Designing Events Blog

Designing Events Scores Big Conference Success with Super Bowl Event

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:29:00 GMT

-- Attendee Networking Event Rewrites the Playbook, Fulfills Important Role in Building Attendance and Revenue --

BALTIMORE, Md. –– January 28, 2010 –– When designing a strategy for the Association of Test Publishers’ (ATP) 11th annual Innovations in Testing conference, planners at Designing Events (designingevents.com) welcomed the fact it would coincide with Super Bowl weekend. Many organizations would steer clear of this perceived obstacle to attendance. In contrast, through careful planning and promotion, it’s become a strategic element of the conference strategy.

This is not the first time that ATP’s conference has shared a date with the Super Bowl. Five previous conferences have featured attendee networking events built around watching the big game. Each one of these high-energy events has grown larger and more popular than the last. In addition to multiple big screens, food and refreshments, and networking, attendees enjoy the atmosphere at the sports-themed bar.

Attendance and Revenue Booster
"This event has become a significant asset for ATP’s conference," said Michelle Issing, president of Designing Events. "Attendance is boosted by returning attendees who look forward to the game watching and spread the word to others. It’s also an important contributor to the bottom-line of the conference. We’re able to secure more favorable rates by choosing a weekend that others are avoiding, and companies now compete to sponsor the popular event."

Innovations in Testing 2010 (InnovationsInTesting.org) takes place February 7-10, 2010 at The Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate in Orlando, Florida. This is Designing Events' 11th year planning and managing the conference which attracts more than 600 professionals from the testing and assessment industry.

About Designing Events
Designing Events, LLC is a premier global provider of high performance planning, management and marketing services for pharmaceutical, corporate and association meetings and conferences. Headquartered in the Baltimore area, the company has a proven track record of delivering high-quality results utilizing a comprehensive range of services and resources that are custom-tailored to fit each client's unique needs. For more information, visit designingevents.com.

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Designing Events Helps ATP’s Inaugural European Conference Exceed Expectations

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 14:27:00 GMT

-- Attendance and Sponsorship defy challenging economic conditions.
Group green-lights next year’s conference --

January 5, 2010 -- BRUSSELS -- The Association of Test Publishers’ European division
(E-ATP), has successfully launched a new conference to support the advancement of testing and its related technologies with attendance that surpassed expectations. E-ATP teamed with Designing Events (designingevents.com) to plan, market and direct the conference which was held in Brussels at the historic Hotel Metropole, September 30-October 2.

To meet E-ATP’s goals, Designing Events implemented a custom-tailored conference solution. Through strategy, marketing and technology they provided support communication and collaboration among potential conference delegates, sponsors and staff across multiple languages, time zones and borders. Since E-ATP has a small staff, Designing Events provided onsite support as well as experienced conference personnel during the preceding ten months of planning, sponsorship sales and marketing.

"Since E-ATP was breaking new ground with this first-ever conference and facing a challenging economic environment, we built a strategy around conservative goals,” said Michelle Issing, Designing Events’ president. “But with more than 150 delegates from 15 different countries represented, the inaugural conference was deemed a ‘huge success’ by E-ATP and the 17 conference sponsors. They are already planning a 2010 conference in Barcelona."

“The association is ecstatic with the outcome of the conference," said Dr. William G. Harris, CEO of ATP, E-ATP's parent organization. "We intend to create an annual European conference as successful as the ATP’s North American Conference. We are looking to double the number of attendees at our 2010 conference."

Maximizing Attendance and Minimizing Costs
Designing Events provides a wide range of conference services to E-ATP which starts with a comprehensive strategy focused on maximum results and relentless attention to cost control. Additional services include venue selection and contracting, program development, marketing, online technology, air and ground transportation coordination, exhibits, sponsorships and onsite personnel.

About ATP
Established in 1992, The Association of Test Publishers is a non-profit organization representing providers of tests and assessment tools and/or services related to assessment, selection, screening, certification, licensing, educational or clinical uses. They are dedicated to the highest level of professionalism and business ethics within the test publishing community. For more information on the ATP, visit testpublishers.org.

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Designing Events’ Suite of Online Tools Boosts Results for Meetings and Conferences

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:35:00 GMT

--Online registration and session management connect and engage attendees--

OCTOBER 21, 2009 – BALTIMORE - Designing Events, LLC (designingevents.com), a global consulting and outsourcing company for high-performance meetings and conferences, announced today the release of a major update to its acclaimed Designing Events Online suite of web-based marketing and management tools. The suite is specifically designed to support meetings and conferences for associations, corporations and pharmaceutical firms.

This update features enhanced versions of online registration and collaboration, session development and content management, conference websites and social media—all working together to make planning and executing events more efficient and engaging.

