I am very excited to introduce you to a wonderful resource that I find extremely helpful for all of my meeting and event planning: Plan Your Meetings (a.k.a. PYM).
I know there are several meetings resources out there, but let me tell you why I choose PYM:
They send you their annual publication, full of great information, including a comprehensive destination guide and their exclusive “Practical Guide to Meeting Planning,” a step-by-step meeting planning guide.
Their Web site (http://www.planyourmeetings.com/) is updated daily with industry stories, advice columns, blogs, and an expanded worldwide destination guide.
They send me an email once a week, which includes “best practices” advice and “hot picks and deals.”
They offer on-demand, monthly educational videos on topics ranging from social networking to contract negotiation to sustainability.
All of these things are completely FREE!!
Additionally, PYM offers the absolute best events around – exclusively for anyone who plans meetings and events. The PYM LIVE Events are an efficient and timely way for you to receive a ton of education (including points toward your CMP and CSEP) meet some great vendors, and network with many other planners.
I proudly serve on PYM’s advisory board, and would consider it a personal favor to me if you could please check out PYM and all they offer by attending their upcoming event in Atlanta. It’s only $35, and includes lunch and a great takeaway gift: a thumb drive full of PYM’s “Best Practices” editorial sheets. You’ll want to use it over and over again!
Please let me know what you think, and how I may be of assistance answering any questions you may have. I hope to see at the PYM Live Event on January 7th!
The 2010 Special Event Conference & Tradeshow (TSE) is fast approaching – January 12- 15th in New Orleans, Louisiana at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
I look forward to attending TSE each year for the latest in education, professional networking with event professionals from all over the WORLD and amazing trends in event design, production and food & beverage. TSE offers over 100 sessions in 8 different tracks focused on, Business and Professional Development, Food Services, Event Management, Sales and Marketing, Design, Wedding Trends, Event Tools and Resources, and ISES.
If you are looking for more points toward your CSEP or CMP certifications, attending TSE will earn you some points toward it or for recertification.
TSE also has an incredible tradeshow to experience new products hands on and meet vendors face to face. The tradeshow will also feature the latest Tabletop Design Competition. You can register for a complimentary pass to the tradeshow floor only here – Registration.
There are a lots of registration options this year. You can register for a one day educational pass or you can pick one session or go for the full conference package. This makes The Special Event Conference and Tradeshow a conference you can’t afford to miss!
For more information about TSE, the Educational Sessions, Speakers and Events go to www.thespecialeventshow.com.
Taste of Atlanta was great! New location – Tech Square was awesome, 80+ restaurants had amazing tastes and I can’t say enough about the 300+ Ambassadors that came ready to work! This year our Ambassadors were fun, friendly and dedicated – I can’t ask for anything more in a volunteer.
Now comes the grueling part – cross referencing our sign in lists to delete our no shows and making sure everyone that participated receives a thank you letter. Ambassadors, your letters will be emailed on or by November 9, 2009.
Special thanks to my wonderful staff and student intern, Bria Price, a Dekalb School of The Arts Student, who shadowed me on Sunday to document the day for her media project. Bria took over 200 photos in a few hours. Here are some of her best.
Again, we appreciate the volunteer support for the 2009 Taste of Atlanta – I look forward to 2010! For more information on volunteering in 2010, please visit www.tasteofatlanta.com.
You may have heard about the scam going around, where someone calls an Event Planner/Producer and pretends that they are from MTV’s Sweet Sixteen show and they want to hire you to produce P Diddy’s niece’s, Sweet 16 Birthday in a few weeks. Well, read all about it here and Event Planner Beware!
My apologies for the short notice on this volunteer opportunity. It is a great event and would be lots of visibility for you!
Fifteen (15) volunteers are needed to assist with the 34th Annual Sprit of Alliance Awards Dinner for GMSDC. September 25, 2009 at the Marriott Marquis in Downtown Atlanta, the reception begins at 6:30 pm.
“Legends of the Blue Carpet” will honor Minority Business Enterprises in 14 different caegories along with the inagural, Legends of the Blue Carpet Award, honoring: Honorable Maynard Jackson, Senator Sam Nunn, Ms. Sara Gonzales and Mr. Franklin O’Neal.
The shifts are:
Silent Auction 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Backstage 7:00 pm- 9:30 pm
Registration 6:00pm – 8:00 pm
Dinner Hostesses 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Awards Assistance 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Parking: Parking for volunteers at the Marriott Marquis will be covered.
