10 Things I liked at IMEX

IMEX has taken the MICE market in the US by storm, as year two saw massive increases in the hosted buyer program over last year, and the education was even more jam packed goodness, with MPI Smart Monday, Association Focus, PCMA's Planner meetings, campfires and more. I loved hearing more about meeting architecture from Maarten Van Neste, and being inspired to enhance creativity and take care of our teams with Jonathan Bradsaw, and more about why to blog with Jenise Fryatt, among others.  IMEX America schedule 

 

Of course, that is only a small part of it. Here are some of my highlights of attending IMEX this year.

1. Gerrit Heijkoop's shoes. Really. We first noticed them in the elevator, and it turned out he had posted his choices on Facebook, and his friends voted. They chose well. Conveniently they also coordinated well with Mr. Holland's outfit. A star of the show - for the great suit, the awesome hair and the general fun this very excellent branding and likeable character have given the whole country.
2. People, oh the people.  We came, we saw, we hugged, we met, we talked, we connected and we grew. None of us stay in this industry for the long hours and airport wi-fi; we stay because of the people we get to partner with to create measurable, engaging, memorable magic.
3. Inspiring visitors to the Vancouver booth to jump on our RockTheBike and blend up a batch of smoothies or margaritas. (Side note - we guaranteed so well we had close to no beverages wasted - we shared and drank them all!)
4. The excellent interviews captured by Kiki L'Italien with some amazing people who are dedicated in a variety of ways to our evolving industry - Take the time to watch these - there are more but we talked to people ranging from QuickMobile to Meetology, DMCs to hotels, and platforms from Twoppy to SocialTables and many other experienced industry leaders - worth the time! We all enjoyed spending time with this smart and engaged lady who is always up for a challenge! 
5. The sustainability hub the Green Meetings Industry Council hosted - their ongoing rotation of out-of-the-box suppliers was exceptionally interesting - and darn it, that is a really nice group of people who truly care! 
6. Meeting @eventagist Stefania, @gheijkoop @djstomp @danberger ("Call me Don") among others IRL - it is always a blast to meet people you know through shared online conversation
7. Smart and creative ISES leaders - Brian, Lenny Talarico, Laura and more - people who continue to remind us that it is always about the stories we tell through live events
8. AVMan - the superhero representing AV For Planners - led my Mike McAllen and Jon Trask who have a plan to support planners in making decisions as they navigate the often confusing world of ever changing AV
9. Hugging friends and fans of our beautiful city and seeing all our booth partners doing the same thing - we really are the friendly, fun West Coast CANADIANS!
10. "Surprise!" and seeing the look on the face of our special friend celebrating a milestone - such a special idea to bring together friends from three continents to celebrate on the last evening!

I love the business conducted at IMEX, the learning, the connecting and the passion we all share for creating programs, conferences, events and meetings that matter.

 

It is fantastic seeing all the ideas we had to create a space that would engage visitors for three days, and I cannot wait to go back next year and do it again!

Blogalong with Eventwist - Vancouver, New York, and Yes Las Vegas

This week I had the distinct pleasure of being part of the new VANCOUVER booth at AIBTM in Baltimore. OK, reality check, I was administering this booth - making sure all the partners had what they needed for uniforms, swag, support etc. etc. Now, there is a reason I am the Creative Director at Cantrav. and not the administrator of much! So I dug in and got it done and I think I can safely say this was a roaring success - great sales team on the floor, great quality of hosted buyers who were committed to maximizing their time at the show and a great space to do it in!

Here was the funny/great thing about our row for me... beside us MGM Resorts on one side and Boston on another. Dave Gazley had lost the bet with Boston - check this out for Dave wearing the Bruins Jersey - a good sport that one! Just beside Boston, New York! So I think that between the class of Vegas's MGM Resorts and the yellow taxi cookies of New York, we held our own! I think that Lenny from Vegas may have been a bit surprised when I came up and gave him a hug, but when King Dahl says "Hug" - well. you HUG!  Whatever they might say about New Yorkers - I found them VERY friendly and I can't wait to go!

