Conference Organisers | FindAConferenceVenue

On 7 September, 2011 by Ciara Feely Comments (0), leave your own!
Categories: Conference Event Technology, Conference Planning, Smart organising tips, Twitter and Events

Measuring and proving the return Conferences and Events deliver….

Conference and meeting organisers are under even more pressure to be more strategic when organising meetings and events and measure accurately the results and contributions made to a company or organisation. 72% of the meeting planners surveyed by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International, cited this need. 70% of companies recently said that “online traffic” is an important measure of the value of their events”.

Mobile Apps in the conference and events business are already quite advanced and extensively used, but the next 2 years will see a large increase in their use “on the job”. According to MPIs recent Future Watch survey, 80% of meeting professionals are using smart phones and other mobile devices in their jobs. Yet, with this high adoption, relatively few have used mobile applications yet for their own meetings. This is where measuring “online traffic” around an event is made easy.

Pathable.com is a meeting specific app that have gained great credence in the last few years, but the major social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are a valuable marketing and branding tools to use in events. Location based apps such as Foursquare, Gowalla and Facebook Places are all excellent mediums as networking channels before, during and after events. It is all about making it easy for delegates to make great contacts at events.

Corbin Ball has written an extensive article on “The Business Value of Mobile Apps for Meetings”.
I have also touched on this in a previous post – Marketing your Conference on Twitter… Expert Tips

Corbin Ball – meetings in a minute – social media‘

Tagged: arranging events, conference and meeting place, conference organisers, conference technology. conference apps, corporate event planning tips, find a conference venue, how to save money when planning a conference, tips on planning an event

Conference Technology – making planning an event easy…

On 25 November, 2009 by Ciara Feely Comments (0), leave your own!
Categories: Conference Event Technology, Conference Planning, Conferences on a budget

I am doing some research at the moment on Conference Technology… Event Elephant seems to tick a lot of boxes when it comes to streamlining the planning and organising of a conference – it offers registration, payment, tracking options – everything that can be a nightmare to do manually. It all seems to be organised in one easy place and at very reasonable rates too. Tying into my aim to organise a Conference on a shoe string budget.

Tagged: arranging conferences, arranging events, conference and meeting place, conference organisers, conference venue ireland, Conference Venues, Corporate Meetings, event organising, find a conference venue, technology for events, tips on planning an event

Green Venues – congrats to The Bush Hotel in Carrick on Shannon!

On 30 September, 2009 by Ciara Feely Comments (0), leave your own!
Categories: Green Venues

Meeting Facilities, Bush Hotel, Carrick on Shannon

Joe Dolan and his team at the Bush Hotel,Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim, Ireland is to be congratulated for their achievements in creating a green venue for conferences, meetings and events. The below is an extract from a press release that will be in the papers tomorrow. The hotel is a great place to drop in for a meal and has a variety of space for meetings and events…. will post more on that when I stay there and do a review. But I would know the hotel and the great reputation it has locally as I grew up 10 miles away.

“Communication Award. The award recognises exceptional promotional activities to

increase public awareness of the EU Ecolabel – the EU’s label for environmentally friendly goods and services. The three winners, selected by a jury of environmental

and communication experts, were announced at a ceremony in Brussels last night.

The Bush Hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim, which became the first hotel in Ireland to be awarded the EU Ecolabel in Marchthis year, won the service provider category. The hotel was praised by judges for raising awareness of the EU Ecolabel through a variety of promotional tools, including an in-house awareness campaign, a suppliers’ charter and organised site visits.

The European Commission has announced the winners of the first EU Ecolabel

Communication Award. The award recognises exceptional promotional activities to

increase public awareness of the EU Ecolabel – the EU’s label for environmentally friendly goods and services. The three winners, selected by a jury of environmental

and communication experts, were announced at a ceremony in Brussels last night.

The Bush Hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim, which became the first hotel in

Irelandto be awarded the EU Ecolabel in March this year, won the service provider

category. The hotel was praised by judges for raising awareness of the EU Ecolabel

through a variety of promotional tools, including an in-house awareness campaign, a suppliers’ charter and organised site visits.

Tagged: arranging conferences, conference and meeting place, Conference Centre Venues, conference organisers, conference space in the west of ireland, conferences west of ireland, Corporate Event Venues, eco friendly hotels ireland, family run hotels ireland, green conferences, green hotels ireland, green venues ireland, hotels in the west of ireland, hotels in towns of ireland, Meeting Room Venues, the bush hotel carrick on shannon, the bush hotel leitrim

No hidden surprises with Conference Rates – get an all in one conference package…

On 12 August, 2009 by Ciara Feely Comments (0), leave your own!
Categories: Conference Hotels, Conference Planning, Conference Venues, Negotiating Rates, Smart organising tips

Have you ever arranged a meeting or conference and it ended up costing a few hundred or even thousand more than what you had expected??

Kingsley Hotel Cork - great conference room

Wouldn’t it be great to arrange a conference or meeting and know exactly what it is going to cost? When presented with the bill there are no hidden surprises such as extra tea/coffee, LCD projector, flip chart etc?? I quote most of my clients a day delegate package which will include 2 tea/coffee breaks, lunch, meeting room rental and lcd projector/screen. Clients find it is much easier to calculate what the cost will be besides adding up all of the elements individually. If you are quoted €35 per person and you know you have 100 people attending it makes life a lot easier.

That is what it is all about – making life easier for the client!! That is my aim in life and how I get repeat business.

Rob Hard of About.com/Event Planning has written an article on this- it is an interesting perspective as he writes about it from the US point of view and the European point of view. I did not realise that most American Hotels still quote individually or a la carte so to speak on all the separate aspects of a conference.

For more tips and ideas on how to arrange a conference or event check out the following posts. Or feel free to call me directly for my expert advice – 353 (0) 21 4928941.

How to plan a conference – advice from the experts

How to plan a conference - part two.

Negotiating Tips – how to save money when planning a conference

Tagged: arranging conferences, conference and meeting place, Conference Centre Venues, conference organisers, how to build your business, how to save money when planning a conference, organise a conference on a shoe string budget, tips on planning an event

How to Plan a Conference …. continued advice from the experts.

On 7 May, 2009 by Ciara Feely Comments (0), leave your own!
Categories: Conference Planning, Conference Venue Tips, Smart organising tips, Uncategorized

Step Three – Producing the Conference

To put the conference product in place you will to need to action the following:

Conference Budget: This needs to be drawn up and must contain a revenue and expenditure section together with an actual column. Always include a contingency figure, say 10% of the estimated total.

Programme: Clearly identify you objectives so that both you and your speaker know what the conference is aiming to achieve and delegate expectations are met.

Marketing and PR plan: You need to identify how are going to reach your target audience. Website will need to be designed or updated.

Event Schedule: This is used to plot all the various activities that are talking place throughout the conference.

Step Four – Products and suppliers

Once you have produced you conference budget you can confirm your suppliers and product requirements:

Venue Finder: Professional venue finders, who are experts on venues and offer an independent opinion are always a safe bet to use to ensure you select the right venue. Your reputation is on the line if you chose the wrong venue!

Accommodation: This may need to be placed on provisional hold if the conference venue cannot provide or has insufficient space.

Audio Visual equipment and production: This is something either the venue can provide or you can source in-house. Alternatively obtain up to quotes from conference / AV companies.

Catering, entertainment, transport, delegate bags etc: Make sure you have thought of everything at this stage so that there are no surprises in the budget later on.

Marketing and PR plan: You need to identify how are going to reach your target audience. Website will need to be designed or updated.

Event Schedule: This is used to plot all the various activities that are talking place throughout the conference.

Step Three – Producing the Conference

To put the conference product in place you will to need to action the following:

Conference Budget: This needs to be drawn up and must contain a revenue and expenditure section together with an actual column. Always include a contingency figure, say 10% of the estimated total.

Programme: Clearly identify you objectives so that both you and your speaker know what the conference is aiming to achieve and delegate expectations are met.

Marketing and PR plan: You need to identify how are going to reach your target audience. Website will need to be designed or updated.

Event Schedule: This is used to plot all the various activities that are talking place throughout the conference.

Great meeting room, just outside Dublin. Convenient to the airport also.

Step Four – Products and suppliers

Once you have produced you conference budget you can confirm your suppliers and product requirements:

Venue Finder: Professional venue finders, who are experts on venues and offer an independent opinion are always a safe bet to use to ensure you select the right venue. Your reputation is on the line if you chose the wrong venue!

Accommodation: This may need to be placed on provisional hold if the conference venue cannot provide or has insufficient space. Ensure there are enough gurestrooms for delegates or that there are excellently priced hotels within easy reach of the conference. You don’t want your delegates arriving late as they were stuck in traffic. Again, consult a venue finder on these.

Audio Visual equipment and production: This is something either the venue can provide or you can source in-house. Alternatively obtain up to quotes from conference / AV companies. Ensure you get references, as getting the AV right on the day is essential!!

