Attending HSMAI's MEET convention

My experience at MEET was overall very positive. I saw different talks on interesting topics, important to the industry. I especially liked the workshop on Unique Venues because it gave me a broader perspective and what can actually be used as venues, and how to think outside the box when planning meetings for clients with alternative wishes for venues.

I also attended the panel debate on how the overcome problems with “budget busters”. In the panel were among others a Revenue Strategy Professional and the Director of Event Planning at the Marriot Wardman Park. The Revenue Manager had some really great practical tips on how to negotiate with venues on the pricing for an event. The Director of Event Planning described very well the decision processes that happen inside a hotel when negotiating e.g. the budgets with Meeting and Event Planners.

Even though I felt the entire event was very well planed with no severe delays ore problems, one thing struck me during the event - just a small ting.
 
The event started at 8AM. Besides coffee and tee during the registration process, nothing was provided for drinks or snacks until lunch at 12.15. As a consequence attendees were extremely hungry and not able to concentrate during the last sessions before lunch.  Just some fruit or small snacks would have made the overall experience better. 

Besides this it was a really interesting day, which only me made even more motivated to get into meeting and event planning. I even had a really good talk with the exhibitors from the Marriot Hotel on international career opportunities for the hotel chain.