Meeting News - October 19, 2009 - (Page 18)

Event Profile Financial Co. Mtg. Attendees Break Ice, Co. Freezes Costs At Las Vegas Event At a time when many companies are facing meeting budget freezes, a financial planning company found a way to cut costs from an annual seminar and mixer by literally putting the event on ice. The group, usually about 20 guests, traditionally had hosted the events in private dining rooms at upscale steakhouses. This year, however, as part of an effort to cut costs and ensure spiked attendance, the company is moving the event to Minus 5, a venue in Mandalay Place in By Michael B. Baker mbaker@meetingnews.com Minus 5’s lodge offers attendees a post-ice warmup. Las Vegas that features an all-ice lounge. “They wanted something different and fun and had attended an event we had here before, so they thought of us,” said Heather Coldwell, Minus 5’s director of sales.“They’re a small group on a tight budget, so they had specific needs.” Minus 5 features about 2,000 square feet of space, including the ice lounge and a lodge area. With the lodge is capable of a maximum capacity of 150 guests, the company, which Coldwell did not identify, saved money by reserving just a section of the lodge for the event, she said. The section is private enough to avoid walkthrough traffic, but allowed the company to avoid room have pri“It’s greatintoLas Vegas, vacy, but some people want the excitement of having other people around. —Heather Coldwell, director of sales of Mandalay Place’s Minus 5 ” rental fees and minimums with the event. Most large groups prefer to rent out an entire venue, but a partial rental is often a tactic for smaller groups, Coldwell said. “It’s great to have privacy, but in Las Vegas, some people want to have that little bit of 18 MeetingNews October 19, 2009 www.meetingnews.com http://www.tajhotels.com/boston http://www.tajhotels.com/boston http://www.meetingnews.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Meeting News - October 19, 2009

Meeting News - October 19, 2009
Contents
Meeting Post
Meetings Spotlight
Event Profile
Construction Cites
Meeting People
Association Watch
VantagePoint
Gaming Destinations
Dateline: Florida
South Regional
Dateline: Guadalajara
Travel Dashboard

Meeting News - October 19, 2009