Catering, entertainment, transport, delegate bags etc: Make sure you have thought of everything at this stage so that there are no surprises in the budget later on.

Marketing and PR plan: You need to identify how are going to reach your target audience. Website will need to be designed or updated.

Event Schedule: This is used to plot all the various activities that are talking place throughout the conference.

Source – In Any Event UK

For more expert tips on organising a conference or event – click here…

Conference Check-list… onsite management of Conferences, meetings and events

On 8 April, 2009 by Ciara Feely Comments (1), leave your own!
Categories: Conference Planning, Conference Venue Tips, Smart organising tips

Last minute to dos to ensure a successful Conference
For Association Conferences Organisers and Corporate Events Organisers …

20 easy tips

• Do final arrangement checks with venue contact who will be working the day of your conference
• Get name and mobile no or set up walkie-talkie system with your venue onsite contact
• Set up conference office – ensure front desk at hotel knows where it is and what your phone no is

�
• Set up sponsors and exhibitors – take photos for future event sales
• Provide adequate signage (where permitted by the venue)
• Make arrangements for telephone lines, faxes and Internet access

�
• Provision of photocopy machines and other necessary equipment
• Supply of flowers for registration, dinner tables and conference room
• Provision of table menus, table plans, and places cards
• Provision for luggage storage, cloak room, first aid facilities on site

Clarion Hotel Cork City Centre

And 10 more…..

�
• Arrange rooms for audio-visual set up and speakers rehearsals
• Briefing of chairman and speakers. Collect presentations
• Conference reporting, hearing loops and other delegate aids

�
• Handling question and answer session from the audience
• Briefing of staff and volunteers
• Provision of general information files on conference desk

�
• Handling of delegate queries and messages through-out the event
• Provision of secretarial and administrative assistance
• If parking is free for attendees, ensure supply of paid for tickets
• Hand out evaluation forms and ensure method of collection is clear

The above are some handy guidelines provided by Event Organisers UK.

Conference room set up, Morisson Hotel Dublin City Centre

Tagged: arranging conferences, arranging events, conference and meeting place, conference organisers, Conference Venues, conference venues dublin, conference venues ireland, Conferences Dublin, corporate event planning tips, Corporate Meetings, corporate venue, dublin city centre hotel, meeting room dublin

Venue Review – The Clarion Dublin Hotel IFSC – Financial Services Centre

On 19 March, 2009 by Ciara Feely Comments (1), leave your own!
Categories: Conference Hotels, Conference Venue Tips, Venue Reviews

Conference Facilities Clarion IFSC, Pegasus Room

I stayed overnight at the Clarion Hotel recently and had a great experience, it is very much accommodates the business traveller and is a great Conference venue and Meeting hotel in Dublin City Centre.

What I loved –

*Lolly pops and water on each conference table

* Natural light through-out

*Power shower

*Personal wake-up call – that was bang on time.

* High Powered Hair dryer

First impressions and location — The Clarion Hotel is a great Dublin business hotel, it is located in the IFSC and convenient to the O2 Music Venue and close to the Dublin Convention Centre opening in 2010. It is also -

• within walking distance to the heart of Dublin City Centre

• will have a Luas line on its door step next year

• the fact that it has its own car park is a big advantage, I do feel however that signage from the car park to the hotel could be improved as the car park elevator does not lead directly to the hotel lobby.

The atmosphere is business like and professional, all staff were attentive to my needs, in particular Joe who escorted me to my car and carried my bags. He has been in the hotel industry for over 10 years and is a true hospitality professional.

Conference and Event Space -

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVB9znl_ktI]

There is a choice of up to 3 rooms for groups of up to about 80-110, with plenty of break out space –

all rooms are airy with lots of natural light
the needs of the meeting organiser have also been thought of with registration facilities outside each and a meeting tool kit in each room
Free Broadband facilities
ceiling mounted projection system which can display, laptop, DVD and VHS display and of course climate control

For me the Columbia room in the basement was my favourite with plenty of space out side the room for tea/coffee facilities. No rooms are far from the restaurant/bar area which makes networking at tea/coffee break time easy to do. Overall there are 10 rooms ranging in size from 4 to 110 theatre style.

Accommodation –

The Video says it all really. If you are a light sleeper, request an “internal” room, not over looking the Quays as early morning traffic may disturb you. It didn’t wake me up but I am not a light sleeper! I had a great nights sleep, beds and duvets were very comfortable.

Great size gym with exercise classes and a lap pool

This Dublin City Centre business hotel is well equipped with a large gym and swimming pool and I particularly like the fact that there are exercise classes that guests can join each evening. You can also avail of a choice of newspaper delivered to your door in the morning.

