Category Archives: Meeting Design

  • Timing is Everything!

    Posted on June 14, 2021 by Carolyn in Meeting Design.

    Recently I was preparing for a presentation to a group of meeting professionals, entitled “Designing with Flexibility.” The plan was to share ideas about how in a COVID/post COVID world we need to be even more flexible when planning, as the rules/protocols/guidelines are every changing. So, I did some research in industry magazines and blogs, […]

    Post Tagged with , , , ,
    Continue Reading...
    Comments Off on Timing is Everything!
  • Threading a Theme Throughout

    Posted on June 20, 2019 by Carolyn in Creativity, Facilitation, Meeting Design.

    One of the challenges I love when working with clients is how to help them weave a cohesive theme throughout their meeting. For a recent Board of Directors retreat, my client wanted to focus on bringing a new team together while accomplishing required agenda items. When discussing a group activity, the venue offered up tickets […]

    Continue Reading...
    Comments Off on Threading a Theme Throughout
  • Meeting Professionals – Really Magicians!

    Posted on July 12, 2018 by Carolyn in Meeting Design.

    Most people in my profession cringe when asked: “what do you do?” Why? Because the ‘easy’ answer, “I’m a meeting planner” gets the response – “oh, a party planner, what fun!” The more complicated answer “I’m an experience curator” or “I’m a connection facilitator” or “I’m an event professional” get blank stares. How to best […]

    Post Tagged with , , ,
    Continue Reading...
    Comments Off on Meeting Professionals – Really Magicians!
  • What the heck am I doing here?

    Why the Heck Am I Here (at this meeting)?

    Posted on February 23, 2018 by Carolyn in Better Communication, Meeting Design.

    Have you ever attended a meeting/workshop that sounded great and yet when the speakers started talking you wondered why you were there? Well, that was me recently – I had signed up for a seminar about the new tax code and it was marketed to “small business, entrepreneurs and enterprises …” As a small business […]

    Post Tagged with , ,
    Continue Reading...
    Comments Off on Why the Heck Am I Here (at this meeting)?
  • Add the Unexpected to your Awards Program

    Posted on January 22, 2018 by Carolyn in Creativity, Meeting Design.

      When you think of awards ceremonies, what comes to mind? Long speeches, an endless procession of winners, interrupting your meal, same old same old? While most of us don’t have the budget for big splashy productions, we can use our creativity to add some unexpected elements to make it fun!  Here are examples from […]

    Post Tagged with , ,
    Continue Reading...
    Comments Off on Add the Unexpected to your Awards Program
  • Striving for Continuous Improvement

    Posted on January 5, 2018 by Carolyn in Meeting Design.

    As meeting planners we always ask our attendees to complete evaluations. We ask them how the content was, how they liked the speakers, the food, the venue. That feedback – that data – is important in a strive for continuous improvement. Using Plus/Delta Charts Equally important is to ask your team to evaluate the meeting. Do you […]

    Post Tagged with , ,
    Continue Reading...
    1 Comment.
  • Are your Meetings Welcoming?

    Posted on September 26, 2017 by Carolyn in Meeting Design.

    This summer I got to spend a week in one of my favorite vacation spots – Newport, RI. In our many years visiting the city, I’ve always enjoyed its welcoming spirit and sense of hospitality. In walking around, you can’t help but notice pineapples – as décor inside and outside buildings, on flags, house signs […]

    Post Tagged with ,
    Continue Reading...
    Comments Off on Are your Meetings Welcoming?
  • Meeting Apps – Engaging or Annoying?

    Posted on December 2, 2016 by Carolyn in Meeting Design, Networking.

    Recently, I attended two conferences (seems like I say that a lot, but it’s true).  Both were in the hospitality industry and both used a meeting app.  In my non-technical opinion (as an attendee and a user of both apps), one was infinitely more successful and engaging.  I won’t tell you what platforms were used […]

    Post Tagged with , , ,
    Continue Reading...
    Comments Off on Meeting Apps – Engaging or Annoying?
  • Connecting in Connecticut

    Posted on July 5, 2016 by Carolyn in Meeting Design.

    Last week I had the opportunity to participate in a new conference – Connect New England. This conference was a great representation of a partnership between the planner and the venue. This resulted in a multifaceted display of the planner’s vision to showcase the destination and its local food and heritage throughout the conference. The […]

    Continue Reading...
    Comments Off on Connecting in Connecticut
  • 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 […]

    Post Tagged with , , , ,
    Continue Reading...
    Comments Off on Games at Meetings – Why Not?