PES Receives IATAN Accreditation

Premium Event Services recently attained IATAN (International Airlines Travel Agent Network) Accreditation. IATAN (which is a department of IATA) serves all aspects of the U.S. Travel & Tourism Industry and offers global accreditation and global reach that no other accreditation program can.

IATAN Accreditation now enables PES to book travel and airline tickets for clients in addition to the wide array of other destination management and event production services already available.

Additional information about IATAN is available here: http://www.iatan.org/
Additional information about PES is available here: http://www.premiumeventservices.com/

Why Hire a DMC?

We recently provided destination management services for a South American Pharmaceutical client. The program was relatively small in size - 20 guests travelling in on two flights, each scheduled to arrive within 30 minutes of one another. The plan was to greet guests, retrieve luggage and promptly shuttle them to their hotel. The first flight arrived on schedule and our guests were greeted and sent without incident. The arrival of our second flight carrying 17 passengers did not go according to plan. Approximately 2 hours after the flight was scheduled to arrive, the worst-case scenario was playing out. Our guests were sitting on a plane waiting to push away from the gate and their flight was cancelled - about 12 hours into their travel day.

That's when our PES staff jumped into action. First our travel team worked with the airline to rebook guests on later flights. We had confirmed seats for our guests before they made it off their cancelled flight, way ahead of almost everyone else. After arranging new flights, our team worked with our ground transportation supplier to line up subsequent transfers. Our team also connected with the hotel and had guests pre-checked into their rooms. Everything that we could do to minimize our guests waiting was taken care of.

Over the next 10 hours, our guests arrived on 5 separate flights; some were even routed in on a different airline. For every arriving guest, we had staff waiting in baggage claim to greet them and vehicles curbside to transport them. What should have been a simple airport greet, turned a bit complex and really got me thinking what would have happened if our client didn't have a DMC?

• How much longer would it have taken for all of our guests to arrive if we hadn't re-booked them promptly?
• Since passengers and luggage were arriving on separate flights and carriers, would our guests have spent an hour or more hunting for their baggage between terminals? If left to the airline, would it just have been delivered the next day to the hotel if our staff wasn't there to facilitate?
• Our client paid for the ground transportation. Who would have passed along the new flight arrival information to the ground transportation company or would the guests be forced to track down and take taxis to the hotel?

The cancelled flight turned out to be an inconvenience, but thankfully our staff shined and at the end of the day, that's all it was - just an airline inconvenience.

Uncommon Venues, Uncommon Events

There's a common saying in the event industry: "a ballroom is a ballroom is a ballroom". For many clients, ballrooms fall right within their comfort zones and rightfully so. They offer flexible meeting and event space, with few unwelcome surprises. While ballrooms are some of our favorite places to host events, sometimes there are other viable options.

Recently, PES rented out a sporting arena to host a corporate client's event. While the event itself was held primarily in the club level of the arena, which overlooked the general seating and playing surface, our clients also had the unique ability to tour the entire facility including the media booths and the locker rooms. Both club level access and a behind the scenes tour are generally not available to most guests attending a corporate event, let alone a ticketed one.

This uncommon venue helped us achieve an uncommon event, and after all isn't that what guests remember?

Top 10 Photo Tips

Hiring a professional photographer is always the best solution for taking event photos; however when budgets are modest, they move from being a necessity to being a luxury. When do-it-yourself photography is required, check out this helpful list of Top 10 Photo Tips from Kodak: http://classic.kodakgallery.com/fullpages/photo_tips/top-10-photo-tips.html.

Anyone can book transportation, right?

Anyone can pick up the phone, call a transportation provider and secure a motor coach or sedan; however going through a Destination Management Company (DMC) is an added layer of needed security. As an industry-leading DMC, Premium Event Services has relationships with all of the major transportation companies. We also maintain a comprehensive database on all of the companies. Who has the newest equipment? Who has the oldest? Who regularly washes their vehicles and who doesn't? Most important, we maintain a list of preferred drivers with every company. When we book transportation on behalf of clients, we always request one of our preferred drivers. Your event is too important to take a chance with the new driver who just moved here from out-of-state and doesn't know his or her way around all that well yet.

