Midwest Meetings Fall 2010

Fall 2010

Your Resource For Meetings in The Midwest

Corporate Teambuilding p. 18

Whos Minding The Kids? p. 22

The Audiovisual Difference p. 30

Illinois p. 56 DuPage p. 77

Indiana p. 113

Casinos p. 37

Waterparks p. 47

Illinois p. 56 Corporate Teambuilding p. 18

Whos Minding The Kids? p. 22

The Audiovisual Difference p. 30

www.MidwestMeetings.coM 1

PublisherRandal Hennen

[email protected]

EditorEryn Clement

[email protected]

Offi ce ManagerSusan Zafft

[email protected]

Circulation/Subscription Department

[email protected]

Art DirectorAmy Hennen

[email protected]

Sales DirectorSteve Van Maanen

[email protected]

Sales ManagerBecky Sheets

[email protected]

A special thank you to all those that contributed to

this issues articles:Benchmark Hospitality International

Shadia Cook

Susan Friedmann

Christian Heftel

Hadasah Ingrid

Lee Massey

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owned by Hennen Publishing.

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Midwest Meetings welcomes all unsolicited material.Volume: 18 Issue: 3

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Reproduction without written permission is prohibited.

FALL 2010

Before I get started talking about our Fall issue, Id like to introduce myself. I feel honored to be the new editor at Midwest Meetings. Originally from Lemmon, SD, Ive lived in the Midwest my entire life. What most appeals to me about the meetings industry is that while it has endured its highs and lows, it

continues to be resilient. In our future issues, I look forward to sharing information

and my insight on the industry today.

In this generation, meeting locations arent always in your typical spots. This

issue of Midwest Meetings talks about some out of the ordinary places you can host

meetings that those attending, will enjoy. Convenience is mentioned often in this

quarters issue. In our casino section, we layout all the amenities that casinos have

to offer and how they can benefit meeting planners. In the waterpark section, we

discuss waterpark venues and why this type of venue isnt just a place for kids.

In addition, aside from deciding where to host your next meeting, our Fall edi-

tion features tips including audiovisual and how to conduct a meeting that reso-

nates with meeting goers. Corporate teambuilding exercises have been around for

years, but now companies are starting to see the true return on investment rewards

of taking the time to include these activities in their business plans.

As editor of Midwest Meetings, my hope is that our magazine will continue to

offer you facts you didnt know before and provide you with helpful tips to have

your next meeting be a success.

Sincerely,

ErynEryn Clement, Editor

Letter from the Editor:

Not Your Average

Meeting

2 Midwest Meetings Fall 2010

Q: How can I best prepare for a site inspection at a waterpark facility?A: Pre-planning for your site visit(s) is as important as the visit itself. In addition to the numerous checklists available, here are a few ways to make your next site visit a success.

Your pressing questions

How to select the right waterpark for your next function.

Shadia Cook, a veteran of the hospitality industry, is experienced in coordinating conferences

with corporate, government and association meeting professionals.

Have a pressing question? Ask Shadia! Write to [email protected].


Pre-Visit:

Its helpful to work from a standard form when doing site

inspections. Create a customized one yourself or download an

existing checklist and modify it to meet your needs. In partic-

ular when doing a site visit to a waterpark facility, there are

additional categories youll want to include: waterpark size, in-

door, outdoor, age appropriateness, height and age guidelines for

rides and activities, hours, safety precautions, such as lifeguards,

hours of park, onsite activities and amenities with their hours

and menus (golf, spa, amusement parks, casinos, food and bev-

erage outlets, etc.).

Send an electronic version ahead of time to the sites you are

visiting and ask them to complete the basic information sec-

tions and send back to you prior to your visit. This will save you

time and ensure that you have the most up-to-date information

(number of rooms, suites, general hours of operations, food and

beverage options [request current menus, including room ser-

vice], etc.).

When scheduling your visits, give yourself plenty of time to

meet with the venues staff, tour the facility, and if applicable,

stay overnight, try their food and beverage options and visit

their entertainment options (lounges, shows, waterparks, casi-

nos, etc.). The best way to truly experience a location is to be

a guest yourself and see firsthand how it would work for your

attendees. If your event is to include families, bring your own to

see what they think and get their feedback.

Provide your contact(s) with as much information about your

event as possible so they can prepare and address any of your

needs prior and during your visit. Tell them who your attendees

are, the purpose of your event, whats worked well in the past,

what hasnt worked well, whats most and least important to

you and your guests, any special requests or considerations (i.e.

extended restaurant hours, private parties in the lounge or pool

area, outdoor spaces for activities or receptions, office space for

you and your staff, childrens activities, etc.). If your attendees

are not bringing families, make note of this to find out about

adult specific amenities available.

If you need suites, let them know how many and what ame-

nities you need. If you need mostly double rooms or kings, be

sure to share this so you can see the actual room types your at-

tendees or guests will be using. Too often youre only shown the

best rooms that only your VIPs will be staying in. If families

represent a large part of your group, see what suite and adjoining

room options are available.

Share your budget so they can show you what they can of-

fer you within your price range. They may even be able to put

together special packaging based on this and be able to go over

it with you in person during your visit.

During The Visit:

Take pictures of the facility to help you remember what each

one looks like. Even if youre only visiting one or two sites a

day, it will be helpful later to share the information with others

within your organization, as well as help refresh your memory

when reviewing your options.

Create files for each site to include your notes, photos, busi-

ness cards, sales collateral, proposals, etc.

Take advantage of your one-on-one time with the staff, re-

view the proposal ahead of time and prepare questions to go

over in person.

Post Visit:

Send thank you notes and/or emails to the properties you

visited.

There are several great site visit checklists available online at

www.MidwestMeetings.com.

Give yourself plenty of time to meet with the venues staff, tour the facility,

and if applicable, stay overnight, try their food and beverage options and visit

their entertainment options.

Table of Contents

02 Ask the Expert How to select the right waterpark for your next function.

by Shadia Cook

01 Letter from the Editor09 Industry Insites 17 Meet in the MidwestIBC Destination Index

14 How to Host a Corporate Meeting That Everyone Wants to Attend

Implementing food into your venueby Christian Heftel

15 Planning Green Meetings EffectivelyResources that make holding green

meetings easyby Hadasah Ingrid

18 Corporate Teambuilding Q & A with Ann Castellano

20 3 Reasons Why You Should Speak the Universal Tradeshow Language Simple ways to communicate well...

by Susan Friedmann

22 Whos Minding the Kids? Discovering services that have your kids in mind

26 Top 5 US Dining Trends for 2010 Incorporating authentic foods into your next event

by Benchmark Hospitality International

29 Hectic Schedule Made Easy Resources that make you more effi cient

Midwest Meetings Fall 2010

14

15

18

20 2622

Departments

Features



Meeting States

Special Audiovisual Section

56 Midwest Meetings FALL 2010

FIND THEM HERE...Amtrak...............................................................................................................58Bloomington-Normal Area CVB ...................................................................60Doubletree Hotel Alsip Chicago ...................................................................67Downers Grove Tourism Bureau ..................................................................59Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa ................................................................................68Four Points by Sheraton Chicago ..................................................................64Galena/Jo Daviess County CVB .....................................................................69Hilton Chicago Northbrook ..........................................................................67Hilton Lisle/Naperville .....................................................................................67Jacksonville Area CVB ......................................................................................70JW Marriott Chicago ................................................................................. 62, 63Moraine Valley Community College ..............................................................70Navy Pier .............................................................................................................61Oakley Lindsay Center ....................................................................................71The Prairie Events Center ..............................................................................72President Abraham Lincoln Hotel & Conference Center ........................64Rend Lake Resort & Conference Center ....................................................75Spare Wheels .....................................................................................................73Springfi eld, IL CVB ...........................................................................................71Stoney Creek Hospitality Corporation .......................................................59Tinley Park ..........................................................................................................74University Center Conference Chicago ......................................................65Waterfront Convention Center ....................................................................76The Westin Chicago North Shore ................................................................66Williamson County Pavilion ...........................................................................76

