Top 5 Essentials for Long Flights

For my road warriors; this one is for you! 

As an event planner I am constantly traveling across the United States and the globe as a matter of thought and for those long flights (LA, Hawaii, Canada, Madrid) there are just some things that you will need to have in your arsenal to make your flight comfortable and enjoyable.

Surviving long hours of travel requires a few aides.  Like the ones listed below.  (Alcohol & Valium not listed – nor recommended, if you can avoid them!)

1. Noise-canceling headphones drown out crying babies & loud passengers.  These also can be charged via USB, have tangle-resistant cords, and come with their own carrying case.
2. A luxurious travel blanket that gives your economy seat a touch of first class.  Tip – do not use the airline-provided blankets unless it comes packaged in plastic. They are the germ magnets and will put a dent in your trip very quickly.
3. Kindle - perfect when the movie selections are less than stellar. 
4. A portable charger; my personal preference is the Energizer® XP4000; It was my lifesaver in Madrid. To be honest, it should be a permanent fixture in every work bag and purse.
5. Snacks; airplane food is well blah, bringing snacks are essential especially if your have food allergies or need to eat a specified times.  Tip – Eat a hearty meal either before you get to the airport or after; and purchase a bottle of water after you clear the security check point.  No caffeine or alcohol while traveling.  In-flight hangovers are drastically worse than those on the ground.

So what item must YOU take with you on a long flight? Share below.

Mobile Event Apps are here to Stay!!

Mobile apps are not simply attractive tools to make a meeting or conference seem forward-thinking, but are real value enhancers that attendees are becoming more accustomed to using because they are using apps in their daily lives. So when you are considering whether or not an app is the right fit for you, don't be afraid to think outside of the industry for examples and confirmation of their benefit.

How many apps do you have loaded on your phone? How do they make your life easier and what features do you see in consumer apps that might translate to an event app?

Mobile technology allows event organizers not only to push information out to attendees, but also to listen to attendees to help them craft their programs on the front end, as well as make adjustments during the event to provide more value.

If you are still wondering about how to use mobile event apps for your event;  here are a few tips from Active Network’s  case study 20 Ways to Use a Mobile App for Events: Before, During & After ~ to help you to started:

Using mobile event apps before your event:

1. Encourage attendees to view session and speaker information online.
2. Promote the mobile event app often and early to encourage downloads and access.

Read more

And during the event:

1. Easily provide information in the palm of their hand – sessions, speakers, maps, personalized schedules, etc.
2. Push real-time updates and announcements, e.g. changes in schedule, news, bus schedules, etc.

Read more

Then after the event:

1. Post presentations, Q&A transcripts and other content from sessions.
2. Load ad more video snippets from sessions – or “behind the scenes” speaker interviews.

Read more

To get more information on how mobile apps can work for your event; go to ACTIVE Network Business Solutions’ website, today and download the entire Mobile Playbook for free.

Juanita E. Gaynor

http://i-meet.com/jegaynor

President  & CEO

Ellegant Affairs by Juanita http://www.ellegantaffairs.com

Smartphones for $200…Alex!!

Wondering how you can begin the process of incorporating mobile event app for your next event? Active Networks Mobile Playbook guide is a great resource to get you started on the right path.

I’m guilty, I can’t live without my cellphone!! I have driving all the way back home for a forgotten cell phone. You can have everything else just leave my cellphone and all will be well with the universe. As a planner my primary focus is to help my clients to create and valuable and lasting experience and my mobile is critical in helping with that.

It made me aware of how much we have come to rely on mobile technology. It’s convenient and you can have everything that you need in the palm of your hand.  Just a few days ago; I went to a venue’s open house and I did not have a clue on how to get there, I just pulled up my calendar on my phone, pulled up the address and plugged it into navigation and I was on my way. The open house was a success and it fit the needs of my client well; so from my cell phone I was able to send all the information to my client while traveling to another meeting and approving invoices.

With so many people relying on mobile technology and the increased offerings that are available, it is not a surprise that an increasing number of meeting planners are developing mobile applications for their events. 

If you are still wondering about how mobile event apps can benefit your event, here are 10 key benefits of mobile apps from Active Network to help you to started:

1. Engagement. Increases engagement for attendees with the event and each other.
2. Experience. Enriches the overall experience for attendees.
3. Reports. Increases session evaluations and event survey return rates.
4. Communication. Improves communication and interaction with attendees.
5. Results. Attendees see tangible outputs from attending – content, contacts, etc.
6. Cost Savings. Reduced cost from eliminating or minimizing event guide printing.
7. Green. Environmentally friendly content delivery.
8. Real Time Updates. Allows for real-time updates to schedules, exhibitor listings, etc.
9. Immediate Action. Real-time reporting for onsite corrections/post-event decisions.
10. Continued Engagement. Persistent engagement with attendees year-round.

To get more information on how mobile apps can work for your event; go to ACTIVE Network Business Solutions’ website, today and download the entire Mobile Playbook for free.

