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Midwest Meetings is the quarterly magazine for those who plan meetings and events in the Midwest.
Citation preview
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
EditorEryn Clement
Offi ce ManagerSusan Zafft
Circulation/Subscription Department
Art DirectorAmy Hennen
Sales DirectorSteve Van Maanen
Sales ManagerBecky Sheets
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
Midwest Meetings is a
registered trademark
owned by Hennen Publishing.
Midwest Meetings is published by Hennen Publishing.
302 6th Street W, Brookings, SD 57006 800-288-8510
Fax: 605-692-9031 [email protected]
Hennen Publishing reserves the right to reject or edit any manuscripts received for publication.
Postmaster: Send address changes to 302 6th Street W, Brookings, SD 57006
Midwest Meetings welcomes all unsolicited material.Volume: 18 Issue: 3
2010 Midwest Meetings. All rights reserved.
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].
www.MidwestMeetings.coM 3
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
4 Midwest Meetings Fall 2010
www.MidwestMeetings.coM 5
6 Midwest Meetings Fall 2010
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
www.MidwestMeetings.coM 113
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
114 Midwest Meetings Fall 2010
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
www.MidwestMeetings.coM 7
www.MidwestMeetings.coM 9
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
10 Midwest Meetings Fall 2010
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.
www.MidwestMeetings.coM 11
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.
12 Midwest Meetings Fall 2010
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
www.MidwestMeetings.coM 13
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
14 Midwest Meetings Fall 2010
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
www.MidwestMeetings.coM 15
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.
16 Midwest Meetings Fall 2010
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!
www.MidwestMeetings.coM 17
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
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!
18 Midwest Meetings Fall 2010
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.
www.MidwestMeetings.coM 19
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.
20 Midwest Meetings Fall 2010
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.
www.MidwestMeetings.coM 21
22 Midwest Meetings Fall 2010
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.
www.MidwestMeetings.coM 23
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?
24 Midwest Meetings Fall 2010
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
www.MidwestMeetings.coM 25
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
26 Midwest Meetings Fall 2010
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.
www.MidwestMeetings.coM 27
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.
28 Midwest Meetings Fall 2010
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!
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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.
www.MidwestMeetings.coM 29
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.
30 Midwest Meetings Fall 2010
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.
www.MidwestMeetings.coM 31
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.
32 Midwest Meetings Fall 2010
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