FIND THEM HERE...SPRINGFIELD - CAPITAL

The Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie StateThe Prairie State

SPRINGFIELD - CAPITALSPRINGFIELD - CAPITAL

DUPAGE...Chicago Marriott Oak Brook Hotel ......................................................D-IBCChicago Marriott Suites Downers Grove ............................................D-IBCCity of Oakbrook Terrace ..........................................................................D-19Danada House ..............................................................................................D-15Ditkas Restaurant ........................................................................................D-29Drury Lane Theater & Conference Center ...........................................D-18DuPage Expo Center ..................................................................................D-22Eaglewood Resort & Spa ............................................................................D-20Five Diamond AudioVisual .........................................................................D-30Hickory Ridge Marriott Conference Hotel..........................................D-IBCHilton Chicago/Indian Lakes Resort ........................................................D-25Hilton Garden Inn Chicago/Oak Brook ..................................................D-18Hilton Lisle/Naperville ................................................................................D-21Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook ........................................................................D-18Holiday Inn Select - Naperville/Lisle ........................................................D-31Hotel Arista .............................................................................................D-16, 17IIT Rice Campus, Wheaton ........................................................................D-28Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge, Lombard ..................................................D-24Marriott DuPage...........................................................................................D-33Oak Brook Hills Marriott Resort ...........................................................D-IBCMedieval Times Dinner & Tournament ....................................................D-30Naperville Park District ..............................................................................D-31Odeum Expo Center ..................................................................................D-27Pheasant Run Resort & Spa .......................................................................D-23Renaissance Chicago Oak Brook Hotel................................................D-IBCSounds Abound Entertainment .................................................................D-30TopGolf Chicago ..........................................................................................D-26Westin Lombard Yorktown Center .........................................................D-29Wyndham Lisle -Chicago Hotel & Executive Meeting Center ..........D-28

Fall 08 49-64_p.indd 56 8/23/10 1:58 PM

2010 www.MidwestMeetings.coM 57

Dive in and experience the unlimited options avail-able in Illinois. From picturesque small towns to the unstoppable electric flow of city life, Illinois offers a

perfect variety for your next meeting or event.

Start by wining and dining your attendees. Foodies will

indulge in a full-spectrum of grub that stretches far beyond

Wrigley Field hot dogs and world-famous slices of Chi-

cago-style pizza. Enjoy yourself in a variety of restaurants

throughout Illinois - your taste buds will leave intrigued

and your stomach will be more than satisfied. Better yet,

revel in a homegrown glass of Illinois wine. With over 70

wineries in the state and a thriving wine country, relax-

ation is simply a glass away.

Monumental architecture dots the landscape in Illinois.

Catch a unique tour of Chicagos acclaimed architecture

by land, air or sea. Get a better look at the city from the

Sky Deck located in the former Sears Tower in Chicago.

You can walk above the city from 1,353 ft. up and get a

one-of-a-kind view of four states - Illinois, Indiana, Wis-

consin and Michigan. Visibility ranges from 40-50 miles

on a clear day.

Escape the bustling city scene and take a jaunt in one of

the many Illinois locales in the heart of the Midwest. En-

counter serenity at its finest when visiting Starved Rock

State Park in Utica. Adventure awaits in the Garden of

the Gods in Harrisburg. In Alton, observe eagles majesti-

cally soaring over the Mississippi River.

Drive into the past via Route 66. A road trip down this

historic byway is relaxing, scenic and fun. Ride the road to

Pontiac; the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum is a blast

from the past, celebrating the story of the people behind

this infamous byway.

Feeling youthful? Head to Supermans hometown of

Metropolis in Southern Illinois. Metropolis is adorned in

Superman relics, statues and a museum; in addition, an an-

nual festival celebrates this fictitious character every June.

History abounds in Illinois. As home to four US presi-

dents, including Lincoln, Grant, Reagan and Obama, you

are never far from a history-rich experience. Visit the larg-

est presidential library in the nation, the Abraham Lin-

coln Presidential Library, located in Springfield.

All aboard. Unwind on the Spirit of Peoria. This pad-

dlewheel boat offers guests food, entertainment and over-

night stays on the Illinois River and Mississippi River.

The Prairie State is a great locale for foodies, adven-

ture-seekers, history buffs and every other type. Illinois

truly is Mile after Magnificent Mile.

Previous page top - Willis Tower, (formerly known as the Sears Tower), Chicago

Top - Superman Statue, MetropolisPhoto courtesy of Mark Palmer

Middle - Lincoln Tomb, Springfi eld

Bottom - Spirit of Peoria, Peoria

Fall 08 49-64_p.indd 57 8/23/10 1:58 PM

Table of Contents (continued)Midwest Meetings Fall 2010

Special Section on Casinos Special Section on Waterparks

37 The New Meaning of a Full House Blending meetings with casinos40 The Gamble on Casinos The value of casinos in the meeting industry42 The Gaming Industry Uncovered Gaming industry statistics44 Casinos: The Making of an Industry The history of casinos

47 Just Add Water Targeting waterparks as meeting venues50 So They Say Waterpark reviews52 Look Before You Leap Promoting water safety54 Pack Your Bags Waterpark essentials


FIND THEM HERE...Belterra Casino & Resort......................................................116, 117

Blue Chip Casino Hotel ................................................................. 115

Brown County CVB ....................................................................... 128

The Centre - Evansville ................................................................. 114

Charley Creek Inn .......................................................................... 114

Fort Wayne/Allen County CVB ................................................... 119

Grand Wayne Conv Center ........................................... 17, 120, 121

Potawatomi Inn & Resort and Conf

Center/Steuben Co Tourism ................................................... 118

Radisson Hotel Star Plaza .....................................................122, 123

South Bend/Mishawaka CVB ................................................126, 127

Swan Lake Resort ...................................................................124, 125

INDIANAPOLIS - CAPITALINDIANAPOLIS - CAPITALINDIANAPOLIS - CAPITALINDIANAPOLIS - CAPITAL

The Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier StateThe Hoosier State

If youre in a hurry, like speed or simply live life in the fast lane, Indiana is the perfect place for your next meeting or event. Start your engines and head to the Indianapolis Motor Speed-

way. The Indy 500 is the worlds largest one-day sporting event.

Race-goers will be thrilled by the sheer magnitude and speed of

this event. Home to infamous, high-speed races, this gargantuan

speedway can hold Churchill Downs, Yankee Stadium, the Rose

Bowl Stadium, the Roman Colosseum and Vatican City all within

the racing facility.

Elsewhere in Indianapolis, plan a day of walking from one

Fall 08 113-128_p.indd 113 8/23/10 2:23 PM

Indiana113

113

f youre in a hurry, like speed or simply live life in the fast lane,

Start your engines and head to the Indianapolis Motor Speed-

way. The Indy 500 is the worlds largest one-day sporting event.

Race-goers will be thrilled by the sheer magnitude and speed of

this event. Home to infamous, high-speed races, this gargantuan

speedway can hold Churchill Downs, Yankee Stadium, the Rose

Bowl Stadium, the Roman Colosseum and Vatican City all within

Elsewhere in Indianapolis, plan a day of walking from one


fabulous destination to the next on the Central Canal Walk in White River State Park.

Located in the heart of the city, you can truly enjoy all the entertainment that Indianapolis

has to offer. Conveniently, the park connects the Indianapolis Zoo, IMAX theater,

NCAA Hall of Champions, Victory Field, White River Gardens and the Congressional

Medal of Honor Memorial among other Indianapolis hot spots.

If you havent had your fi ll of speed, head to the Indiana Derby at Hoosier Park in An-

derson, IN. Since 1995, this American thoroughbred horse race has been a popular outing

for Indiana residents and visitors alike.