Personalized 24/7
Designing Events Online enables organizations to deliver important meeting and conference information via the Internet through conference websites created by Designing Events and social media.

Using social media marketing with the fast-growing forms of social networking—blogs, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook—Designing Events’ clients are able to reach a large mass of viewers with a click of a button and with a personalized message and content.

"Although conference and meeting planners may have worried in the past that online systems lacked a personal touch, it is no longer true with Designing Events Online,: said Michelle Issing, president of Designing Events. "Our latest online systems provide the ability for individuals to connect anytime, anywhere to find answers, sign-up for or download information. We have proven that this will lead to greater attendance and satisfaction with our clients’ events."

Efficiency Gained
Issing explained that the suite of online tools can ease budget pressures by providing greater returns using fewer resources.

Designing Events’ technology supplies accurate, up-to-the-minute, detailed information regarding virtually every aspect of a meeting or conference. This includes marketing programs, registrations, attendance, and budgets.

Using this feedback and information, Designing Events with the client, can make needed adjustments to create the greatest impact for every dollar spent.

"Designing Events Online is just another example of our commitment to utilizing the latest in technology to support the message and goals of our clients' meetings and conferences," Issing said.

About Designing Events
Designing Events, LLC is a premier global provider of high-performance planning, management and marketing services for pharmaceutical, corporate and association meetings and conferences. Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, the company has a proven track record of delivering high-quality results utilizing a comprehensive range of services and resources that are custom-tailored to fit each client's unique needs. For more information, visit designingevents.com.

Conferences Exceeding Attendance Goals!

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:30:00 GMT

Your members may only attend
one conference next year.
Will it be yours?

Attendance at three recent conferences planned by Designing Events exceeded expectations.

As a result, conference revenues increased for each organization and there are now three happy executive directors.

What’s our secret? In one word: Strategy.

But, not just any strategy -- certainly not one used last year -- times have changed.

These days, a successful conference begins with a custom-tailored strategy that is founded on a deep understanding of an association, its membership and industry. This focused plan creates a framework for delivering undeniable value to every potential participant.

Designing Events knows how to consistently deliver high-performance conferences that play a major role in the success of our clients’ organizations.

Of course we do a great deal more than strategize. We plan, implement and execute conferences with a relentless dedication to the goals. We make adjustments when needed, but we’re not distracted by the problem du jour.

Achieving your goals begins with the right strategy.

If your current conference planner is thinking about parties and décor before strategy, you really should talk with us.

Learn more about: Successful Conference Strategies

Contact A Conference Specialist:
Call toll free 866-867-1933 or Click Now.

New White Paper!
Advancing Your Membership, Association and Industry

How an over-performing conference moves your organization forward without costing more.

As every organization works to maximize results from every effort, the accepted definition of a successful conference isn't working anymore. Today, conferences must over perform in advancing the membership, the association and the industry. An over-performing conference is carefully designed to become an integral part of the association's success. Our new white paper shows you how.

Request Your Complimentary Copy

More Information about Designing Events:
Call toll free 866-867-1933 or Click Now.

Designing Events Announces New Online Performance Assessment For Association Conferences

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:43:00 GMT

TORONTO, Canada -- Aug. 17, 2009 -- Designing Events, a leading provider of high-performance meeting and conference services to associations, today introduced the Conference Performance Analyzer (CPA) - an online, interactive assessment tool to help association professionals determine the performance of their annual conference. The announcement was made at the ASAE Annual Meeting & Expo at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

"This is a valuable tool for association leadership," said Michelle Issing, president of Designing Events. "The assessment is based on more than a decade of data we’ve accumulated from association conferences around the world. We’ve identified the critical factors that can turn a run-of-the-mill conference into an over-performing conference."

"It is no longer acceptable for an association’s annual conference to deliver value only a few days every year," Issing added. "Annual conferences must represent an integrated program that delivers value year ‘round."

Available Now
The CPA is a free and confidential assessment that takes only about 15 minutes to complete. It is available now at Designing Event’s booth #2345 here at the ASAE Annual Meeting & Expo. The assessment is also available online at designingevents.com/cpa.

Developed exclusively by Designing Events, the Conference Performance Analyzer helps determine how an association’s conference is performing with in the three critical areas – advancing membership, advancing the association and advancing the industry. The system evaluates participants’ responses to a series of questions and statements, and instantly presents a graphical chart illustrating performance areas and gaps. A more detailed report is created and sent to participants via e-mail.

