Cvent

According to BizBash New York, the majority of meeting planners are holding some kind of festivities this year. A recent reader poll found that 46 percent of respondents are already working on a holiday party, while 26 percent said they will have a party, but it will be a low-key affair in the office.

Meanwhile, 17 percent said no party decisions have been made yet. Only 11 percent of readers said their companies are not having a holiday event this year.

What's the attitude in your office is regarding holiday parties this year? If you're still on the fence, keep in mind that there are plenty of ways to have a budget-friendly event this year—just check out some of my recent tips:

• 4 Ways to Save on Drink Costs at Your Holiday Party

• Use the Holiday Party as a Chance to Give Back

• How to Plan Holiday Events without Breaking Budget

Bette Midler announced that the critically acclaimed Las Vegas show, The Showgirl Must Go On, will have its last performance on Sunday, January 31, 2010. The show will have several more performances before wrapping its stint as a pillar attraction in Las Vegas. This Vegas event spent two successful years at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

Midler stated that her run has been fabulous and she thanks both Caesars Palace and AEG Live for "the best partnership a showgirl could imagine."

"Like every one of her performances, the approaching finale of Bette's two-year engagement leaves us applauding for more," said Gary Selesner, president of Caesars Palace. "Bette always will have a home at Caesars Palace."

The Divine Miss M was chosen as Best Singer (Reader's Pick) and Best All-Around Performer (Staff Pick) by Las Vegas Review Journal's Best of Las Vegas 2009. With an act that is poignant, tacky, and altogether fabulous, Bette was an honorary Las Vegan and she will be missed.  

Before the curtain falls on this Las Vegas event, why add an evening performance to your meeting agenda? Groups of 20 or more can arrange for group tickets through the Colosseum group sales office at 702-731-7208. Planners can also take advantage of the Dinner and Show packages, which include a three-course meal at one of Caesars' gourmet Las Vegas restaurants: Bradley Ogden, Restaurant Guy Savoy, Mesa Grill, Neros or Raos.

Good luck Bette! We wish you "Big Business" in all your future endeavors.

Tis the season for Chicago corporate photography professionals. Event planners around the city are getting ready to throw lavish parties in preparation for the holiday season. From corporate employee holiday parties at local restaurants to New Year's celebrations at hotel banquet halls, Chicago event photographers will be busy this season!

In order to capture these holiday memories, event planners around the Windy City are in search of the best candid and portrait photographers. With many well-known media companies as well as independent photographers, Chicago has a plethora of options, all guaranteed to capture the best moments of these important evenings.

Check out some of these great event photographers in Chicago:

EventGallery LLC
All Events Photography
Edward Fox Photography
Fred Fox Studios
Megan Szabo Photography Studio
Photogenic, Inc.
Stuart Rodgers Photography

To find more event photographers in Chicago, visit the Cvent Supplier Network.

When brainstorming ideas of where to take your clients out to a business lunch, I'm betting McDonald's doesn't come to mind. However, if a newly-renovated location in New York City is any indication of things to come, that could soon change.

The 168-seat outlet in Manhattan's Chelsea area recently received a very chic makeover. It now boasts upholstered vinyl chairs, softer lighting, bold colors and a wall emblazoned with French architect Philippe Avanzi's magnified fingerprint. The amenities have improved, too, as it now has flat-screen televisions and free wi-fi. Even the employees look sleeker in their all-black uniforms.

"It's like a lounge," Kimberly Burgess, a McDonald's patron, told the Associated Press. "It's so different from all the other McDonald's. It's beautiful."

McDonald's has updated thousands of its properties over the past few years, but the Chelsea outlet was the first in the United States to receive an "urban redesign," according to McDonald's Corp. spokeswoman Danya Proud. She said the makeover was meant "to give [McDonald's] customers more of a reason to make McDonald's a destination."

So far, it could be working.

Franchise owner Paul Hendel told the AP that customers have been taking their time to dine, rather than rushing in and out.

"We're becoming a more relevant type of restaurant for the younger crowd," he said. "They don't feel rushed. They're reading the newspaper, relaxed."

Check out some great pictures of the McDonald's at the Pulp Culture blog—it's pretty impressive. Still, I'm still not sure if I would ever think of McDonald's a venue for business or entertaining. Any thoughts on the new look?

When most planners think of New York City, the venues that come to mind tend to be the classic larger-scale meetings and conference venues. But where should a planner look when the meeting they're arranging is on the smaller side or warrants a more intimate space? Well, we suggest having a look at Manhattan's Upper West Side, where hotel rooms and meeting spaces abound, as long as you're prepared to think outside the mid-town box.

Bounded by Central Park and the Hudson River, the elegant architecture, tree-lined streets and neighborhood feel of the Upper West Side make it one of the city's most desirable neighborhoods. It's also an excellent location for intimate New York events such as weddings, executive seminars and off-sites. Among our favorites? Our list, from south to north is below.

A word to the wise: if you're planning a meeting for this February, get your bookings in early. These hotels are likely to  fill up with migrating fashionistas when Fashion Week moves from Bryant Park to its new home at Lincoln Center.

The Hudson Hotel
Just across the street from the Shops at Columbus Circle, this New York hotel offers boutique hotel elegance, with a hip, modern look, and NYC meeting rooms that are perfect for small-to-medium sized groups.

The Empire Hotel
Overlooking Lincoln Center, the oh-so-chic Empire Hotel in New York has lovely sleeping rooms as well as several meeting facilities for medium-sized groups. A rooftop lounge with fabulous views can be rented for private functions.

OTA/ On The Avenue Hotel
Just off Broadway on 77th, three blocks from the ever-popular Zabar's and two blocks from the Museum of Natural History, The OTA is a great spot for small groups in search of New York boutique hotel style at a reasonable price. For the foodies in your group, the highly regarded West Branch is right downstairs, and their food is absolutely delicious (trust us, we're regulars!), as are the apple martinis.

Find more meeting hotels in New York on Cvent's New York venue directory.

Within the many hotels in the downtown Chicago area, travelers have their choice when picking the right property for them. What some people may not know, though, is that Chicago hotels are home to many fine dining restaurants. Many of these Chicago restaurants are considered the hottest spots to see and be seen and should not be missed!

The hotel properties listed below house some of the best restaurants in Chicago. These properties are great for welcome receptions, cocktail hours following a long day in meeting rooms or just for elegant private dinners. Although most planners overlook the restaurants in hotel properties, for shorter trips to Chicago, these can be great Chicago banquet facilities to entertain clients or co-workers.

The Palmer House Hilton - Lockwood Restaurant
Located in the Palmer House Hilton, this Chicago private dining facility was rated in the top 10 best restaurants by Chicago Tribune in 2008. Lockwood's chef has created a wide variety of upscale menus for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, pre-fixed, tastings, dinner and more! Menu includes items include Hawaiian bass and lobster and lamb loin in a fig mint marinade.

Park Hyatt Chicago - NoMi
NoMi is French cuisine with a "global flair." Its menu includes small bites or a full course meal, with options to please any guest. NoMi's wine cellar is a popular Chicago party venue to host small receptions or networking events for larger meetings.

The Fairmont Chicago - Aria
Aria's culinary team creates a very ethnic menu. The team is from Thailand, Korea, China and Japan, as well as a few Chicago locals and a member from the South. This cultivation of cooking styles creates a flavorful menu with items like BBQ duck chow mein.

The Swissotel - The Palm
The Palm is a well-known, traditional steakhouse in Chicago. It's unique in a sense that they offer a "Business Lunch" menu that includes tenderloin medallions and fresh fish. These menu options make it simple to coordinate business lunches following daily meetings.

To learn more about hotel properties in Chicago, or their in-house restaurants, please visit the Cvent Supplier Network.

I've been seeing more and more articles that point to a recovery in the meetings industry. Check out this quick recap:

• HOTELS interviewed David C. Marr, senior vice president of brand management in North America for Starwood Hotels & Resorts, on the chain's outlook for 2010. "If I had to sum it up, I’d say we’re in a better place today than we thought we’d be, with all signs pointing to a recovery, albeit a slow recovery. We saw our first signs of life this summer, with leisure travel coming back first, and occupancies at or near pre-crisis levels...As business continues to stabilize and improve, we’ll see more meetings booked in the year for the year."

• A recent survey by ICCA and IMEX asked association meetings executives about this year's events, and more than half reported a steady increase in attendance. In regards to what they see ahead for their 2010 events, only 16 percent predicted a decline in attendance while 39 percent were optimistic about seeing more delegates next year.

