70 degrees and fluorescent

Hi, and welcome to XXX Airport; have a nice flight!

2009-02-20T09:21:00.001-05:00

Could it be... TSA employees will be happy to see you? Or at least act happy to see you?

Check out this MSNBC Story...

Why does "In-House" Hotel AV Cost So Much?

2009-02-12T22:22:00.003-05:00

And why do so many people still use hotel AV?

Well, I guess it's the easiest thing to do; just pay the money and get through the event. And some hotels do have excellent staffing to ensure your event runs smoothly. Some...

But back to the cost. While this is surely not true in every case, most hotels have a formal contract with a single audio-visual agency. In order to get this contract, the AV agency needs to "pay back" the hotel for the opportunity. Usually, that means about 60% of what the AV agency charges you goes right into the hotel's pockets. I'd call that a sizeable mark-up.

I can pretty much beat hotel AV pricing 99 times out of 100. And when you then add technical experience into the mix, there are often better options that result in better events.

Presentation Creative

2009-02-11T21:15:00.003-05:00

If part of your job involves working on, or delivering presentations, consider taking 10 minutes or so to take a look at this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_424YskAfew

The video was written and filmed by a NASA astronaut working at the Johnson Space Center.
In an effort to enhance innovation, senior-level management at NASA/JSC, tasked teams of employees to research and report on why new ideas within the organization were being blocked, ignored or discounted all together. The video is the presentation that Astronaut Andrew Thomas and his team submitted.

Can you imagine presenting the same content in a traditional PowerPoint presentation? Sure it could be done, but do you think the messages would have been as memorable or engaging?

What do you think?

Small Group? Pick a Small Hotel

2009-02-01T18:33:00.003-05:00

I recently finished up an event for about 125 people. While we were at quite a nice property, unfortunately we were the "small fish" in the big ocean. And so (and as I expected), my client did not receive the attention they deserved as paying customers of the property.

It happens again and again. I cannot stress enough that the location you choose will have a huge impact on the quality of service you'll receive.

It affects other things too. The "convention hotel" I am speaking of charged me $110 to RECEIVE packages that were FEDEXed there. They charged me $119 to SEND packages via FEDEX. These were packages that were already labeled, and ready-to-go.

So keep that in mind next time you pick a location - Ask who else is "in-house," and check the venue's floorplan to see how many large meeting spaces they have. Better to know ahead of time, even if you DO end up being the small fish - at least you'll know what ocean you're swimming in!

The Standard Difference

2009-01-21T12:37:00.005-05:00

Have you ever made a request for something "standard" only to discover that by your definition it wasn't?
Brainium recently had the pleasure of working with a new client on their annual gala. It was a great event at an upscale Boston property. "Winter" was the theme and the decor featured a beautiful color palette of icy blues, shimmering silvers and crisp white.
On one of the final site visits prior to the event, we met with our venue contact to go over some of the final details, one of which was the table linens. The contact was excited to show us their brand-new, upgraded linens which they were pleased to be able to offer us in time for the event.
They were certainly lovely, however the colors; copper, ivory and cranberry, would not work with our selected color palette.
I explained to our contact that while we agree that the new linens are beautiful, they don't match the color palette for the event and therefore we'd like to use standard white table cloths.
She looked at me sympathetically as she replied "well, our standard table linens are sage green."
The event was fantastic. Everything looked wonderful, including the standard white rental linens.
What about you? Care to share any standard stories?

Confused about extra costs on airlines?

2008-09-26T20:37:00.002-04:00

Granted, it's a Southwest page, but this link shows you all the charges (as of 9/15/08) each U.S.-operating airline charges for fees, including checked baggage, curbside check-in, etc.:
http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/pod_chart.html

Keep Your Eye on the "Southwest Effect"

2008-08-30T21:19:00.003-04:00

What an interesting airfare article from David M. Rowell, aka The Travel Insider:

The 'Southwest effect' is described as the two things that happen when Southwest starts flying into a new city. Airfares drop across the board as established carriers match Southwest's typically lower fares, and air travel increases in response.

Here's an interesting example of the other side of the Southwest effect. For reasons best known to itself and to no-one else, Southwest only publishes its schedules (and therefore fares) a little way into the future, unlike most airlines that will accept reservations up to 11 months in advance (and even further in advance for group type bookings).

So guess what happens on the particular day when Southwest's future bookings stop being available? Yes - airfares typically rise on other carriers. Here's a wonderful example of this in chart form, courtesy of farecompare.com - at present, you can book with Southwest through until 6 March 2009.

Look at the leap in fares on United that occurs on 7 March - from an average of about $385 up to an average of about $440.

If you're flying anywhere in the US, plainly it is best not to book further in advance than Southwest has its schedules published for.

I Can Fly Without an ID?

2008-08-15T10:05:00.002-04:00

A lot of people don't realize it, but there are no laws that say you must show a valid ID to board a domestic flight in the U.S.

Of course, it makes things much easier to just show your license, then pass more quickly through the security checkpoint.

But TSA cannot stop you from boarding the flight. That is a fact.

Today, however, USA Today is reporting how TSA has been compiling a list of flyers who do not show an ID when attempting to board a flight. Read the entire story here.

How to Save Money on Off-Site Events

2008-08-05T09:03:00.002-04:00

Orbit for Business recently posted a list of cities where airfare prices have actually gone down, and some of the cities are great for off-site events, sales meetings, etc., including Salt Lake City, San Antonio and London.

Room rates have also gone down in several cities, including New York, San Francisco and Boston.

So keep those prices that directly affect your traveling attendees in mind before you sign that next event contract!

A Unique Dinner Event Experience

2008-07-30T13:49:00.003-04:00

Dinner in the Sky, a Belgium-based company, offers probably the most unique dining experience out there.

You may have recently heard about this, or seen an article about it. The Boston Globe carried this article on July 30th.

Certainly a great way to keep your audience "captive!"

Checking a Bag? What's the Cost?

2008-07-11T08:55:00.002-04:00

The Travel Insider has updated it's U.S. carrier baggage policies page here. It's an interesting article with a table showing the latest information on checked baggage charges.

Some airlines have also increased the size (and weight limit) of carry-on bags, so be sure to check your airline's website for that information as well.

Pilfering a Few Hotel Toiletries?

2008-07-01T09:16:00.002-04:00

Will Allen, in his travel blog, disusses the many wonders and uses of hotel room toiletries, after he gets home. check it out at http://www.allenontravel.blogspot.com/

A peer I once traveled with was notorious for not only taking every mini-soap, shampoo and mouthwash from his room, but asking his fellow travelers to hand over theirs! It was not until much later that I found out he donated these items to a local homeless shelter. In one second, he went from "cheap bastard" to "what a guy!"

The UnConference - A New Trend?

2007-05-10T10:14:00.000-04:00

From BusinessWeek magazine, May 14, 2007

Take Your PowerPoint And…

Cheap, audience-driven "unconferences" are shaking up the convention biz

Unconferences turn the plodding, predictable business gathering inside out. They're a hybrid of a teach-in and a jam session, with a little show-and-tell mixed in, and they are attracting hundreds in cities like Austin, Tex., Bangalore, San Francisco, Sydney, and Tokyo. Unlike traditional, $1,000-a-head and up conferences, they're totally unstructured—the agenda isn't determined until the opening day of the event. Everyone who shows up is a potential speaker, and those who don't speak contribute by posting photos, blog entries, podcasts, and video clips of the proceedings. Neckties and heels are noticeably absent. And attendance is almost always inexpensive or free.

Dozens of the meetings are popping up, and in some surprising sectors. In Paris there have been three unconferences devoted to banking and finance. In February, Toronto Transit Camp was a day-long brainstorming session about improving public transit in the city. ArtCamp, held in Vancouver, included a session on "Photoconceptualism and the Moving Image." Wine-Camp, which, along with wine-tasting, was dedicated to the ways nonprofits use technology, was held at a vineyard in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains last spring.

These "camps" are one of the fastest-growing types of unconferences—there's a DemoCamp (for new technology demos), a GameCamp! (for videogame development), and a BarCamp (for general technology topics). The month of May will see camps take place in Bologna, Brussels, Turin, Montreal, Calgary, and Portland, Ore.

Proponents draw a parallel to other crowd-driven movements that threaten to unseat highly profitable business models. "Unconferences will totally displace the more staid, big, established conferences," predicts Doug Gold, who runs a Massachusetts startup, Mass Events Labs Inc., that produces several unconferences.

Last month a typical unconference, Web2Open, unfolded on the second floor of San Francisco's Moscone Center. Nearby was a more conventional, $1,195-a-head conference and trade show, Web 2.0 Expo, whose owner had lent the smaller meeting space. Chris Messina, 26, and two fellow Web2Open organizers stood on chairs in one of the Moscone Center's alcoves, addressing a crowd of about 80. Speaking without microphones, they asked everyone to introduce themselves and offer three "tags," or one-word descriptions, to give a sense of their topics of interest.

IN-KIND SPONSORS
Messina invited anyone present to sign up to speak at the gathering by sticking a Post-it note on one of two big chalkboards he had commandeered. All would-be speakers needed to do was come up with a title and find an open time slot, though Messina noted that "most of the grid is already full."

Dave Winer, a blogger and software developer who organized an early unconference at Harvard Law School's Berkman Center for Internet & Society in 2003, believes one factor spurring the growth of unconferences is their ability to tap the smarts of the people who usually sit mute in the audience. Once someone has attended an unconference, Winer has written, "you're spoiled. I've heard it said many times by people with unconference experience that they can never sit in a dark room with their hands folded, waiting for the Q&A period, listening to a PowerPoint presenter drone on and on."

The unconference movement is also a response to the commercialism of many business gatherings. "I don't see why I should pay hundreds of dollars for the privilege of being sold to," says David Tamés, a consultant and blogger who spoke recently at PodCamp NYC, a free gathering about podcasting held in early April. At a traditional industry conference, Tamés says, "every single panelist is chosen for economic and political reasons—because they're sponsoring it or they know someone in the organization, and they're all doing sales pitches."

Unconferences don't have big-bucks underwriters, and there's usually no financial upside for organizers. But sponsors typically provide in-kind donations, such as a venue, T-shirts, or food. And a few entrepreneurs are hoping to turn unconferences into for-profit ventures. Doug Gold co-founded a company to produce events that are free but sponsored by deep-pocketed companies like IBM, Adobe Systems, and Sun Microsystems. Gold says he's considering a small registration fee to deal with people who sign up but don't show.

Many organizers of traditional conferences aren't yet aware of unconferences. Those that are don't seem close to abandoning their time-tested approach with predetermined agendas, keynote speakers, panel discussions, and sponsors' banners hung on every wall. "We do surveys every year of our attendees, and there really has been no demand for it," says Tara Dunion, a spokeswoman for the Consumer Electronics Assn., whose annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas drew an estimated 150,000 in January.

The owner of Web 2.0 Expo, O'Reilly Media, is unusual for trying to integrate unconferences into its events rather than treating them as a threat. "It's an enhancement," says CEO Tim O'Reilly. "We're trying to make our events, like Web 2.0, the happening place."

While there's no dress code at unconferences, there are rules: no passive attendees, only participants. A high-speed WiFi network is mandatory so those present can publish notes and other material. The conference Web site is a collaborative wiki. And if participants find a session boring or they're not motivated to contribute, they're expected to get up and go somewhere else.

The loose structure helps ensure that ideas being batted around are relevant to people in the room and presented with minimal pomp. Sudha Jamthe, an entrepreneur from Palo Alto, Calif., gave a talk about commercializing new technologies at Web2Open. Afterward she was swarmed by entrepreneurs wanting to swap stories. Jamthe recalls her first BarCamp last year as "chaotic." But after one participant created a podcast of her presentation and another blogged about it, "it got more attention than any other presentation I've ever given at another conference." She was hooked.

By Scott Kirsner

New Biz Travel Site for All You Road Warriors

2007-02-16T16:47:00.000-05:00

Orbitz recently announced the launch of an online store that will cater to the needs of unmanaged business travelers... so if you don't have the assistance of a travel department, this might be just the site for you.

The new micro-site will be linked through the Orbitz.com homepage and is navigable via its own URL address, (http://roadwarrior.orbitz.com).

The new site features business travel tools and tips geared toward making a business traveler's life on the road just a little easier. There's even a wifi locater, though you better check it before you actually are on the road.

Industry research shows that 75% of unmanaged business travelers book flights and accommodations online, and Orbitz is looking to get a larger share of this business.

Some of the Site Features include:
Up-to-the-minute flight delay, cancellation or gate change alerts

Proactive alerts notifying travelers and their designated contacts of flight status, changes, cancellations and any event that might impact travel

For business travelers who book both flights and hotel, Orbitz will call a hotel for late arrivals to ensure the traveler's hotel room is protected. If the hotel doesn't honor the booking for late arrivals, Orbitz will find and re-book customers into a hotel of comparable quality and value.

Orbitz will email business travelers with any tips and relevant information regarding news that might impact their travels such as a transit strike, for example.

Executive car service and car service alerts are available for customers to find and book luxury sedan transportation.

Orbitz says it is the only travel site with a seasoned team of former U.S. military air traffic controllers, travel agents and former airline employees who monitor nationwide travel conditions and events 365 days a year.

Meeting Industry Measures 2007 Trends

2007-02-16T16:42:00.000-05:00

As reported at travelmole.com, by David Wilkening

The meeting industry is expected to grow for a fourth consecutive year, signaling an economy that continues to be strong, according to FutureWatch 2000 in a study sponsored by Meeting Professionals International and American Express.

Some findings of the survey:
Planners expect to manage more meetings in 2007 and expect to see larger budgets in dollars and as a percentage of the total organizational or company budgets. Budgets are expected to increase by 21% for association planners and 18% for corporations, while spend per meeting is expected to increase by 8% and 4%, respectively.

This year's report showed movement toward a more centralized function, with 54% of corporate planners saying their meetings were mostly or completely centralized across the organization.
The study procurement or purchasing departments are playing a more active role in purchasing decisions for meetings within many organizations, with 30% of corporate and government planners saying procurement plays a major part in their purchasing decisions.

The impact of war and terrorism on business travel has surged ahead of all other concerns, with 38% citing them as major concerns.

Behind terrorism and war (the top concern), increasing costs are expected to have the greatest impact on the industry. This is led by the cost of oil and gas, followed by general inflation.

Globalization is on the rise in all areas of the meetings industry. Client-side planners, meetings management and services companies, and especially hotel and resort companies expect to increase their global presence in 2007.

Similar to the 2006 study, client-side planners are predicting little change in the number of meetings they will outsource in 2007.

The coming year tracks significant shifts in the geographic locations that meeting planners are considering for their events. For 2007, U.S. planners anticipate holding 90% of their meetings domestically, 3% in Europe and 1% in Canada.

Guest booted from hotel can sue, raising wider implications

2007-01-08T17:38:00.001-05:00

As reported at travelmole
Report by David Wilkening

A federal judge's ruling that a New York City hotel guest can sue the Marriott Marquis in Times Square has industry-wide implications. U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Kahn found that the hotel could be negligent for giving a guest, Jeffrey Dagen the boot when hotel officials knew he lived 165 miles upstate in Latham, had been drinking alcohol served to him by the hotel and had little chance of finding another room in the city that night.

"It was entirely foreseeable that (Dagen's) next stop after being kicked out of the hotel wasn't going to be on the set with Dick Clark filming New York's Rockin' Eve," Mr Kahn wrote in his ruling. "Common sense and common courtesy hold that innkeepers are expected to shelter those who have sought their protection, and … not to inject those people into obviously dangerous situations."

The lawsuit for $750,000 claims breach of contract and negligence. The suit raises the propsect of similar court actions taken by other hotel guests denied rooms, and raises the question of the rights of hotel-owners as well as guests. Joe McInerney, president of the American Hotel and Lodging Association, said his organization does not keep statistics on hotel evictions, but that they are not uncommon — especially during holiday celebrations, weddings, conventions or proms, reported the AP. Mr Dagen and the rest of his party were evicted from the hotel after paramedics were called to deal with an unconscious woman. The hotel did not refund Mr Dagen's $4,000.

Dagen told hotel managers he had been drinking, that he had nowhere else to go and was too tired to drive home, court papers say. On his way home, Dagen's car left a highway and struck a tree. His leg was broken and he suffered chest injuries. He was not cited for driving under the influence, said Richard Feirstein, his attorney.

Guest booted from hotel can sue, raising wider implications

2007-01-08T17:38:00.000-05:00

*!#@ The E-Mail. Can We Talk?

2006-12-01T11:47:00.000-05:00

From the December 4th issue of BusinessWeek magazine.
By Diane Brady

Face-to-face meetings can trump technology. Some companies call for "no e-mail Fridays" Scott A. Dockter knew things were bad when he found himself e-mailing his assistant seated a few feet away. But it was more than his own e-mail habit that prompted the CEO of PBD Worldwide Fulfillment Services in Alpharetta, Ga., to launch "no e-mail Fridays." He suspected that overdependence on e-mail at PBD, which offers services like call center management and distribution, was hurting productivity and perhaps sales. So in July, he instructed his 275 employees to pick up the phone or meet in person each Friday, and reduce e-mail use the rest of the time.

