Encouraging news for not only our friends in the hotel industry but for the economy in general: http://www.meetings-conventions.com/article_ektid42328.aspx
Our recent blog posts have included information on using social media to plan an event, how to incorporate QR codes into an event, keeping attendees energized with the right food, and features of a successful event registration website. If you are looking for more information on these topics, here is a list of resources. For even more information, call (317) 841-7171.
- Mashable.com has some great tips on how to promote your event online, and includes a list of social media websites you can’t skip.
- Webconferencing.com also has some great tips on promoting your event online, including using a customized link or button to promote your event.
- Check out this blog by Internet entrepreneur Paul Gillin for tips on using social media to promote events based on the size of the event.
- This Mashable.com post has information on using QR codes to build an audience, and explains why you should be using QR codes at your next event
QR codes are digital bar codes that link relevant information to a centralized place. They are being used more and more in conferences and large events as a way to better interact with attendees and continue the conversation far after the conference has ended.
Instead of handing out large notebooks at your next conference, use a QR code to allow your attendees to jump to content on a website, and include videos, movie clips, or music on that website to hold their attention and grow your audience. For more information about QR codes, watch this video.
If you are looking for more ways to utilize social media and marketing into your event or would like help in finding creative ways to execute your next large conference, call Meeting Services Unlimited, Inc. at (317) 841-7171.
Quick Response (QR) codes are two-dimensional barcodes that hold thousands of characters and information. Similar to barcodes used by retailers to track merchandise, QR codes can help you to link digital content onto a website, share information to social media, and build an online community. They can also be used to direct customers to a smartphone application.
Here are some creative tips on incorporating QR codes into your next event.
- Create Electronic Brochures: On press releases and marketing material, include a QR code that links to an electronic PDF brochure that your clients will be able to download. Make your brochures fun and attractive and use words that call to action and help drum up anticipation for your company and event.
- Create Digital Handouts at Your Event: Place your QR code into PR material at the event, or project it onto the screen of your meeting room and your attendees will be able to download digital handouts for whatever session they are in to their smartphone and follow along.
- Send Your Audience to Videos:You can us QR codes to send your audience to relevant YouTube videos and more. Videos can either correspond to the conference or feature relevant material from past events.
- Share Contact Information: Use QR codes to share contact information of keynote speakers or company departments. Attendees at your next event will be able to scan the QR code into their smartphone and automatically be able to import contacts into their phone, obtain email information, and connect on social media sites.
There are hundreds of ways to incorporate QR codes into your event, and these are just a few. For more creative ways to promote your event, or for help in planning and executing an event or conference, call the friendly team at Meeting Services Unlimited, Inc. From logistics to social media, we’ve got the tools and the expertise to help you deliver a successful event and build awareness of your business. Call today at (317) 841-7171 to get set up with one of our event or meeting planners.
Keep your attendees awake and alert throughout your meeting or conference by serving foods that boost energy and brain power. To achieve the perfect balance, serve foods that are filling, but not heavy or greasy.
Studies have shown that the following foods have been linked to increasing energy and thought output:
- Green vegetables: B vitamins, magnesium and iron live within green vegetables and have been shown to increase energy. Broccoli, asparagus, and spinach are particularly powerful foods.
- Fruits: Fruits carry energy due to their high fructose level. Most fruits also boast a high amount of vitamin C, which can increase concentration levels. Avoid sugary juices that may make your attendees feeling lethargic.
- Nuts: Nuts like pistachios and almonds carry a high nutrition factor. All nuts, including peanuts and cashews, pack in a healthy dose of vitamins A, B, and E, as well as iron, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. They have also been shown to increase energy by fighting against anemia and iron deficiencies.
- Green Tea: Green tea is high in antioxidants and has been used for years to increase energy. It can be served either hot or iced, making it perfect for conferences year-round.