Congratulations Detroit

In the recent August 2009 edition of MPI One+ Magazine (Page 29), Detroit was named "7th Best Destination" (amond 132 international cities) for business travel. Surprised? Don't be! The rankings are based on cost considerations as well as stability, infrastructure, culture and health care by economist.com.

(http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/0c586327#/0c586327/1)

Event Cast Study: "It's A Jungle Out There"

PES produced a very successful event earlier this week; the theme: "It's a Jungle Out There!" This event theme is our current fave and perhaps the single best for both corporate and non-profit clients in 2009. It's no secret, the economy stinks! Roll up your sleeves, loosen your tie and make the most of it. Show your guests that despite the economy you are continuing to strive for the best.

Deep green and amber up-lighting was used to help set the mood. Four large outback bars were used as a focal point in the center of the room, complete with real hanging bananas. Lounge seating was adorned with animal print throw blankets and pillows. Most of our linens and chair covers were done in spandex animal print. Real tropical plants were brought in to fill the space. Food stations were complimented with wild animals and props. The catering team even wore white short-sleeve shirts, no ties and safari hats - they looked great! The event was a huge hit!

It's a Fine Line

It’s no secret that our economy is currently facing challenges of epic proportion. This translates directly into less charitable and corporate giving. The work that non-profits and charities do is necessary in good times and bad; however many would argue that in bad times their work is even more important. Serious illnesses like cancer don’t take a sabbatical when unemployment is high or when banks fail.

I’m of the opinion that one of the worst decisions that a non-profit can make is to cancel a fundraiser. Both people and companies whom would have sponsored the event will likely give elsewhere (albeit the giving might be less than in previous years) and getting those sponsors back in future years after new relationships are made can be daunting. Instead the non-profit or charity should set realistic fundraising expectations and take the opportunity to reinvent their event. While soliciting donations and sponsorships is tougher than ever, believe it or not, there is still money out there.

Being a planner, when I attend an event as a guest I have the blessing and curse to pick apart every detail of an event. When I attend lavish galas, the planner inside me often says: “Wow, what a waste, my ticket barely paid for the centerpiece at my table!” It’s a fine line, because people who pay good money to attend fundraisers are entitled to a nice event and a good time, but the underlying charity should not be exploited in the process. Lavish décor in tough times sends the wrong message so this is where the reinvention comes in. One suggestion is to scale back the frou-frou and embrace to current economy with doing “It’s a Jungle Out There” as your theme. This affirms the obvious and shows your donors that you stand tall in the face of adversity; however regardless of your theme it is absolutely essential to continue fundraising, proceed with scheduled events and send the right message to your donors. Everyone wins!

PES Featured in National Publication - Meeting News

Premium Event Services was recently featured in the June 22, 2009 issue of Meeting News. The national publication wrote about the positive impact of a recent "Challenge for Charity" program that we produced for a pharmaceutical client. The return on investment is tremendous when your meeting can also benefit a local charity.

(The Page 16 article can be found here: http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/mn_20090622/index.php?startid=16#/34)

For additional information and industry news, please visit www.meetingnews.com.

Growing Trend - The Slow Food Movement

One of my favorite places on earth is The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan (http://thehenryford.org/). Called “America’s Greatest History Attraction”, the Henry Ford is about as Americana as it gets. The highlight of my last visit was a Slow Food Dinner at The Eagle Tavern, which is on the campus of Greenfield Village. As much as Henry Ford was a pioneer in the automotive industry, The Henry Ford, led by Executive Chef Nick Seccia, are local pioneers within the Slow Food Movement.

