Conference Planning

Thousands of planners have discovered that the Cvent Supplier Network is a fantastic resource to research meeting venues, whether they’re looking for a venue locally, nationwide, or even globally. But what many planners don’t know is that sending a Request for Proposal (RFP) through the network can equate to major savings for their clients or organization. Did I mention that this service is completely free of cost? Listed below are five cost-saving reasons to send an RFP through the Cvent Supplier Network:

1. Save Time

You may be thinking, “I already have a system in place to source venues for my events, and it works just fine for me.  Why should I invest time in learning a brand new process?” The answer to that question is quite simple—because it will save you much more time in the long run! Do you re-write an RFP for every meeting that you plan? Chances are, if you’re holding an event this year that you have held in previous years, your requirements for a venue probably aren’t going to change much. With the Cvent Supplier Network, you can replicate your previous RFPs and quickly update any changes to send it out year after year. Then, you’ll have a record of all the venues you’ve considered over the years and all of their quotes, easily accessible from your Cvent account.

Maybe your current system doesn’t involve writing RFPs at all, but rather, you research venues on the internet and call the properties directly.  But how long does it take you to Google all the potential venues in an area, confirm that they have the meeting space that you need, find their contact information, wait on hold while the front desk transfers you to the Sales office, relay all the information about your meeting, wait to get emailed back pricing…? You get the picture. Multiply that process by 8-10 properties to make sure you’re getting the best deal, and your days are easily consumed just sourcing your event—not to mention all the planning that comes after! Fortunately, Cvent has a team of representatives called the Supplier Response team who are entirely dedicated to getting your bids back from venues quickly when you send out an RFP. They make all the phone calls and explain your meeting details directly to the venues so you don’t have to do all the heavy lifting. The Supplier Response team also ensures that venues respond to your RFP through the Cvent system in a timely manner so that you can compare your bids side-by-side, all in one place.

2. Gain Negotiating Power

Another reason you might be skeptical of sending an RFP is because you already know the venue where you want to hold your event, or you’ve held it at that location before.  But are you sure that you’re getting the best rate at your stand-by property? What if another property could better suit your needs? On Monday, I wrote a post on how to negotiate better deals by sending an RFP on the Supplier Network. Knowing what else is out there is extremely important, even if you’re sourcing an event locally, because if you have bids from competing properties, you can better negotiate down the rates at your preferred venue. In this economy, several venues have had to significantly change their pricing, and sending an RFP is a quick way to check what the going rate is in an area. You might even find that a venue has an enticing promotion that you just can’t turn down!

3. Build on Existing Relationships

Perhaps you’ve already done your time on hold, waiting to be connected to the correct contact at a venue, and since then you have actually built a rapport with that person.  That’s great! In the meetings and events industry, relationships are extremely important (and they can even help you snag better rates).  With Cvent’s functionality, you can send your RFPs directly to your personal contacts at a venue to ensure that your RFP falls in the right hands. You get all the benefits of having your RFP details and meeting history stored in your Cvent account, plus you get the credit for sending business to your go-to supplier!

4. Leverage National or Global Sales Contacts

What if your contacts aren’t at an individual property but you rely on National or Global Sales contacts at major hotel chains? Cvent has you covered! On the Cvent Supplier Network, you can take advantage of our NSO/GSO forwarding functionality, which allows you to send your RFPs to a National or Global Sales rep.  Then, the NSO or GSO can forward your RFP out through Cvent to its properties that fit your needs. Using this feature, you get all the cost-savings of using the NSO or GSO, plus benefits #1-3 above. 

5. Use a CVB’s Expertise

If your job entails planning meetings in destinations that you’re unfamiliar with, a Convention and Visitors Bureau (also known as a Destination Marketing Organization) can help. A CVB is a non-profit organization that represents a specific metropolitan area or city. Since CVBs are the experts on their respective destinations, using a CVB helps you save time and money because they know which venues in their area are best suited to your RFP.  CVBs also know which properties can offer you the best rates and promotions because they’re always looking for ways to make their city more competitive than the next.  On the Cvent Supplier Network, you can send your RFP to a CVB (or a few), and they can forward your RFP to the best properties in their city.  It’s as simple as searching a major metro area on the Supplier Network and filtering the “Venue Type” on the left hand side of the results screen by clicking “CVB.” Add the CVB to your RFP and launch. Voila! Just wait for the bids to start rolling in.

If you’re not even sure yet which cities to consider for your next meeting, check out the Cvent Destination Guide, which has information specifically geared towards meeting planners about destinations around the world. You can also see which destinations are most economical for your meetings by comparing average stats for each city on our Event Planning Comparison Chart.

Need information about implementing a Strategic Meetings Management Program? Are you looking for tips on negotiating contracts? Or maybe you just need to check out the latest food & beverage trends for events? MeetingsNet is the perfect resource!

MeetingsNet’s websites and magazines are conducting their annual subscription drive and invite all professionals with meeting planning responsibility to sign up for free subscriptions to Corporate Meetings & Incentives (now including Financial & Insurance Meetings), Association Meetings, and Medical Meetings. Religious meeting planners can get more information about obtaining a subscription to Religious Conference Manager.

MeetingsNet also publishes the popular MeetingsNet Extra, delivered every Tuesday to your inbox with newsbreaking stories, and MeetingsNet Tech Extra, a monthly newsletter that takes the mystery out of meeting technologies. It just takes a few minutes, and planners have the option of signing up for digital or mail delivery.

Visit MeetingsNet to subscribe today!

Pictures hold two key benefits for third-party planners. First, photos are an opportunity to prove that they can create successful events. Whether they are posed or candid, photos can be the deciding factor in whether or not you book your next event. Second, often times attendees who forget their camera will still want memories of how the event transpired - and they'll expect you to provide them.

Selecting an event photographer is a challenging task. Without proper knowledge of photographic elements, lighting or even the basic skills of your photographer, you run the risk of having a great event with mediocre pictures.

Be sure your photographers have everything they will need for excellent pictures. Check out their online portfolios, inquire about their photography equipment, and confirm their guest count (some photographers bring assistants). Have an area for guests to take posed photos that is clear of wires, AV equipment and, most of all, people.

Atlanta photographers Atlpics and Sandra Rose have made a name for themselves in the Atlanta event sector by posting event photos online. This is a benefit to both your guests and your brand recognition. It will only guests to see everyone that attended as well as preserve memories of the event. For your benefit, the photos will create a buzz about your event planning talents and possibly gain potential clients that may have never thought about hiring you.

All in all, remember that seeing is believing. You want your prospective clients to believe that you can create eye-catching events!

Find more information about Atlanta photographers on the Cvent Supplier Network.

Thanksgiving isn't even here yet, but it's quite apparent that Christmas is right around the corner, and there is so much to do! Let design pro Christopher Todd Hall of Christopher Todd Design put all your holiday party planning worries to rest!

CT has you covered, from food and event decor to invitations and entertainment. He even does Las Vegas corporate event planning. 

If you are looking for more of a do-it-yourself route, CT is hosting a class at Whole Foods Market Las Vegas Boulevard in Town Square on December 3 from 6 PM to 8 PM. This class will prepare you to host whatever type of holiday party you have in mind. He is fun, engaging, and has quite the sense of humor!

This is a fantastic opportunity to learn from a seasoned design expert, who has been featured in the November issue of Luxury magazine. Specializing in artistic design for floral and table settings, he continues to impress me with his artistic talent and eye for detail.