We LOVED having Kiki L'Italien filming Social Media Sweet Spot LIVE from the booth and we sure had some of the who's who stop by, naturally bringing them in for an interview - check it out and you will see Jeff Hurt, Joan Eisenstodt, Dave Lutz, Liz King, Traci Browne and then our Vancouver hosts including Ken Cretney from the gorgeous Vancouver Convention Centre and Doug Tewnion with the Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle - at least! Thank you ALL (but especially Kiki!)

On a personal note, seeing for the first time IRL people who have inspired me on-line for nearly a year - you know who you are - Jenise, Lindsey, Traci, Barbara, Ruud... and reconnecting IRL with Greg who took us to some serious local haunts (Nacho Mamas, the fabulous Blue Hill Tavern and then of course Walt's for Karake and Mamas on the Half Shell and then cannolis) - thank you sir, you are a star!  Andy - how much fun did we have? Thanks for sharing the experience. Liz, Billy, Andrea, Kiki, Glenn, Trevor, Joan, Midori, Jeff, Jessica, Christine, Dave... For anyone who does not understand the power of SOCIAl (media) - all I can say is keep reading...

I am so fortunate to have connected with people who are PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES, who understand that meetings can make a difference, and that when we as planners and producers take care of the people who attend our events and their educational, personal, professional needs are met through events that allow them to be engaged and to truly connect... this is what is going to make meetings and events continually better through relevance and proven RO... I(nvestment), E(ngagement), R(elationships)... let's create memorable moments and give people information they can use when they return to their organizations...  I say BRING IT ON!

Blogalog with Eventwist April 21

Check out what Deborah has to say about New York and its challenges and inspirations here Eventwist says...

What I want to know is, as an event planner in Vancouver, how do you incorporate the unique aspects of your city that you love so much into your creations? But more importantly, when I visit you, what are you going to show me that will really make me know we’re not in New York anymore?

First it will be about the cuisine. First breakfast at Market at the Shangri La is followed by a bike ride around the seawall, and then we will board our luxury yacht and heading out on the water, passing freighters in the working part and the most luxurious homes as we head around the point, docking at Granville Island for a truly unique shopping experience - imagine acres full of fresh food, local artisans and their gorgeous wares, and NOT ONE chain store! Lunch can be enjoyed at one of the amazing cafes, restaurants or market stalls you discover along the way.

For the evening event, we will incorporate the fresh food found today and while enjoying amazing BC wine, we will enjoy the sun setting over the harbour while a local musician adds the extra ambiance that ends this evening in perfection. Ten minutes after leaving the market, we will be back at our downtown hotel, sated and delighted. Hello Vancouver!

Event Planning in Vancouver - Blogalog with @projectmaven



MPI WEC10 Welcome Reception on the VCC Terrace

 So here is the thing about event planning in Vancouver. We are truly a cosmpolitan city that has been dropped into an amazing natural west coast rainforest. An utter oasis of delight, whether you are under a centuries old tree, or heading out over a cliff or simply enjoying the view from the Convention Centre or one of our many meeting hotels that overlook the harbour and the coastal mountains. In a heartbeat you can go from sitting at a conference table to being in a kayak paddling into silence, or hopping on a bike for a 7 mile ride around the Seawall, enjoying a picnic along the way.

In the nearly two decades I have been planning meetings and events, I have been at a PCO where we worked locally and traveled with our clients; at a destination management company; at an incentive house where it was back to traveling around the world planning events; and back to a DMC - because I love my family and didn't see them for three years pretty much... but also because I am truly excited to share our destination with people from around the world. Our supplier partners are amazing, innovative and have both a ton of experience to share but also are excited to try new things with me.

Yes, New York you are full of great producers and stunning venues (BizBash has been my home page since it launched) but if you want to really connect, slow down, work in a city that leads the world in sustainability, and be pleased with the service you receive along the way... let's talk Vancouver!