorporating affordable incentive travel, regardless of budget.

One of the most cost-effective options for incentive travel is incentive cruises. All-inclusive cruises that make stops in exciting ports and offer plenty of onboard activities at no additional charge are great for your company’s budget, as well as your employees’ wallets, making them an ideal option that meets the needs of both the company and the winners. Incentive cruises have a high level of appeal, which make them an ideal choice for incentive travel. And, the added benefit of most meals, snacks, drinks and onboard activities being included in a single price makes all-inclusive incentive cruises and enticing option.

To make your incentive cruise planning simple and convenient, check out the cruise planning tool at Seasite.com.