Author Archives: Carolyn

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  Games at Meetings – Why Not?

  Posted on December 14, 2015 by Carolyn in Meeting Design.

  This time of year I love to snuggle on the couch with my family (yes, teenagers still do that!) and watch holiday movies.  The other evening I was watching The Santa Clause 2 (one of my modern favorites!). One of my favorite scenes in the movie is during the staff Christmas party when Scott Calvin […]

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  What are you thankful for?

  Posted on November 24, 2015 by Carolyn in Giving Thanks.

  I just got back from 12 days on the road – it started onsite and ended as an attendee. While I missed my family, this trip helped feed my soul and remind me why I do what I do. I’m thankful for being a part of the meetings industry and this trip reinforced that for […]

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  Continuing Education for Meeting Professionals – Who Needs it?

  Posted on November 5, 2015 by Carolyn in Continuing Education.

  Can you relate to these statements? “I’m done with school – I don’t need continuing education,” or “I don’t have time to attend a class/seminar/webinar.” We take our cars in for tune-ups, we upgrade our electronics frequently – why not our brains? Think of continuing education as a tune-up for your brain – a way […]

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  5 Simple CMP Test Tips that will Calm Your Nerves

  Posted on September 24, 2015 by Carolyn in CMP Test Prep.

  In my 18 years leading CMP Study Groups, I hear this statement a lot: “I got hives when I took the SATs years ago, how can I survive the CMP?” While I cannot guarantee your hives won’t return, I can calm your nerves and promise that there are no analogies, reading comprehension passages or true […]

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  It’s All About the Team

  Posted on June 19, 2015 by Carolyn in Teamwork.

  Two months ago I returned from 10 days in Augusta, GA at The Masters.   It was my third year working this event and I’m still talking about it.  I’ve been a part of meeting & event teams for years and have planned my share of client entertainment at golf outings, but this is really special. […]

  Post Tagged with catering, client focus, event, family, golf, Teams
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  My Team – My Lifesavers

  Posted on March 6, 2015 by Carolyn in Teamwork.

  As a mom and a Type A, I often try to do it all. A husband, two kids, a house, a job, errands, activities; it seems it never ends. It felt easier to juggle things before the kids came along –  after that is when I realized the value of asking for help.  When I […]

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  Paying it Forward-Relationships that Count

  Posted on February 12, 2015 by Carolyn in Networking.

  I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know”.  Now, what you know is important, but who you know and how you cultivate those relationships can be equally as important.  The personal connections have helped you since elementary school: you chose kids who you knew had the right skills […]

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  To Certify or Not to Certify…that is the Question

  Posted on January 27, 2015 by Carolyn in Continuing Education.

  The hospitality industry, like many others is full of certifications. Sometimes it seems as though it’s a veritable alphabet soup of certifications – are they necessary? Are they meaningful? The short answer is yes – and no. It depends on who you are and what your goals are. Like many in this industry, I didn’t […]

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  Meeting Objectives – Roadmap for Success

  Posted on October 10, 2014 by Carolyn in Meeting Design.

  Imagine if you will, the following call from your boss or client:  “We need you to plan a 2-day meeting for our largest customers in April.”  Armed with that information, you immediately start sourcing venues, planning menus and researching activities – right? Hardly. This is barely enough information to begin. To do your job more […]

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  A Seated Perspective on Inclusive Meetings

  Posted on September 12, 2014 by Carolyn in Meeting Design.

  No, this isn’t another article about getting “that” seat at the table, rather about my recent eye-opening (and arm tiring) 5 hour experience as part of a conference session entitled “Inclusive Hospitality.” In the pre-session, volunteers could choose a variety of ways to experience the conference – my choice was a wheelchair. My first challenge was […]

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