From horses to horsepower, travel back in time when visiting the Studebaker National

Museum in South Bend. The museum is home to vehicles and artifacts that explain the

history of industrial manufacturing in the US. Its design is reminiscent of the Studebaker

dealerships of the 1920s and 30s.

Jump in. The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is a great place to explore. Stretching

from Gary to Michigan City, the lakeshore is an adventurous locale. Watch your step, the

singing sand will dance in your ears as your toes move across the

dunes beaches. You wont want to miss the grand variety of plant

and animal species that live in the parks prairies, rivers, dunes,

bogs, swamps, beaches and woodland forests.

Head to Fort Wayne for lions, tigers and bears among other ani-

mals. If your family is along for the ride, the Fort Wayne Childrens

Zoo is a perfect addition to your stay.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the Marsh Symphony on the Prairie

concerts at Connor Prairie Interactive History Park in the sum-

mer. Enjoy the concert on the grass or take the 1859 balloon for a

spin before or during the concert to catch a birds eye view of the

scenery.

Live life in the fast lane in Indianapolis. The crossroads of

America is the ideal spot for your next meeting or event.

Previous page top - Brown County State Park, Nashville

Previous page bottom - Ohio River Overlook, Leavenworth

Top - Indiana State Dunes Lake Shore, Porter County

Middle - Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis

Bottom - Four Freedoms Monument, Evansville

Photos courtesy of Indiana Offi ce of Tourism Development

Fall 08 113-128_p.indd 114 8/23/10 2:23 PM

Meeting States

Illinois56 DuPage77

30 Stellar Presentations Start with Audiovisual How to avoid common audiovisual challenges

by Lee Massey

34 Spice Up Your Presentation Make your meeting stand out amongst the rest


Hotel Blackhawk-Davenport | IA

The Hotel Blackhawk is currently undergoing major renovations and is scheduled to reopen in December of 2010. The newly reno-

vated facility will feature over 130 guestrooms, 20 apartments, a full-service lounge and restaurant, concierge service, an indoor pool and

Jacuzzi. The historical Gold Room will accommodate events for up to 250 guests. Renovations in the Gold Room include plans to remove

part of a fl oor to re-create an atrium between the fi rst fl oor lobby and the ceiling for the reinstallation of the skylight. The Club Davenport

room on the 11th fl oor, features views of the Mississippi River and is popular among those planning banquet events. Guests looking for

some entertainment can visit the hotels bowling alley.

The Hotel Blackhawk is ideal for corporate travelers offering a business center, wireless internet access, coffee shops and retail outlets.

Corporate travelers are also encouraged to request information regarding the I Prefer Guest Benefi t Program.

www.HotelBlacKHawK.coM


Minneapolis Convention Center Receives Grant Approval for Solar Array-Minneapolis | MN

The City of Minneapolis will continue its plans

to construct the largest solar array in the upper

Midwest after receiving approval for a $2 million

grant from Xcel Energys Renewable Development

Fund. The last step before the project could begin

was approval by the Public Utilities Commission,

which was recently granted to the City of Minne-

apolis. The solar array will be connected directly

to the convention centers internal electrical sys-

tem and will consist of 2,600 panels installed at an

angle on the fl at portions of the roof. Aside from

being more energy effi cient, the overall project

will generate approximately 30 jobs including de-

velopment, design and construction. The system is

projected to produce 75,000 kilowatts of renewable energy per year, which equates to powering approximately 85 homes annually. In

addition, the array will offset 539 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. The new solar array is just one of the projects created since

the 2003 Minneapolis sustainability initiative was launched. Minneapolis currently has three solar arrays generating power for facilities

within the city. The new array will produce more than 100 times more power than the citys current largest solar array.

The project is scheduled to be fi nished in 2010.

www.MinneaPolisconVentioncenteR.coM

Crowne Plaza OHare Hotel and Conference Center Ballroom Renovation | Chicago IL

The Crowne Plaza OHare recently remodeled its 23,500 sq. ft. ball-

room, adding more than 4,000 sq. ft. of pre-function space. The newly

expanded meeting space can be divided into fi ve separate spaces for cor-

porate events, tradeshows, receptions and weddings of any size.

While having an abundance of space, the Crowne Plaza OHare Hotel

and Convention Center offers top-notch audiovisual equipment, high-

speed wireless internet access and an in-house technical staff to supply

immediate assistance. The pre-function space and ballroom have been

equipped with a 60-speaker sound system and a new energy-effi cient Lu-

tron lighting system.

Located just 1.5 miles from the OHare International Airport, the

Crowne Plaza Chicago OHare offers a one-stop location for any meeting

or event in the Chicago area.

www.cRownPlaZaoHaRe.coM

Correction: In the Summer 2010 issue, the Chicago Marriott

Downtown Magni cent Miles photo ran with the Crowne

Plaza OHare Hotel and Conference Centers Industry

Insite.


New Director of Sales Joins Janesville Area CVB Team | WI

The Janesville Area CVB

is expanding by adding Ashley Zoellick onto

their team. Zoellick is the new Director of

Meetings and Motorcoach Sales and markets the

Janesville community as a premier location to

host meetings, conferences and motorcoach and

group tours.

Zoellick graduated from Carroll College in

Waukesha, Wisconsin and received a Bachelor of

Science degree in Business Administration with

an emphasis in Marketing. She was employed by

Direct Supply of Milwaukee prior to joining the

team at JACVB.

Zoellick and her husband are both originally

from Wisconsin and look forward to returning to

Southern Wisconsin.

www.JanesVillecVB.coM

Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnifi cent Mile-Chicago | IL

Situated on Michigan Avenue among world-class shopping, restau-

rants and entertainment, this luxurious Chicago hotel is within walking

distance to the Windy Citys top attractions, including Navy Pier, Ameri-

can Girl Place, Shedd Aquarium, Millennium Park, theater and museum

districts.

The Chicago Marriott houses 1,198 guestrooms including 25 suites,

occupying 46 fl oors, as well as a full health club, pool, sauna and steam

room. The hotel also contains 90,000 sq. ft. of fl exible event space, including

a 19,000 sq. ft. Grand Ballroom.

One of the most unique aspects of the Chicago Marriott is the food and

beverage program. The hotels culinary team buys produce and proteins lo-

cally whenever possible, taking advantage of what the Midwest has to offer. The hotel does everything from curing meats in-house and

homemaking cheeses to hand-rolling the breakfast croissants and stomping grapes in the lobby to make exclusive wines. In addition,

the hotel goes the extra mile for its famous Rooftop Honey Wheat Beer. There are over 200,000 Italian fi ve-striped honey bees living on

the Marriotts 9th fl oor rooftop producing honey for the beer that then goes to the Half Acre Brewery to create this one-of-a-kind beer.

www.MaRRiott.coM

Correction: In the Summer 2010 issue, the

Chicago Marriott Downtown Magni cent Miles

photo ran with the Crowne Plaza OHare Hotel and

Conference Centers Industry Insite.


The Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort Recognized for Going Green-Wisconsin Dells | WI

Going green is a slogan that is familiar to

many people these days. The Wilderness Hotel

& Golf Resort in Wisconsin Dells is working to

become more energy effi cient and recently was

recognized for its efforts. Alliant Energy awarded

the 600-acre resort an Impact Green Stewardship

Certifi cate. The resort received the certifi cate

for the positive impact and energy effi ciency of

the resorts new boiler for the Klondike Kavern

Waterpark, installation of energy effi cient heat

pump PTAC units for its guestrooms and instal-

lation of the ECOWash Premier Ozone Laundry

System.

The new boiler, which heats the pools and

main areas of the Klondike Kavern Waterpark,

is 14% more effi cient than the resorts previous

system. In addition, the new lighting in the Wild

West Waterpark generates better light output

and saves energy and money regarding mainte-

nance. The ECOWash Premier Ozone Laundry

System doesnt require hot water and decreases

overall water consumption by as much as 35%.

