Posts Tagged ‘event planning’

If your company is frequently planning business trips and is frequently short on people to plan them, it’s time to contact a DMC. Destination management companies can save as much time and money as they do other valuable resources through their experience and expertise about business travel.

DMCs Bring Connections to You

Busy companies that are short on resources will enjoy the efficiency DMCs offer. Handing over your business planning needs to a company who is familiar with your destination city makes for a hassle-free experience. DMC personnel don’t have to spend endless hours doing tedious vendor research because they have established relationships with all the necessary venues.

It’s these types of relationships that distinguish Accent DMC from other similar companies. Finding successful venues and working with one meeting planner that is able to make one-time deals with the necessary suppliers is priceless. Accent DMC also has access to other planning venues such as private clubs, mansions, golf resorts and even private homes. This type of access comes from having an established relationship with a multitude of clients Accent DMC has worked with for many years. Large vendors and private clubs are more apt to respond to a DMC they’ve worked with before rather than a one-shot contact they will not likely ever see again.

DMCs Make Transportation a Breeze

Hiring a DMC is also extremely beneficial when it comes to transportation in destination cities. A destination management company is aware of ongoing construction projects, for example, and have established relationships with local police and fire department agencies.

Know When a DMC is a Must-Hire

Of course it may not be financially feasible to call in a DMC for every business meeting. However, it is important to decide when calling a DMC is most appropriate. This can be determined by the company’s own knowledge of their business meeting needs with a combination of available time. If it’s something simple that a company can do themselves, then it is most likely not practical to hire a DMC, especially if the company is using repeat vendors with which they have established relationships.

It is often a completely different story however, when a company is attempting to put together an annual business meeting in another city for 100 or even 1,000+ people. This is where in-house business planning can become a strain on the company and, more times than not, hiring a DMC to save the day is the best choice.

Everywhere you turn, there’s a reminder that the economy is suffering. Job cuts and pay freezes have made the work world especially demanding, even though we can all agree that we’re forever grateful for keeping our jobs.

Planning: More Important Than Ever

If you’re one of the few people left in the planning department, you understand what the demands of this job entail. The meetings keep on coming – another conference has to be planned and it’s already the end of the day. Where you once would have had some helpers with these tasks, these jobs are now left to you. And it has never been more important to pull off successful meetings, conferences and trade shows that illustrate the potential of your company.

DMC to the Rescue

Fortunately, you’re not alone. A DMC or destination management company can help you plan successful meetings and business trips from start to finish. Even in an economy where businesses are looking to slash their expenses, DMCs are actually growing in popularity. It’s more cost-effective to partner with a DMC than to hire full-time employees to carry out the planning and organizing tasks. DMCs also have all the inside information regarding venues, activities and entertainment that can suit your business and your budget.

Budget Accordingly

That’s not to say that DMCs come cheap, as you certainly want to have a budget to be able to successfully work with a DMC. What you can look forward to is that you won’t be faced with the pressures and time crunches of planning business meetings and conferences for your company. Partnering with a DMC will allow you to have more time to focus on your business goals, while being confident that all planning arrangements are being handled in full.

A Knowledgeable Partner

Most importantly, your DMC will know the area that you’re traveling to, instead of you blindly navigating through hotels, restaurants and corporate activities. You can make the most out of these traveling experiences and allow your business to shine through, as they’ll have access to the best venues, plus have dependable transportation and lodging arrangements that will keep everyone happy and comfortable.

The economy hasn’t slowed the need for DMCs and has instead allowed the industry to thrive. With destination planners being overworked and overbooked, it helps to have someone knowledgeable to partner with, plan successful trips and get the job done right the first time around.

If you’re still unsure about what a DMC can do for your business, assign one to a small task such as arranging a team-building activity or transportation services. You’ll quickly see how necessary a DMC can be to the successful functioning of your business, especially in a down economy where everything counts.

Image Source: gaebler.com

If you’re planning on hosting a corporate event in New Orleans, you’ve chosen a dynamic location that has the perfect balance of entertainment and cultural history. New Orleans is a popular choice to host corporate events, as the warm climate makes travel easy, and the tourist-friendly community caters to visitors. Not to mention, it’s easy to host your event any time of the day, while allowing corporate employees to catch some fun of their own later on. Most companies welcome the opportunity to learn about the culture of New Orleans, as well by paying a visit to such historic landmarks as the French Quarter.

To make your corporate event all the more interesting, you’ll need to have some creative ideas set aside for the special date. Since New Orleans is one of the most unique cities in America, there’s almost always something going on. To align your corporate event with what’s going on in the city, it’s best to work with a DMC like Accent DMC. This team of DMCs knows what events are going on and which ones can elaborate on your event. Knowing all the details of the city, you can pick the best time to host a corporate event.

Here are a few examples of corporate event ideas for your New Orleans event:

Pitching horseshoes for some competitive fun

Listening to live music at a music festival that features a collection of jazz, reggae and blues

Taking a tour of the city or places within the city such as the Garden District, French Quarter or cemeteries

For a spooky good time, taking part in a haunted history tour that travels to haunted places and cemeteries

Riverboat rides and classy dinners off the Mississippi River

A cooking class at the New Orleans School of Cooking

Finding your spiritual side by visiting a tarot card reader or fortune teller

Visiting the Audubon Zoo and Aquarium

Taking a swamp tour and seeing alligators up close

Exploring your creative side with a New Orleans School of Glass Blowing class

DMCs like Accent DMC can also arrange for guest speakers to speak at your corporate event to make the day more interesting. Depending on the needs of your business and what goals you hope to accomplish, DMCs will be best able to align the vision of your company with the interests of your employees. Teambuilding activities can be hosted around the meetings, providing ample opportunities for your team to come together in a fun, relaxing environment that fosters creativity and passion.

