Meeting and Event Planning Articles

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Meeting & Events

How to Implement Strategic Meeting Management in Your Company

At the recent Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) annual convention, there was a wide range of educational content available. Several sessions focused on the subject of Strategic Meeting Management (SMM), a very apt topic for the world’s largest meeting on business travel management. Learn more about how to implement a meeting management program.

Three Practical Ways to Improve Sustainability in Meetings
I am a self-described “Recycling Queen.” As a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), improving sustainability in meetings is always on my mind. I have been recycling plastic name badges for 20+ years, bring my cloth bags into the grocery store when I shop, and I’m proud that my workplace offers paper, plastic, and aluminum recycling. When it comes to sustainable efforts at meetings, I am always on the lookout for ways to improve my dedication and assist our clients in making their meetings as green as possible. Read more

Ten Things to Consider When Hiring an Event Planning Company
You’ve designed your program, lined up your presenters and have a clear idea of the objectives you wish to attain. Whether you are planning a large-scale production or an intimate gathering for VIPs, you want your event to come alive and your participants to feel the “WOW” factor. Read more

Sustainability Standards for Meetings and Events
Savvy companies realize that practicing sustainability is not only good for the planet, it’s good for business. Now a set of nine formal, yet voluntary “sector” standards have been developed to define measurable sustainability specifications for planning and managing events.  Read more

Keys for Successful Executive Retreats
There is little argument that a well-executed off-site meeting for your Board of Directors, Managers or Chief Executives can generate real results. Getting your company’s leadership to disconnect from the pressures of daily operations and the ubiquitous email inbox makes it easier to focus on strategic planning or problem solving and come up with creative solutions. Read more

Incentive Travel 

Arizona’s Diversity is Perfect for Meetings & Incentives
What makes Arizona so well suited for meetings and incentives? Let’s start with the climate.  Arizona’s weather is dry with very little rainfall. Temperatures vary greatly from place to place, season to season and day to night. Mild winters in the Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tucson areas are very attractive to companies looking for a meeting destination with universal appeal. Read more

Cancun: Incentive Trip Hot Spot
Recently, I had the opportunity to travel to Cancun and find out what’s new for our clients who are planning incentive trip programs and looking for exceptional deals. I’m pleased to report that my trip to Cancun was flawless. Fabulous white sand beaches, outstanding culinary opportunities and an incredible array of activities are within easy reach of many resorts.  Read more

Santa Barbara: America’s Riviera
Having just returned, I can attest to that! As a destination, Santa Barbara was the perfect choice for a client’s recent incentive award trip.  When planning for an elite group of top producers and their guests the challenge is to find the right combination of location, accommodation and customized activities.  These participants rated Santa Barbara as one of the best destinations ever!  It has everything: beautiful beaches, art, culture, great golf, restaurants, unique shopping and fabulous history.  Read more

Fly the Chartered Skies
Group travel has never been an easy puzzle to put together, but in recent years, it has become increasingly more difficult. I coordinate an annual performance reward trip for a client’s group that averages 150 people, all traveling from the same airport. For several reasons, I decided to investigate a charter flight instead of worrying about flight cancellations and other problems that could happen at the last minute. Read more

Nine Ways Incentive Travel Works
Incentive trips have long been used by companies as rewards for outstanding performance; and for good reason – they work. As the economy has improved, companies have seen the positive effects that incentive travel can have on the bottom line with incentive meetings on the rise. Read more

“No Worries” on our Annual Office Trip! 
“Our dental practice has taken an annual trip for over two decades and Covington arranged every one of them. We count on their planners to suggest great locations, and then make sure every detail is handled before, during, and after each trip. Our associates have a single goal, to have a great time, and working with the Covington team makes that possible. They take all the worry and apprehension out of traveling. Read more

For assistance with planning your next event, meeting or incentive trip, click below or call us at 804-747-4197.