Juanita E. Gaynor

http://i-meet.com/jegaynor

President  & CEO

Ellegant Affairs by Juanita http://www.ellegantaffairs.com

           

eRFP to the Rescue ~ Hotel & Venue Sourcing made Easy

eRFP, what is that??? If you have been in the meeting and event planning industry for longer than 10 years, you remember how we used to source and track RFP’s when we were looking to set up an event. Are you still using Email and Excel spreadsheets to send and managing your event RFP’s? Well if you are it’s time to move into the new way to search and source your venues.

eRFP to the Rescue!!! ACTIVE Network and i-Meet conducted a survey of event planners to get a feel on the frustrations that your fellow planners have when trying to set up an event; and the results have been complied and published in an article titled “What RFP’s Mean to SMBs: Turning Headaches into Solutions for Planners”.

As a planner like to handle all the aspects of setting up and managing an event for my client, but the having to work through various tools, is complicated, time consuming and draining. So your question is “Does such a tool exist?” Why yes it does; Active Regonline’s has completely overhauled and redesigned their software adding a robust and expansive Hotel & Venue search feature to it; now you can search, review and source a venue in one location without having to leave the event portal. Active RegOnline has created a datasheet on Hotel & Venue Sourcing; it’s a quick cheat sheet on how you can use the feature.

The Hotel & Venue Sourcing tools offers the following:

• A single location to source and track your eRFP’s
• An easy to use eRFP Wizard
• Access to ACTIVE Network’s Global network that includes expansive hotel & venue locations in more than 200 countries.
• Free specialist support for planners who want and/or need assistance during the planning process

Want to see what all the talk is about; visit ACTIVE RegOnline and try it out for yourself for free! This web-based application has no set up costs, no software to install, and no contracts to sign. With RegOnline your event will be up and running in no-time!

RegOnline offers best-in-class Online Event Registration Software and Event Management Software. Turn your next conference, meeting or trade show into a huge success. Event management software includes online registration forms, event websites, badges, event marketing, credit card processing and so much more.



Juanita E. Gaynor (http://i-meet.com/jegaynor)

President & CEO

Ellegant Affairs by Juanita (http://www.ellegantaffairs.com)



i-Meet.com is the worldwide business community for people who plan meetings and events. With over 111,000 members in 175 countries, i-Meet brings professional networking, online marketing, and social tools to create awareness and a voice for the industry.

I’ve Been There is a travel history and sharing application for planners and enthusiasts.

Active Network, The New ACTIVE RegOnlineTM is Here!

Innovation In Motion ~ The new and enhanced features of ACTIVE RegOnline

In July of 2013 at the Meeting Professionals International’s World Education Congress (WEC) in Las Vegas ACTIVE Network introduce the new and revised version of ACTIVE RegOnline. Even though I saw the press release and heard about it I did not immediately look into, due to past experiences with the product.

A few weeks ago I was given access to the newly revised RegOnline Event Management Software and I have fallen completely in love with the new interface. If you like me I know what you are thinking, “I have used this before and was an epic fail for me”. Well, I had the same mindset so when I was asked to look it over, I had my reservations, but you will definitely want to look at this tool from a fresh perspective.

ACTIVE RegOnline has completely overhauled and redesigned their product, and I absolutely love it! The dashboard screen has been simplified. The functions are streamlined and centralized in a single location and if you have used the software previously, you will notice dramatic changes, also they have added a hotel and venue search feature. The changes make the application user friendly, effective and efficient. Below are the features that I am most excited about:

• Dashboard: with one click you can get the details your event. It gives you the number of registrants, event statistics, revenue, and a variety of ways to promote your event in one location. 
• Social Function: allows attendees to promote the event to their connections through Facebook, Twitter and/or LinkedIn. 
• Hotel and Venue Search: (NEW FEATURE). Documents can be uploaded before sending RFP to hotels. Searches can be refined by meeting requirements, “must have” amenities, star rating or vendor type. Other tools are so complicated and with the functionality in embedded within the software I would use to register attendees and promote the event is priceless. It not only saves me time and money but it says my clients as well. 
• The Analyzing Tool: (The accountant in me LOVES this feature) With a few mouse clicks it give you all the information you will need for you to effectively manage and track your event; attendees report, financial reports, rooming list, lodging and travel selections. 
• eRFP: A wizard that makes it easy to create and submit RFPs 
• Customer Support: Free specialist support for planners who want and/or need assistance during the planning process 

I am enjoying this process and I look forward to sharing my journey with the new ACTIVE RegOnline. Over the next few months I will give you reviews and insights on the product so that you too can experience the new way to plan & promote your next event.


Juanita E. Gaynor (http://i-meet.com/jegaynor)
President & CEO
Ellegant Affairs by Juanita (http://www.ellegantaffairs.com)


i-Meet.com is the worldwide business community for people who plan meetings and events. With over 111,000 members in 175 countries, i-Meet brings professional networking, online marketing, and social tools to create awareness and a voice for the industry.

I’ve Been There is a travel history and sharing application for planners and enthusiasts.

Active Network, The New ACTIVE RegOnlineTM is Here!