In addition to the green renovations, the re-

sort has updated all main guestrooms with new

beds and linens, as well as fl at screen televisions

and new carpeting.

People of any age can fi nd an assortment of

activities at the Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort.

The facility is home to Sundara Spa, Go-Karts

and Kiddy-Karts as well as The Woods 9-Hole

Family Course.

www.wildeRnessResoRt.coM


The Prairie Events Center-St. Charles | IL

Located on the west edge of historic St.

Charles and the Kane County Fairgrounds the

Prairie Events Center offers several amenities

for meeting and event planners. While visiting

the facility, you can view a multi-acre court-

yard that features a pavilion, seating areas and

streetscape. The Prairie Events Center special-

izes in catering to small and midsized events.

This modern facility has 36,000 sq. ft. of ex-

hibit space (which can be divided into two

15,000 sq. ft. halls or used as one large venue)

and 3,000 sq. ft. of conference and meeting

space. In addition, The Prairie Events Center

has free parking for upward of 4,000 vehicles,

accommodations for boats, RVs and car shows

and access to 2,400 hotel rooms. The Prairie

Events center sits one hour from Chicagos

airports, one hour west of downtown Chicago

and 20 minutes from two of Illinois interstate

highways.

www.PRaiRieeVentscenteR.coM

Kalahari Resort Named the 2010 Business of the Year-Sandusky | Ohio

Kalahari Resort was recently named Business of the Year by the Erie County Chamber of Commerce. The resort was recognized for

its growth and community support since opening in May 2005. Kalahari Resort has worked closely with non-profi t organizations to

serve the local community. Kalahari Resort has served as host to fundraising events and supports many organizations.

www.KalaHaRiResoRts.coM


Employers will do just about anything to motivate their staff to attend meetings and pay attention. Why not host a corporate event for your next meeting? The combination of venue and food

will be sure to motivate your employees to not only come, but pay

attention to what is being presented! Corporate events are incred-

ibly easy to host and are even gaining in popularity!

Food is one of the best known ways to draw a crowd. Deciding

on a menu that will fit various tastes and still please everyone is

sometimes a challenge, but it certainly isnt impossible! One key

to creating a menu that is good for everyone is to have a number of

options. Offering a meat dish, a type of fish and a vegetarian dish

will cover the bases for those who have certain aversions and will

lessen the possibility of anyone feeling as though they cannot eat

anything. Try to be aware of any serious food allergies as well and

be sure that those individuals are supplied with a dish that will not

make them ill.

Also, do not choose a menu that is too unfamiliar to your guests.

Try and keep it simple so everyone can enjoy the beautiful and

expensive meal. This of course does not mean you need to serve

macaroni and cheese. Simply try to avoid tastes that are more than

likely acquired tastes. For example, if serving a type of jambalaya or

Cajun dish, be sure that it is spicy but not too spicy as many people

have a low tolerance for spice and could be made uncomfortable.

This somewhat challenging decision is made easier by your locale.

If in Texas, steak will most definitely be a bigger hit than sushi. If

you are in Spokane, seafood could be a bit more popular.

This may sound like a lot to juggle, however after making the

initial menu decisions, trusting your caterer to adjust for someones

allergies and/or dietary constraints is perfectly adequate. A good

caterer will be able to work within dietary guidelines with next to

no trouble if they are made aware of a situation beforehand. Be very

selective with choosing a caterer. The quality and flexibility of the

menu will more than likely be determined by your budget. Check

with your event venue to see if they can recommend anyone in the

area that will be able to fulfill all of your expectations.

Always remember you wont be able to please every single per-

son in attendance. The important thing is to have enough

options that the majority of your employees will enjoy

the food and pay attention to whatever information you

need to pass on to them during this meeting. If they are

happy with the menu, they will listen to the presentation. If they

are unhappy, it will detract from their overall focus.

Christian Heftel, Staff Writer for The Lincoln Center,

Spokane, WA from articlesnatch.com. www.thelincoln-

centerspokane.com.

How To Host A Corporate Meeting That

EveryoneWants to Attend


Planning an eco-friendly event or meeting is cost-effective and is rapidly becoming the industry standard practice now in demand from event planners and attendees.Green event planning is well underway as a standard industry

practice. Sustainability is slowly but surely becoming a consumer

demand, but the idea of recycling and operating in organic fashion

takes diligent reinforcement and preparation.

As new legislation and policies become enacted on green plan-

ning, the plethora of options makes it easy to understand sustain-

ability as concise and cost-effi cient with choices that shape the

design for event planning. So planning an eco-meeting requires

starting with some standard and creative basics to chart the course

for any meeting planner.

Green Meeting PlanThe fi rst thing to do is to map out a sustainable meeting strat-

egy that involves the basic steps of event planning and then apply

green principles to them. Its tempting to assume this will cost more

but in reality it is actually cost effective to plan an eco-conscious

meeting because the main concept of going green is less is more

effi cient and its about conserving and reusing what you have that

creates quality bang for the buck.

The best place to start is to research green resource sites like

www.greenbusiness.com, www.alternativeenergy.com, Environ-

mental Protection Agency and any search engine, especially

Google, that will yield a plethora of general green sites that will

help chart a sustainable agenda.

Employing meeting sites such as www.specialevents.com, www.

meetingsnet.com, and event planning sites that specialize in sus-

tainability are a great way to access specifi c ideas on how to plan

an eco-meeting to the letter. And dont forget to go through the

Convention and Visitor Bureaus which can acclimate any planner

to general local resources.

Hire a Green TeamHiring a green squad to carry out the eco-friendly details of

the event can make the process easily adaptable. To avoid green-

washing vendors (companies that window dress as green but truly

arent), its prudent to check out The Green Business League (www.

greenbusinessleague.com) which provides a pre-qualifi ed national

Seven basic strategies for planning sustainable events.


list of certifi ed green companies planners can access to recruit a

green quality task force.

Partner with Green Non-Profi tsBuilding alliances with green non-profi t organizations is a great

way to quickly apply eco-strategies for free or cost-effective prices.

Green organizations like www.gogreen.com and www.theultimat-

egreenlist.com have sustainable resources and help set up recycling

methods during and after the meeting.

For local non-green businesses, enlist them as sponsors or adver-

tise for them by getting them to donate recycling items to help your

meeting function.

Digital RegistrationAllow the attendees to go paperless by having them register for

the meeting at digital kiosk stations. During the meeting, instead

of using paper products, download the programs on USB drives and

distribute them. USB fl ash drives made of bamboo can be supplied

by www.imprintitems.com and recycled even to the point of put-

ting the company logo on them. Go to www.everythingusb.com for

company distinction.

However, if paper must be used, a good resource for recyclable

paper is a company called Twisted Limb Paperworks. They have

seeded paper which can be composted back to soil!

Work Local and OrganicUtilizing local and organic businesses reduces the carbon print

for transportation, dcor, packaging and especially catering. De-

pending on the venue, catering is defi nitely an area that calls for

a fair trade strategy which allows for food to be bought at cost and

facilitated through a cooperative effort between local farmers and

organic catering businesses.

This has proven to work extremely well for eco-friendly social

events and green weddings. A great resource for entering an or-

ganic network is Community Supported Agriculture (www.local-

harvest.org/csa/).

Train Attendees to Go GreenGet attendees involved in recycling by giving them an incentive

to go green. Welcome packets are a mainstay at any event. So get

green with the information bags and give recyclable products in-

cluding reusable water bottles or USB drives all of which can have

the meeting name or company logo on them.

Reward attendees for exercising sustainability by giving a prize

or a discount on the next years registration if they use the same

fl ash drive or water bottle from the previous meeting!


These online calculators can help you estimate the impact of

your green efforts:

Bottled Water Cost Calculatorwww.Newdream.org

Calculate the cost savings and environmental impact of reduc-

ing individual water bottle usage.

