Business meeting & event planning / Susan Friedmann.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Friedmann, Susan, author.

Series:

--For dummies.

For dummies

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Business meetings--Planning.

Business meetings.

Special events--Planning.

Special events.

Meetings--Planning.

Meetings.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (355 pages)

Edition:

2nd ed.

Place of Publication:

Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons, Inc., [2023]

Summary:

Hold productive meetings and events with help from Dummies. It's a whole new world out there. With so many companies, big and small, electing to move to virtual or hybrid operating models, meetings have arguably become more important than ever as the primary way teams communicate day-to-day. But how do you maximize engagement when a screen sits between you and your coworkers? In Business Meeting & Event Planning For Dummies, expert author Susan Friedmann shares her tips and insider tricks for navigating virtual and hybrid gatherings without missing a beat. Armed with top-notch guidance and insider tips from Dummies, you'll be able to streamline meetings to maximize efficiency and save money - on or offline. Create effective and exciting business events and presentations. Keep on time and on budget, maintain group engagement, and use social media to your advantage. Discover best practices, proven tips, and technical advice. If you're a professional who wants to make the most of business meetings, this is the Dummies guide for you. It's also a valuable resource for anyone who needs to plan a large-scale event (seminar, convention, etc.).

Contents:

Intro

Title Page

Copyright Page

Table of Contents

Introduction

About This Book

Foolish Assumptions

Icons Used in This Book

Beyond the Book

Where to Go from Here

Part 1 Been to Any Good Meetings or Events Lately?

Chapter 1 Gearing Up for Meetings and Events

Being Wise About Holding Meetings

Choosing to hold a meeting or event

Breaking the meeting habit

Focusing on Your Purpose

Figuring Out Who Should Be Involved

Keeping your meetings lean and mean

Identifying your event audience

Knowing How Long a Meeting or Event Should Last

Finding the Right Setting

Getting Help When You Can

Chapter 2 Strictly Business: Defining Meetings

Holding Shareholders Meetings

Inviting the shareholders

Sending out meeting announcements

Understanding the order of business

Gathering the Board of Directors

Getting Away: Corporate Retreats

Setting Up Successful Sales Meetings

Prepping Quickly: Impromptu Meetings

Chapter 3 The ABCs of Meeting Preparation

Identifying the Purpose

Planning the Agenda

Inviting Attendees

Discovering the right number

Fitting into busy schedules

Assessing Your Needs

Meeting location

On-site meeting space

Local off-site meeting space

Out-of-town on-site meeting space

Out-of-town off-site meeting space

Transportation

Specific material and equipment needs

Refreshments

Assisting Guests with Special Needs

Accommodating deaf &amp

hard-of-hearing participants

Accommodating visually-impaired participants

Accommodating mobility-impaired participants

Setting the Scene

Seating

Heating and cooling

Room noise and other distractions

Lighting

Essential details

Chapter 4 Mixing Business with Pleasure: Events

Heading to a Destination Event

Connecting with the Media

Before the event.

During the event

After the event

Honoring Employees

Launching a Product

Define your launch strategy and objectives

Decide on a date and location

Develop a budget

Put together your "dream team"

Verify the guest list

Formulate the creative ideas

Make decisions about outside vendors/suppliers

Plan the program

Go over program details with participants

Double-check the details

Direct the event

Critique the results

Chapter 5 Bringing an Event to Life

Deciding When to Stage Your Event

Choosing Your Venue

Mapping out a location

Outdoor events

Indoor events

Looking at some venue options

Hotels

Conference centers

Convention centers

Resorts

Retreat centers

Cruise ships

Unique environments

Visiting venue possibilities

Scripting the Event

Analyzing Your Audience

Creating the Atmosphere

Planning the entertainment and decorations

Choosing foods and beverages

Creating a Memorable Theme

Selecting a theme that fits

Integrating a theme into your event

Entertaining the Groups

Choosing appropriate entertainment

Hiring the talent

Part 2 It's All Show Business

Chapter 6 Get Me to the Meeting on Time

Up, Up, and Away: Air Travel Made Easy

Understanding ticket classes

Booking airline tickets

Buying tickets online

Using a travel agent

Organizing Ground Transportation

Airport shuttles

Chauffeured vehicles

Rental cars

Working with a Travel Agent

Timing It Right

Considering the time-of-week demand

Reviewing the time-of-year demand

Chapter 7 Food for Thought

Considering Food and Beverage Concerns

Fitting food into your meeting purpose

Keeping your budget in mind

Looking over your venue

Understanding your audience

Timing it right

Exploring Eating Options

Breakfast

Brunch.

