The official blog of Elite Meetings International

Posts by author:

Guest Writer

The Incentive Destination’s Role in Driving Business Performance

Submitted by Jim Ruszala, director of marketing, Maritz Travel The Incentive Destination’s Role in Driving Business Performance As 2012 quickly progresses, trends in incentive travel destinations continues to be a hot topic. Budget constraints as well as economic, political and social pressures will heavily dictate the growth of incentive travel and destination choice. Yet, among all of these considerations that come into play when identifying a destination, a program’s ability [...]

by Guest Writer on February 14, 2012

Creating Better Meeting Experiences

Thumbnail image for Creating Better Meeting Experiences

Jim Ruszala, Director of Marketing, Maritz Travel Company Three Simple Steps to Create Better Meeting Experiences Designing for a more engaging experience for your meetings can significantly improve performance from both a business and attendee vantage point. Yet, this is more difficult to do in today’s world due to a host of challenges, including budgeting constraints and increased risks for attendee distractions. From the moment an attendee walks into a [...]

by Guest Writer on December 6, 2011

Curing the Tech that Ails you

Thumbnail image for Curing the Tech that Ails you

This article was written by Midori Connolly, Pulse Staging & Events Have you been diagnosed with the TechSick bug? This viral condition is akin to a hangover. The means of catching the bug is unfortunately far too easy and widespread. Wooed by the excitement and promised solutions of a new technology, meeting planners spend a significant portion of their budget on the tech. Upon implementing and using the new technology, [...]

by Guest Writer on October 18, 2011

Tech Tenets Every Meeting Professional Should Know

Thumbnail image for Tech Tenets Every Meeting Professional Should Know

This article was written by Carole Woodward, FedEx Services, VP of Information Technology The warp speed advancements of tech devices and digital services have allowed for extraordinary innovation in the meeting and event planning space over the last decade. Much like we’ve seen at FedEx, where customers have moved from hand-written paper air bills to sophisticated online tracking systems, the meetings industry has rapidly evolved too, from presentations with overhead [...]

by Guest Writer on October 17, 2011

Seared Duck Breast – Recipe from Executive Chef of The Westin Boston Waterfront

Thumbnail image for Seared Duck Breast – Recipe from Executive Chef of The Westin Boston Waterfront

For a memorable meal, try this recipe from Nicholas McDermott, Executive Chef of The Westin Boston Waterfront. Seared Duck Breast (serves 2) ingredients: long island duck breast, scored 1 whole butternut squash, diced 1 cup peeled parsnip, diced 1 cup braising greens 2 c ups-packed shallots, diced 1 teaspoon garlic, diced 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon honey 1 tablespoon salt & pepper to taste micro greens for garnish method: [...]

by Guest Writer on August 30, 2011

Recipe for Success

Thumbnail image for Recipe for Success

This article was written by Chris Gaia, Vice President of Marketing, Maritz Recipe for SuccessHow a Culinary Component Can Spice Up Group Events With the rise in popularity of cooking shows like The Next Food Network Star, Chopped, and Hell’s Kitchen, and celebrity chef guest appearances like Bobby Flay on Entourage or Curtis Stone on The Biggest Loser, it’s clear that breakfast, lunch and dinner are no longer just about [...]

by Guest Writer on August 29, 2011

New ARS Technology Makes Meetings More Effective

Thumbnail image for New ARS Technology Makes Meetings More Effective

This article was written by Hannah Widell Marketing Administrator, IML New ARS Technology Makes Meetings More Effective Meetings are changing. Gone are the days where the presenter gives a didactic PowerPoint presentation and talks at the audience. Meetings are moving from broadcast style to an interactive environment. Companies and organizations are beginning to recognize that their audience, whether comprised of hard-recruited employees or valued clients, can contribute to the meeting [...]

by Guest Writer on June 27, 2011

The Evolution of DMCs Today

Thumbnail image for The Evolution of DMCs Today

This article was written by Kathy Fort Carty President AlliedPRA North America and Founder of DSC, Destination Services. The Evolution of DMCs Today Over the last few years Destination Management Companies (DMCs)—and the industry as a whole—have evolved, entering a new era in business. We’ve moved past the days of the AIG effect, with its negative undertones and intense scrutiny. Meetings have proven to provide a direct positive impact on [...]

by Guest Writer on June 27, 2011

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas – New to the Neighborhood

Thumbnail image for The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas – New to the Neighborhood