Environmental Calculatorwww.Neenahpaper.com

Calculate the environmental savings associated with switching

to recycled paper.

Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator

www.Epa.gov

Convert any energy savings measurements into everyday com-

parisons (e.g., saving 5,000 gallons of gasoline is equivalent to elim-

inating the energy used to run 4 homes for a year).

Carbon Footprint Calculatorwww.Sustainabletravelinternational.org

Calculate your carbon footprint from fl ying, driving, hotel stays,

events, and energy usage.

Eco Savings Calculatorwww.Widgetbox.com

Calculate the environmental impact of any printing job.

Hadasah Ingrid is an Event Planner and

a writer living in Brooklyn, New York. She

plans special events for a non-pro t organiza-

tion and writes about corporate meeting plan-

ning and the hospitality industry.

Use Eco-Tools

Grand Wayne Convention CenterMichael Coffeen120 W Jefferson BlvdFort Wayne, IN 46802

260-426-4100 Fax: 260-420-9080www.grandwayne.com

[email protected]

250-room attached, full-service, Hilton Ft. Wayne Hotel

250-room connecting, full-service, Courtyard by Marriott opening Fall 2010

18 meeting rooms 80,000 sq. ft. of meeting space 50,000 sq. ft. largest meeting room Reception capacity: 7,000 Onsite and nearby restaurants Golf courses nearby

With 225,000 sq. ft. of fl exible space, Grand Wayne Convention Center offers a 50,000 sq. ft. carpeted, multi-purpose exhibit hall, two elegant ballrooms, 18 meeting rooms, 30,000 sq. ft. of public areas, a 12,000 sq. ft. kitchen with the capacity to serve 3,000 guests in a single banquet setting and the power and expertise to connect, coordinate and create any event.

Other features include individually climate-controlled meeting rooms; automated, remote, dimmable lighting; theater-quality sound system; drop screens with remote operation; data and telecommunications in every room; and wireless and wired options throughout.

Fort Wayne, IN

Meet in the

Midwest!


Behind any successful company, you are likely to fi nd loyal and hard-working employees. Corporate teambuilding has become more common and is often times credited for in-creasing employee morale and strengthening employee relation-

ships. Switch is an agency whose main objective is to connect

people with fun brands by immersing them in sensory experiences.

This agency in particular sets aside a day annually for its employees

to participate in what they call, Field Day. In this Q&A forum,

Switch Chief Creative Offi cer, Ann Castellano discusses what

Field Day is all about and what impact teambuilding exercises have

on Switch employees.

Midwest Meetings: What is the purpose of the annual Field

Day event that Switch hosts?

Ann Castellano: The purpose of Switch Field Day is three-

fold

-Walk our Talk: Were an experiential marketing company and

this is our way of doing for ourselves what we do for our clients the

other 364 days of the year-liberate our brand (and have a lot of fun

in the process).

-Connect: Field Day is a great way for us to interact in meaning-

ful and fun ways with colleagues we dont usually spend a lot of time

with. Just about everyone walks away from the day having learned

something new about a co-worker, having experienced something

new and exciting and having created a story worth sharing.

-Show our Love: Field Day is one way to thank the people of

Switch for sharing their talents with the organization and to let

them know how much we appreciate them personally and profes-

sionally.

MM: How long has Switch been hosting these annual events

and how many employees and volunteers are involved in not only

putting the event together, but also participating in them?

AC: Our fi rst Field Day was held in September, 2007 and weve

had one every year since. A small committee is in charge of produc-

ing the event, but we have help from several others who volunteer

with things like set-up, tear-down, printing and offi ciating. All full-

time employees take part in the event, so we usually have about

100 participants.

MM: Why do you think its important to continue this annual

tradition despite the costs?

AC: Its a tremendously effective and fun way to achieve our ob-

jectives. The people of Switch look forward to Field Day and seeing

everyone working together in the spirit of fun and friendly compe-

tition makes it well worth the investment.

MM: How do you decide which teambuilding activities you will

have each year?

AC: Its a collaborative and iterative process. Each year weve

ended up with eight or nine unique, often hilarious, challenges that

are custom-designed for the Switch culture, brand and experience.

Each activity addresses one or more of our objectives, which in

the past have included: facilitate learning through play, create ex-

Q&A with Ann Castellano, Switch, Chief Creative Of cer. The bene ts of teambuilding exercises and how to make them enjoyable.

Switch Field Day Team The Swarm pose in front of the challenging Innernets climbing tower.

Switch Field Day team Last of the Mogentas rock their giant 2nd place check.

The Wild Orchid Switch Field Day team show off their 80s glam rock roots for the paparazzi.


citement, make somebody laugh, reward team players, challenge comfort zones, foster

camaraderie and enable fun.

MM: Do you have an evaluation process after Field Day to determine company

benefi ts?

AC: We dont have a formal system of measurement in place to quantify the effects of

the day, but we usually receive quite a bit of qualitative input. Comments and sugges-

tions from all participants are collected in the week following the event. Though the

overwhelming majority of the feedback is positive, when we get a negative or neutral

response, we look for the broader insight, learn from it and use the information to

improve next years event.

MM: What challenges have you run into when facilitating these events?

AC: Creating an event that will appeal to over 100 employees with varying interests

and abilities can certainly be a challenge. Its critical to have the right mix of physical,

intellectual and social challenges and to make sure we structure the activities so that

everyone can participate in a meaningful way.

MM: How have the dynamics of your teambuilding activities increased your team

effectiveness in the workplace?

AC: The stories and memories created through Field Day live on throughout the year

(and in many cases several years). This creates new common ground for co-workers

who otherwise may not have had much exposure to each other. By design, our teams

are made up of cross-functional participants (one art director, one producer, one tech-

nical director, etc.) so over time we grow to understand and appreciate the roles other

people play not just on our Field Day teams, but in the company. Understanding what

our co-workers do and the value they bring to the work is essential for workplace ef-

fectiveness. Field Day is just one day of the year, but the experience has a signifi cant

and lasting effect on the way we relate to each other.

MM: What do you think makes teambuilding so effective?

AC: First, the team members need to feel like theyre part of something special. We

hold a private Field Day Draft, during which team captains systematically select their

team members. Its important the team captains have a hand in the creation of their

teams because it makes them feel invested in (and responsible for) the teams experi-

ence. In large part, the team captains then become the creators and drivers of the

event.

Second, the experience itself has to be authentic for the participants. There is no

one-size-fi ts-all prescription for teambuilding; the organizations culture, history and

interpersonal dynamics have to inform the curriculum and the messages have to be

delivered with conviction.

Third, it has to be fun. And forced fun doesnt count.

MM: What are some of the more popular teambuilding activities that you have used

and do you use different ones every year?

AC: We have a different schedule of activities each year and always try to include

at least two marquee challenges: activities with an unexpected and imposing physical

presence.

Last year we presented The Innernets which had participants climbing through

seven layers of tight rubber webbing and then descending via a 45 ft. infl atable slide in

a race against the clock. There were lots of spectators and quite a bit of plumbers crack.

Which is always funny. Well, not always.

1. Authenticity: Base everything on your specifi c audience. 2. Novelty: Surprise them.

3. Fun: People remember what they learn through play. 4. Connection: Facilitate the discovery of common ground. 5. Love: You cant fake good intentions.


Did you know that there is a universal tradeshow language, and almost everyone of you reading this knows how to speak it, even though you dont recognize it as such?

Regardless of language or culture, we learn this communication

style at a very early age, but often tend to forget it as we grow older.

Youve probably guessed that Im referring to the language of

smiling. A language we so admire in kids, who just know how to

beam from ear to ear and show their pure joy.

On the tradeshow fl oor, there are many gestures that communi-

cate a host of different meanings, both positive and negative. Some

are offensive and some misunderstood. However, a smile speaks to

almost everyone as a sign of friendliness and approachability.