• The U.S. Travel Association has announced a projected increase in 2010 leisure travel by two percent, business travel by 2.5 percent, and international inbound travel by three percent. As a result, the industry will add nearly 90,000 American jobs.

For some who travel to Atlanta for extensive week long seminars or draining conferences, there should always be time for rest and relaxation. Not only will it increase your guests' attention span at meetings and events, but it also boasts their health and overall well-being. There are several venues both in Atlanta and just a short drive away where attendees - and even event planners themselves - can enjoy some R&R.

The Georgia Bulldogs are not the only highlight of Athens, Georgia. The Foundry Park Inn & Spa, located in downtown Athens, is the intersection of serenity and southern hospitality. With over 12,000 square feet of special event space, this venue is perfect for those who work hard and play hard. The full-service retreat includes spa body treatments, home inspired accommodations and a state-of-the-art fitness center. 

If your clients enjoy the bright lights of Atlanta but prefer a secluded destination, a hour's drive south the city will bring you to The Lodge and Spa at Callaway Gardens. Recently listed as the first US Green Building Council LEED-certified business conference center in the world, this is not only a retreat for yourself but for mother earth as well. The spa invites guests to unwind in relaxation lounges, saunas and steam rooms.

No time to leave the city, but still want to feel refreshed? In lieu of breakfast room service, at Atlanta's Hotel Palomar, treat your guests to an early morning selection from the spa menu. No need to leave the suite, luxury comes to you in the form of various organic massage and body treatments.

When it comes to giving your meeting attendees a break from the boardroom, or even for incentive travel, Atlanta meeting planners should certainly consider these relaxing retreats.

View more information about Fondry Park, Callaway Gardens, Hotel Palomar Atlanta Midtown and other unique Atlanta venues on the Cvent Supplier Network

Cvent will be attending EIBTM in Barcelona, Spain, next month! The exhibition, held December 1-3, is one of the six global exhibitions that serve the meetings industry marketplace. Held annually, EIBTM’s show is expected to see over 8,000 attendees from various industries, of which almost half are qualified hosted buyers. Last year’s event saw a little over 8,100 attendees from 92 countries.

In addition to educational seminars held throughout the day, the main focus of the event is the exhibition. This year's expo floor will feature over 3,000 international suppliers from over 100 countries worldwide.  Exhibitors include top international destinations and hotels as well as in-demand products and services. Visit Cvent at stand #P205 during this three-day exhibition.

Members of Cvent's Senior Management team and several senior sales executives will be in attendance at EIBTM. If you would like to set up a private meeting during this tradeshow, please email Julia Sheffield, Sales Executive, Supplier Network, at jsheffield@cvent.com. For more information on Cvent, please visit www.cvent.com.

We look forward to seeing you there!

There are several staffing options for your gathering, and the decision greatly depends on the Los Angeles conference center, restaurant or other opulent venue chosen. For instance, if your gathering is at a private residence, you may not need security. And if your event is at a restaurant or hotel, you will not need to hire a cleaning crew or service staff. 

However, if your holiday party is at a gallery or other Los Angeles conference facility that you need to transform, you will need to consider hiring event staff including: Servers/Tray Passers, Bartenders/Barbacks, Roaming Security/Front Door Manager, and Cleaning Crew.

Plenty of conference centers and other special event venues include staff. But if not, here are a few of my favorite special event staffing companies:
The Party Staff
Argyle Event Staffing
Pacwest Security Services

Check back tomorrow for event rental suggestions for your holiday soiree!

Cvent Planner Insider Tip: Remember to make your support staff an extension of your event. They usually have several uniform options, so utilize these to set the mood and theme of your LA event.

Las Vegas continues to position itself as the best culinary destination in the world. Presenting the best and brightest chefs, vintners, and restaurateurs from all different backgrounds, Las Vegas unites legacies with remarkable newcomers on the global culinary scene.  

ARIA at CityCenter is slated to open December 16, 2009, and will feature Masayoshi Takayama, the world-renowned chef of the famed Masa in New York City, and Shawn McClain, celebrated executive chef and partner at three of Chicago’s top restaurants. Famed chef Michael Mina, who conceived and manages MGM Grand’s Nobhill and Seablue establishments, will also be on the menu at CityCenter with his American Fish restaurant.