Attire: Dressy black and white
Interested? Contact Florena Oliver 404-589-4929×2110
As an Advisory Board member for Plan Your Meetings, I wanted to recommend their free educational and social programs that I have so enjoyed to you. As a board member I have been tasked with sharing this valuable information with others such as you to join. It’s FREE and we all like FREE!
Plan Your Meetings (PYM) offers a free subscription to their annual publication (it’s great!), sends you meeting news information and best practices emails about once a week, and hosts educational tradeshows (PYM LIVE Events) all over the country that provide you with continuing education units toward earning your CMP or CSEP. You can also connect with them on many social network platforms – just pick your favorites and link to them. I assure you, you’re going to love all of it!
I hope you will also register and join us at the next PYM’s next LIVE Event in Atlanta (September 16th)! Here is a link to see more information: http://www.planyourmeetings.com/events/
You can find links to all of PYM’s social networks on the top right-hand side of the homepage: http://www.planyourmeetings.com/ my personal favorite is PYMConnect http://www.pymconnect.com/– which is like Facebook, but it’s designed specifically for meeting planners. I hope you “friend” me on it!
Let me know what you think, and how I may be of assistance answering any questions you may have. Thanks so much and happy planning!
Suppose you are thinking about getting a certificate or certification in the event and meeting planning field. Do you know what to research? Do you know the difference between a certificate or certification?
You can earn various certifications in event/meeting planning, that result in designations such as CSEP, CMP, CMM, CPCE, the list goes on. (I will define a certification each Friday in my “Alphabet Soup”). There are several organizations and schools offering certifications and certificates. Before you spend the money, be sure you know exactly what you are earning at the end of your class or seminar. Your future goals in the hospitality industry can help you decide whether to pursue Certification or a Certificate and in what!
This handout found on the ISES (International Special Events Society) website – www.isesatlanta.com is one of the best documents I have ever read that clearly indicates the differences between “Certification vs. Certificate” and the value of each. You can find this at http://www.ises.com/pdf/Certification_vs_Certificate.pdf
I always use this handout during my Event Planning Certificate Open House for my course so that the students know exactly what they are earning when taking my course and what they can earn in the future. I hope it is helpful to you!
In one weekend, Taste of Atlanta brings together the incredible energy and diversity of the city’s food scene. From the trendiest new restaurants to down home favorites, from ethnic eateries to small gems that are off the beaten path – if it’s great food, you’ll find it at Taste of Atlanta! The 8th annual Taste of Atlanta boasts a new location – the streets of Midtown at Tech Square and over 80 confirmed restaurants on Saturday, October 10th through Sunday, October 11th.
Volunteers are the key to making this event a success. We are seeking several qualified and enthusiastic volunteers to serve as Ambassadors for Taste of Atlanta 2009.
Ambassador opportunities include: Greeters, Chef’s Assistants (Culinary Students Only) and Restaurant Runners to name a few. Ambassadors are needed from October 10th through October 11th at various times (4 hour shifts).
Each Ambassador should be able to commit to a four hour shift and attend 1 of 2 Ambassador Information Meetings held on Tuesday, September 22nd and Thursday, September 24th, location TBA.
Taste of Atlanta is an excellent opportunity to meet people from Atlanta as well as from around the world! All Ambassadors will receive:
• (1) General admission to the 2009 Taste of Atlanta (includes 10 Taste coupons)
• Taste of Atlanta Ambassador Apron
• Letter of recognition
We’ve been managing the volunteers (actually they are so cool we call them Ambassadors) for Taste of Atlanta for the last 4 years. Our Ambassadors come from all over Georgia and even Florida and Alabama to be a part of “The Food Lover’s Event.” It’s going to be wonderful to work our Ambassadors again – it’s like a mini reunion each year!
This year the Taste of Atlanta is on Saturday October 10, 2009 and Sunday, October 11, 2009. Today we opened the application to our 2008 Ambassadors only and the response has been overwhelming!!! These well deserving folks get first pick of their volunteer assignments. The application opens on Tuesday, August 25th to all. I will post the link here on August 25th, but if you want to get it as soon as it goes out, email me – volunteers(at)eventsessential.com .
I am very excited to introduce you to a wonderful resource that I find extremely helpful for all of my meeting and event planning: Plan Your Meetings (a.k.a. PYM).
As an Advisory Board member for Plan Your Meetings, I wanted to recommend their free educational and social programs that I have so enjoyed to you. As a board member I have been tasked with sharing this valuable information with others such as you to join. It’s FREE and we all like FREE!