Refreshment breaks

Lunch

Dinner

Receptions

Parties

Banquets

Serving Drinks at Your Event

Working with the Catering Manager

Getting It All in Writing

Guaranteeing guests

Setting up the room

Chapter 8 Selecting Great Speakers

Understanding Types of Presentation

Selecting Good Speakers

Know the program objectives

Understand audience needs

Check for reputation

See a demo

Watch out for celebrity speakers

Be wary of grandiose claims

Provide and ask for good information

Ask for an outline, handouts, and promotional material

Maximize opportunities

Trust your instincts

Using Help to Find a Speaker

Understanding Fees

Confirming Arrangements in Writing

Chapter 9 It's the Extras That Count

Helping Guests Get a Good Meal

Showing Off the Location to Your Guests

Putting Sports and Exercise on the Menu

Welcoming Spouses and Partners

Chapter 10 Lights, Camera, Action!

Taking Control of Your Environment

Setting up the meeting room

Planning your seating arrangement

Setting up a stage

Handling Your Audiovisual Needs

Microphones

Projection screens

Projectors

Exploring Special Presentation Situations

Team presentations

Knowing when to team up

Understanding the planner's role in team presentations

Presentations read from a script

Q &amp

A sessions

Part 3 No Guts, No Story

Chapter 11 Nuts and Bolts: Negotiating, Contracting, and Ensuring Safety

Finding the Best Supplier with RFPs

Determining who gets the RFP

Writing an RFP

Background information

Areas for which you want pricing

Special perks to ask for

Request for references

Negotiating the Deal

Narrowing the list

Playing the negotiating game

Knowing which areas to negotiate

Requesting perks from hotels

Signing on the Dotted Line.

Creating a Safe and Secure Event

Liability and Insurance Issues

Chapter 12 Working with Vendors

Teaming Up

Searching for vendors

Conducting interviews

Checking references

Making the relationship work

Working with Specific Types of Vendors

Caterers

Florists

Destination management companies

Selecting promotional items

Ground transportation providers

Audiovisual companies

Chapter 13 Drinking Champagne on a Beer Budget

Preparing a Budget

What on earth do I include in the budget?

Categorizing your budget

Keeping costs under control

Looking for help?

Making Money

Cost-Cutting Tips for the Savvy Planner

Locating a cost-effective meeting site

Getting the details in writing

Keeping program expenses to a minimum

Traveling cheap

Feeding the masses on a budget

Serving alcohol without breaking the bank

Part 4 Building Bridges with Technology

Chapter 14 Making Meeting Technology Work for You

Why Go Virtual?

Exploring What's Available

Conference calling

Video conferencing

Online conferencing

Other cool stuff

Audience response systems

Electronic whiteboards

Laser pointers

Selecting the Right Meeting Alternative

Chapter 15 This Phone's for You: Conference Calling

Exploring Service Options

Dial-in

Dial-out

Operator-assisted

Lecture/broadcast

Question-and-answer

Subconferencing

Polling

Secured line

Recording/rebroadcast

Tips for a Successful Conference Call

Preparing for the call

Running the meeting

Soliciting feedback

Minding Your Manners: Conference Calling Etiquette

Chapter 16 Holding Meetings Online

The Pros and Cons of Meeting Online

Considering the positives

Weighing the negatives

Determining Your Needs

Choosing the Right Format.

Staging a Successful Videoconference

Early planning

Final preparations

Springing into Action

Creating your presentation

Staying out of trouble

Connecting with speed

Preparing the room

Monitors

Lights

Communicating with participants

Working with the camera

Using the microphone

Planning for disaster

Special Considerations for Webinars

Running Hybrid Meetings

Chapter 17 Expanding Your Reach with Virtual Events

Understanding Virtual Events

Types of Virtual Events

Video calls

Video conferences

Webinar/online conferences

Hybrid conferences

Doing it Yourself or Getting it Done for You

Making Your Event Run Well

Understanding the features of virtual event platforms

Fine-tuning the details

Enjoying the benefits

Part 5 Exhibiting at Trade Shows

Chapter 18 Planning for Gold: Exhibiting 101

Planning a Successful Exhibit

Choosing the right show

Having a proper exhibit marketing plan

Where do trade shows fit into your marketing strategy?

Why is your company exhibiting?

What does your company want to exhibit?

Who is your target market?

What is your exhibiting budget?

Reading the exhibition bible

Determining your space and display needs

Figuring out your space requirements

Choosing the location of your space

Considering your display options

Concerning yourself with details

Promoting Your Exhibit

Defining your promotional plan

Creating a memorable message

Choosing your promotional tools carefully

Personal invitations

Telemarketing

Direct mail

Advertising

Public relations

Sponsorship

The internet

Using giveaways effectively

Selecting marketing collateral

Chapter 19 Strutting Your Stuff: Exhibiting 201

Counting on People for Exhibit Success

Selecting the right team.

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

Includes index.

Other Format:

Print version: Friedmann, Susan Business Meeting and Event Planning for Dummies

ISBN:

9781119982821

1119982820

OCLC:

1370944434