Press Contacts:

Michelle Issing
Designing Events
1-866-867-1933
michellei@designingevents.com

Designing Events Releases White Paper On Creating An 'Over-Performing Conference'

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:04:00 GMT

-- Traditional Definition of a Successful Association Conference has Changed --

TORONTO, Canada -- Aug. 17, 2009 -- Designing Events, LLC, a leading provider of high-performance meeting and conference services to associations, today announced the release of its new white paper, Advancing Your Membership, Association and Industry. The document outlines how an over-performing conference is imperative and also achievable without costing an organization more money. The announcement was made at the ASAE Annual Meeting & Expo at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

As organizations work to maximize results from every effort, the traditional definition of a successful conference has changed. This change gave the staff at Designing Events the idea to create this white paper. Utilizing more than a decade of association conference experience and data from a recent survey of industry professionals, Designing Events was able to pinpoint the items that are critical to over-performing conferences.

"In the past, what an association may have considered a successful conference hit the mark on some, but not all, of the association’s strategic goals. Today, there are opportunities to create an over-performing conference that consistently advances the association’s mission and vision at every opportunity," explains Michelle Issing, president of Designing Events. "In this white paper we show that a well-run conference doesn’t necessarily equal an over-performing conference. If it doesn’t advance the organization’s critical areas—membership, the association and the industry — it's simply a well-run conference.”

The white paper outlines how associations can build and measure the success of an over-performing conference. By driving revenue, building community and showcasing the association’s leadership, an over-performing conference becomes an integral part of the association’s success. Additionally, the over-performing conference will serve as the channel for industry professionals to learn, share, collaborate, grow and move their own companies, organizations and selves forward.

A complimentary copy of the white paper is available now at Designing Event’s booth #2345 here at the ASAE Annual Meeting & Expo and at the company’s web site associations.designingevents.com.

Press Contacts:

Michelle Issing
Designing Events
1-866-867-1933
michellei@designingevents.com

Designing Events Announces New Interactive Website for Associations, Corporate and Pharmaceutical Organizations

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:48:00 GMT

Five-Month Website Upgrade Provides Targeted Information to Industry Sectors

Designing Events, LLC, the pioneer of over-performing meetings and conferences, today announced the launch of its new and innovative designingevents.com website. The comprehensive web presence is actually comprised of three websites separately serving the company’s association, corporate and pharmaceutical divisions. Each is a rich multimedia portal featuring industry specific content that will help increase awareness of their high performance process.

"The new designingevents.com is a destination location that offers the viewer targeted, knowledge-based content about the delivery of over-performing meetings and conferences," said Michelle Issing, president of Designing Events. "Every day we’re engaging our clients and prospects in higher value discussions concerning the important role that meetings and conferences play in their organization’s success. It is critical that our website support that effort."

Exploring Every Corner of the Company

This was no simple website redesign. The five-month project was started with a clean slate and involved quite a bit of self rediscovery on the part of Designing Events, which this year celebrates its 10th anniversary. Staff and clients were deeply involved in capturing and documenting the many elements of the company’s process for successful meetings and conferences built over the years. "We explored every corner in order to create an accurate and informative portrayal of our company and methods," Issing added.

For example, a rich interactive presentation for associations was created to focus visitors on the importance of annual conferences in advancing an organization’s members and industry as well as the association itself. Users can tailor the subject matter to their specific interests or let the application run on automatic. Other features of the new site connect people to specific interests or issues through blogs, social networking and RSS feeds for real-time access to important topics.

Rising Hotel Rates + High Demand = ?

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:11:00 GMT

It’s no secret that hotel rates are expected to continue to rise in 2007, but what does this mean for meeting planners?

Every few years, the tables turn from the meeting planners having the upper hand in negotiating to the hotels. For the past two years or so, at least, the demand has been so high that meeting planners have had less negotiating power then they are used to. This high demand is expected to continue through 2008, which means negotiating hotel contracts until then will be tough – regardless of whether the meeting is in 2008 or 2013!

So how can you make the most of it?

The Early Bird Gets the Worm - Search early and book early. The more hotels that are in the running from the beginning, the higher your chances are of finding one that will meet your needs.

The Final Four - Never decide on ONE hotel before the negotiations begin. Narrow your search down to three or four hotels and let the hotels know they are in the final running. They will work with you more if they know they are one of 4 much more than if they are one of 34 and not knowing if they have a real shot at the business.

Information - Provide as much information to the hotels as you can about your group history (room pick up, f & b actuals, etc.), history of side meetings or sponsored events that traditionally bring in additional revenue for the hotel (but don’t commit to this in your contract) and what concessions are actually important to you and in what order of importance.

Flexibility - Be flexible with your dates if possible. The more flexibility you can offer a hotel, the better rate you can secure.

Develop Partnerships - Treat the hotels as a partner with you…not an adversary against you. Develop a good working relationship with the hotels in the final running and they are more likely to be open and honest with how they can help to make your program work at their hotel.