Are familiar with the company "Smart Meetings"? They have an excellent magazine that you may want to check out online or have a hard copy mailed to you. I always find their information helpful. I was just notified of a (free) webinar they are hosting on "Lessons in Leadership for Empowering Your Events Team" on April 21st. Click HERE for the link.

Along with everything else we have been doing, I hope you will join us at one of our morning Meet-Ups. The March Meet-Up brought together some great professionals discussing what is happening in their neck of the woods. Thank you especially to Heidi Schmitt, Director of State Accounts for Experience Grand Rapids, who shared with us that Grand Rapids is doing very well in returning to normal, and that many venues took advantage of the downtime to renovate or improve. Crystal Moore is branching out to take on sports competition networking events after working on events for her son's wrestling team, and finding out that many groups need help with event planning logistics and marketing. Michael Schafer, "The Wine Counselor," is back to presenting in-person wine & spirits seminars; check out his website. We talked about the synergy of live meetings versus internet-based communications (Zoom). We all agreed that video meetings are here to stay, and hybrid meetings are becoming cheaper and easier to run. We talked about contracts and reviewing liability for programs and events. Bottom line: Reach out to your contacts; visit places you have not seen before (or in a while); and welcome our return back to live meetings!

I hope everyone has a chance to take a few days off this month with Spring Break or the Easter/Passover/Ramadan holidays. Got to love a month that promotes eating jelly beans and chocolates!

Be well and hope to see you soon.

Meeting Coordinators, Inc. would like to help your association and/or corporation get back to successful meetings, conferences and events in 2022. COVID has placed a strain on all of us. Associations and corporations are short staffed. Meeting Coordinators, Inc. can be that extra set of hands to coordinate your future programs. Because in every great association or company, there comes a time when a conference, seminar, sales meeting or special event must be arranged. Utilizing the services of Meeting Coordinators, Inc. will not burden your employees or volunteers with countless overwhelming logistical tasks. Meeting Coordinators, Inc. has a staff of experts to manage the day-to-day operations of your organization and also create professional events to exceed your every expectation. You can learn more about us at www.meeting-coordinators.com.

Whether event planning, association management, hotel sales/catering, AV specialist or hospitality industry liaison is your full-time job or part-time, Meeting Coordinators, Inc. invites you to meet for a cup of coffee with local meeting planners and industry professionals. The goal is to discuss ideas and to exchange advice on how to successfully plan, budget, organize, market, and run events on all levels. Not only are the ideas FREE, but you also get the chance to network with your peers.

If you are interested in attending, please be sure to contact Meeting Coordinators, Inc. at info@meeting-coordinators.com so we can look out for you. If you are unable to attend this Meet Up, but you are still interested in consulting with the team, please also feel free to reach out to the email above with any of your questions.