Expert Advice

Experts share tips for getting the word out about your gala, festival or conference. 

Several years ago, determined to confront my fear of public speaking, I entered a local Moth competition. The Moth shows are held throughout the country and presented nationally on The Moth Radio Hour on more than 450 stations. The local events require you to tell a story based on a theme in five minutes with absolutely no notes. 

“I think one frequently overlooked item is shade. Whether that means sunshades, umbrellas or tents, you can’t underestimate the need for protection from the sun. People often get so excited for the spring/summer season in the Pacific Northwest that they can overlook how hot it gets in direct sunlight. On those extra-steamy days, it even can be necessary to place a couple of misters here and there for extra relief.  

Whether you're designing a request for proposal (RFP) to send to possible vendors or answering one from a potential client, the process can be daunting. So Northwest Meetings + Events asked a vendor and a planner for tips on making sure the proposal is clear, concise and, most importantly, effective.

Designing a Request for Proposal

A well-executed familiarization (FAM) trip—just like a well-planned event—belies the months of strategizing, behind-the-scenes coordination and, quite frankly, sheer fortitude that goes into its planning. But behind every flawlessly timed afternoon of venue tours or masterfully planned zip-lining adventure is a convention and visitors bureau (CVB) staff whose 24/7 smiles mask the around-the-clock effort it takes to pull it all off.

We asked representatives from two regional CVBs to share their secrets to planning a successful and productive fam trip.

Social media has drastically changed since I was in college. Thanks to Instagram, Twitter and FB, the hashtag symbol is becoming a larger topic when it comes to following, reporting and engaging with companies, friends or events. I personally love following the buzz during events that I cannot attend via hashtags. Savvy event planners can use hashtags to help our industry and business grow.

SWAG: We all get it (hence the acronym: stuff we all get). But do we really want all of the “it” that we get? We asked event planners and hospitality insiders to share with us their best and worst SWAG items—what they keep on hand and what gets tossed in the bin.

Best: Items that are useful, such as power banks, TSA liquids bags and thumb drives.
Worst: Toys/trinkets that end up in the waste; candy and snacks. (Don’t we get enough at the show?)

Congratulations! You’ve landed a coveted industry award. You’re at the top of your game. Besides hanging your award on the wall or placing it in a place of prominence, what can you do to celebrate your achievement and use it to support marketing and recruitment efforts?

Here are five tips to extend the life of your industry recognition and gain more publicity. 

Add a Press Release for Your SEO