For those who are unfamiliar with Slow Food, by definition it is a global grassroots movement that links the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment. Perhaps one of the most significant benefits of Slow Food is the commitment to use local producers and advocate for farmers and artisans who grow, produce, market, prepare and serve local foods. (http://slowfoodusa.org/)

Our dinner was amazing! Virtually the entire menu was locally grown and locally sourced. I love the concept that local farmers meet with chefs and grow crops specifically to meet their culinary needs. The slow food movement is gaining momentum. I’m a fan.

DMCP-Certified

Michelle Yurcak on behalf of Premium Event Services recently achieved the highest professional achievement in the destination management industry - DMCP Certification!

Premium Event Services is now the first DMC in the entire State of Michigan and one of only a handful in Arizona to have DMCP-certified staff. The DMCP designation (Destination Management Certified Professional) is awarded by the Association of Destination Management Executives (www.adme.org).

ADME is the pre-eminent organization for Destination Management Executives, and their mission is to increase the professionalism and effectiveness of destination management through member and industry education, establishment of standard ethical practices and raise the level of awareness of the value of destination management to the respective association, corporate and general public.

Get In The Game!

Now that the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament is underway, the Final Four (which will be played in Detroit on April 4th & 6th) is just around the corner. The Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau has launched an online resource that visitors should find very helpful: http://www.visitdetroit.com/index.php/get-in-the-game.

This website is loaded with valuable information for guests pertaining to tickets, parking, maps, tours, attractions, lodging, transportation, and much more.

March Venue Madness

With the start of March Madness just around the corner, it's definitely not too soon for corporate sponsors or prospective schools who expect their team to be playing in Detroit for the NCAA's Final Four Tournament starting on April 4, 2009 to start looking for venues. Sure, all of the hoops will be played at Ford Field in Detroit, but many activities and events will take place elsewhere.

While the NCAA has sleeping rooms blocked throughout the Metropolitan Detroit area, plenty of venues with meeting space available to host private events still remain. Over the past several weeks, PES has been actively searching throughout the region for venues that meet the specific needs of our clients. We have looked at many traditional hotels as well as many unconventional venues to host events and have determined that there are a number of great locations still available.

If you are planning to be in Detroit for the Final Four, take the madness out of your venue search and give PES a call. In addition, we can also help with all of your other destination management needs.

Furniture - Functional Decor

Rental furniture is not a new concept in the event industry, but how it is used is emerging as a great alternative to traditional decor enhancements. Clients usually rent furniture to provide a solution for seating or to incorporate into a room's design to manage flow; however proper furniture selections can add more than just these functions. When done right, furniture can double as a decor enhancement. Did you know that a full seating arrangement rents for nearly the same price as a room backdrop? Accents such as pillows, area rugs, candles, lamps and even lighted tables can change a simple setting to something more dynamic. Arrangements can also be used to designate VIP sections or to serve as a focal point within a space.

In addition, unique designs in bar stools have made them easier to include at tall cocktail rounds. Slim, backless chairs do not take up more space than an individual standing at a tall table. Therefore, something as simple as just adding tall chairs or barstools can be a great addition to a cocktail reception that can add some pizzazz and make the room feel like an upscale nightclub versus a standard ballroom.

What's Your Association?

With so many different industry associations and affiliations, how do you decide which ones to join? What are the benefits of joining ISES (International Special Events Society - http://www.ises.com/) or ADME (Association of Destination Management Executives - http://www.adme.org/) or any one of the many other noteworthy organizations in our industry? How do you choose to join one over another?

There is probably a different answer for everyone but as an industry professional, membership in an established association affords many opportunities including: networking, educational enrichment, certifications, staying current on industry trends, increasing your visibility and also establishing credibility. It also allows one to present their work for consideration of awards and to receive recognition from peers.

While it can become costly to become a member of multiple organizations, there is sure to be at least one that is compatible with your goals and objectives. Take advantage of the monthly meetings, offer to present a topic you are passionate about and be open to meeting new people. And lastly, be inspired by your colleagues.

Click here to view a full list of our affiliations & associations: http://premiumeventservices.com/whoweare.html