Plus, it has been said that speaking the smiling language is

good for your health.

Here are three reasons why you should practice this simple and

easy, yet highly effective, communication tool on the show fl oor:

1. Smiling makes you more approachable. When you smile, you attract people to you. This attraction factor acts like a magnet. People do business with people they like and they trust. Being ap-

proachable is the fi rst step to encourage this relationship. Grimaces

that show your lack of enthusiasm or interest for being at the show,

are more likely to repel prospects rather than attract them to you,

but a smile draws them in. Plus, smiling people come across as be-

ing more confi dent. Check out the difference in the way people

react to you when you smile rather than frown.

2. Smiling is a mood changer. Often, the long show hours, the stale show fl oor air and the slow traffi c, can make you feel down and depressed. Put a smile on your face and theres a high

probability your mood will make a shift for the better. Itll help you

stay positive and add some energy when you most need it. It has

been said that smiling can trick the body into helping you change

your mood. Plus, anytime youre feeling a little stressed on the show

fl oor, smile and youll be amazed at how this little pick me up

works. Give it a try next time you feel a little down or stressed.

3. Smiling is catching. When you smile, theres a strong chance that you make others do the same. Just think of the last time you coo-cooed at a baby, they smiled at you and you probably

returned the compliment. When you smile, you lighten up the en-

vironment, change peoples moods and set the likeability factor

into action.

According to my good friend and colleague, Rick Segel, the re-

tail guru, logic makes us shop but emotions make us buy. Many

times, the biggest thing that differentiates one business from an-

other is the likeability factor. We are in the people business. Cus-

tomers dont buy logically; they buy emotionally.

Smiling speaks to that. But dont take my word for it, give it a

try!

Written by Susan A. Friedmann, CSP, The

Tradeshow Coach, Lake Placid, NY, internationally

recognized expert working with companies to increase

their pro tability at tradeshows.

Author: Riches in Niches: How to Make

it BIG in a Small Market and Meeting &

Event Planning for Dummies. www.thetradeshowcoach.com and

www.richesinniches.com.

Effective communicative tools to use on the tradeshow oor.


Tradeshows, conventions and conferences are often criti-

cal to a business success. However, oftentimes attending

these events means frequent travel and time away from

the family. In todays hectic world, balancing your profes-

sional life with your personal life can be a challenge. A

convention service that is becoming more and more popular seeks

to help with that balance - convention and tradeshow childcare

programs.

Christine Tempesta, President of KiddieCorp, a pioneer in this

innovative industry sat down with Midwest Meetings to talk about

what childcare options are available to attendees at tradeshows and

conventions.

Midwest Meet ing s: There are attendees who cannot, or

will not travel without their children and it is more common-place

for families to tag along on business trips. What types of services do

you provide to convention and tradeshow attendees which, helps

to eliminate some of the worry out of going to meetings?

Chr ist ine Tempesta: Although most of our children fall

in the six months to 12 years old age bracket, KiddieCorp offers

infant care programs for babies six weeks and up and childrens pro-

grams all the way to age 17. We even offer teen programs and youth

tours, to area attractions, for children age six and up. The service

we provide to parents is the highest quality childcare available for

conventions, tradeshows and special events, so parents dont have

to worry. For the kids, our services center focuses on making the

time away from their parents fun.

Fun is at the heart of every KiddieCorp program or activity plan.

We have numerous tried and true activities to offer children of

every age. Kids warm up quickly in our fun-filled, festive environ-

ment. From pre-school and school-age playtime fun centers, to

action-packed teen lounges, to magicians, astro jumps, face paint-

ers, craft stations, and character visits, there are no limits to the

services KiddieCorp can offer.

M M: How do planners advertise your services to attendees?

CT: Event planners are encouraged to post the service infor-

mation online, including the home page and when people regis-

ter for their event. KiddieCorp has numerous colorful photos and

family-friendly copy to make it easy for organizers to promote our

services. Many of our clients also send e-mail blasts to prospective

attendees and registrants. Savvy planners let attendees know that

our service is high-quality, solves their childcare dilemma, and is

provided by a company that has been in business since 1986. This

promotion helps build attendance and keeps families coming back.

M M : What size groups do you normally work with?

Helping provide a balance between professional and personal. Setting the standard for the meetings industry.

Kiddiecorp

manager Amy

Hopkins checks

in a parent

the rst day of

Kidzone.

Children of all ages

participating in the

KiddieCorps Wild Safari

Theme.

KiddieCorp managers

Heidi Dolan and Lenore

Willis.


Kid d ie C o rp ha s wo rked with g r o ups o f a l l s izes, fr o m just a ha n d ful o f ch i l dren t o m o re tha n 1,0 0 0 at o ne t ime.

- Chr ist ine Tempesta, Pres ident o f Kid d ie C o rp

CT: KiddieCorp has worked with groups of all sizes, from

just a handful of children to more than 1,000 at one time. Most

often, programs have between 12 and 50 children in attendance.

Of course, its important for a national childcare provider like Kid-

dieCorp to be adept at handling very large jobs. Providing quick

check-in of children and large group activity planning help ensure

the event runs smoothly.

M M: What types of organizations do you most often provide

event childcare services?

CT: Over the years, weve worked with corporations,

tradeshows, professional associations, franchises, the government,

medical, financial, profit, non-profit, and many special needs

organizations. Conventions and tradeshows are our largest segment;

however, providing childcare for weddings and sports teams/

sporting events is becoming more popular. Parents of children with

unique challenges are especially grateful that KiddieCorp is able

to incorporate special training and education into our programs

for our clients event. One of our programs earned us an award of

excellence for Best Recreational Activity, from the Association of

Destination Management Executives.

Adrienne Eiseman, Meeting Services Manager for the American

Academy of Pediatrics, said their conference had a record number

of attendees of over 12,000 people. She also noted that Kiddi-

eCorps excellent program makes it possible for so many families to

attend (their) meeting.

M M: The last year has brought a lot of changes to the

meetings industry. How has this affected the way KiddieCorp does

business?


Kid d ie C o rp is in o ur 2 4th year, a n d we ve bui lt o ur bus ines s ar o un d the need s o f o ur c l ients, their at ten dees, a n d their ch i l dren.

- Chr ist ine Tempesta, Pres ident o f Kid d ie C o rp

CT: When KiddieCorp was first formed 24 years ago, conven-

tion childcare services didnt exist. Trailblazing an industry came

with challenges that have taught us to be more adaptive to the

changes in the industry. As an example, the most recent changes in

the industry and economy have resulted in KiddieCorp jumping in

more often to help our clients promote the childcare services being

offered at their event. Its more important than ever to make sure

people know they can bring their child. By using technology and

urging clients to cross-promote their childcare program, its become

easier to get that program news in front of parents.

These new changes have also helped us become better at help-

ing the event planner show the return on investment of the child-

care services. We survey parents and present those findings, to the

organizer, as part of our post-event report to clients. Through our

research, planners can answer important questions such as, To

what degree did the childrens program make a difference as to

whether you attended the meeting or not? This data helps plan-

ners improve their plans for their next event.

M M: Why should a meeting planner choose KiddieCorp?

CT: KiddieCorp is in our 24th year, and weve built our busi-

ness around the needs of our clients, their attendees, and their

children. First, KiddieCorp makes the whole process easy for the

meeting participants. We offer onsite registration and minimize

the time parents spend filling out forms, so they can move on to

their convention or tradeshow, while still getting the information

we need. We are always readily available to talk to parents, if they

have any questions.

KiddieCorp also continues to integrate technology into


our services. Our goal is to give families a unique, memorable

experience, while theyre at their meeting, while providing meeting

planners or show managers a smooth-running, pleasant experience.

So often we hear the comment, Planning a childrens program was

so easy with KiddieCorp.