That was tough to digest, especially for younger staffers and some senior managers. "We discovered a lot of introverts...who had drifted into a pattern of communicating by e-mail," Dockter says. But in less than four months, the simple directive has resulted in quicker problem-solving, better teamwork, and, best of all, happier customers. "Our relationship with PBD is much stronger," says Cynthia Fitzpatrick of Crown Financial Ministries. "You can't get to know someone through e-mail."

While the BlackBerry has become standard armor for executives, a few maverick leaders are taking action to reduce e-mail use. The problem isn't the distraction of spam or stuffed inboxes. Nor is it the potential for legal liability. The concern, say academics and management thinkers, is misinterpreted messages, as well as the degree to which e-mail has become a substitute for the nuanced conversations that are critical in the workplace. "Business has undervalued the social dimension of communication," says Daniel Goleman, whose new book, Social Intelligence, examines the science behind interpersonal connections.Recent research suggests that the perils of e-mail are greater than many assume. Justin Kruger, a professor at New York University's Stern School of Business, has found that as few as 50% of users grasp the tone or intent of an e-mail and that most people vastly overestimate their ability to relay and comprehend messages accurately. Smiley faces and exclamation points just add another layer of confusion. Misinterpretation is highest, Syracuse University professor Kristin Byron has discovered, when the e-mail comes from a boss.

STUBBORN HABIT
Still, few companies have tried to tackle the problem of e-mail run amok. As International Association of Business Communicators President Julie Freeman notes, most corporate policies are "aimed at protecting the e-mail system rather than helping you be an effective communicator." Many companies are adding collaborative tools such as communal Web pages (wikis). But the challenge of getting people to talk remains, especially among younger staffers for whom e-mail or text-messaging has become the default mode of discussion.

Such issues call for an overhaul of e-mail policies. Richard A. Chaifetz, CEO of Chicago-based employee assistance provider ComPsych Corp., has directed his 350 staffers to curb e-mail. "It should be used to send a large document to read, or when written communication is absolutely necessary," says Chaifetz. Others urge banning it in sensitive situations such as major announcements, firings, job evaluations, and any form of criticism.

Another solution may come from the home of the Outlook e-mail system itself. In its 2007 version of Outlook, which goes on sale to corporate customers on Nov. 30, Microsoft Corp. (MSFT ) has created a tool that elevates the humble telephone. Users can click on colleagues' names, see if they're available, and use the program to place a call directly.

While Dockter's solution was decidedly less high-tech, it has already changed PBD's culture. E-mail usage has dropped more than 80%, prompting improved communication and more one-on-one interaction between colleagues. Clients are so impressed that they have started to visit and call his staffers more often, too. The biggest peril now? Getting trapped in telephone tag.

Send In Your Submission to the Stupid Security Awards

2006-10-06T07:06:00.000-04:00

Yes, you heard right.

Human rights watchdog Privacy International has re-launched its hunt for the World's most stupid security measures.

The "Stupid Security" awards aims to highlight the absurdities of so-called security procedures that make little contribution to real security improvements. The international compo aims to unearth the world's most pointless, intrusive, stupid and self-serving security measures.

Privacy International is calling for nominations to name and shame the worst offenders. Entries, open to anyone from any country, need to be submitted by 31 October. Nominations can be sent to stupidsecurity@privacy.org. The competition will be judged by an international panel of well-known security experts, public policy specialists, privacy advocates and journalists

Flying Through LAX? Your Chances of a Delay Increase after July 29th

2006-07-28T20:33:00.000-04:00

According to TheTravelInsider.com , fying in and out of LAX is going to get harder as the airport begins reconstruction of a major runway. The work will take two years to complete.

Work begins July 29th.

The runway is being moved 55 feet south and heavy machinery will block 25% of the airport's capacity.

Bring an Extra Laptop Battery On Your Next Amtrak Acela Trip

2006-07-20T10:44:00.000-04:00

...Acela has turned off the power running the AC outlets at each site, after at least six incidents where the outlets were short-circuited by passengers (unknowingly).

According to an Associated Press story, the maker of the trains, Bombardier, Inc. out of Montreal, is looking into the problem.

Feeling a Bit Ill on Your US Airways Flight?

2006-07-20T10:36:00.000-04:00

Here, use this bag sponsored by Doritos Chips...

Among the first of the airlines to sell ad space on seat-back tray tables, US Airways is now planning on selling space on air sickness bags, among other things.

I always thought the best way to keep that seat next to you unoccupied was to hold an air sickness bag - open - in front of you, with your head down and your eyes closed. Now, I can read the ads instead.

Marriott Goes "Smoke-Free" Across US and Canada

2006-07-20T10:29:00.000-04:00

According to a July 19th press release, Marriott International announced that all of it's branded hotels will be "smoke-free" beginning in September, 2006.

This will cover over 2,300 hotels in the United States and Canada.

Marriott International brands include Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Courtyard, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites, Fairfield Inn, TownePlace Suites, and Marriott ExecuStay properties.

Read the entire story here.

Check Here Before You Book Your Next Flight

2006-07-12T09:48:00.000-04:00

Each year the aviation system is squeezed harder, and air travelers are the first to feel it. Travel schedules are disrupted, and the national economy choked. Already, delays cost Americans $9.4 billion a year.

According to the Boston Globe, a new web site - AvoidDelays.com - has been launched as part of a National Air Traffic Controllers Association publicity blitz aimed at pushing the FAA and Congress to pay for hiring hundeds of new air personnel.

The union contends that a shortage of workers - in addition to congestion and bad weather - forces the system to delay and even ground flights to maintain safety.

Welcome to Logan - 64% of the Time

2006-07-07T11:31:00.000-04:00

Logan International Airport ranked last for on-time arrivals in May, 2006. this is among the 31 biggest US airports, according to the US Bureau of Transportation Statistics. It wasn't much better last May - Just 79% in 2005.

The Producer's View

2006-06-13T22:01:00.000-04:00

View from my "control post" at the Architectural Record magazine 2006 Advertising Awards... Gotta love a 36-hour trip to LA!

Planning on a brief meeting at the Philly Airport?

2006-06-13T21:58:00.000-04:00

You might not want to meet at the Marriott Philadelphia Airport... you'll be charged a fee to sit in the restaurant.

But at least they're nice about it...any food or drink you order will go towards what you owe them.

Now HERE'S an Idea

2006-06-02T08:38:00.000-04:00

Boston to LA with a stop in Chicago... actually, not a stop... we'll just drop the left-wing passenger compartment as we fly over...

I saw this in the latest edition of the Travel Insider.

Valet Parking at Logan? Yes! And Affordable Too!

2006-05-28T14:47:00.000-04:00

Next time you're flying out of Boston's Logan Airport, give Logan Valet and Fly a try.

Really, the only downside is the 24-hour reservation notice. But that's not really a huge deal; just call them when you're printing off your boarding pass at home the day before.

A valet parking driver will meet you at your terminal, take your vehicle from you, park it in a secure facility while you're gone, and then return it to you at the terminal upon your arrival back. They'll meet you in the same spot as where you dropped the car.

Now you don't need to park a quarter-mile away in central parking - if there's even a space available - and drag your luggage that whole way.

Space Travel Anyone?

2006-05-19T11:34:00.000-04:00

Hurry, the Roswell 2006 UFO Festival is happening soon... June 30th to July 3rd!

This photo - apparently of a M*A*S*H unit - was taken at least year's event.

The Quicker You Take Your Seat, The Quicker You'll Be Home

2006-05-13T09:31:00.000-04:00

Airlines Try Smarter Boarding - By Dave Demerjian at Wired News

It's the announcement that every frequent flier dreads: "Ladies and gentlemen, we have a very full flight today. Please step out of the aisle and into your row as quickly as possible so that other passengers are able to reach their seats."

But the chaos of aircraft boarding may soon go the way of the 727. Several major airlines are working to develop more efficient ways to board an aircraft, using computer simulations to come up with mathematically proven -- if counterintuitive -- boarding models with names like the "rotating zone system" and the "reverse pyramid."

Read the rest of this interesting article here.

The Picture Says It All...

2006-05-11T16:05:00.000-04:00

the KLING TUT™ Comfort Traveler's Vest

PowerPoint - Why Can't Microsoft and Mac Work Well Together?

2006-05-09T21:01:00.000-04:00

If you're a designer on a Mac, and you've worked in PowerPoint, I'm sure you've had a client call you saying something like "I don't see the pictures; just red X's"; or "the slide transition is working like you said it would."

You're not alone.

In this month's issue of Presentations Magazine, you can read a good article about the many issues and bugs still evident when transferring a PowerPoint presentation from Mac to PC or vice versa.

You can also view the article here, at Infocomm International.

Flying AA? Short on Cash? Charge that Drink!

2006-05-07T17:56:00.000-04:00

American Airlines recently began to use handheld wireless devices to accept credit and debit cards for in-flight purchases.

I thought you couldn't use those types of devices while flying? But that's another story...