Suppliers and vendors all around the city of Chicago have been releasing promotions for event planners as an incentive to book their services for this year's holiday gatherings. Take a look at some of the best meeting promotions in the Chicago area for the holiday season:

Fulton Lounge

Fulton lounge is located in the West Loop. This relaxed but intimate Chicago party venue is a perfect place to host a holiday event. With space for up to 300 guests, the lounge serves as an ideal Chicago banquet hall and offers several packaged options to make the event planning process proceed with ease. This year, Fulton Lounge has a new menu crafted by OTOM Restaurant. If you book your event by November 30, you will receive 20 percent off the beverage minimum for parties of 25 or more guests!

theWit

theWit Hotel is located in the Downtown Loop. This relatively new Chicago boutique hotel has many event spaces available for private events. From their three amazing restaurants to their high definition theater, theWit is sure to please any guest. If you book a holiday party in one of this Chicago hotel's unique spaces, you will receive a $150 gift certificate to one of its three in-house Chicago restaurants.

Ditka's Steaks, Seafood & Chops

Located in the Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago, this traditional steakhouse is one of Chicago's prime restaurants. Named after Mike Ditka, former coach of the NFL Chicago Bears, this Chicago banquet facility is filled with Chicago sports memorabilia to give it a local touch. When booking with Ditka's, you will receive 10 percent off your food or beverage package of your choice, an autographed Mike Ditka football, as well as entry into their holiday raffle, which includes a chance to win prizes ranging a winery trip for two to a dinner for six prepared by the restaurant's executive chef in your home!

Spiaggia

Spiaggia is located at the end of the Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago. This highly-rated Italian restaurant offers space overlooking Lake Michigan. The fact that it will be celebrating its 25th anniversary over this holiday season makes it an even more special option for your Chicago events. If you book an event in one of their private dining rooms, Spiaggia will over 25 percent off selected menus.

We're pleased to report that one of Cvent's clients, the Business Development Institute (BDI), held a successful event yesterday in NYC: The Social Consumer B2C Case Studies & Roundtables.

Maria Feola, Director of Events, explains how Cvent has turned around their organization's whole operation: "Registration and website updates used to be a nightmare because we had to send all website changes through our vendor. Registrations were constantly rejected, and we would have to process any refunds through a separate system."

That does sound scary. But now with Cvent, Maria has everything she needs in one easy-to-use program. "I can access [the system] from anywhere with an Internet connection. I don’t need HTML knowledge for the website and everything is customizable so I don’t feel trapped in another person’s idea of what MY business needs."

"Cvent is also constantly updating features to make things easier for clients and the dedicated staff is always there to answer my questions and take my suggestions. I have not had the chance to fully take advantage of all its offerings, but we plan to be fully integrated within the next year. There is no need for multiple systems for websites, registration, webinars, surveys, event email communications, etc. when Cvent has it all!"


Founded in 2001, BDI is a small corporate event planning company and a leading conference and webinar producer for communicators.

One of the most enchanting hotel renovations Los Angeles has ever seen has built upon its world of wonder. The Mondrian, already among the finest of 5 star hotels in Los Angeles, now features hotel rooms that are as whimsical as the famed Skybar lounge they overlook.

Finally trading in their cool tones of gray carpets for warmer hues and sleek honey wood floors, the Alice in Wonderland-inspired Los Angeles meeting hotel is complete! With Los Angeles accommodations fit for the queen of hearts, the hotel showcases Los Angeles corporate event planning at it's best. State-of-the-art boardrooms, fairytale ballrooms, an award-winning Los Angeles restaurant, and a nightclub almost as famous as the city itself are sure to persuade your next client to attend your next LA meeting.

Cvent Planner Insider Tip: Early bookings are a must, so don't be late for your very important date! You won't find an LA meeting space like this unless you fall asleep under a tree and dream it up.

View more information about the Mondrian Hotel on the Cvent Supplier Network

We've recently touched upon Twitter and the benefits that social networking tools give planners. Now let's take it one step further and connect your audience as tightly as possible while planning events through Cvent!

Gone are the days when you can bombard attendees with e-mails, newsletters and web sites and call it a day. Sure, these are necessary in the event planning process, but they're tools where the events talk to them. As a planner, you need to provide ways for attendees to have real conversations and build communities around your events.