Part of ensuring that our services are as carefree for the meeting

planners as possible has resulted in KiddieCorp becoming a full-

service corporation. We do most of the work for the childcare por-

tion of the events. We plan the activities. We arrange room setup

and meal service with the facility. We provide online registration

for parents. We bring all the needed supplies. We provide all of the

scheduled staff. KiddieCorp tries to require very little from the busy

planners with whom we work.

Time and time again, planners see how valuable KiddieCorp

services are to their attendees, which results in repeat use of our

services. Dianne Glover, a Consultant for the California Associa-

tion of Physician Groups (CAPG) has used KiddieCorp year after

year. She described our childcare program as flawlessly executed.

Not only was Dianne impressed that staff members remembered

childrens names from previous years, but that KiddieCorp makes

it easy for (her) to concentrate on other aspects of the conference

and leave the kids activities to (KiddieCorp).

Anne Krolikowski, the National Conference Manager, for the

Immune Deficiency Foundation echoed this thought. Anne ap-

preciated that KiddieCorp coordinated everything in advance and

communicated our needs directly to the hotel. Again, our goals are

to provide the highest quality services to the children and parents

with very little effort from the meeting planner or attendee.

Our g o a l s are t o pr o v ide the h ighest qua l ity serv ices t o the ch i l dren a n d parents with very l it t le effo rt fr o m the meet ing p la nner o r

at ten dee. - Chr ist ine Tempesta, Pres ident o f Kid d ie C o rp


Benchmark Hospitality International, the leading, private-

ly-held hospitality management company in the US, has

recently released its Five Top Dining Trends for 2010. The

trends were observed by its 30 properties coast-to-coast and off-

shore, and were announced by Giorgi Di Lemis, vice president of

food and beverage.

The world is getting smaller, flavor is going global, and sourc-

ing ingredients is increasingly occurring in the chefs backyard,

said Mr. Di Lemis. And the immediacy and reach of social media

is revolutionizing customer involvement in the dining experience.

Today nothing is taken for granted in the success of a restaurant.

Trend #1Cultural Diversity and Authenticity Reign Supreme

Restaurant patrons are representing increasingly varied back-

grounds and their preferences and demands are requiring culinary

teams to create menus that are diverse, rich with intense flavors,

and are authentic - the real thing.

Patrons want a dining experience that is sincere and honest - no

disingenuous or gratuitous menu additions will be accepted by their

increasingly sophisticated palates. For example, the Slow Food

movement has taught us to respect products of true artisan origin,

derived of ancient methodologies.

Restaurateurs must be genuine in their relationship with their

customers and deliver what theyve promised. Todays customer is

not only seeking an authentic experience but recognizes when mis-

guided. If you say you offer Cuban cuisine make sure its genuine!

Trend #2Health and Wellness Begin at Home

America is finally waking up to the fact that health and wellness

start at home! Fad diets and government intervention have not

sufficiently protected consumers and countered the food industrys

Meetings have never tasted so good.


supersizing or the American consumers overconsumption.

Today almost every agency is scurrying to find solutions to the

problem. Whats working? The most basic approach of all: educat-

ing children during their formative years on healthy portion size

and sound, nutritionally balanced eating habits and then setting

an example.

Todays restaurant operators need to respond creatively to sat-

isfy increasingly health-conscience consumers. This can start with

as basic a food preparation technique as substituting intensely fla-

vored herbs for salt, punching up flavor while reducing unhealthy

sodium levels.

Trend #3Biodiversity, Sustainability, Family Farms and Beekeepers

Expect to see more family farms, shrimp farmers, chicken, cat-

tle and cheese producers waging a small, but very significant war

against mass production and unscrupulous use of resources or inhu-

mane treatment of animals.

Going forward, menus will be infused by the freshest local ingre-

dients as chefs increasingly develop kitchen gardens, produce their

own honey and eggs, or secure fresh local and heirloom products

in partnership with neighborhood grocers and artisanal purveyors.

Locavore sensibilities are becoming embedded in the consumers

psyches. And this trend is here to stay!

Trend #4The Future of American Flavors is the World

The era for spices and herbs has begun. Consumers and chefs

are expanding their repertoire of spices to little known names such

as Fenugreek, Annatto, Charoli, Epazote, Galangal, Zatar - spices

from around the globe.

While the wine world was rescued from domination by Char-

donnays and Cabernets with grapes such as Verdelho, Tannat,

Patrons want a dining experience that is sincere and honest - no disingenuous or gratuitous menu additions will be accepted by their increasingly sophisticated palates.


Plus Two Side DishesSide Dish #1Small Dishes to Share is the Trend

And not only the well-known little dishes from Spain, such as

Tapas, but all the small dishes of various cultures, including Dim-

Sum from Asia, Mezedes from Greece and Turkey, Cicchetti from

Northern Italy. The surge in popularity of these diminutive dishes

that include bite size, guilt free desserts are a response to changing

tastes and flavor preferences of a new generation that does not want

to eat one or two large plates but to enjoy the various flavors of the

world, while sharing these with friends.

This stimulates more than just the taste buds rather, it allows

for greater conversation while interacting with the food, and an au-

thentic experience with the cuisine of a culture not ones own. Af-

ter all, a great way to learn about a new country is by eating its food!

Side Dish #2Italian is Still the King Cuisine of America

But with a twist. More and more chefs are discovering the

simple but delicious regional dishes of Abruzzo, Puglia, Piemonte

[Piedmont], Puglia, Calabria and Sicilia [Sicily]. Each region has a

unique personality, with dialect, customs, traditions, architecture

and food and wine.

From the hot, dry south to the cool Alpine foothills, the regional

cuisines of Italy are as varied as the climate. The golden hills of saf-

fron in Abruzzo lend a zesty spice to local risotto, while the Bay of

Naples is renowned for its frutti di mare and mozzarella di bufala,

and visitors to Piemonte sample rustic delicacies like truffles and

porcini mushrooms, which punch up flavors of seasonal dishes in

the autumn. Todays Italian does not just mean pasta and sauce

anymore!

Benchmark Hospitality International is a leader in the management

and marketing of resorts, conference centers, hotels and Personal Luxury

Hotels. Benchmark Hospitality is a worldwide organization operating

properties in major metropolitan and resort destinations. For additional

information, visit www.BenchmarkHospitality.com.

Schioppettino, Mourvdre, Arneis, Aglianico, the spice

worlds rescue has now begun! Flavor has never tasted so

good!

Trend #5Social Media is Revolutionizing Restaurant Menus and Service

Social medias viral penetration of society with its im-

mediate feedback based on customer preference and ser-

vice experience is revolutionizing restaurants across the

country. Menus are being tweaked and service stream-

lined in response to customer feedback and consistent

communication with customers is on the front burner.

Nothing is taken for granted anymore!

The smart chefs and restaurateurs are responding to all

forms of social media by listening ... and by reflecting con-

sumer feedback in the overall experience their restaurant

provides.

Today, the dining experience must consistently hit on

all cylinders; starting with placing the reservation, with

phone etiquette, welcoming guests, dining room light-

ing and music, to the menu knowledge of servers, cuisine

authenticity, outstanding flavors - and the personal con-

nection with the customer established before, during and

after the meal has been consumed.


Meeting planners are consistently busy. Time management is a must and saving time is an asset. Web-based schedulers are becoming increasingly popular and if used

correctly, they can assist a planner in pulling off an effi cient meet-

ing or event. Check out the new entrants in the online schedul-

ing market to see which one is best for you.

If you are in the need for speed, accuracy and reliability, Sched-

uleOnce is the application for you. Scheduling meetings across

organizations is diffi cult; however, it is easy to choose a face-to-

face meeting date collaboratively between attendees and the

planner with ScheduleOnce. In addition, this application works

well with Google Calendar.

Flexibility is worked right into the application as it schedules

meetings and events in 15-minute increments. Because a meet-

ing planners time is of the essence, this application automatically

adjusts to Daylight Savings Time and also to different time zones.

