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! 

 http://specialevents.com/latest_stories/sean-combs-party-scammers-back-in-act/

Q

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!

 Here is a link to subscribe: http://www.planyourmeetings.com/subscribe/, in the referred box please indicate “TheQSpotBlog”

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!

Q

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!

Q

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 8^th annual Taste of Atlanta boasts a new location – the streets of Midtown at Tech Square and over 80 confirmed restaurants on Saturday, October 10^th through Sunday, October 11^th.

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 22^nd and Thursday, September 24^th, 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

If you are interested in volunteering, please complete and submit the following online application  - www.eventsessential.com/events_volunteer.htm 

If you have any questions, please contact Qualena Odom-Royes, CSEP, CMP at volunteers(at)eventsessential.com or 770-413-8191. 

Application deadline is September 11, 2009 – We look forward to hearing from you!!

It is helpful to plan your volunteering strategy before raising your hand. How much time do you have to devote? Are you more interested in a particular area of the industry (catering, weddings, corporate meeting planning), or looking for a wide base of experience in all areas? To avoid spreading yourself too thin or doing taks that you absolutely have no interest in, write down your goals and try to stay focused. Some ideas to get you started in where to look:

 Local Chapters of Trade Associations

Many have planning committees to coordinate their member events. This may be a great place to try out many roles. Consider ISES, NACE, MPI, HSMAI, convention and visitors bureaus, chambers of commerce, women’s business councils etc.

 Public Events

Look for upcoming events advertised in local magazines and other media. Many will be very happy to have volunteers and may have an existing volunteer program in place. For larger events, get in on the planning early by contacting them for next year after you read reviews in the media. This may get you planning as well as on-site experience.

Conferences, Conventions,  Tradeshows and Exhibitions

Many large conventions or conferences that come to your town often need assistance with registration, greeters, room monitors, etc.   Contact exhibit halls and ask for a member of client services. Small, regional venues may be more open to your inquiry than large venues.

 Weddings

If wedding planning is your direction of choice, your best route may be to contact a planner and ask if you may intern or shadow them. A planner may be more accommodating if you agree to working a certain number of hours in the office or during site visits, before accompanying him/her to a wedding. 

Specific Disciplines (catering, event design, floral etc.)

The same applies to volunteering in specific disciplines as to weddings. By working with one company on numerous occasions, you will earn greater responsibility and be exposed to different work situations.

 Concierge Services

A great way to learn about what your city has to offer is to volunteer to staff an info booth with your local convention and visitors bureau. You don’t need to know a lot to start – you will pick it up very quickly. But you will be surprised how much you will learn about local attractions, hotels, modes of transport and restaurants.

Now that you have some ideas where to look for volunteer opportunities start researching them today!  And stay tuned to this blog,  I will post credible volunteer opportunites as soon as I receive them. 

In the meantime, if you have any volunteer opportunities you would like to submit for consideration to be posted on this blog, send me an email. 

I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Q

See also:

Volunteering Part I: Why Volunteer?

Coming Soon:

Volunteering Part III: How to Make the Most From Your Volunteer Experience

As any member of the meeting planning or special events industry will tell you, the first thing people say when they hear what you do for a living is: “Oh wow, that sounds like fun!” And it is. At times. We may accompany clients to exotic destinations, brush with celebrities and plan happy occasions. It can also be extremely hard work, demanding your last reserve of physical and mental energy.

But for the right person, it is a world full of possibilities. Your creativity will blossom, problems become opportunities and that nagging perfectionism becomes an asset. That is where the real fun kicks in!

If a career in special events or meeting planning beckons you, I invite you follow along here at The Q Spot. I will be bringing you tips on further education and how to gain experience as well as meeting and event case studies, featured vendors and more. If you are willing to invest in yourself, a career in these industries will be rewarding, interesting and yes, maybe a teensy bit fun too.

Look forward to hearing from you,

Q