American expects the technology to be available systemwide by the middle of June.

Small Business Travel Update

2006-05-03T16:11:00.000-04:00

Business Travel News magazine's 22nd annual Corporate Travel World conference was held recently in New York. Many topics were covered, including small business travel.

"With airfares and hotels the way they are today, we need to find another way to save money," said one buyer during the hotel benchmarking session for small companies.

That way, it seems, is putting online booking tools in place, as many buyers are finding it cheaper to have employees book travel arrangements themselves. Even so, the breadth of options available through online booking tools confuses some buyers of small companies, while others remained skeptical of such tools, believing an agency is more effective in managing travel spend because its familiarity with company policy eliminates the need to double check reservations.

Smaller companies are beginning to fully utilize the small business programs provided by airlines. One buyer admitted it took some time to fully understand the program, but once she managed it, she saw a definite impact on her bottom line.

Buyers from small companies also expressed frustration in their inability to negotiate chainwide hotel rates this year, blaming the difficulties on transient business and a tougher market. To cope, many buyers said they are turning to negotiations with specific properties.

Traveling Abroad?

2006-04-30T10:34:00.000-04:00

Check out the website set up by the U.S. Department of State to get general tips for traveling abroad, but also specific information and travel warnings for certain parts of the world.

The entire site isn't just travel warnings, though. You can also get information about the 2006 FIFA World Cup event, taking place all over Germany this June-July.

And your mother dresses you funny!

2006-04-28T15:13:00.000-04:00

We're loud, arrogant and poorly dressed.

Oh, yeah — we're fat, too.

Though it can't solve the U.S. obesity problem, a business group is attempting to beautify the time-worn image of the ugly American by promoting an attitude adjustment among business executives traveling abroad.

USA Today reports that the non-profit Business for Diplomatic Action (BDA) will formally launch its program in May, when it will make its World Citizens Guide available online. But the group already has distributed the consciousness-raising pamphlet to 50 or so U.S. businesses, including American Airlines, Loews Hotels and Novell, says the group's executive director, Cari Eggspuehler. The guide politely suggests that when traveling in foreign lands, Americans generally should tone it down and dress it up, among other behavioral tips. BDA will follow up with an intensive briefing program for businesses.

Check out the entire story here.

Standing Room Only Seating? What?

2006-04-28T09:56:00.000-04:00

The New York Times reports that Airbus has been quietly pitching a "standing-room-only" option to Asian carriers, though none have agreed to it yet. Passengers in the standing section would be propped against a padded backboard, held in place with a harness, according to experts who have seen a proposal.

So where do you eat your meal on the flight? Oh right, there aren't any meals...

Send Your Luggage Ahead of You

2006-04-27T12:43:00.000-04:00

Traveling with luggage has become even more difficult. The new baggage security procedures and airline crackdowns on luggage allowances add to the hassle and uncertainty of traveling with checked baggage. Several companies have developed innovative and excellent solutions to these problems.

Have someone else transport your luggage
There we were - checking in for a ten day journey to Florida, and the check in agent asked us 'how many pieces of luggage do you have?'. I smugly replied 'None!'. The agent looked very surprised and so I explained 'We've sent our luggage ahead with Sports Express'. He smiled and we did too - traveling with no luggage is truly a wonderful and liberating experience.
We didn't have to carry our typically very heavy and bulky suitcases anywhere. We didn't even need to tip anyone. We simply left the bags on our front door step and found them, waiting for us, in our hotel room at the other end. What a marvelously convenient way to travel!

Read the entire story here.

How Green Are Your Meetings?

2006-04-26T08:38:00.000-04:00

Are you interested in saving water, saving energy, reducing solid waste at your next event? How about saving money?

The Green Hotels Association offers a free questionnaire to anyone involved in planning meetings for their clients or organization.

You can reveal the "greenness" of your venue by answering a few simple "yes" and "no" questions.

"When planning meetings or conventions", Green Hotels Association's President Patricia Griffin suggests, the questionnaire can be faxed to four or five hotels. When the planner is making a final decision between perhaps two hotels, the planner should call or fax again to ask management if there is one further green accomplishment the hotel will offer to obtain this business. The hotel can perhaps install low-flow aerators on one floor of rooms, add a recycling bin for aluminum by the pool or in a public area, stop using paper doilies on serving trays, delamp vending machines or even contact "Green" Hotels Association for further information."

Traveling for Business? Work in a Workout

2006-04-25T18:05:00.000-04:00

If your job keeps you on the road, you know how challenging it can be to stay fit and trim. After sitting for hours at a time in cars, planes or trains and subsisting on the high-calorie meals served in restaurants, you probably aren't surprised when your waistband starts to feel tight. You can prevent that from happening with a little dedication and some advanced planning. Your fitness program doesn't need to go by the wayside when you're traveling for business. Here are some tips on staying in shape when you're away from home, courtesy of the Mayo Clinic.

Put Your Luggage on a Diet

2006-04-24T18:45:00.000-04:00

Need a new suitcase? Don't buy another heavyweight (the average suitcase weighs 15 pounds empty!)... go with a lightweight roller that weighs half as much but is still durable and roomy.

Remember: Airlines are looking for revenue whereever they can, and if you don't tip that skycap well enough, they'll hit you with a fine if your bag is over 50 pounds.

Check out the Eagle Creek Cross Roads 25, or some of their other bags. Or, try a Google search for "lightweight wheeled luggage".

Free Airfare in Ireland?

2006-04-24T07:35:00.000-04:00

Today one-quarter of Ireland's
Ryanair passengers fly at no cost,
and by 2010, they want more than
half to be flying free.

How can this be?

Ryanair flew 35 million people to European destinations last year, with an average airfare of $53. But they still had $368 million in net earnings - a 22% profit margin (Southwest is 7.2%).

Again, how? Ryanair charges for pretty much everything other than the flight. Every amenity has a fee. They sell ads. And soon, they plan on offering in-flight gambling (and taking a cut of each wager).

Check out the complete story in Business 2.0 magazine.

Book a Private Jet, ala Priceline

2006-04-21T10:03:00.000-04:00

OneSky Network is following the priceline.com model of "name your own price" for online flight-booking of private jets.

There are more than 1,500 private jets out there, many of which fly into and out of Hanscomb field in Bedford, MA (and pretty much every other private and regional airport out there). These jets often fly empty, because the company needs to get the jet to another location.

Now, OneSky will let business and vacation travelers shop for prices up to 50% off market rates for seats on private flights that would otherwise be operating empty.

OneSky, based in Manchester, NH, scrutinzed three years' worth of private jet operating records from the FAA, and found that 40% of the time, pilots are operating empty planes. Why not sell those seats? It ends up not costing much more than flying first class, AND you get to skip the security check-in hassles, missed connections, lost bags, and jammed-up hub airports.

Help! I'm Traveling and I Can't Find WiFi!

2006-04-20T15:35:00.000-04:00

The Linksys Wireless-G USB Adapter with Wi-Fi Finder is a handy, pocket-sized device that combines an easy-to-use wireless network scanner with a USB-connected Wireless-G network adapter. Now you can scan for available wireless connectivity before turning on your computer. This is key if you're walking around the airport or another location, and don't want to carry your laptop around in your hands waiting for that signal to pop up. If the scanner does find a network, just plug it into your PC and get connected.

The Wi-Fi Finder detects Wireless-G and Wireless-B networks with a simple push of a button. It displays all pertinent information such as the wireless network's name (SSID), signal strength, the channel used, and whether wireless security is enabled or not. The information is displayed on an easy-to-read LCD display and can be set up to look for only open networks, all networks, or a specific named network. Discovered networks are listed in order of signal strength.

Public wireless hotspots are springing up all over in coffee shops, airport lounges, hotels and convention centers. The Wireless-G USB Adapter with Wi-Fi Finder from Linksys makes it easy to find, and connect to, those hotspots. About $80.

CPT - Play Golf with Professional Athletes

2006-04-20T14:35:00.000-04:00

Superstar athletes are regulars at celebrity golf tournaments, and there is even an entire tour just for celebrities.

The Celebrity Players Tour (CPT) presents about eight tournaments per-year, and packages are available for amateurs to play two days of golf with these sports celebrities (there are a few actors and musicians as well).

These packages are surprisingly affordable, and work great as incentives for some of your best sales people, or perks for your best customers.

The CPT tour kicks of 2006 in Fort Myers this week, and will visit the South, Midwest, Northeast, West Coast, and Caribbean.

Check it out!

Reducing Jet Lag

2006-04-19T07:10:00.000-04:00

Jet lag affects individuals in different ways and to different degrees. Flying across three or more time zones often disrupts your normal sleep-wake cycle. As a result, your internal body clock wakes you during the night and makes you sleepy during the day.