Doodle allows you to schedule your meeting by proposing fi ve

different time availabilities. Invitees simply rank the fi ve options

and the application will pick the highest rated time for the meet-

ing. Emails are then sent to the participants automatically, allow-

ing the planner more time to dedicate to other tasks at hand.

Need to get feedback from your attendees prior to the meeting?

Doodle allows for canvassing of participants prior to the meeting

in the scheduling interface. Like other online meeting schedulers,

it makes planning more effi cient. it makes planning more effi cient.

If youre on-the-go and swamped with multiple meetings to

plan and attend, Tungle.me is a great resource accessible by

iPhone, Blackberry or the internet. Tungle automatically adjusts

for time zones if youre jet-setting across the country. Also, it au-

tomatically prevents double bookings. This free application syncs

with Outlook, Google Calendar, iCal, Entourage for Mac and

Lotus Notes.

Its also very easy to use. There are three things to do when

scheduling:

Name the meeting and enter in the time-frame

Enter in your guestlist and invite them via email addresses

Choose a time to meet that works for the greatest percent-

age of invitees - the fi nal meeting time will then be emailed

to your guestlist

Regardless of your meeting type, automatic schedulers are a

great way to minimize scheduling confl icts. When you are look-

ing to save yourself time and to de-clutter your planning, try these

scheduling tools.

Click your way to better time management.Resources for the time-strapped meeting planner.


Meeting planners spend hours fi nding the perfect presenters for their events. They fl y them to the venue, brief them about the attendees, corporate culture, business model and goals for the meeting/event.

They also meticulously plan keynote presentations, breakout

sessions and all aspects of the event months in advance to ensure

everything is perfectly planned and scheduled. A lot of the meeting

budget has been spent on preparing graphics, videos and handouts.

Put yourself in this position. The event begins and suddenly, you

feel that horrible tightness in your stomach. The microphone is

squealing. The projector is too dim and the screen is too small. You

see the attendees squirm in their seats, your client gives you that

look and in that moment, youre the captain of the Titanic.

Been there? Here are the seven obstacles of presenting with au-

diovisual and what you can do to overcome them.

Obstacle One: Using an inadequate sound systemHouse sound systems in some venues present a multitude of

challenges for professional presentations. First and foremost, most

are not full-range audiovisual systems. In other words, they have

poor sound quality due to inexpensive, limited ability speakers,

poor quality amplifi ers, limited inputs and outputs and most of the

time, no professional operator.

These systems barely handle the dynamic vocal range of a pre-

senters voice, let alone the amazing quality of todays digital audio

that is used in various presentation platforms.

Additionally, many venues do not have high quality micro-

phones. Match a poor quality microphone with poor quality audio-

visual and you are fl irting with disaster. A technician or operator

with little or no experience can also be a major contributor to an

audiovisual catastrophe.

SolutionSeek out assistance from a professional event production com-

pany. A good one will learn everything they can about your event,

your presenters, your venue and your audience and will offer solu-

tions to ensure that everyone in attendance will be able to hear

every sound presented.

Additionally, they may be able to help you with music selec-

tion, licensing and specialty needs such as devices for the hearing

impaired or language translation services and equipment, amplifi -

cation for musical instruments or anything else that may enhance

the audiovisual experience for your audience.

And most importantly, theyll be there, in your room, during

your presentation, making sure that your audience hears everything

perfectly.

Obstacle Two: Not properly illuminating your stageMany venues offer very limited control of house lighting. Gen-

Seven obstacles with audiovisual and seven easy solutions. Utilizing professional event production companies.


erally, rooms with only fl uorescent lighting

have no dimming capability and rooms

that offer incandescent lighting may allow

you to dim all, or parts of the room, but

they may not have the capability to illumi-

nate your stage properly.

Some venues do offer adjustable, ami-

able lighting fi xtures or track lighting that

can be focused on the stage, but beware.

The controls for these lights may not be

located where you can easily adjust them.

Most importantly, if your audience has a

hard time seeing your presenter, they may

have a hard time getting the message.

SolutionAgain, a professional event production

company can assess the needs of your pre-

sentation and the capabilities of the ven-

ues system and then recommend a lighting

solution that will ensure good visibility.

A professional portable lighting system

will not only provide good stage illumina-

tion, but it will also allow an operator to

control the lights from a location in your

meeting room that you choose. Your pro-

fessional operator will also make sure that

you have adequate electrical service in

your meeting room.

Obstacle Three: Using a screen that is too small for the size of your audienceThere are many things to be aware of

when incorporating visuals into a presen-

tation, but one key item is to make sure

that the image that youre projecting will

be large enough so that everyone in your

audience can see it. Heres a simple for-

mula:

The width of the screen should equal

the distance from the screen to the nearest

row of seats divided by two. Alternatively,

it can be the distance from the screen to

the last row of seats divided by six. Use the

measurement that yields the largest size.

Many venues offer pull-down screens

which may be of adequate size for your

presentation. Make sure that the screens

are positioned appropriately for where you

choose to place your stage and where your

audience will be sitting. Normally, these

screens are permanently installed in one

location and cannot be adjusted or moved.

SolutionOften, the best solution is a portable

screen. It can be selected based on the size

needed and assembled onsite in your meet-

ing room. Then simply place it exactly

where its needed.

A professional event production com-

pany can help you select the proper screen

size, aspect ratio and position as well as as-

sist you in determining whether front or

rear projection is the best solution, where

to place projectors, what type of projec-

tors to use and what additional production

equipment might be necessary for your pre-

sentation.

Obstacle Four: Using type, pictures or graphics that are too small or busyVisual presentation software solutions

have made graphic programs available to

anyone with a computer. The software is

robust, easy to use and loaded with tools

that can help even the beginner develop a

powerful visual presentation. But beware.

Knowing and utilizing the basics of good

visual communications is still the key to

successfully communicating a message vi-

sually.

Theres often a temptation by present-

ers to put everything they want to say on a

visual. Fight off that temptation and think

in terms of an outline. You can have the

best information possible on your slide, but

if it is too small for your audience to read,

it is worthless. The same is true for charts,

graphs and photographs.

SolutionHeres a good rule of thumb for type or

graphic size. If youre working on a laptop

or desktop computer with a 12-15 inch

monitor, prepare your graphic, walk about

12 feet away from your screen and see if

If your audience has a hard time seeing your

presenter, they may have a hard time getting the

message.


you can easily see and read what youve

prepared. If not, your audience likely wont

be able to see it on a large screen either.

Obstacle Five: Not providing image magnifi cation for large audiencesBy overcoming obstacles two, three

and four, you will be taking some terrifi c

steps that will greatly add to your audiovi-

sual presentation. If you are presenting to a

large audience, even with great stage light-

ing, a person sitting in the 25th row will

have a tough time seeing the presenter.

SolutionThe solution to this problem is using

image magnifi cation. It is simply the pro-

cess of using a video camera to capture the

image on the stage and projecting that im-

age on a screen.

You have likely seen this on award

shows or at concerts. With special equip-

ment a video technician can switch back

and forth between the live camera image

of your presenter, graphics, DVDs or com-

puters - virtually any video source. And, if

you are recording your presentation, you

can walk away from your meeting with a

copy of your presentation complete with

your presenter and all of the visual materi-

als.

This process is typically something that

will not be provided by a venue, so its im-

portant to utilize the services of profession-

als that specialize in this technology.

Image magnifi cation will also let you

stream your meeting on the internet or

allow you to make digital fi les for use on

websites or for other computer applica-

tions.

Obstacle Six: Not controlling your environmentConsider your meeting room for a mo-

ment. It will need to become your universe

during the meeting or event. You need to

make sure that everything is under your

control.

If your room is too hot or too cold, it

will interfere with the communication pro-

cess. Another concern is the overall room

Midwest Meetings Fall 2010

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