Meeting News - February 25, 2008 - (Page 31)

Taking audiovisual preparation to heart I ’m certainly no tech guru—I occasionally fail to scrutinize the technical elements of my programs during the planning process. So when I am on site and experience audiovisual hiccups, I’m left wishing I had a better tech education. Minutes before the opening presentation at a Successful Meetings University event last year, the audiovisual tech hadn’t arrived. I checked with the conference services manager for additional backup, but was told there was no one else in the building that could assist. Although the equipment was set up from the night before, I had no idea what buttons to push to get everything up and running. I was frantic. At that moment, I realized I needed a solid AV primer—so that if I were ever caught in this situation again, I would be prepared. Bill Kubiak, director of national accounts for Swank Audio Visuals, will offer much-needed insight into this matter at the Successful Meetings University – California event in April. Kubiak’s session, entitled “Technically Speaking: Talking the Tech Talk,” will give attending planners the tools they need to ensure that the creative elements of their programs work seamlessly with the audiovisual components. In the meantime, Kubiak offers several tech tips that no planner should be without: q If you weren’t happy with the audiovisual supplier you had at the last meeting, don’t use its specs for your next program. Put together your team and build the program around your new goals. q Watch out for penalty clauses in hotel contracts regarding AV. Some hotels will charge fees if you bring in an outside vendor. Also, make sure you know if there are fees for security, electricity, sound system patches, dock access, rigging, etc. Know what you are committing to, and do your negotiating before you sign. q Talk to your technical consultant before signing a contract with big-name entertainment or celebrities. The fee for the talent is only one piece of the equation. The rider (technical specifications, hospitality requirements, travel arrangements, etc.) is the other half and can cost as much or more than the entertainment. q Don’t skip the rehearsal! The ultimate goal of the technical crew is to produce an error-free program. To accomplish this, the crew needs to know what to expect along with the presenter(s) and/or talent. Join me… Successful Meetings University – California Date: April 14-16, 2008 Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa Exhibitors AT&T Park • Carmel Valley Ranch • CCM&E Destination Services • Costa Mesa CVB • Culinary Center of Monterey • Hard Rock Hotel San Diego • Hilton Anaheim • Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City • Hilton San Diego • Hilton San Francisco • Hotel Nikko San Francisco • Hyatt Regency Century Plaza • Hyatt Regency Monterey • InterContinental San Francisco • The Island Hotel Newport Beach • La Quinta Resort & Club • Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority • The Lodge at Torrey Pines • Loews Coronado Bay Resort & Spa • Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel • Long Beach CVB • Manchester Grand Hyatt • Monterey Bay Aquarium • Monterey Conference Center • Monterey County CVB • Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa • Oakland CVB • Pasadena CVB • PRA Destination Management • San Diego CVB • San Jose CVB • San Mateo County CVB • South San Francisco Conference Center • The Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa Make sure the rehearsal is included in the production schedule. q More and more people are getting “tech savvy”; they have surround-sound systems, largescreen TVs, DVRs, etc., in their homes. Concerts, live theater, and television programs all use sophisticated video systems, intelPlanner Emily Lewis ligent lighting, and special effects as part of the content. The use of this technology sets the bar higher. To keep your audience engaged, you may need to utilize more than just a simple screen, projector, and PowerPoint presentation. r —Emily Lewis Emily Lewis plans meetings for meeting planners—no easy task! She is the conference manager for MeetingNews and sister magazine Successful Meetings, organizing multiple Successful Meetings University events across the country each year. Host Update: Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa The Successful Meetings University – California event will be held on the water’s edge at the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, April 14-16, 2008. With more than 17,000 sf of meeting and banquet space perched over Monterey Bay, meetings can’t get any closer to the waves. A recent $3-million renovation provides wireless connectivity and state-ofthe-art conference facilities. Centrally located on Cannery Row, the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa is within walking distance of the Monterey Bay Aquarium and historic Old Monterey, and only minutes from Carmel, Pebble Beach, and world-class golf. Visit our Successful Meetings University Website, www.MeetingNews.com/SMU, for the latest information about these programs, and feel free to e-mail any questions about the events to emily.lewis@nielsen.com. We’re expecting to hear from you! www.meetingnews.com February 25, 2008 MeetingNews 31 http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/events/marketplace.jsp http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/events/marketplace.jsp http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/events/marketplace.jsp http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/events/marketplace.jsp http://www.MeetingNews.com/SMU http://www.meetingnews.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Meeting News - February 25, 2008

Meeting News - February 25, 2008
Contents
What’s Up @ MeetingNews.com
Convention Centers
Technology
MN Webcast Report
Successful Meetings University
People Making News
New NBTA Trustees Leader & Ad Index
Live from the Forum

Meeting News - February 25, 2008