Other symptoms of jet lag include irritability, decreased concentration, dizziness, headaches, muscle soreness, and constipation or diarrhea. These symptoms can be aggravated by stress, lack of sleep, dry air, dehydration and a bumpy airplane ride (not to mention the 3-day conference with 12 hours per day of speakers and sessions!).

Keep in mind that it generally takes one day at your destination to fully adjust for a one-hour time zone change. Also, the symptoms of jet lag are often worse when traveling eastward rather than westward.

There's no single, proven method for preventing or "curing" jet lag. But there are some things you might try:

Before your trip, reset your internal clock. Several days before your trip, gradually adjust your sleep schedule to more closely match the time at your destination. For example, if you're traveling eastward, start going to bed an hour earlier every day and getting up an hour earlier.

Choose a daytime flight when possible to avoid sleep loss and fatigue. Make sure you are well rested and not sleep-deprived before your trip. Also, wear loose, comfortable clothing on your flight so that you can relax and rest more easily.

During the flight, drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and limit alcohol and caffeine. Avoid taking sleeping pills during the flight. If you have trouble sleeping after a few days at your destination, consider taking a mild sleeping pill — unless your doctor advises otherwise.

When you arrive at your destination, reset your watch to local time. If possible, allow yourself a day or two to acclimate to the time change.

Some research suggests melatonin, an over-the-counter supplement, may help decrease jet lag. You may try taking 1 to 3 milligrams of melatonin at bedtime for several days once you arrive at your destination. However, the benefits of melatonin are often exaggerated. More research is needed to determine its potential benefits and risks.

Feet Feeling "Swell" After that Flight?

2006-04-18T16:03:00.000-04:00

As a passenger on a plane, you spend most of your time seated with your feet on the floor. This allows blood to pool in your leg veins. When you walk, the muscles in your legs contract and compress the veins, forcing blood back to your heart.

You can usually relieve swelling during and after a flight by:
- Elevating your feet and legs
- Get up and walk around the plane once an hour
- Rotate your ankles while seated

On flights lasting six hours or more, consider taking these additional precautions to reduce the risk of DVT:
- Avoid wearing tight clothing around your waist
- Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration
- Stretch your calves once an hour
- Avoid alcohol and sedatives, which promote immobility

Smokin' the Competition

2006-04-16T10:05:00.000-04:00

If you've got the right audience, having a master cigar roller not only roll cigars made with premium Dominican filler, but also answer questions from guests, is a great addition to an executive-level reception or event.

CF Dominica's new Cigar Catering service has master cigar rollers in 14 cities nationwide, and they'll travel to whereever you need them to be (usually at no additional cost).

Worried about lots of smoke at your event? According to CF Dominica's president Dennis Briganti, "Any cigar that's rolled fresh at an event shouldn't be smoked for at least a few hours - the tobacco needs to get down to 70% humidity."

An interesting alternative to the more traditional wine tastings!

Big Apple, Small Price

2006-04-16T09:59:00.000-04:00

The April 2006 issue of US Airways Magazine highlights a small hotel in New York's Times Square (right behind Planet Hollywood) that gives you a lot for the money: Rooms start at $175 a night - simply unheard of if you've ever tried getting a room in Times Square.

Check out the story here.

Endless Work Days

2006-04-01T14:23:00.000-05:00

Anyone who is in the world of marketing will appreciate this story:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/tech/3172918.html

Does it not truly seem that the expectation these days that your hand is perpetually poised over the phone at all hours, awaiting the call with the next set of marching orders?

I find this article (originally published in the Houston Chronicle) fascinating because it points out the necessity for some firms to literally pass on the baton through time zones globally to simply remain competitive. Sleeping at night is a sure way to lose the edge, so whichever half of the world upon which the sun is shining is tasked with continuing to push the rock up the hill.

So if you find yourself feeling a little dizzy, don't worry. It just means that someone has come up with a way to make the planet spin faster, so those pesky, productivity-consuming gaps in time between day and night are shortened.

We're considering re-locating north of the artic circle to Scandinavia - perpetual days should make us a lot more productive, right? The clients who come to visit will simply have to take their chances with frostbite like everybody else.

What Annoys Audiences About PowerPoint Presentations?

2006-03-21T15:03:00.000-05:00

By Dave Paradi, MBA

When you prepare to deliver your next PowerPoint presentation, your audience should be first on your list of considerations. Unfortunately, too many presenters annoy their audiences. An online survey of 688 people who regularly see PowerPoint presentations revealed the following top annoyances (item and what percentage of the respondents cited that item as one of their top three annoyances):

- The speaker read the slides to us... 62.0%

- Text so small I couldn't read it... 46.9%

- Slides hard to see because of color choice... 42.6%

- Full sentences instead of bullet points... 39.1%

- Moving/flying text or graphics... 24.8%

- Overly complex diagrams or charts... 22.2%

Read the rest of this interesting article by clicking here.

Dave Paradi’s Think Outside the Slide™ approach helps presenters get results by showing them how to quickly create effective PowerPoint presentations. He is the co-author of “Guide to PowerPoint”, part of the Prentice Hall Series in Advanced Business Communication. He offers a free PowerPoint e-course, newsletter and articles on his web site at www.ThinkOutsideTheSlide.com.

©2005 Dave Paradi

A Memory for Sushi?

2006-03-20T23:03:00.000-05:00

Like sushi? Need to save some files for your next road trip?

Never again will you have to choose between having sushi or having a USB memory drive--thanks to the USB sushi drive. These USB drives are hand-made-in-Tokyo sushi replicas. The convincing USB sushi drive comes in several flavors.

Overnight shipping with dry ice pack available. Comes in 32mb or 128mb size. Check it all out (and more!) at Dynamism.com.

Location, Location, Location!

2006-03-20T22:52:00.000-05:00

Corporations Face Scarce Space: Soaring Hotel Rates, Occupancy Drive Buyers To Secondary Cities

This from Business Travel News: Corporate meeting buyers, faced with the prospect of spending excessive amounts of time finding hotel space in major cities at a time when occupancy continues to soar and paying record-high rates, are moving more events to secondary and tertiary locations. Though rates in those cities are skyrocketing as well, they offer buyers at least some relief during the height or a powerful hotel seller's market.

American Airlines Wants You to Lie Back and Relax

2006-03-19T09:08:00.000-05:00

American Airlines this spring will begin modifying is 767-300 planes to add lie-flat seats with personal audio and video systems in it's "next generation" business class, according to Peter J. Howe of the Boston Globe. The seats have adjustable headrests and footrests, a "memory" setting for returning to the perfect sleep position if you've had to put the seat up for a meal, plus two-part tray tables that deploy from the seat back and center console to create a large work surface. Meanwhile, United Airlines is committing a whopping $165 million on fancier seats in international first class and business class wide-body cabins over the next three years.

Flight Delayed?

2006-03-19T09:01:00.000-05:00

LET EVERYONE KNOW YOU'RE LATE
According to Peter J. Howe of the Boston Globe, Orbitz.com recently upgraded its flight-delay alert system for customers buying tickets through them. Now if your flight gets delayed en route, while you have no access to the phone or email, OrbitzTLC Alert can automatically send an email or text message to up to six friends, family members, or colleagues warning them you're running late.

I wonder if I can sent a text message to the pilot to step on the gas a bit?

Traveling Alone... Again?

2006-03-12T19:30:00.000-05:00

Why dine alone when away from home?

If you've ever had the utterly depressing experience of being 2,000 miles from home at a business convention or tradeshow, with now one to have dinner or lunch with, check out http://www.meetaway.com. Site members who are attending events can search the site by event, city and date. You can even post your schedule for the next year.

Cheaper Airline Tickets?

2006-03-12T19:16:00.000-05:00

Not so fast... that next advertisement for low-cost airfares might be too good to be true.

The federal Department of Transportation may soon begin allowing airlines to advertise airfares without including government taxes and fees - not even in the fine print!

So keep an eye on those prices, and make sure you're including all taxes and other fees when planning your next big sales event - you don't want to have to explain a few thousand dollars in additional fees added to your budget!

1,500 People in a Ballroom that Holds 150

2006-02-09T08:19:00.000-05:00

Magic, right? Actually... a roadshow. It's a great way to not only reach a lot of people, but to do it on a more regional or local level, and to reach them in a more intimate setting.

I just finished up a roadshow that went to 14 cities around the country. Management from local offices helped to coordinate the marketing and drive attendance to their individual event. The corporate office negotiated hotel contracts and sent an event professional to assist with on-site management.

Questions about roadshows? Give me a call at 603-624-2800 x204 or email me at pete@brainiumevents.com

What Presenters Can Learn From the TV News

2006-01-11T20:40:00.000-05:00

In a newscast, for instance, the news personality is the focus and the news he or she is delivering is the most important element of the broadcast. As speakers, it is important to remember that we are the most important part of a presentation and our message is far more important than any visuals we may use. During a newscast, most visuals are displayed in the top corner of the screen, just over the shoulder of the newscaster. Notice that these visuals are not meant to replace the newscaster. As presenters, we need to remember that visuals should only add to and enhance what we say, not be a substitute for the message.

When a newscast does use a full-screen graphic (a common example is the daily stock market report), the visual has very little text and usually consists of a simple graphic and a word or two that the newscaster then explains. As presenters, we need to design our visuals so that the image is simple and clear. We can then explain the meaning of the visual verbally.

Also, a newscast's time is limited, so the producers select the stories that will appeal to the greatest number of people watching. As presenters, it is important to focus on the material that will help the audience the most, and ruthlessly cut extra material that does not move the audience to the intended conclusion.

To read the rest of this interesting article, check out presentations.com, or the author, Dave Paradi's, website: powerpointlifeguard.com

Mmm...Airline Food

2006-01-05T13:34:00.000-05:00

Airline Meals is an online archive of meals and snacks offered by airline companies.

Click on the link labeled, "Browse thousands of inflight meals", and then scroll down to find the airline company you're interested in seeing.

Photos and reviews of the edible offerings are uploaded by actual passengers. They also photos and reviews of what the crew gets to eat, and honestly, I'm not sure if it's any better.

This photo was taken by Diskjoker on an Atlanta-to-Boston Delta flight in September (Yes, it's a "first class" meal).

Still, Airline Meals offers you a chance to reflect back when you actually might have looked FORWARD to eating on a plane!

4 Fundamentals of Event Planning

2005-12-16T11:31:00.000-05:00

Have you ever planned a business meeting? Perhaps you’ve brought a few business associates out to dinner. They appreciated the invitation, and thoroughly enjoyed listening to your business plans and concepts throughout the evening. At the end of the night, you quickly scanned the bill, and paid with your corporate card. Nice and simple, right?

Have you ever planned a somewhat larger business meeting? Let’s say 25 of your best customers. You’d better call ahead for a suitable conference room; maybe you should run over and check the space out first. And have you ever eaten the food? You might want to run a little “taste test.” Now, how do you go about inviting 25 customers? Will they all show up? Will they all see a value in meeting with you? And how are you going to keep 25 people interested, with their attention riveted to your message? Not so simple anymore, is it?

Planning an event can be a time-consuming task. It may not seem so at first, but with your normally heavy workload already keeping you busy, you may not have a lot of time to spare on the details of the event. Don’t let the distance of the event date keep you from knuckling down now, however. In the event business, the sooner you get your plan in place, the easier it’ll be to keep your sanity. Here are a few tips to get you started:

1)Have a goal
Make sure everyone involved on the event with you knows what the objective is. You may want to increase sales, educate your employees, or recognize high achievers. Now, make sure everything you do relates back to your goal. If it won’t help you achieve your goal, then don’t waste your time on it.

2)Book a meeting space
Decide on a location, and book it now. Even if it’s your company’s cafeteria, make sure you’ve got the space you need reserved for your meeting.

3)Develop a message
Having a goal for your meeting is great, but what’s in it for the attendee? Develop a message that each person wants to hear. Now, use this message in your invitation letter, on your web site, and in your presentation materials. A short – two or three word – version of your message can even become a “theme” for your meeting.

4) Treat your attendees like your mom
Every attendee, no matter if they are a customer, prospect or employee, is a carrier of your message. Treat them with respect throughout the meeting process, and you will be rewarded in the end.

If you focus on these four tips, you are well on your way to a successful event. One last tip: Make sure to enjoy it yourself! After all, you’re an attendee too.

This article first appeared in the New Hampshire Business Review. Pete Lecours can be reached by phone at (603) 624-2800, or by email at Pete@BrainiumEvents.com.

Manchester's Wi-Fi Hotspots

2005-12-05T14:55:00.000-05:00

OK, so maybe Manchester isn't an "event hotspot," but that doesn't mean you can't check your email next time your heading through town.

Here's a list of free hotspots in and around lovely Manchester, NH:

Ahh-Some Gourmet Coffee
900 Elm Street, Manchester, 665-9487

Angel Stream
396 Pepsi Road, Manchester

Derryfield Country Club
625 Mammoth Road, Manchester, 559-0235

Gala Cafe
967 Elm Street, Manchester, 624-7979

Jewell & The Beanstock
797 Somerville Street, Manchester, 624-3709

Emiliana Geletaria & Cafe
35 Manchester Road, #10C, Derry, 425-1888

Panera Bread
52 March Avenue, Manchester, 627-2443
7 Colby Court, Bedford, 641-0500

Ramada Inn
21 Front Street, Manchester, 669-2660

Innovation - New York Style

2005-11-17T21:27:00.000-05:00

Just back from producing the Innovation conference for Architectural Record magazine, Engineering News-Record magazine and New York Construction News.

I'm not the biggest fan of using "hotel AV" for events, since you never know in what condition the equipment will be, nor if you'll have the same technicians from day to day (and if they even know how to use the outdated gear!), but was very pleased with the folks at the McGraw-Hill Companies Auditorium in Rockefeller Center.

The auditorium was filled to capacity with architects and engineers who came together to hear, see and touch the latest and greatest in materials for the construction industry. Neil Gershenfeld, MIT's Director of the Center for Bits and Atoms, was the keynote speaker on day one, and gave great insight into digital fabrication, and the future of "personal fabrication," where we may be able to "download" a bicycle from Schwinn and build it right in our own home. Very interesting, and a great way to kick off the conference.

Likewise, the closing session about the new Hearst Tower was also very interesting, and provided insight into how the latest technology is being used right now in the fields of architecture and engineering.

Thinking Outside The Ballroom...

2005-10-24T16:26:00.000-04:00

This is the 53' "classroom on wheels", the mobile venue for the Event Marketer magazine "Get Connected" seminar.
Brainium was pleased to have the opportunity to host the New Hampshire stop on the tour right here in Manchester, NH.

Kerry Smith, President of Red 7 Media, publisher of Event Marketer magazine was the featured speaker. Kerry's presentation focused on the increasing importance of marketing in a live setting in order for companies to captivate, engage and win customers in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Here's a quick review from one attendee:

"Fantastic event, Brainium! I knew the Event Marketer seminar would be informative, but the truck completed the experience. Thanks for bringing it to New Hampshire. As a result, our team is evaluating Matrix's event strategies for 2006."

- Pauline Collins, Matrix Technologies Corporation

Outlook 2006 Executive Seminar - Seamless!

2005-10-24T15:38:00.000-04:00

The client was thrilled with the success of the 67th Annual Outlook Executive Seminar; I'm happy to say that I've been able to work on the last six! No, that's not me at the podium; it's my director double-checking the wireless remote for PowerPoint operation.

ACE Mentor Program a Huge Success

2005-10-24T15:31:00.000-04:00

The ACE Mentor Program of America's 10-year anniversary banquet was a smashing success. 300 executives from the architecture, construction and engineering communities came together to celebrate this mentoring program that promotes these industries to high school students throughout the United States.

A Few Minutes to Breathe

2005-10-24T13:58:00.000-04:00

We've been bad about posting to this Blog lately. Sorry. Being busy is a good thing.

Last week we managed five events in four different cities throughout the Northeast. In Washington D.C., it was the ACE Mentor Annual Awards Banquet and the McGraw-Hill Construction Outlook 2006 event.

In New York and Boston - at each city's British Consulate headquarters - we had the pleasure of managing two US/UK Technology Forums for the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and U.K. Trade and Investment.

And, finally, we hosted an Event Trends Seminar with Event Marketer magazine in Manchester, New Hampshire, which was attended by local marketing and event management professionals. The environment for this highly informative event was the Event Marketer 53-foot customized tractor trailer "classroom on wheels." Very cool!

More updates and photos to follow as we recover. Stay tuned!

To Infinity and Beyond

2005-09-22T09:54:00.000-04:00

I just returned from a site visit of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA. This new facility is a companion to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and features a collection of the world's greatest aircraft, including the SR-71 Blackbird (the fastest aircraft on the planet), the Air France Concorde, the Space Shuttle Enterprise, and the Enola Gay.

Brainium is producing an awards event for a new client at this spectacular facility in April 2006. If you're ever in need of an aviation-themed location for an event, I highly recommend you check this place out.

Good People Make Good Videos Happen

2005-09-14T19:15:00.000-04:00

Here I am, hanging out at LaGuardia as I wait for my flight to board (please let someone be late so I can get on this flight with my standby ticket!). I just finished up two successful days of video interviews for an upcoming banquet, and come away with this thought: Do not discount the importance of having a good video crew. Yeah, it may cost a bit more, but boy, is it worth it!

