25 Ways To Use Social Media For Your Next Event

1. Identify a hashtag for your conference.
A hashtag is a key word or abbreviation preceded by the hash or number symbol such as #EC10. Hashtags are adopted by event organizers to encourage conference participants to use in their tweets. Hashtags were created as a way to search and aggregate information on Twitter. More information on hashtags.

2. Search to see if anyone else is using your hashtag using one of the tools listed below.
If not, list it with these same tools. There is not an official hashtag registration system.

Tagalus – a user-defined dictionary of hashtags.
Define your hashtag by tweeting @Tagalus Define (list your hashtag) as: (definition of hashtag) Full Article

Wedding Planners Develop New Strategies to Handle Price-shopping Brides

From Special Events magazine:

To fight against bargaining brides and the sour economy, many wedding planners have developed new ways to package their talents. Some examples

Conference & Event Fast Track Program

Our Conference Management & Event Planning Fast Track Certificate Program is starting on March 15 in Las Vegas.

This intensive 5-week program is designed for Las Vegas locals as well as those that can come here for a 5-week stint. We can assist with housing options and tuition loans.

For more information: http://www.tisoh.com or info@tisoh.com
702-947-7200 or toll free at: 1-877-GO.TISOH

Our New Website is Up

Check out our new and improved website at: http://www.tisoh.com

It is easier to navigate much more user friendly.

From BIZBASH: What Las Vegas Event Pros are Working on This Season

With the unofficial end of summer now behind us (that would be Labor Day), event professionals are looking to the fall—a traditionally busy time—to see how the economic recovery will help the industry rebound from what has so far been a pretty slow year. We asked a group of local planners and vendors what they have in the works for the coming months. Here are some highlights.

"Baskow is very excited about the fall season. We have written 68 proposals in the past three weeks for September, October, November, and January events. We see the economy coming back strong. I recently booked two name celebrities for October events in Miami and four well-known speakers. People are also spending money again, starting to book Vegas venues and talent. This is the most exciting news for our economy." —Jaki Baskow, owner and C.E.O., Baskow & Associates

"People are calling me for private catering and booking events from Las Vegas to California. At Southern Wine and Spirits Las Vegas, sales were higher than expected for the Labor Day weekend. [We] anticipate that with the projected December 4 opening of the Mandarin Oriental, the first CityCenter tower to open, things will be on the rise. People from all over are eager to see what this project looks like. New restaurants and attractions are what drive people here. With all the excitement and buzz around this project, our local economy should take a step forward. People want to travel and get away—now is a great opportunity to do this. Room rates, packages, and shows are discounted to draw [convention, meeting, and event business, plus tourism] here." —Nick Lorenz, founder, Lorenz Catering, and executive chef, Southern Wine and Spirits For more, click here.

Fall 2009 Certificate Programs

Final weeks to enroll!
Classes begin September 14

Fall 2009 Certificate Programs in:

- Concierge / Guest Relations
- Meeting and Event Planning
- Wedding Planning
- Leadership and Supervision
- Food and Beverage

Art of Concierge Certificate
Learn five-star guest relations and Concierge service skills that symbolize the quality of fine hotels, luxury residential condos and corporations. For Concierge, there is no city more exciting than Las Vegas. Classes start September 15.

Conference Management & Event Planning Certificate
Learn to plan, design and manage meetings, special events, conferences, conventions, tradeshows and more. In Las Vegas, conferences and events serve more than six million visitors per year.
Classes start September 14.

Wedding Coordination & Design Certificate
Learn to plan, design and manage traditional, non-traditional and cultural weddings. Las Vegas is fast becoming the most popular wedding destination in the country. Classes start September 14.

Hospitality Leadership and Supervision Certificate
Learn essential leadership and supervisory skills to maximize your effectiveness in hospitality management. Classes start September 14.

Art of Food and Beverage Certificate
Learn how to more effectively sell food and beverage by improving knowledge in world cuisine, beverage pairing, menu planning and current trends. Most suitable for F&B, meetings, events and catering professionals. Classes start September 22.

At TISOH, students learn directly from industry pros and experience extensive networking opportunities and an internship.

Our courses are also available as online programs. Click here for more info.

Edge out your competition today! Find out more at: www.tisoh.com

Production Priorities

Often event planners have a fairly consistent set of questions on their mind: I have a limited budget, yet I need AV — how do I set priorities in my budget? If I want lighting, sound, video, staging and decor, should I just give each part of the production a smaller piece to make sure I get some of everything?

STEP ONE: TALKING MONEY

When setting the budget for production, your first call should be to a producer or production manager you trust. You can also call two different production companies to get a good sense of what your money will get you.

In turn, the first things we will ask you are: “What is the event budget? How many people are coming? Where is it? Is there a theme?”

I realize that some planners are reluctant to get into budget discussions this early. But you absolutely need to. Why? Because some production companies specialize in large-scale events and some in intimate gatherings. Some do both and need to get a sense of which an event will be, whom to assign within their companies, and what resources to provide. More.

Event-Planning Tips: Choosing the Right Entertainment for the Right Event…for the Right Budget

After the dinner dishes have been cleared from the tables and the desserts have all been devoured, the event audience is ready to be entertained. Actually, this will probably be one of the most memorable parts of the conference/business meeting/special event. Link.

Certificate Programs Starting in Las Vegas

CMEP: Conference Management & Event Planning

Industry leaders with decades of combined experience teach this 12-week comprehensive program. The course is delivered through lectures, discussions, site visits, and talks by guest speakers. Upon successful completion of the course, students will have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed in their careers as conference and event planning professionals.

Classes Start: May 18, 2009
Classes Meet: Monday and Wednesday (6:00 pm to 9:00 pm for 12 weeks)
For More Information Click Here

WCD: Wedding Coordination & Design

This program is designed to provide participants with a foundation of knowledge on wedding planning and the confidence to enter and succeed in the industry. Upon completion, graduates will be able to work towards careers as independent wedding consultants; employment as planners with hotels, resorts and special event companies; or for positions with allied businesses.

Classes Start: May 18, 2009
Classes Meet: Monday and Wednesday (6:00 pm to 9:00 pm for 12 weeks)
For More Information Click Here

AOC: The Art of Concierge

This program is designed to provide thorough hands-on training in world-class concierge service and guest relations skills, along with the required supervisory and communication skills to succeed in hospitality operations.

Classes Start: May 19, 2009
Classes Meet: Tuesday and Thursday (6:00 pm to 8:00 pm for 10 weeks)
For More Information Click Here

Color

Color choices are an important consideration in events. Theme colors can set a mood. Here is a site where you can find any color, find the name for that color, and also get the hex number. Link.

Event Budgeting

Blog report by Serenity Knutsen on a session on the PlannerMix blog.

"Event Budgeting: From Start to Finish" by Carroll Reuben, CMP, CMM, owner of Meeting Excellence. Link.

Social Media for Meetings

Do you have a Facebook Group for your meeting, event or tradeshow? Link. Are you exploring other types of social media, such as Twitter? Please share your experiences in the comment box below: