http://smartmeetings.com/articles 2009-06-29T20:15:56Z Talia Salem http://smartmeetings.com/articles/show/getting-to-know-the-green-meetings-industry-council 2009-06-29T20:15:56Z Talia Salem

Finally—an organization for meeting planners by meeting planners

With all the talk about green meetings floating around the Internet, planners may feel overwhelmed by all the buzz words and initiatives. But how do they keep everything straight—from LEED certifications to green seal products to carbon offsets and composting? Recently we came across the Green Meetings Industry Council, an organization focused on the meetings industry and its green initiatives. To learn more about this pioneering organization we spoke with Executive Director Tamara Kenn... http://smartmeetings.com/articles/show/getting-to-know-the-green-meetings-industry-council http://smartmeetings.com/articles/show/the-un-comfort-zone-be-a-copycat 2009-06-29T19:56:22Z Robert Wilson

Follow your way into success

Previously I wrote about self-efficacy, which is our belief in our ability to achieve what we set out to accomplish. I wrote about how it is the biggest part of achievement, and that we acquire a sense of self-efficacy in four ways: personal experience, observation of others, a positive mental attitude and the encouragement of others. This month I’d like to expand on how observing other people achieve motivates us to accomplish more. Some of our goals require us to reach a mental thresh... http://smartmeetings.com/articles/show/the-un-comfort-zone-be-a-copycat http://smartmeetings.com/articles/show/black-belt-negotiating-learn-to-bargain-like-a-foreigner 2009-06-29T19:48:13Z Michael “Soon” Lee

Haggle your way into bigger savings

Did you ever notice that some people just seem to be natural-born negotiators? They get discounts and deals wherever they go. We’re jealous, aren’t we? We wish we could be more like them, to have the confidence to haggle like they do, and also be able to spend the extra money they save by bargaining. Well, wish no more because good negotiators are trained, not born! On a worldwide negotiating scale, Americans rank very low because we rarely get a chance to practice, since there ar... http://smartmeetings.com/articles/show/black-belt-negotiating-learn-to-bargain-like-a-foreigner http://smartmeetings.com/articles/show/don-t-let-travel-fly-away-with-your-cash 2009-06-24T00:38:54Z

Save some green while you are on the go

Do your part to save you and your company some much needed dough. American Express Business Travel offers 10 tips on saving green for companies and employees whose second home is the window seat in aisle 5.Plan Twice, Book Once: Confirm your plans before you book to avoid fees when changing airfare or hotel “no show” fees that range from $50 to $150 or more.Pack Light: Many airlines are charging a bag check-in fee and drying cleaning an outfit during a trip is often more affordabl... http://smartmeetings.com/articles/show/don-t-let-travel-fly-away-with-your-cash http://smartmeetings.com/articles/show/ms-smart-e-pants-fashion-police 2009-06-24T00:21:53Z

Q: I am transitioning from a very casual company to a more formal one. Can you give me advice on dressing professionally for the office and beyond?—Deborah Foster, Portland, Ore.

A: Dear Deborah,Early on in my career my boss told me “dress for the job that you want, not the job that you have.” So set your sights on more professional office wear. Keeping that in mind, the first rule of thumb for the office is if you won’t wear it front of your parents, then don’t wear it to work. Avoid the too tight, too low cut, too short, too bright and too tattered. If your wardrobe doubles as your Friday night out ensemble, then you need to go shopping. Even... http://smartmeetings.com/articles/show/ms-smart-e-pants-fashion-police http://smartmeetings.com/articles/show/the-in-crowd 2009-06-23T23:58:26Z Talia Salem

Add panache to your meeting with hip hotels

When something is hip, it just has that certain je ne sais quoi. But what makes something hip? For the answer, simply think back to high school and the popular kids in your class (or your kids’—some things never change). Everyone wanted to look like them, be around them and emulate them. What made those classmates all the rage? Was it being the newcomer, good looks, great outfits, cool vibe or the biggest house (or best car) on the block? Chances are that it was a combination of t... http://smartmeetings.com/articles/show/the-in-crowd http://smartmeetings.com/articles/show/flying-solo-now 2009-06-23T23:01:36Z Carolyn Koenig

Independent contractors tell it like it is

 The double whammy of a soft economy and negative publicity has impacted the entire meetings industry. In-house planners and their departments have taken a huge blow, with reductions (or elimination) of staff as well as budgets. And, as a group, independent contractors—from planners to third parties (who have always worked without the safety net of direct deposit)—are caught in the cross-fire as well.  “When the economy is good, we’re an integral part of the busin... http://smartmeetings.com/articles/show/flying-solo-now http://smartmeetings.com/articles/show/tips-and-tales 2009-06-23T22:38:36Z Carolyn Koenig

Veteran planners' tips of the trade

 Creativity is a trait ingrained in meeting planners—it’s part and parcel of who you are, and what you do. But once in a while, we all need a little spark to jump start our imagination. That’s why, in this month’s column, we’re showcasing some terrific ideas gleaned from several of the savvy planners who attended our recent The Smart Meeting. TipsSometimes the best solutions are often the simplest—but ones that are easy to overlook.Logistics. As Phyllis Qui... http://smartmeetings.com/articles/show/tips-and-tales http://smartmeetings.com/articles/show/smart-money-bargain-planning 2009-06-23T22:28:52Z Linda Elland, CHME

Hold on to your planning dollars

With so much emphasis on savings these days, it seems just about every possible rock has been turned over in the quest to find a deal. And yet, resourceful planners still seem to be able to find new and endless ways to cut costs. It’s a matter of creativity, and looking carefully at every aspect of a meeting, from RFPs to post-event surveys. For starters, you can simply let it be known to the hotels you’re negotiating with that competing properties in their market have also receiv... http://smartmeetings.com/articles/show/smart-money-bargain-planning http://smartmeetings.com/articles/show/vegas-means-business 2009-06-23T22:00:34Z "Lucky Chuck" Kapelke

Viva Las Vegas meetings!

Just as the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority officially returned to its tried-and-true slogan, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” the LVCVA’s convention team kicked off a new program designed to help meeting sales teams be more accountable.“We’re launching a city-wide initiative to train properties to help customers measure the return on investment for their meetings,” explains Chris Meyer, vice president of convention sales for the LVCVA. &... http://smartmeetings.com/articles/show/vegas-means-business