A changing schedule can really throw a wrench into the best-laid plans, not to mention making your crew grumpy if they have to miss part of their lunch! But getting a professional crew on board means they'll do whatever it takes to make you look good. Once again, I've come away pleased with CrewsControl and the crews they provide around the country. If you're in need of a video crew for your next event, interview or tradeshow, give them a call!

Fortune Cookie

2005-09-14T11:44:00.000-04:00

This is from yesterday's lunch. Hopefully a sign of things to come? Seems like an appropriate fortune for an event management company.

Are You Ready for Some Bad Entertainment?

2005-09-09T11:37:00.000-04:00

Are You Ready for Some Bad Entertainment?

So last night marked the opening of another football season with the game between New England and Oakland. As a huge football fan, I’ve been waiting for this moment all summer long and looked forward to the unveiling of the 2004 Championship banner for my favorite team.

However, as I watched the television coverage of the pre-game festivities, I was again perplexed at how the NFL seems to continually put together bad entertainment events that have little to do with football or its fans. Does anyone else feel this way?

Do you think the NFL ever actually asks its fans (namely men) who they would like to see perform during its major events? For example, while some of last night’s bands made sense from the standpoint of being relevant to the primary football audience of men (i.e. Green Day, the Stones, Ozzy, etc.), I am constantly befuddled when the NFL trots out lip-syncing pop stars on cheesy motorized footballs to “entertain” us. And, while Santana may be a great guitar player, what does an eight year old song have to do with anything? Hello…is anyone listening (or watching)?

I completely understand that football has a national audience comprised of a broad demographic, and that we’re really talking about Hollywood “entertainment”, but who at the NFL really thinks these shows are good? I can’t remember any pre-game or halftime show that made me want to “stay tuned”. My message to the NFL: it’s time to try a new play from the marketing/event playbook.

Let me know what you think. For now, I’ll just be happy that the Patriots won their first game. Go Pats!

Top 4 "First Things First"

2005-09-01T20:08:00.000-04:00

Getting ready to manage your company's next big event?

Whether it's a small internal summit for executives, or a large customer user group meeting; whether your new to the event management biz or a seasoned pro, here's the top four "First Things First" the smart event manager does right up-front:

1) Define your event management team
No matter how hard you try, you can't do it alone. Who is going to help you make your event a reality? List each person and his or her responsibilities. Make sure your “core team” is aware of all aspects of the event, not just their individual segment of responsibility. This will help to make your event more cohesive.

2) Get going on an initial budget
Maybe you don't even know how much you've got to spend - maybe you're operating on a shoestring. The best way to manage it is to get everything you need into a spreadsheet, and update items as you determine the costs. The budget is also a great tool to keep you on schedule, and to make sure you don't forget anything. Refer to it often!

3) Determine resource availability
What outside suppliers do you need to make your event happen? You may have design in-house, but need to outsource copywriting, print production and mailing/fulfillment. Perhaps you've got some left-over incentive gifts from another show, or you need to contact a vendor to get some more. As you identify a resource for each item that you need, list them in a "resource" column of your budget.

4) Get buy-off from above
Don't get bogged down in committee meetings, and don't get caught in the never-ending email-respond trap. Instead, have your managers give you some independence to make decisions on your own showing them your plan. You've got an event team, external resources lined-up, and your budget in place. Make it happen!

Head on Over to the General Session, There's Plenty of Parking and the Water is Fine!

2005-08-26T15:01:00.000-04:00

I’ve been reading a really great book by Tim Sanders. It’s called the Likeability Factor (http://www.timsanders.com/). In it, Tim talks about how people who are well-liked generally fare better in life. Not exactly rocket science, but Tim does go into a fair amount of detail deconstructing key personality traits of the well-liked individual and actually gives you tips on how to boost your own “L” factor. I’ve been thinking about different ways the “L” factor makes its mark in the world of corporate events.

This summer, my family and I have been frequenting a State Park in the NH Lakes Region. There is a woman who works at the park, (for the purposes of this post, we’ll call her Margaret) who clearly possesses a high “L” factor. Even on the busiest of weekend days you can always count on a cheerful greeting, the current water temperature and an update on the parking situation from Margaret. She’s so genuinely nice that even our six-year old daughter looks forward to seeing her well in advance of our arrival at the park. In short, Margaret makes the uneventful act of pulling into a state park a pleasant experience for my family.

What kind of difference would it make if you had a team of Margaret’s staffing the registration desk at your next corporate event?

Ask for an Audit Before Your Next Tradeshow

2005-08-25T13:02:00.000-04:00

As companies continue to exhibit at their industry's trade shows, more and more are asking for audited information about who "really" attends these events. This article from Event Marketer magazine provides some insight into the development of "event audits" to help companies better assess which trade events they should be attending to reach their audiences and maximize their ROI.

It's common sense that your organization should be taking a hard look at the events at which it exhibits. What will your presence at the event achieve? How will you support your marketing efforts before the event, during the event, and post-event? Ask questions, not only from show management, but also from other exhibitors (and not just the ones the show management company will provide) to better understand the total costs involved and the potential for generating new business opportunities. What you learn may be vastly different from what the show management's marketing team wants you to know.

Has anyone seen any "formal" audits from any of the trade events they're going to? If so, we'd love to see a sample to better understand what criteria is being audited. Drop us a line if you have any comments on this.

How to Manage a Corporate Event - Part 3

2005-08-24T08:41:00.000-04:00

Last week, I talked about hotel logistics, which is often the first people think about when planning an event.

But perhaps just as important to where you're holding your event is what you're going to talk about, and who will be doing the talking. The right mix of content and speakers will go a long way in helping to build attendance.

A well-orchestrated and content-rich meeting can help your organization by boosting morale, educating your attendees, generating leads, and increasing productivity and profitability. Take a look at these business objectives:
- Educating your sales force, users or employees
- Training employees on the use of new technology
- Brainstorming new product ideas or introducing new products internally or to your customers and press
- Teambuilding across functions within your organization, such as sales, marketing, finance,
engineering, and manufacturing
- Motivating your sales force
- Rewarding sales representatives or other employees for outstanding performance
- Introducing a new executive or department head to your employees, users or customers
- Presenting market research
- Presenting a company's new strategic mission

Which of these key objectives are most important to your event? Pick your top three from this list, or write down your own top three, and share them with your event team.

Here's a smart thought: Before determining specific presentation topics, speakers and visual support (PowerPoint, Flash, video, etc.), you should clearly define the objectives of your meeting, as well as a means of measuring results. Take a careful look at the mix of employees, customers and others that will be attending the meeting.

Next, develop a meeting strategy that utilizes those tools most important to your objectives. An educational meeting has far different requirements than a motivational meeting. And no matter how serious the meeting, build in some sort of fun or other diversion. Consider giving small gifts, using contests related to the topic, or handing out information related to your meeting's location. Consider humor and/or an element of surprise, but always err on the side of caution if you are unsure of what the audience response may be.

A great way to begin is to develop a simple, memorable theme that takes all of your objectives into consideration. Where appropriate, a creative treatment of the theme (an event logo or “look and feel”) can be developed to provide your event with a brand.

Some Key Things to Remember:
Lastly, here's a little checklist of key items to remember while planning the content of your next event:
- Invite Key Executives Early to Either Speak or Attend
- Determine Keynote Speaker/View Demo Tapes
- Keynote Photo OK to Use in Collateral?
- Speaker Budget (Including Transportation)
- Confirm “Green Room” with Logistics Person
- Special A/V Needs for Speakers?
- Develop Skeletal Agenda for Approval
- Stay On-Message Throughout!
- Tie Content into Teambuilding?
- Tie Content into Activities/Recreation?
- Design Thematic Template for PowerPoint
- Provide Template to All Speakers
- Hardcopies or CDROMs of Presentations
- Potential Webcast of Event?
- Customers as Speakers?
- Video Presentations?
- Speechwriting Support?
- Are Teleprompters Needed?
- Videotape Keynotes for Future Use
- Pre-Event Rehearsals
- On-Site Rehearsal Schedule
- Build Audience Q&A Into Agenda
- Panel Discussions as Option?
- Speakers Available for Post-Reception?
- Do Speakers Run Their Own PPT?
- Develop Survey to Track Response

I welcome your comments!

Coming Next: Attendee registration and travel to your event.

How to Manage a Corporate Event - Part 2

2005-08-17T17:39:00.000-04:00

Last week, I talked about building a corporate event management team, with specific responsibilities assigned to each team member.

One area of extreme importance - and often the first area people think about when planning an event - is hotel logistics or what is often referred to as meeting planning.

Where should you hold your event? Do you have a core group of attendees traveling from one location? Do you need to be in a central location? What type of venue will work best for your event, and send the right message to your attendees (and corporate executives)?

