Ask the Expert – Hot Venue Trends

Ted Miller, HMCC, CHME, CHSP, CGTP, CGMP, Enterprise Holdings

Question: We have been running quarterly operations meetings for some time and I am finding it hard many times to keep people focused on the agenda. Do you have a suggestion on how I can get the people more engaged?

Answer: Meetings such as these generally have a set agenda that has not been changed in some time. The best way to get your people more engaged in the process is to change the format of the meeting. Depending on the month consider making a group activity part of the agenda. You can do something as simple as taking your people to a bowling alley or a miniature golf course and have the agenda include items you normally cover incorporated into the activities. One gentleman I know needed to get some creative ideas from his staff relating to some new building maintenance issues and took his group to a park and had them make paper airplanes and explain how different designs changed how the planes flew. As the group created their planes they discussed the issues and found that when people had a mild distraction it allowed them to be more creative in how they solved their problems.

Question: We have been tasked with running what is known as a road show going to a different city each day for two weeks. We need space for 200 people and are having a hard time getting space confirmed three months in advance since we require very few sleeping rooms. Do you have a solution to our problem of securing the meeting space we require?

Answer: There are three possibilities for venues that should be able to confirm your space early. The first would be using movie theaters, while this seem like an unusual location let me clarify why I suggest them. First they are “dark” during the day running a meeting during business hours does not interfere with their normal business. If you book multiple locations with the same operator you get far better pricing on the facility. Also if an audio visual presentation is part of your agenda what better way to present your material than on the big screen. The other venue options are convention centers, university auditoriums and libraries. Last month I attended a presentation at the Pritzker Military Library using the auditorium where their weekly television show is filmed. A facility such as this does get the attention of your audience.

Question: We do an evening client event and need some ideas of how to make it more interactive. How can I find a fun way of getting everyone engaged and also have fun?

Answer: One of the best events I have seen recently was the MPI Trivia Night. It featured tables of 8 people who worked together to answer the questions and had everyone engaged. You can add speed dating into the format so that you have your people moving tables every other round so they have an opportunity to meet everyone. We have some experts who designed the program and can help you create a program that matches with your audience.