Three years ago AMI launched the American Meetings Network.  The first social and business connection website for the Meeting Industry.  The Network, designed for Meeting & Event Planners, Travel Directors, and Industry Suppliers has grown and continues to welcome new members.  “We wanted to build an online community of industry professionals that would help support and lift each other up,” says Aurelio De Mendoza VP of Strategic Partnerships at AMI.  He goes on to explain that The Network includes two distinct areas:

THIS SOCIAL NETWORK is designed with you in mind, providing networking, one-stop-shop promotions, valuable industry information, and most importantly, potential new business opportunities.  The best part is that it’s free to qualified industry users.  On the social side, one can follow as many people as possible and allow them to follow you, submit and view industry opportunities on a regular basis, use the resource library to find valuable information, tools, and industry tips.

THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY is a robust directory of industry suppliers, vetted travel directors, and meeting planners that you may connect with for business opportunities.  The search function works by business name, location, and service offered.

For planners who join there are added benefits.  The Network provides the opportunity to expand your involvement by becoming an AMI Partner Meeting Planner.  Partner Meeting Planners work together with AMI on meetings and events. 

Here are 10 ways planners can benefit by increasing your level of involvement once you join the Network.

1-   Increase your income:  AMI has the most aggressive profit-sharing program in the industry.

2-  Be a part of something bigger:   AMI is a family-oriented organization focused on mutual success.

3-  Land meeting planning opportunities:  Be included on one of the meeting industry’s top-ranked websites for lead generation.

4-  Increase your earnings:  Get first-shot at AMI contract meeting planning and travel director opportunities.

5-  Reduce time, expenses, and stress in your day by gaining access to MeetingSoft.com:  An industry-best project management & event registration software.

6-  Travel:  Meet new contacts by representing AMI at hosted buyer programs all over the world.

7-   Gain peace of mind:  Be covered by over 5 million dollars in General Liability Coverage when you partner with AMI.

8-   Save time and money on proposals:  With the industry’s most robust proposal builder module.

9-   Be your own boss:  Join a group of meeting planners excited about expanding their personal business opportunities.

10- Celebrate your success:  Join the team at the Annual Partner Meeting Planner Meeting.

Happy Planning!

For more information, or help with a meeting or event, contact bd@americanmeetings.com or call American Meetings, Inc. @ 866-337-7799

When looking for corporate sponsorship to help defray the costs of your meeting or event there are a few things to consider. Sponsors want to gain your favor so becoming a strategic business partner will benefit both you and the sponsoring organization. It’s critical to any partnership that you first determine what your negotiating power is and realize you are offering a great value. You are proposing access to their target audience and that’s what they are looking for so be confident that this “ask” is a mutually beneficial business opportunity. Here are 4 tips for maximizing your meeting or event sponsorship strategy.

1- Ad Placement and Promotional Collateral: Study the most effective ways to present your sponsor. Place logos and other sponsor information on signs, emails, direct mailings, brochures, attendee bags, event websites, and sponsor pieces in attendee bags. Information tables also provide a variety of touches that are the types of branding opportunities sponsors seek.

2- Encourage Positive Experiences: Every business wants attendees to remember their event and organization with a pleasant experience. Here are a few sponsorship opportunities that offer a wealth of worth to attendees and sponsors: Sponsorship of golf, raffle items, cocktail and networking receptions, offsite activities, promotional items, breaks, meals, and offering sponsorship of tables at meals.

3- Unique Opportunities: There are less flashy ways of offering a sponsorship/partnership at your meeting or event. Exhibit space, organization memberships, annual nominations, awards for achievement, and speaker spots for industry leaders are recognition factors that encourage sponsor participation. These all build the credibility of investment, awareness for companies, and offers attendees better access to them than non-sponsoring companies.

4- Non-Cash Sponsorship Partnerships: Many organizations are looking for cash sponsorships to lower the cost of the event for attendees. You may find that a sponsor may not be able or willing to cover the entirety of the amount you’re looking for. If this is the case continue the conversation by seeing if there are other areas where you may be able to barter. Things you may find valuable in return include free advertising, access to databases, joint sales/recruiting efforts, or other service exchanges.