Several key areas are listed here. Review this list, add more if needed, then rate them from one to ten in importance to both your organization and attendees:

____ Cost of Meeting Space, Food & Beverage
____ Layout of Meetings Space, # of Breakout Rooms
____ Cost to Attend at Venue (Airfare, Hotel Rooms)
____ Quality of Food & Beverage, Accommodations
____ Access to Other Attractions in Area
____ Venue Amenities (Health Club, Pool, Wireless Internet)
____ City Location
____ Resort Location
____ Conference Center Location
____ Corporate Office Location (Auditorium, Cafeteria)

OK, got that? Now, once you have rated the above items, look for common scores, and build off of these items first in your search for a venue.

Here's a smart thought: If attendees are paying to attend your event, including airfare and accommodations, you may want to consider giving more weight to their needs. If you are footing the bill for the conference, pay a bit more attention to your scores first.

Look to the Web
There are many venue search tools available on the web. One site that is simple to use and easily understandable is http://www.eventective.com. You will need to have an idea of attendee size, city or state where you plan to hold your event, and room set-up (theater-style, schoolroom, banquet, etc.). The search engine will then locate properties that have space for you.

Things to Remember
Lastly, here's a little checklist of key items to remember while planning the logistics of your next event:
- Preferred Event Dates/Days of Week
- Back-Up Event Dates/Days of Week
- Check for Major Holidays/Religious Holidays
- Site Visit to Top 2 or 3 Venues
- Budget (Per-Person Cost, Including Taxes)
- Contract Terms, Deadlines for Deposits
- Food & Beverage Guarantees, Minimums
- Food Tasting
- Menu Planning (Low-Carb, Low-Fat Options)
- Indoor Back-Up Locations in Case of Rain
- Average Temperature During Your Event
- Room Block & Cut-Off Dates
- Competing Companies at Venue Also?
- Union Labor Concerns?
- Ample Set-Up Time for A/V & Staging
- Ample Tear-Down Time for A/V & Staging
- Cost for Taxi from Airport to Venue
- Room Décor for Special Events
- Registration Desk Set-Up for Your Event
- “Green Room” for Guest Speakers
- Gratuities for Great Staff Members
- Rooming List
- Breakout Room A/V, Power, Internet, Etc.
- Recreational Activities Determination
- Local Entertainment Options (DJs, Etc.)
- Photography
- Guest Programs
- Off-Site Functions (Dinners, Etc.)
- Transportation to Off-Site Events
- Post-Event Analysis of Property

I welcome your comments!

Coming Next: A focus on content development.

Companies Embrace Golf Tournament Scene

2005-08-12T15:00:00.000-04:00

With the PGA tour's final major being played this week, this article from ABCNews.com covers the increasing use of corporate hospitality tents at PGA event venues. I would also suggest that companies considering this type of marketing event also look into other opportunities/venues on the LPGA and Champions (Senior) tours, where these types of sponsorships may be a little more cost effective.

In any case, if you're challenged with trying to come up with high-level events to reach out to your best prospects or to cement relationships with your best customers, and you have the budget to pull it together, then a corporate tent at a PGA tournament may be just the thing you're looking for.

Fore!

Firms Missing the Boat on Meetings Management, Study Says

2005-08-11T13:49:00.000-04:00

Here's an interesting article from Corporate Meetings & Incentives' August 1st issue:
Firms Missing the Boat on Meetings Management, Study Says

How to Manage a Corporate Event - Part 1

2005-08-10T15:21:00.000-04:00

Managing an event can be one of the most time-consuming things that will ever come across your desk. And if you already have a “full-time job” in addition to your event management duties, getting organized before you begin the process may be the most important thing you do.

This post is the first of a series of "columns" that I'll publish here, about different aspects of event management, and how to keep things under control.

Remember that every event is different, so while everything written here may not apply 100% to your event, it should provide you with a framework from which to begin your planning.

Part 1 - The Corporate Event Management Team
First-things-first: Who is on your event team? Who is going to help you make your event a reality? A success?

Get a piece of paper, open a WORD doc, or scribble this down in your tablet PC: List each person and his or her responsibilities. Make sure your “core team” is aware of all aspects of the event, not just their individual segment of responsibility. This will help to make your event more cohesive.

At the same time, you should determine what types of outside suppliers to use, based on your company's internal ability to manage the meeting, as well as the size of your group. To get you started, some responsibilities are listed here (and by the way: If you can’t think of anyone except yourself to add to this list of team members, then you seriously need to consider calling Brainium today!):

PRE-EVENT TEAM
* Hotel Logistics / Meeting Planning
* Content Development / Speakers (internal and external)
* Attendee Registration / Travel Arrangements
* Pre-Event Marketing
* On-Site Event Collateral
* Event Staging & Audio/Visual
* Special Programs / Activities

ON-SITE TEAM
* Attendee Contact Person
* Hotel & Special Events Contact Person
* General Session & Speaker Contact Person

POST-EVENT TEAM
* Attendee Follow-Up / Evaluations
* Hotel Logistics / Prep for Next Year's Event

Again, get a name down next to all of these areas of responsibility. Let each person flesh out their own idea of what they must do, then compare notes and make sure everyone is on the same page.

And remember, you can't do it all by yourself, not if you're talking about a large corporate event with a 6-18 month planning cycle. It's always wise to have other people involved in the process in case (1) you go on vacation or take a leave of absence, (2) you get sick, (3) you get re-assigned to a different department, or (4) you leave - voluntarily or involuntarily!

I welcome your comments!

Coming Next: A focus on hotel logistics and meeting planning.

Our New Web Site is "Live"

2005-08-10T15:08:00.000-04:00

Well, we've finally wrapped up "phase one" of our new Web site (www.brainiumevents.com). The site reflects our agency's exclusive focus on corporate event management and marketing. We invite you to check it out when you have a moment. And, of course, please feel free to share any comments or feedback about the site.

Look for updates to the site over the next few months.

Go Red Sox!

Thanks,
Ron

“Think Like a Fish” to Attract More Attendees to Your Next Event

2005-08-02T10:16:00.000-04:00

In the corporate event world, it takes significant effort and marketing know-how to cultivate and attract the right audience to attend your events. In fact, the old adage “if you build it, they will come” is not usually enough to captivate the high-level attendees you need to fill the seats. When it comes to event marketing, I’d recommend that you start thinking like a fish.

What do fish and corporate event marketing have in common? Actually, the phrase “Think like a fish” comes from Bill Stinnett, consultant and speaker to the world’s greatest sales teams. In his book Think Like Your Customer (The McGraw-Hill Companies, $16.95, www.books.mcgraw-hill.com), Bill recounts a story of how his Dad always told him to “if you want to catch a fish, you've got to think like a fish. Bill eventually realized that what his Dad was really trying to say was that in order to be an effective fisherman you first need to understand fish behavior and what the fish think about. Once you know “what” the fish are thinking and how they behave, you’ll then have a better idea of where to find them.

While Bill’s advice is focused on helping sales teams “catch” new customers, I think the “think like a fish” approach can also be applied to the marketing of corporate events. If you’re trying to attract high-level executives to your two-day “Executive Summit”, then you really need to research and understand exactly “what” the audience is thinking about. From that vantage point, you can then put together an event program (and marketing) that clearly demonstrates your understanding of their “world” and how your event (and solution) can help them address the issues they’re facing.

I highly recommend Bill Stinnett’s book for any marketing, sales, and event professionals looking for a fresh take on what fish, or, I mean customers and prospects are thinking about. Happy fishing!

For more information on Bill Stinnett’s sales consulting services, and world-class keynote and breakout presentations visit www.salesexcellence.com. To order Think Like Your Customer, please visit www.books.mcgraw-hill.com.

Stop the Insanity! Send me a printed invite, not an HTML email!

2005-07-21T15:42:00.000-04:00

Is it just me, or is the email marketing channel getting less useful every day?
To me, there's something about physically opening an event invitation that makes the event seem more real. Yet, I'm typically bombarded with HTML email invitations that - if printed - go on for three pages or more.

I hardly read them anymore.

And I'll only open them if I know from whom they are coming, or if the subject line makes sense.

In The Boston Globe business section, there is an article entitled 'Phishers'" wreak havoc on online banking - The Boston Globe - Boston.com - Business. The article is about spam and phishing attacks on bank customers. According to Javelin Strategy & Research, 55 percent of people who receive an email with their bank's name and email address that asks them to log into their account, will delete it without taking any action. There is so much spam, people aren't even paying attention to customized, personalized emails anymore.

Sure, email marketing is much less expensive than traditional direct marketing, but if you don't make your attendance goals, does it matter?

Meetings and events are too important to your organization to rely on a single channel of communication. Send out those invitations... place a couple of advertisements... and go ahead, send an email or two.

My experience shows that email works much better when tied to your event registration site, for confirmation letters and follow-up information. Once attendees opt-in to your event by registering, they are more likely to respond to your low-cost email marketing initiatives.