Overall I found the hotel to be well thought through for business, conferences, meetings and events and I met a guest who stays there every week so that is always a great reference. Joe was very accommodating and assisted me to my car with my baggage and refused to accept a tip. I very much liked the genuineness of his guest service.

Check out other independent hotel reviews I have done -

Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links – Portmarnock, Dublin

Tagged: arranging events, clarion hotel dublin city centre, Conference Centre Venues, conference organisers, conference venue ireland, corporate event planning tips, Corporate Event Venues, Corporate Team Building activities, dublin city hotel, event management company, team building Dublin

Resolution for the new year… Attending Conferences to beat the recession!

On 6 January, 2009 by Ciara Feely Comments (0), leave your own!
Categories: Amusing, International Trade Shows, Networking in General

Thriving not just surving during the recession.

This year I have decided that my new year’s resolution will be to not do something rather than do something which is to not “participate in a recession”. I have adopted a saying from Dr. Ivan Misner (Founder of Business Network International) as my new motto “I refuse to participate in a recession”…

In late November I attended an International tradeshow in Barcelona – EIBTM. I had 1000 badges printed up with this motto and I hired students to wear T shirts with the same. I have to say I was delighted with the reaction. I had people running down the tradeshow aisle after me asking me where did I get the T shirt from… in the bathrooms I had ladies ask me if I was the person giving out those great badges — they wanted to fly the flag for me and wear one. Yeah, it was working. So my point is that we are ready to be positive about all of this.

Overall the tradeshow was a fantastic experience for me. I received excellent leads and met people whom I would never have met by staying at home. There was serious business being done there and a real thirst for companies to discover countries they had not brought conference, meetings or incentive clients to before. Ireland does not have the reputation abroad yet for having fantastic conference and incentive facilities and it is a constant battle to educate international delegates on the state of the art facilities Irish venues now have to offer. And believe it or not, the first thing you have to educate most people on is why come to Ireland in the first place for a conference, meeting or event…. uniqueness of our culture, landscape and people, friendly welcome and as a very safe destination.

I took a wander around to compare how other countries were selling their country as a destination and there are some amusing photos to share –

Hungry –

Come to Hungry

Norway - love this one..

Norway - attractive incentive

Berlin -

Now that's a dress!

Ireland -

Ireland - Kenmare Park Hotel Samas Destination Spa

Guatamela -

The Quetzal - national bird of Guatemala

Overall it was an excellent tradeshow, with plenty of entertainment and eye candy to keep you amuzed such as this shirmp and lobster that wandered freely throughout the exhibition.

Anyone for Shrimp and Lobster?

Ciara and the Queen of Nuremburg

Ciara and the recently discovered Dinosour remains in Portugal

I am happy to share my advice and expertise on venues in Ireland. My service saves hours of time in researching a venue. Contact Ciara at ciara@findaConferenceVenue.com. 353 (0) 26 21015.

Tagged: arranging conferences, arranging events, conference organisers, conference venue ireland, Conference Venues, conference venues dublin, Confernce Speakers, corporate event planning tips, corporate event services, Different ideas for team building, Optimistic view point, The Recession

Corporate Team Building Ideas – helpingout with a Charity Event

On 2 July, 2008 by Ciara Feely Comments (0), leave your own!
Categories: Team Building, Team Building Ideas

At FindaConferenceVenue.com we go the extra mile to come up with different ideas for team building days out of the office. Raising money for charities and worthwhile causes can be an excellent team building activity to consider. This is a great way for your company to not only support the work of a local organisation but also provide a perfect team building, networking event in an innovative manner.

This way both participants and charities win. On the one hand, participants will have an unforgettable experience and contribute to social responsibility and on the other hand charities will gain big support as they receive little or no government funding.

Interesting activities would involve, working with the elderly, working with the young and working with disadvantaged groups, assisting with housing projects – painting walls, general tidy up of an area, helping to insulate housing for the elderly or a school for disadvantaged kids.

Whatever responsible team building activity you choose remember to make it a shared experience for all the team members. Involve and include all of them and take plenty of photos to post on the company website, share with clients and have posted in the cafeteria. Finally, make it a worthwhile and sustainable cause.

FindaConferenceVenue.com

Ireland’s Venue Finder

ciara@findaConferenceVenue.com

353(0)26 21015

Tagged: conference organisers, conference venues dublin, conference venues ireland, corporate event planning tips, corporate event services, Corporate Team Building activities, event management company, great ideas for team building, team building activities, Team Building Ideas, team building venues ireland

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