In addition to these news Vegas restaurants, planners and tourists can also look ahead to Vegas Uncork’d. This 4th annual food and wine festival presented by Bon Appetit magazine has been scheduled for May 6-9, 2010. Sources tell me that this spring will feature a full plate of activities including the return of the Celebrity Chef Blackjack Tournament, the Grand Tasting at Caesars Palace, plus a whole slew of new surprises on the expanded schedule.

Las Vegas event planners are fortunate to have these culinary resources at their disposal, so make sure to take advantage at your next event!

December is coming and the chanting of "Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!"is getting more and more intense with each passed yard. For sports fanatics in the Orlando area, this time of year means fantasy frenzy and football parties.

Orlando, a huge tourist destination, has a lot of draw for professional fans as well as players. Luckily, the city has plenty of event venues to accommodate sports-themed events of any size. If you are looking to throw an O-town tailgating party, the Orlando party venues are close to limitless.

Consider these two top Orlando restaurants for your next affair:

TGI Friday's Front Row

This multi-level sports bar is a great Orlando dining facility, offering over 150 televisions airing sporting events from around the country. Friday's friendly team is ready and willing to make your tailgating event or cocktail hour a themed and highly enjoyable one.

ESPN Zone

Just outside of Orlando, ESPN Zone is unique Orlando venue is a sporting fanatic's dream. Complete with games and memorabilia in the open gaming arena, this casual dining destination at Disney's Boardwalk is sure to be a great place for young and old to gather for luncheons, casual receptions and more.

Find more special event facilities in Orlando on the Cvent Supplier Network.

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.

One of Dallas' trendiest boutique hotels is also one of Dallas' greenest. Hotel Palomar, a member of San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels, has embraced a new trend and made it standard practice through their EarthCare program. This company-wide philosophy is taking giant steps towards ensuring a more sustainable planet by practicing over 70 "eco-practices" on a daily basis, including industry firsts such as in-room recycle bins, environmentally friendly cleaning products, and energy efficient lighting.

This forward thinking mindset parlays over to the meetings side as well. With their EarthCare Meetings Packages, this Dallas boutique hotel infuses full-service functions with small yet crucial facets of eco-conscientiousness like recycled paper products, soy-based ink, and locally grown, organic ingredients. In addition, a portion of all proceeds are donated to Kimpton's EarthCare partner, the Trust for Public Land, which promotes greener urban areas like rooftop gardens and inner city parks.

All this combined with innovative meeting ideas can truly make for memorable meetings. If you're looking to take the bored out of boardroom for your next Dallas meeting, look no further than Hotel Palomar. This Dallas hotel offers a variety of packages that will stir imaginations and challenge expectations with some very creative approaches.

Take, for example, the Fun Worship Package. This package offers a clever assortment of playful distractions that add unexpected fun to your meetings by incorporating games and toys like Rubik's Cube, PlayDoh, and Legos. Another signature package to consider is the Elements of Wellness Package. This takes on a spa-like retreat by introducing aromatherapy, massage breaks, wii fit (yup!), and a healthy menu.

This Dallas event space offers the following:

• 9,000 square feet of usable Dallas meeting space (including pre-function space)
• a 6,500 square-foot Grand Ballroom that is divisible into four separate rooms
• numerous and flexible breakout and boardroom options
• in-house audio-visual professionals (no charge for sound patch or wireless)
• tables and linens
• 24 hour, full-service business center
• on-site secured garage parking

Hotel Palomar is located in the ultra-posh Park Cities area and is a quick trip from Dallas Love Field Airport. It also sits directly across one of the trendiest spots for dining, entertainment, and shopping in Dallas: Mockingbird Station.

View more information about Hotel Palomar Dallas 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.

Historic Navy Pier is a 3,300-foot pier that extends on the Chicago shoreline of Lake Michigan. Located in the Streeterville neighborhood of Chicago, Navy Pier was originally built to serve many different purposes including to serve as a cargo facility for freight shipments, docking space for passenger excursion steamers as well as a trendy place for public gatherings.

Today, Navy Pier is the number one tourist attraction in Chicago. It the location of numerous on-site sightseeing tour companies, four luxury dinner cruise ships, a huge Ferris wheel, the Chicago Children's Museum, the Shakespeare Theater, the Crystal Gardens as well as various restaurants, bars and shops.

Navy Pier is also home to a festival hall and numerous Chicago meeting spaces. Its two main exhibition spaces of a combined 170,100 square feet offer lots of flexibility and functionality. This space is able to accommodate up to 900 standard tradeshow booths; it's also a great Chicago party venue, capable of seating banquets or theater arrangements.