Start planning your New Orleans corporate event today!

Image: accent-dmc.com

Professional event planners know how to put on great parties, concerts, and conferences for their clients. While these specialists are highly trained professionals, there are basic secrets of event planning that anyone can use to promote an upcoming event, wedding, or party. Most of these tips require advance preparation on the part of the event planner, but using these suggestions can make the event go smoothly without the stress of a last-minute rush.

• Serve convenience foods at the event. Since parties, conferences, and receptions generally run long, it’s a good idea to serve foods that can be served at room temperature. This will help you to avoid reheating overcooked dishes throughout the evening. Finger foods are great to serve at large gatherings, since they’re small, relatively mess-free, and easy to carry.
• Think about the accessibility needs of your guests. If the facility has more than one story, there should be an elevator for disabled or elderly individuals. Are the emergency exits clearly marked? Is there more than one direct exit from the meeting room?
• Prepare for a larger guest list than the one you originally received. While it may be good manners to RSVP beforehand, most people do not and they may arrive at the workshop or the conference with their attendance fee in hand, ready to enter. Technically, companies have the right to refuse entry to people who don’t reserve their seats, but few do, so you may want to add extra seating for last-minute attendees. This is especially true at social functions such as banquets, awards ceremonies, and most of all, weddings.
• Plan for necessary functions. Bathrooms and working sinks are so vital to everyday life, it’s easy to forget them when planning a large event. But if the meeting place doesn’t have sufficient restroom facilities and running water, you’ll be sure to hear about it from your catering staff and your guests. Tour the venue beforehand and establish your seating arrangement so that guests can easily access the bathrooms.
• Don’t forget the weather forecast! This suggestion affects outdoor events in particular such as wedding receptions or company picnics, but It’s a factor in every large gathering. Be prepared for inclement weather by setting up a coat and umbrella space near the entrance and providing disposable rain ponchos for guests as necessary.

Image c/o: Northeast Indiana

If you have a business meeting scheduled, but find yourself in a pinch, don’t stress! A DMC is the person to call who will help get your business plans back on track!

What Can I Expect from a DMC?

DMCs are Destination Management Companies that are experts in destination knowledge. When you arrange a business trip, a DMC can handle the airport meet-and-greet, transportation, tours, team-building activities and more. DMCs can also recommend lodging and entertainment; basically everything you need to know to get through a successful business endeavor.

How Do I Choose a DMC?

The most important aspect is that you choose a DMC that has local knowledge and experience in the area. Many DMCs will advertise in their local area, so you may have to choose a DMC that is within these premises. However, some larger companies have a national or international client list. In this case, you can choose one DMC for all your business traveling needs.

You’ll also want to consider the range of services they offer, as well as their cost. DMCs are known for being creative, and with this insightful approach, they should be able to plan a day’s events for you to enjoy.

How Do I Work With a DMC?

Keep in mind that you and a DMC are partners. Information sharing is critical, so be sure to share up as much info as possible in terms of what you expect, your budget, etc. Your DMC will have great contacts, which means you’ll be able to get the best deals on things, as well as tickets to events and recommendations for guest speakers and restaurants.

Most importantly, know that DMCs have formed successful relationships with their contacts, so you can expect to get the very best service from them.

Can a DMC Help in a Time Crunch?

Yes. Actually, this is what DMCs do best. While it’s always ideal to have a few days of notice, DMCs have the necessary resources to get your business trip off without a hitch, even at the last minute. And this is where the relationships that the DMCs have formed with their contacts come in handy. Local businesses are able to work up quick deals and get you the services you need to have a successful business trip. If you continue to go through the same DMC, they will learn your unique set of needs when your team comes into town, which will help in times of short notice.

It’s time to program that cell phone with a DMC you can call any time of day!

Image: travelpod.com

There are a few days throughout your life that you want to be perfect, and your wedding is one of them. From selecting the reception hall to choosing the best colors for your special day, the possibilities you have are endless. The same goes for wedding transportation; no longer do you have to settle for a standard, white limo. There are many options to fit the modern-day bride and groom.

Wedding transportation is necessary on your special day, as not only will it transport you and your mate, but also your wedding party. Let’s take a look at practical wedding transportation tips that will ensure your day will go on without a hitch!

Tip #1: Evaluate all the options.

While a limousine is still the most popular option, there are many other forms of transportation. Consider large stretch SUVs or a colorful party bus for the casual affair. A horse and carriage is especially romantic, while an antique car will suit a formal event. Trolleys are full of character and can fit your wedding party, while a tractor will accommodate the country-themed wedding.

Tip #2: Consider the space.

Depending on the size of the wedding party and the location of the ceremony to the reception, you may want to provide transportation for just you and your partner or the entire wedding party. Factor in how many cars you’ll need, and don’t forget to add extra space for wedding gowns and your veil.

Tip #3: Arrange your package.

As you’ve probably seen already, planning for a wedding is costly. You can expect the same with your transportation service, so instead of trying to cut corners, make sure you get the most for your money. Wedding packages are often best, as they generally include a stocked car, simple decorations and perhaps a carpet rolled out in your honor.

Tip #4: Have a signed contract or written agreement.

Once you’ve chosen a package the suits you, make sure you and the driver are on the same page. Agree on a time, location, etc. Get all of these details in writing. Also be sure to give your driver copies of the directions. Having this information in a separate manilla folder will keep it organized for the big day. Be sure to read through the contract, including the fine details, and find out about any penalties for canceling.

Tip #5: Stock the car.

Find out what the company will be providing for you, and we don’t just mean the bottles of champagne. It’s important to have a few essentials on hand such as bottles of water and snacks with protein. Also stock the car with a few things to come in handy, including comfy flip-flop sandals, lip balm and disposable cameras.

Image: classatransportation.com