When clients give us feedback, it's evident that sometimes they find the greatest interaction with attendees through Twitter, while in other instances, LinkedIn or Facebook works better. So what's the take-home message? There probably isn't one right answer as to which tool is ultimately the best. 

Don't view this as a complication, but rather as an opportunity. There is a plethora of social networking tools at your fingertips - don't be afraid to experiment with all of them! It may be trial and error, but the reality is that with each unique event, it's hard to predict which is the right tool to get the job done right.

While working with Cvent, start implementing these options - either one at a time or in combinations - it's up to you. But no matter how you choose to go about it, your attendees will surely appreciate resources that display important content in a more relatable way!

For your next destination event in Atlanta, remember that, although you may not know the city, you can order supplies online and have them shipped to your location. The city can be difficult to navigate through, so starting your supplier search online is a great idea for event planners unfamiliar with the area and local event suppliers.

These resources can help keep your headaches away and promote smooth transitions from event to event. Remember your time is money, so why not use available resources to assist in the event planning process?

• Smartyhadaparty.com has a wonderful idea for planners who need disposable and reusable items for a deal. Want the quality of silverware at the price of plastic, the appeal of cotton chair covers at the cost of paper, or even the appeal of glassware without the washing time? Then check out this company's website. The quality is exceptional and allows you to save your event budget for more important areas such as food and drinks.

• Want to get your items and be on your way? Check out Shindigz.com. They offer theme boxes in which you pay one set price and your party comes to you. The theme boxes include backdrops, props and other decorations depending on what your event theme may be.

• The Cvent Supplier Network features tens of thousands of event venues and suppliers, including over 200 in the metropolitan area of Atlanta. Find local and national providers of Atlanta catering services, audio-visual technology, floral decorations and more.

Many meeting planners prefer to see the items before coordinating their next event, however time is not always on our sides. The Internet has become a  wonderful resource to have in your event planning toolbox, so why not make the most of it?

With all the buzz around Twitter, you may be asking yourself, "How can this social networking tool benefit my event planning processes?"

Professionals in the event planning industry agree that tweets can effectively drive traffic before, during and after your event. Posting updates to the social networking service gives you an avenue through which you can showcase the cool things going on with your event.

Live Twitter feeds are an easy, inexpensive way to get attendees and notable event guests communicating and staying connected. Say you're hosting an event with a well-known guest speaker - starting the conversation before the event as early as possibly will help by building more buzz and positive talk.

In any situation, tweets are a great way to promote your organization and brand. The best part is that Twitter keeps the process simple, just going to show that it doesn’t have to be all glitz and glam to capture attendee attention. As long as you keep your short messages relevant to the audience, Twitter will keep them engaged.

To apply this tool in a practical way, think about doing a Twitter Q&A to get people networking and to gather some key take-away thoughts from the minds of event participants. Or have a staff member on-site tweet during the event.

Go ahead - make use of this great technology and improve your events. It's easy to set up a free account, so get logged on and tweet until your heart's content! That way, you can answer "yes" when someone asks, "...have you tweeted yet?"

Be among the few to stand in front of the secret bookcase and say the magic words: "Open Sesame." And poof! The Magic Castle, an elusive LA attraction, will reveal itself as one of the most coveted venues in Los Angeles.

It's not an illusion! World-class entertainment in Los Angeles unfolds right in front of your eyes as you enter this four-story Victorian castle smack-dab in the middle of Hollywood. It holds up to 360 people for meetings and special events.

Combined with the most exciting group dining Los Angeles has to offer and the convenience of a hip hotel right on the property, the Magic Castle is a triple threat. Successful Los Angeles corporate event planning includes a creative conference site or diverse banquet hall, and the Magic Castle holds the cards.

Cvent Planner Insider Tip: Put an ace in your pocket! Befriend a magical member to harness your full Los Angeles event planning potential.

To find more unique Los Angeles venues, visit the Cvent Supplier Network.

Nestled in the canyon of the Santa Monica Mountains near Malibu is the rustic yet decadent oasis of Saddle Peak Lodge, the gold medal winner of romantic wedding venues in Los Angeles.

