The following are key roles that an independent 3rd party contractor can bring to the table during the meeting planning process, as excerpted from the “Meeting Planners Playbook.” For more tips like these, visit www.meetingplannerplaybook.com

Consultant/Trusted Advisor-

1. Experience and Relationships- putting their years of industry experience and contacts to work for their clients.

2. Fresh Ideas- from the experiences they have and the work they are doing with other organizations, they offer new ideas on how to potentially improve the organization.

3. Educational Content- sharing the knowledge and experience to help plan the educational content and adult learning techniques that are critical to the learning process.

4. Save the Organization Time and Money- a good independent planner can save an organization significant time and money. Read the rest of this entry »

The Grand Rapids Convention and Visitors Bureau offers meeting planners several forms of planning support through a program called “Grand Response.” If you are planning a meeting and are considering Grand Rapids as a prospective location, by all means, call the team at Scott Corder for assistance with your strategic and technical production needs. But for extra support, you can also call on the team at the CVB.

The CVB’s team of convention specialists serve as your one-stop resource for:

• Planning and coordinating site inspections

• Creating attendance-building promotions

• Arranging attendee welcomes

• Organizing on-site activities and entertainment

• And more!

The CVB exists to help you and your group make the most of your Grand Rapids stay, both during and after event hours. From easy-to-use online tools to in-depth personal consultation, they make sure you have everything you need at every step of your planning process. And it’s all absolutely FREE! The Grand Response team knows Grand Rapids. They know convention planning. And they will get to know you and your needs, in detail, so they can help you produce your most successful event yet!

Ensuring a Great Attendee Experience

Meeting Planners know that a successful conference needs more than educational seminars and good food at the banquets.  Grand Rapids is a community that welcomes its visitors and provides a fresh, comfortable, and affordable destination for daytime activities and nightlife.

The Convention Service Team knows how to maximize the attendee experience for your conference, including:

• The Events Calendar that lets you know what’s happening in the Grand Rapids area during your visit
• Restaurants are notified of your conference information so their staff will be prepared for your visit
• Special airport welcome that includes welcome signage and a knowledgeable staff at our Airport Information Desk
• Grand Rapids information tables set up near conference registration sites, with local volunteers to provide helpful information and directions
• Welcome Signs in the windows of local businesses and restaurants
• Conference Signage Instructions for maximizing signage use at your conference
• Maps to help your attendees navigate the city, including Skywalk Maps – a great option for walking through the city
• The Marketing Tool Kit that lets you choose just the right information to include in your conference program, including pharmacy listings and distances to popular attractions

For information and assistance, visit: http://www.experiencegr.com/meetings/

DeVos Place® is a premier convention center located in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. Nestled beside the Grand River, the picturesque riverfront setting is the perfect backdrop for your convention or tradeshow. DeVos Place offers a unique combination of meeting and exhibition space to accommodate a variety of events. Downtown Grand Rapids is located 15 minutes from Gerald Ford International Airport and is easily accessible from all major interstates.

The Convention Center features a 162,000 square foot, column free exhibit hall, 40,000 square foot ballroom and 26 individual meeting rooms (32,000 square feet). Twelve spacious loading docks (with a wash bay and marshalling area), allow for easy access into the exhibit hall.

In addition, DeVos Place features a 2,404 seat performing arts theater with two independent loading docks and one loading ramp. Home to the Grand Rapids Symphony, Grand Rapids Ballet Company, Opera Grand Rapids and Broadway Grand Rapids, it can also serve as the perfect space for a general session or keynote address. DeVos Place is part of a vibrant downtown entertainment district featuring dining establishments, nightclubs, four museums and the 12,000 seat Van Andel Arena, all within walking distance.

Immediately adjacent to DeVos Place, world-class accommodations are available including the Four-Star Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, JW Marriott and the Courtyard by Marriott. All hold more than 1,100 guest rooms and are within walking distance of DeVos Place, accessible by a climate controlled skywalk.  DeVos Place offers the perfect setting for your next convention or meeting. Come and see what you have been missing!

DeVos Place is managed by SMG, part of a unique portfolio of Convention Centers around the world.

For complete details, a meeting planner guide, and a virtual tour, visit: http://devosplace.org/meeting-planner-guide