The hybrid environment is rapidly evolving as we continue to navigate the events and meetings structure that took off in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Determining whether in-person or virtual is the best format for a given meeting will become an integral part of planning, at least more so than in the past.

The priority with the return of face-to-face meetings is understandably their safety, more so than their sustainability. Planners are first and foremost concerned with implementing distancing and sanitation protocols, as attendees’ immediate well-being takes precedence over that of the environment in the wake of COVID-19. But even if sustainability in some cases is put on […]

Every meeting is special, but sometimes, you just have to “wow” an audience, especially when you’re trying to set yourself apart in the insurance and financial sectors. There are occasions when planners have to help a company or organization go above and beyond and create a meeting that will razzle, dazzle and amaze participants. In […]

Guided by such parameters as goals, budgets, demographics and destinations, the lengthy and detailed procedure is demanding and sometimes overwhelming. But it need not be.
Armed with the following input from in-the-know players of some of the nation’s top DMCs, the future for theme-plotting planners can be simple. So relax, enjoy the process and find inspiration in the words of Albert Einstein: “Creativity is intelligence having fun.”

There are many instances of short-term partnerships with suppliers that qualify as a success. A firm running an incentive trip, for example, may partner with a DMC at the destination, receive great service and never work with that supplier again — only because the firm never happened to repeat that destination. But the most salient examples of successful relationships with suppliers are those where the client receives great service over many meetings, i.e., the long-term partnership.

Planners wage a never-ending battle against Murphy’s Law, which says that what can go wrong probably will. That’s why it’s rare that events proceed completely flawless from beginning to end. Events typically can survive minor slip-ups, some of which attendees may not even notice. But big blunders can ruin an event or make attendees so […]

Not all meetings are created equal. There are many variables that make one destination, one hotel or even one specific venue right for a particular group.

Darci Motta, CMP and senior conference manager at CSAA Insurance Group, and board director of Meeting Professionals International, Northern California chapter, recognizes the vital role diversity and inclusivity plays in today’s meetings arena. In fact, CSAA Insurance Group’s focus on diversity is expanding beyond race, ethnicity and sexual orientation to encompass inclusion and belonging, and creating strategies to bring the best out of all people.

Here’s a peek into the inside scoop from the perspective of professionals, who share their challenges and their tips. So, pour a cup of coffee, keep reading and keep in mind — you’re not alone.