What is a meeting?

A gathering for business, educational or social purposes. Associations often use the term to refer to a combination of educational sessions and exhibits. This can include seminars, forums, symposiums, conference, workshops, clinics, etc.

Source:

                Convention Industry Council (2001, December 21). Preliminary Report of the APEX Terminology Panel. Retrieved from Convention Industry Council, Accepted Practices Exchange, Web site:
http://www.conventionindustry.org/apex/Panels/Terminology_Prelim_Report.htm

Why Have Meetings?

•          Meet face-to-face

•          Meet with and learn from peers

•          Verbal and non-verbal communication

Build “Communities of Practice”

•          Strengthen skills

•          Impact change

•          Observe accomplishments

•          Renew acquaintances

•          Learn new products / services

The meeting industry

•          The two sides

–        Planner-

•          Meeting, event, corporate, association, non-profit, independent

–        Supplier

•          Hotelier, ground transportation, A/V, DMC, florists,

What Planners Do

•          Logistics

–        More than counting coffee cups

•          Strategic

–        Support the work towards an organization’s bottom line

–        Anticipate change

•          Site Selection

•          Transportation Arrangements

•          Function Rooms

•          Guest Rooms

•          Exhibits

•          Food & Beverage

•          Negotiating & Legal Considerations

•          Speaker Arrangements

•          Marketing

•          On-Site Management

•          Meeting timeline

•          Creating and keeping a budget

•          Working with boards, committees or C-level executives

•          No two days the same!