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BLOGS

Checking In? Check out TopGuest

The advent of the virtual social media "check-in" has had meeting planners--along with the whole of the hospitality industry--scratching their heads to figure out how to best utilize the technology to better interact with guests and clients. >>

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A New Holiday Spirit: Saint Wenceslaus Punch

In my last blog, I asked whether planners thought the industry was on the up-and-up, and for the most part, I think everyone was pretty positive. And that's great--because we're feeling pretty good about things, too.

Of course, that's no reason for any of us to sit back on our heels. But if you were going to take some respite--and let's face it, at this time of year, you probably need it--I would have to recommend doing so with a glass of Saint Wenceslaus Punch. >>

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People Make the Place

There are many things that make a meeting or event memorable. The food, the entertainment, what you learn, where you stay. But as planners and attendees know very well, one thing in particular really distinguishes the overall experience: the people.

So while much was memorable about my first trip to Las Vegas last week, I wanted to write about the people first.

No, not the woman who got into an altercation on the plane with the flight attendant and was greeted by the Las Vegas Police Department upon landing, although that was memorable. >>

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Hello Everyone!

I wanted to use this first blog to introduce myself and invite you to contact me to tell me a bit about yourself as well.

My name is Alison Stanton and I'm the new editor for the Meetings Arizona. Up until now, the magazine has been called Southwest Meetings and Events. >>

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Create a 'Succulent' Event

Succulent

Right now the meetings and events industry is all about going green. Hotels are remodeling with sustainable wood, new venues are popping up with energy efficient lighting and vendors are carrying eco-friendly bamboo dinnerware. Everyone is getting into the act. >>

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Let's Poll Everywhere

Now that election season is over, it's probably safe to say you don't want to hear the word "poll" ever again--at least, not until next year. But a new product called Poll Everywhere, which allows real-time audience updates during events using cell phones, just might have you whistling a different tune.

Have you heard of this? Apparently attendees can answer questions posed by keynote speakers or planners, by texting, using Twitter or hopping on the web from their mobile devices. Not bad, huh? >>

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So You're Facing a Bankruptcy Bummer

Working on the article about boutique hotels in Nevada for our last e-newsletter, I discovered one of the properties I wanted to include was in bankruptcy. The hotel was still open and doing business, but I certainly didn’t feel comfortable promoting it to our readers.

The economy has affected properties of all sizes; the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas and the Ritz-Carlton Lake Las Vegas in Henderson both filed for bankruptcy earlier this year (the Ritz-Carlton is slated to reopen under the Dolce Hotel brand). >>

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We're Loving The Food Substitutions Bible

When it comes to events, Murphy's Law often goes into effect: anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.

Picture this: You're catering off-site and realize the biscuits for the continental breakfast have been left back at the kitchen. No problem. You'll just whip up another batch ... only ... you're fresh out of buttermilk.

Or your crème anglaise has curdled and there's no vanilla to be found.

What do you do? Shut down your kitchen and run to the store? Or get by with a substitution? >>

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