Navy Pier is also equipped with a Grand Ballroom; said to be one of the best Chicago ballrooms built. The Grand Ballroom is fashioned with an 80-foot domed ceiling lined with lights and affords panoramic views of Lake Michigan, making it incomparable with other venues around the city. Along with the rental of the ballroom, planners are offered the option to extend their function space into the Lakeview Terrace or Rooftop, both of which have unmatched views of the Chicago skyline. These can be used alone as function space or as an additional pre-function space for large Chicago events.

View more information about Navy Pier on the Cvent Supplier Network

Once you have chosen your perfect Los Angeles venue and settled on your fabulous fare, it's time to choose the bar selections. With a sit-down dinner, I suggest a bottle of red, white and sparkling wine preset on each table (it's best to have one bottle per four guests on hand). If you are having a cocktail party, make sure the bar is the center of attention with one of these festive ideas:

• Martini Bar with olives, apples, and pomegranates
• Champagne Bar with fig and strawberries
• Scotch & Cognac Bar with cigars and eggnog
• Coffee Bar with chocolate and mint candy canes

If you are hiring a bar service, here are my top LA event vendor picks:
Bartender Girl
Paradise Bar and Beverage Service
Bartending Solutions

However, bar catering in Los Angeles can be expensive, so one way to save: Buy your own alcohol and mixers and hire your own bartender. Just remember to stock five glasses per guest; one bottle of alcohol per three guests; one bottle of mixer per two guests; and 1.5 pounds of ice per guest. A few cost-effective ice delivery services in LA are Union Ice, Cal Ice and Keg King.

If your holiday soiree is at a Los Angeles conference center or private residence, check back tomorrow for staff suggestions.

Cvent Planner Insider Tip: Transform your bar into a winter wonderland with an ice sculpture, ice bar, or even snow! Call one of the companies above for details.

Find more great Los Angeles event suppliers on the Cvent Supplier Network.

When team-building events are part of your program design, it's important to give some creative muscle to the planning process so that attendees aren't bored, but don't think you have to spend a lot of money to accomplish this!

Community or charitable events are typically low-cost, and participation in something that makes a positive impact on the local level strengthens bonds between those involved. Other low-cost ideas include themed department pot-lucks, trivia contests, "treasure" hunts, etc.

Whatever it is, get people interacting. Don't focus on events or activities in which you all just happen to be in the same place at the same time.

You'll find that you have plenty of money left in your pocket if you choose not to move beyond your own stomping ground. If the company or organization has enough room on-site - either indoors or outdoors - use the space to keep events on the premises.

However, if your requirements call for an off-site team-building event, you can slash the price of booking a venue nearly in half if you share the space with another group. This isn't suggesting that your events literally overlap. Rather, one group can use the venue in the morning and the other can use it later in the day, and the advantage results from both parties splitting the total cost.

If elaborate, expensive parties (that mask themselves as "team-builders") are on the way out, this doesn't mean it has to be the end of fun, high-impact events. Keep the main goal in mind: boost morale and attendee satisfaction that will translate into a positive work environment.

The air is filled with the sound of the Christmas holiday season. It seems as if Halloween just passed, and already Christmas is right around the corner. Didn't we forget a valuable, yet less emphasized, holiday?

Thanksgiving is a great time to attend an event in Orlando; after all, we have a lot to be thankful for in our backyard. All around Orlando, there are special events designed to bring people in the the city together.

One of the area restaurants that fosters Orlando camaraderie is Dandelion Communitea Cafe. Dandelion is a largely organic-based Orlando restaurant that infuses free thinking and bohemian style in every aspect of the quaint house-turned-restaurant. From the vegan-inspired 'meat" dish of the day to the belly dancers that are invited in for special occasions, this eatery has inspired many great talks and salons; it even hosts monthly drum circles that come with the full moon.

Enjoying a Thanksgiving week event here seems to be a natural choice for gatherings of family or friends. On Thanksgiving Eve, Orlando guests can attend the Listen to: Front Porch on WPRK 91.5 Special Family Talk event, held from noon to 1 PM. This weekly Orlando event features different guest making a difference locally. On the Turkey Day event agenda are Astrology, Palm, Tarot and Angel Card Readings, held from 11 AM to 2 PM.