- Coffee: Coffee has long been a staple at conferences and events, and for good reasons: Coffee boosts attention, increases brain activity, and improves a person’s disposition. Offer both coffee and tea to attendees at your event, and allow your participants to choose their preference.
- Cheese and Crackers: Cheese and crackers are great snack foods that can keep your attendees energized during a presentation. It’s also easy to eat and leaves you with very little to clean up.
For event planning and management, as well as other creative ideas on how to take your conference to the next level and increase interest in your company, call Meeting Services Unlimited, Inc. at (317) 841-7171. Our conference and event planners can help with all aspects of your meeting or event.
The first step in hosting a successful event is to create a registration website that is appealing and encourages participants to attend. You want your registration website to offer relevant information on the event, convince visitors that there is value in attending, and create interest in your company.
Here are some features of successful event registration websites.
1. Eye-Catching: Command the attention of future attendees from the start with images that are lively and inspiring. Use colors in your background, but don’t go overboard—keep it simple and attractive. Provide links to your business’ Flickr or photo-sharing website so that attendees can view more images and find out more about your business.
2. Informative: Tell them the basics up front: when, where, why. Don’t make visitors hunt for reasons as to why they should attend an event. Tell them using call to action words such as “grow your audience by 50 percent with this social media conference.” Provide all relevant information directly on the homepage so that participants know when and where the event will be held.
3. Interactive: Embed videos and employ social media to increase interest in the event. The more interactive you can make your event registration website, the better. For a fun tip, try placing a QR code onto the registration website. QR codes are scanned into a smartphone and direct participants to a landing page where you can show videos, play music, and further drum up interest.
4. Concise: While you should absolutely use videos and images to further the appeal of the event, keep the information concise and simple. Provide testimonials from attendees of past events and break up large text blocks with paragraphs, bullet points, and pop-out quotes.
For tips and help with planning your next event, meeting or conference, call Meeting Services Unlimited, Inc. From hotel negotiation to event management, Meeting Services Unlimited, Inc. has a great team of meeting planners and event planners who can help you execute an amazing event from start to finish. Call us today at (317) 841-7171.
If you want to host an event or meeting that will make you and your group stand out among your competition, then you need to call in the convention and visitor bureau experts. CVBs can put you in touch with all of the major players in the area so that you can make the necessary connections. As you’ll learn from this video, CVBs serve as the middleman between you and major officials and organizations, like the mayor or city council members, media outlets, parade organizers, and many others. Take a look at this video to see how you can benefit from calling a CVB before your next meeting or event.
If this video has you convinced, then contact Meeting Services Unlimited, Inc. at (317) 841-7171. Just as our name suggests, we can help manage and facilitate all aspects of your event or meeting. We specialize in hotel negotiations, event logistics, revenue development, marketing, sponsorship management, event reporting, and more. To see a full list of the event services we offer, check out our website or call us to speak to a representative.
Business meetings are supposed to better the company and its employees, yet they are notorious for wasting company time and money. How does one conduct a meeting that leads to productivity?
In this short video, a narrator gives us good advice for conducting productive meetings and provides many practical tips—among them is setting an agenda, delivering information, and time for questions and answers. If your meeting doesn’t clearly fall into one of those categories, you may need to give it more thought.
To help make sure your next meeting is a success, call us at Meeting Services Unlimited, Inc. We handle all sorts of events, from small but important meetings to enormous conventions. Contact us today.
We’ve compiled a list of resources, articles, and websites to answer any questions you may have after reading our recent blogs.
- Here are some tips to help you hire the perfect event planner.
- Worried about the state of your business’s finances? Get back in the black with this article from Forbes.com
- Negotiating a hotel contract can be a long, difficult process. Take a look at these negotiation tips from Exhibitor Magazine to streamline the process.
- Are you trying to plan a convention, but are unsure of where to begin? Take a look at this article from AllBusiness.com for a step-by-step guide.
- Looking for some help for your next meeting? The professionals at Meeting Services Unlimited are experienced in all aspects of meeting and convention planning. Contact us today!