By Tiffany Winters, FedEx Office Center Manager, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas The Strip got another resident this December when The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Hotel & Casino opened its doors. As the center manager for the FedEx Office at this “Platinum” location, I’ve been spending a lot of time at the hotel and wanted to share a quick overview of the location for any planners looking for a shiny [...]

by Guest Writer on May 18, 2011

The Evolution of CSR and the Result for Event Planners

Thumbnail image for The Evolution of CSR and the Result for Event Planners

This article was written by Louise Barnes, Principal, TredLite Consulting. TredLite Consulting helps businesses adopt strategies and initiatives that demonstrate a commitment to social and environmental responsibility while meeting stakeholder expectations, supporting bottom lines and strengthening brands. Louise is certified in LEED, GRI’s CSR reporting standards and ISO’s environmental management systems. She also has experience with the requirements of the green house gas (ghg) reporting standards. Prior to her role [...]

by Guest Writer on May 16, 2011

Keeping your Finger on the Industry’s Pulse

Thumbnail image for Keeping your Finger on the Industry’s Pulse

This article was written by Steve Knight, Project Director for AIBTM, which forms part of the Reed Travel Exhibitions portfolio of Global Meetings and Incentives Events. AIBTM, taking place June 21 – 23, 2011 in Baltimore, is the first U.S. large-scale exhibition incorporating a Hosted Buyer Program – a time and business efficient matching service for buyers and sellers. America Meetings Week and AIBTM 2011 will attract the international market, [...]

by Guest Writer on May 11, 2011

New Era of Risk Management for Meeting, Event and Incentive Travel

Thumbnail image for New Era of Risk Management for Meeting, Event and Incentive Travel

This article was written by Jim Ruszala, director of marketing, Maritz Travel. His company is the global leader in helping companies achieve business results through the effective use of meeting, event and incentive travel programs. Maritz Travel works with companies to reward and recognize top performers, ensure effective communications to customers or staff, spur innovation through enhanced collaboration, and improve customer, employee and channel partner engagement. Learn more about Maritz [...]

by Guest Writer on March 23, 2011

Industry Forecasts and Trends

Thumbnail image for Industry Forecasts and Trends

This article was written by Chris Gaia, vice president of marketing, Maritz Travel. His company is the global leader in helping companies achieve business results through the effective use of meeting, event and incentive travel programs. Maritz Travel works with companies to reward and recognize top performers, ensure effective communications to customers or staff, spur innovation through enhance collaboration, and improve customer, employee and channel partner engagement. Learn more about [...]

by Guest Writer on February 22, 2011

Third Quarter 2010 Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) Index Results

This article was provided to us courtesy of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR). CEIR serves to advance the growth, awareness and value of exhibitions and other face-to-face marketing events by producing and delivering research-based knowledge tools that enable stakeholder organizations to enhance their ability to meet current and emerging customer needs, improve their business performance and strengthen their competitive position. For additional information, visit www.ceir.org. The Center for [...]

by Guest Writer on January 26, 2011

Beyond the Basics: Consider Meeting Planning Standards of the Future

Thumbnail image for Beyond the Basics: Consider Meeting Planning Standards of the Future

This article was written by Chris Gaia, vice president of marketing, Maritz Travel. His company is the global leader in helping companies achieve business results through the effective use of meeting, event and incentive travel programs. Maritz Travel works with companies to reward and recognize top performers, ensure effective communications to customers or staff, spur innovation through enhance collaboration, and improve customer, employee and channel partner engagement. Learn more about [...]

by Guest Writer on December 6, 2010

Worth Waiting For! APEX/ASTM Environmentally Sustainable Meeting Standards

Thumbnail image for Worth Waiting For! APEX/ASTM Environmentally Sustainable Meeting Standards

This article was written by Sara Torrence, CMP, president of Sara Torrence and Associates, a meeting and events consulting firm in Gaithersburg, MD. She has been involved in the APEX initiative since the early days, served on the Resumés and Work Orders Panel, and as the APEX Ambassador for the Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP). She is the Author of How to Run Scientific and Technical Meetings. It isn’t [...]

by Guest Writer on December 2, 2010

How Planners Help Bridge the Gap between Brand Promise and Customer Reality

This article was written by Chris Gaia, vice president of marketing, Maritz Travel. His company is the global leader in helping companies achieve business results through the effective use of meeting, event and incentive travel programs. Maritz Travel works with companies to reward and recognize top performers, ensure effective communications to customers or staff, spur innovation through enhance collaboration, and improve customer, employee and channel partner engagement. Learn more about [...]

by Guest Writer on November 2, 2010