Welcome to the May edition of Meetings Focus, which we hope will be of “historic” proportions.
Well, I’m not sure it’s going to knock the Earth off of its axis, or even switch the magnetic polarity, but our cover story does examine how groups can use historic places and themes as a backdrop or even the focal point of a program.
Beginning on page 10, freelancer Edward Schmidt Jr. covers everything from Old West mining and cattle roping to vintage fighter plane rides and a journey back in time to experience life in Colonial America.
And for those who want to think outside of the standard meetings ballroom “box,” we have a sidebar on unique venues that bring history to life and provide a palette for painting meetings memories.
Other feature stories in this issue cover the top conference center trends, the ongoing travails of government meeting planners, and a piece on invigorating the attendee experience from one of the most innovative meetings and events experts in the industry, Michael Owen of EventGenuity, who will serve up a Meetings Focus webinar on the topic May 27.
Welcome, Jack!
Please join everyone here in welcoming a new leader to the Meetings Focus team, Vice President Jack Brannigan.
Jack comes to us with an impressive resume, bringing along more than 30 years of management and executive experience in major publishing companies such as Cahners and Hanley Wood, with his most recent position being at media and marketing firm Lebhar-Friedman.
All of us here are excited for the myriad possibilities on the horizon, and are already ramping up to unveil some major new changes starting with the June issue.
Trendsetters Wanted
Finally, please send in your nominations for those you consider to be on the cutting-edge of the industry, as part of our annual Meetings Trendsetters issue in July.
We’re looking for planners, suppliers and educators who are propelling our profession. Sound like anyone familiar?
Go to MeetingsFocus.com/Trendsetters to call out those you think fit the bill!
