10 Things Meeting and Event Planners Should be Thankful For

On this eve of Thanksgiving 2010, here are 10 things that Meeting and Event Planners should be giving thanks for. I was forced to narrow this down because there are actually like 100 things that we should be jumping up and down about, these are a random sampling of the best.

Online Registration Solutions –

Face it, spreadsheets, phones and fax registration sucked. With online registration, attendees are free to screw up on their own!

Easy Web Site Solutions –

Building a website for your event has never been easier and you, yes you, are free to build something in the worst color palate known to man while using more widgets than we thought possible.

Social Media –

Social media has ushered in a new era in event marketing and interaction so now you know if your event is really that bad.

A Good CVB –

A good CVB is an indispensible asset for meeting and event professionals, now if only the other 80% would make use of them.

A Good Hotel Sales Department –

Yes, I know, I have bashed hotel sales departments and hotels, but when you find a really good hotel sales professional, they can help you in ways you never thought possible (get your mind out of the gutter).

YouTube and Vimeo –

Laugh if you want, but my clients conferences are reaching an amazing audience and going viral thanks to these two little video delivery gems while you sit there and chuckle with the three attendees you have left.

Frequent Flier Programs –

When the event is over, our FF miles allow us to get as far away from you as possible, preferably to a warm place with a Mohito, no television and no internet.

Planner Points –

To the hotels that offer them, Bravo! When we land in Bora Bora using our FF miles, we need a place to rest our head and Planner Points may just get us a night or two.

Pecha Kucha –

Stupid name, great concept. Pecha Kucha has allowed some programs to finally become exciting enough for attendees to pay attention through the whole thing!

Onsite badge printers –

Nothing is worse than that homemade, sharpie looking badge filled out because someone mispelled the Keynotes name. A good onsite badge printer ensures that Mr or Mrs fuss budget won’t be bitching the whole morning!

So, what are the things you are thankful for??

Comments

[Keith Johnston]

OK - You did get that the post was in jest right....

I don't keep points either nor do I jet off to bora bora to forget about attendees, nor do I laugh when they screw up their online registrations.....

[Tarnold]

You are right that there are many things to be thankful for, being a part of this wonderful industry is at the top of my list.

Curious as why Planner Points made the list. While they make sense (sometimes) to offer to the person who actually signs the contract, many leaders in the industry view them as unethical for non-contract signers to receive them, like third parties.
I have been responsible for millions of points flowing to my clients, I have never once taken a single point from any hotel chain. (While I am a member of every frequent guest program, my balance is zero in all of them). It just does not feel right to take these points, and I believe that it create a conflict of interest. I would rather work with my clients to find the best solution for them, rather than always trying to find the one that would benefit me most.