Finding the right meeting and event sponsor is not always an easy proposition. It’s important to clearly identify the value proposition, create a true business partnership and specialize your sponsorship levels to meet their needs. If you can be persistent, creative, and can show a clear ROI you should be successful in finding a mutually beneficial event sponsorship partner.

Happy Planning!

For more information, or help with a meeting or event, contact bd@americanmeetings.com/ or call American Meetings, Inc. @ (866) 337-7799

For the past 3 months, AMI has been planning a client meeting that was held this week at the amazing One World Observatory at the World Trade Center in New York City.  This spectacular venue’s tagline is “See Forever” and once you step foot in the space the payoff is spectacular: a 360-degree panoramic view of New York City through floor-to-ceiling windows that will literally take your breath away.

When planning an event there are many considerations for selecting the perfect space.  Cost, location, services, accessibility, and layout are just a few important variables that planners use to decide where to hold their event.  Sometimes the meeting or event requires a “wow” factor that will take the event to the next level.  This was certainly the case with our client this week in NYC.

When you need a venue that requires a visual, emotional, and physical impact then we recommend The One World Observatory in New York City.  Here are 10 reasons to choose this spectacular venue for your next meeting or event.

1-  AMAZING VIEW: On the 100th floor of the Observatory, also known as the Discovery Level, attendees experience expansive, 360-degree views in all directions, taking in the iconic sights, surrounding waters, and panoramic views of the city and beyond.

2- FRESH NEW VENUE: Many attendees are repeat meetings and event-goers.  Having a new and exciting venue helps to build excitement for your meeting and will ensure solid attendance.

3- HISTORICAL VALUE: This beautiful venue is built on the hallowed grounds of the former world trade towers.  Everyone remembers where they were on 9-11 and has the opportunity to come back to this location for an event is enticing.  Help your attendees build new memories associated with this revered location.

4- GLOBAL WELCOME CENTER: Upon entry, attendees are greeted in the Global Welcome Center, where a large video board features salutations in an array of languages, and a dynamically generated world map highlights the hometowns of visitors.

5- VOICES AND FOUNDATIONS: On top of a super venue you also get the added bonus of an attraction.  Upon entering the building, attendees experience a program titled “Voices,” which tells the personal stories of the men and women who built One World Trade Center.  Next, “Foundations” provides attendees with a close-up view of the very bedrock on which the building stands.

6- SKY POD ELEVATORS: Attendees board one of five dedicated elevators to ascend to the 102nd floor in under 60 seconds.  Immersive, floor-to-ceiling LED technology in each cab invites attendees to experience a virtual time-lapse that recreates the development of New York City’s skyline from the 1500s to the present day.

7-  SKY PORTAL: The Main Observatory features the Sky Portal.  Attendees are invited to step onto a 14-foot wide circular disc that delivers an unforgettable view, using real-time, high-definition footage of the streets below.

8-  SEE FOREVER THEATER: Attendees take in an exciting, two-minute video presentation that combines bird’s eye imagery, time-lapse shots with abstract textures and patterns to present the unique rhythm and pulse of New York City to dramatic life in three dimensions.

9-   CITY PULSE: This interactive skyline concierge allows attendees to deeply connect with the landmarks and neighborhoods they observe from above. At City Pulse, global ambassadors are stationed under a ring of HD video monitors and outfitted in gesture recognition technology, summoning imagery to the screens and providing attendees with close-up views and personalized recommendations.

10- ECO FRIENDLY: One World Trade Center is on track to be awarded an official LEED Gold Certification by the US Green Building Council. Much of the interior and exterior was built from post-industrial recycled materials and 50% of the wood in the project is from reclaimed sources. The cooling systems use reclaimed rainwater, and the lights in the offices automatically dim when the sun is brightly shining through the windows. The steam that’s leftover from the building systems also helps generate electricity.

Although this amazing event venue will increase your budget significantly the payoff with the “WOW” factor will impress your attendees and help make your meeting or event a major success.  When looking at venues in NYC we recommend the One World Observatory for a unique and spectacular space.

Happy Planning!

For more information, or help with a meeting or event, contact bd@americanmeetings.com or call American Meetings, Inc. @ (866) 337-7799