Meeting Planner Careers

It’s no secret that ambiance and scenery help to create the proper mood for an event, but now a study by The Deck at the National Theatre confirms just how important it is for meeting planners in selecting a  location.  The study was highlighted in the article, Planners prefer room with a view, says research,  in which participants were asked to identify the leading factors when selecting a venue for their event.  Among their choices were: scenery and setting, ambiance, flexible facilities, quality of catering and service.  For a large majority, scenery and setting ranked higher than quality of catering and service. 

“The survey also revealed that given the right vista, bookers are also very keen to utilise outdoor spaces, whether for pre-dinner drinks, backdrops for photographs, a change of scenery or simply a breath of fresh air.”

When you think about it, it actually makes perfect sense.  The one sure fire way to create a memorable event is to host it at a memorable location.  Setting and ambiance definitely set the tone and create the energy that will fuel the event.  More importantly, the announcement of an event to be held at a unique location tends to create anticipatory buzz and increased participation. 

Let’s try this example…   

You receive two invitations for corporate events.  One function is being held at a local high-end hotel.  You know the drill, cocktail reception in the lobby waiting area, open to the ballroom with standard setup, rubber chicken and mediocre service. Second function is being held aboard a cruise ship.  Private reception on deck, ocean breeze blowing, sky blanketed with a thousand stars, to be followed by gourmet meal in a lavish dining room and ending the night with a spectacular Broadway-style show.    Which would you get excited about attending?  Now what if the cost for the second option was comparable to and in many cases less than the first?   

Cruise ships are also able to provide one thing many hotels simply can’t…CHOICES.  Whether you want an outdoor reception in the middle of the ocean, a variety private meeting venues with state of the art equipment (included at no additional cost), or a customized program for your guests, cruise ships can usually accommodate most requests.  In addition, with the world as your backdrop, there’s no better way to create the perfect ambiance and setting.

Given the limitless possibilities, is there any reason not to CRUISE into your next corporate event or meeting?

If you are a meeting planner searching for an exciting, innovative new venue for an upcoming convention, conference or trade show that will ensure great attendance, you should consider hosting your next event on a cruise ship. Whether you opt for a dockside charter or an event at sea, cruise ships – which can accommodate up to 5,000 people – will significantly increase the appeal of your event.

Attending a convention on a cruise ship will be something different and exciting for most people, and will be alluring enough to convince any indecisive people that they should definitely attend.

Cruise ships offer a self-contained venue with all of the services and amenities you require to host a successful event or meeting at sea and can be planned in a way that will support a variety of event budgets. Cruising also provides the opportunity to have a willingly captive audience for your event, especially if you opt for a full-ship charter, which allows you to customize the entire venue and schedule, including liberal logo placement to increase awareness and recognition of your brand.

Cruise events are also much more cost effective than a land based venue, since cruising is typically all inclusive. In addition to lodging, meals and entertainment, cruise ships offer state-of-the-art meeting facilities and equipment, decorations, and other items which are included on a cruise ship but will generally cost extra at a land based venue. A cruise event can cost as much as 40 percent less than a land based venue.

When you opt to host your next conference, trade show or convention on a cruise ship, it is sure to be a memorable event that will have the attendees talking about you and your planning services long after they are back on shore, ensuring that they will remember your company name the next time they are in need of event planning services.

An all inclusive cruise event can save you up to 40% compared to land based venues since so much is included. Meals, meeting rooms, A/V, coffee breaks, activities, entertainment and even room service are part of the all-inclusive cruise fare.