A breathtaking countryside landscape frames this picturesque lodge, making it the perfect setting for a fairytale Los Angeles wedding reception. From a cascading waterfall and lush patio to the intimate library and den, this LA venue is a Los Angeles wedding planner's dream.

Deemed the only 6-star restaurant in LA, this hidden gem is a best kept secret of Hollywood's elite. However, the cat's out of the bag the moment you pull into the parking lot next to the Rolls Royce and Maybach. But don't be intimidated—the service is impeccable and the staff is as familiar as your local neighborhood haunt.

Everything's game on this eclectic menu, literally, as venison, bison, elk, beef, quail and lamb all find a place on the menu. Exercise your palate by including an out-of-this world wine flight guided by your personal sommelier.

Cvent Planner Insider Tip: LA can be a fickle town and Los Angeles event planning can be tricky. However, having a unique wedding in Los Angeles is do-able with a dreamy Los Angeles special event facility like Saddle Peak Lodge, coupled with the fact that it is considered one of the best caterers in Los Angeles.

View more information about Saddle Peak Lodge on the Cvent Supplier Network

Not that there aren't enough bridal shows and wedding extravaganzas in Texas, let alone Dallas, but the Great Bridal Expo held at the historic and beautiful Fairmont Dallas Hotel is an excellent opportunity to not only get out and see a slew of Dallas vendors, but a chance to check out the hotel's event space. The Expo is set to begin November 8 at noon and generally lasts anywhere from five to seven hours depending on crowds.

Here is a short list of featured exhibitors: 

Favorite Dallas florist Your Perfect Wedding Day by di Fiori will be on-site to demonstrate and discuss floral arrangements for any Dallas event. This mother/daughter team has event design experience ranging from full-service social affairs to large corporate luncheons.

The Creative Touch: Events by Lauren is a Dallas event planner specializing in not only weddings, but also lavish corporate affairs and business gatherings. Full-service event planning and day-of coordination are available.

Voted Dallas' Best Winery in 2009, Swirll Winery & Wine Bar will be presenting some fabulous options for off-site wine selections, as well as those for smaller, on-site cocktail events. This swank little wine dive is located in the heart of downtown and has fast become a Dallas restaurant hotspot for both the amateur wine lover and connoisseur alike.

Keith Evans Photography will also be at the Expo exhibiting some of his famous shots. Voted Ft. Worth's Photographer of the Year in 2008, Keith has a knack for capturing the perfect lighting for both formal or informal shots. He also knows some of the best Dallas venues and outdoor locales for amazing shoots.

MBEG, LLCis a multi-service company specializing in ground Dallas transportation. Whether you're in need of bus service to and from an event or a corporate car pick-up service, they are known to have some of the best rates for Dallas limo companies.

All these and more will be on-site to promote networking amongst Dallas area vendors. It's a great opportunity for Dallas meeting planners to seek out some lesser known, well-respected names in the Dallas event industry. And don't forget to visit the Cvent Supplier Network to search and find Dallas suppliers for your next event!

Say "good-bye" to the headaches triggered by unresponsive invitees and say "hello" to hassle-free email marketing! Cvent offers an unrivaled email communication suite that equips planners with unique tools to secure higher response rates and event attendance.

It's important for planners to keep all event-related tasks moving forward despite the fact that many invitees won't respond until the last possible moment. With Cvent's "save-the-date" reminders, automated invitations and confirmations, planners can easily stay on top of their game. Our clients have embraced the functionality of email reminders and love the flexibility of being able to personally schedule the dates and times when they want them sent.

Planners can set these reminders to repeat as often as they desire to elicit a response from undecided invitees. They choose whether the reminder goes out once, or every 10 days, or every 30 days...it's completely up to them. And the best part is that this process doesn't require additional manual tasks that would otherwise take time away from other, more important event-planning activities.

We're confident that there's no better way to get the results you're looking for. That's why we use our own tools to drive a faster response rate for our events. For example, about 40% of the invitees that attend our product seminars sign up after they receive an invitation reminder - proof that it does work!

At the end of the day, Cvent's powerful email tool set is the one planners turn to for this same level of success, with many clients reaching up to a 45% average increase in event attendance!  

For event industry professionals, Cvent can't be beat as the best one-stop-shop: our web-based software offers online event registration, event management, event web site creation, robust reporting, online surveys, and a sourcing tool. In addition, we've rolled out a Destination Guide so planners can focus their site selection and event sourcing efforts by comparing meeting-specific details among international cities.

At Cvent, we understand that you are burdened by the daunting task of coordinating countless aspects of the meeting and event planning process. We want to lift that burden by offering you an abundance of comprehensive resources, along with as much technical support as you need to keep things running smoothly and successfully.

And once you have all the event-related details in place or complete the meeting, you can easily distribute a variety of internal and customer pre- and post-event surveys to capture the valuable feedback that will help your organization in future planning.

The tasks involved with meetings and events can't get any easier or more customizable in look and feel with Cvent, and the seamless integration of all our online tools is extremely helpful because it allows you to have everything housed and connected in one central location.

Intimidated by the thought of taking on a system with multiple components? Just start with one of our offerings. Let us take the bulk of your manual processes and handle them with our impressive products. We're confident you'll want more after getting a little taste of Cvent!

And we're sure you'll find that choosing Cvent to manage all aspects of your organization's event needs is more affordable in the long run than trying to keep up a decentralized system. Once you get comfortable with Cvent's high-quality software, you'll wonder why you haven't stuck with just one "shop" until now.

Dallas is known for many things: the Dallas Cowboys, Southfork Ranch, American Airlines, and the Grassy Knoll, to name a few. But one little known fact this city is known for is having the most restaurants per capita in the nation. Dallasites love their food and are exposed to worldly fare on a daily basis such as Creole, Ethiopian, Vietnamese, and good ol' fashion BBQ. However, with such developed tasted buds, Dallas residents tend to be some of the harshest critics when it comes to catered affairs.

Keeping this in mind (along with the fact that the holidays are right around the corner), many Dallas caterers are in high demand and, though many have the ability to pull off large-scale events at the last minute, request a minimum of four to six weeks notice. After scouring the internet, reading reviews, interviewing caterers, and listening to experiences of past clients, I've come up with a list of 10 favorite Dallas caterers for your next Dallas event. Here they are, in no particular order:

• GEORGE Catering  

• Guess Who's Coming To Dinner Caterers  

• Wendy Krispin Catering

• Food Glorious Food

• La Duni

• Two Sisters Catering

• Gil's Elegant Catering

• Wynnwood

• Culinary Art Catering

• E Claire Catering & Events

So whether you're planning a small office shindig or are a corporate Dallas event planner for a Fortune 500, consider these as some of the best options in town. Many, if not all, offer full-service Dallas catering and event planning and are preferred vendors at several Dallas venues.

Have you ever found yourself searching multiple metropolitan areas trying to decide where your next meeting will be held? Those searches can be time-consuming and inefficient. Sometimes you end up right back where you started, unsure of exactly where you’re going to hold your next event. Cvent has the solution for this problem: the Cvent Destination Guide.

The Cvent Destination Guide is an informative resource designed especially for meeting and event planners. It's a one-stop guide where planners can focus site selection and event sourcing efforts by comparing meeting-specific details across cities worldwide.

The Destination Guide has so many great features to explore. Browse cities by U.S. region or state, or view one of the more than 20 cities profiled internationally. City profiles offer a comprehensive overview of things to do, convention center information, transportation options and more. Also included is a key statistics page, where event planners can find useful data such as population, hotel room inventory, mileage to nearby cities and weather-related statistics. Plus, we know that budgets are tight, so there’s even a promotions page in each city for planners in need of a deal!

Beyond the city profiles themselves, the Cvent Destination Guide also offers a wealth of additional resources such as the Event Planning Comparison Chart, where you can quickly find and compare meeting details such as average taxi fare and the number of restaurants for cities across the globe. Or, browse the Convention Center Directory, Conference Center Directory, and CVB directory, or view venues that fall into Beach Destinations, Golf Destinations, and Mountain Destinations.

Here at Cvent we try to make your meeting planning process as smooth as possible. The Destination Guide is just one of the many things we have to offer to help make your meeting planning easier and more efficient.

In light of the H1N1 flu, everyone—meeting planners included—is paying more attention to health and safety issues. So when I saw the report from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) on the top 10 riskiest foods regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, I thought about food at catered events.

CSPI looked at public health records dating from 1990 to 2006 and found that these 10 foods accounted for 40 percent of all foodbourne outbreaks linked to FDA-regulated foods. Over 1,500 separate, definable outbreaks were linked to these foods, with almost 50,000 illnesses of varying severity being reported. Here they are:

1. Leafy greens
2. Eggs
3. Tuna
4. Oysters
5. Potatoes
6. Cheese
7. Ice Cream
8. Tomatoes
9. Sprouts
10. Berries

This list is certainly not to scare anyone off of eating these foods (please don't!). Rather, CSPI wanted highlight the need for better food regulation, and I think they can also serve as a reminder to meeting planners to not let food safety fall by the wayside at your events. Understandably, planners have a lot of small details to manage throughout the event planning process, but it's really not hard to stay on top of your catering.

First, be aware of food recalls and alerts from the FDA. Don't just rely on the media, which may over-exaggerate or fail to provide all the information. Read all the details about food alerts and the danger involved in order to make an informed decision.

Of course, you want to make sure any event caterer you work with has a license. Ask if the catering staff is up-to-date and trained in food preparation and safe handling procedures.

In the end, the best advice is to just talk to your caterer about any issues or concerns. Together you'll be able to work out a great menu that is delicious, healthy and safe for all your attendees!

Coming in at number 8 on ICCA's top congress cities worldwide, Stockholm is an ideal meeting destination. It has also recently garnered praise such as the European Green Capital Award 2010  for being a front runner in its commitment to solving environmental problems. Plus, in the space of a year it dropped eight places in the list of world's most expensive cities to number 31—meaning its a more affordable option over destinations such as Moscow, Tokyo and London.

For more information on hosting events in this great Nordic city, from Stockholm hotels to conference venues to attractions, make sure to visit the Stockhom meeting planning profile on the Cvent Destination Guide.

Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry is home of some of the most famous exhibits in the country including the Henry Crown Space Center, the U-505 Submarine, Navy: Technology at Sea, and the Genetics and Baby Chick Hatchery. This premier destination offers exceptional Chicago event spaces around its exhibits that are sure to be a dramatic backdrop for any event.

This popular Chicago attraction can host groups of 30 to 5,000 people among eight distinct event areas. Whether you dine under a submarine or on the beautiful outdoor terrace overlooking the front entrance, you are guaranteed a unique experience for all of your guests.

The museum's amenities serve as a perk to event and meeting coordinators. Access to coat check, event security, guides & exhibit staff, underground direct-access parking and valet, audio-visual equipment, china, linens, floral and simple decor are among the extras. This full-service Chicago venue is run by a team of experienced event staff who can help you coordinate every step of the way.

There well-known Chicago catering partner, Sodexo USA, works with the event planning team to create a menu that will suit you and your guests taste buds. The company has been known to create unique dining themes while maintaining high standards of quality service within a workable budget.

This holiday season, the Museum of Science and Industry is offering a "stimulus package" meeting promotion. If you host an event before President's Day, you will receive 10 percent off of the facility rental plus a $500 credit towards your food and beverage. Whether you are enjoying a reception inside a 727 jet plane or mingling in the Smart Home garden, this venue is sure to capture your guests' attention!

View more information about the Museum of Science and Industry on the Cvent Supplier Network