Clark offers a set of general suggestions for every aspect of planning and executing a business meeting, from scheduling times and places and choosing who will take the minutes, to laying out a concise agenda (and sticking to it), and, after the meeting, following up on the items discussed.

Clark emphasizes prior planning to make sure that meetings are targeted and effective, with an emphasis on making sure that attendees get the most out of the experience. He stresses the importance of clear communication with participants: give a realistic idea of how long the meeting will last and what topics will be covered; try to hold the meeting in a good atmosphere, with refreshments if possible. Visual aids and clear agendas are very helpful; they will underscore a meeting’s primary points, help keep speakers focused, and may keep people’s attention from wandering. Additionally, he suggests types of questions to focus on in discussion in order to make the most of the gathering.

This page is a good summary reference for managers and approaches the subject of business meetings with a view of how to make them not only informative but enjoyable and fulfilling for those who attend.

http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/leadmet.html

Personally I feel that the term “economy hotels” indicates that the hotel offers an optimized experience with only the essentials - safe, clean bed, room, and bathroom - and a little more professional / business travel feel than say a budget hotel where the sole factor is price.

It wouldn’t necessarily include luxuries such as a fitness center, on-location dining options, laundry service etc.

Unfortunately in reality, this term is next to worthless because many hotel managers and marketers intermix the terms economy and budget. Place like Holiday Inn Express (which mostly adhere to my description above BUT include a GREAT free breakfast, above average showers, and beds) which aren’t necessarily “luxury hotels” but often are nicer than self described luxury brands like Hilton.

In Chicago, I would have to say that a hotel such as the Red Roof Inn Chicago is the epitome of what a great economy hotel should be. The place is not fancy, but its rates are dirt cheap, but it does not sacrafice essentials.

Originally written for government officials in the state of Missouri, this article features a good plain-language discussion of parliamentary procedure, the method of organizing and conducting formal meetings of government bodies (i.e. Congress).

A majority of local governments, civic groups, and businesses use parliamentary procedure to formalize and give order to the business at hand. Deford and Cekola emphasize the importance of “orderly, smoothly-run meetings” which have the proper scope and which operate according to prescribed rules, making your business run more smoothly and professionally.

This article focuses on the basics of parliamentary procedure as outlined in Robert’s Rules of Order, the procedural guide most widely used in government and business. Deford and Cekola cover the basics of making motions and engaging in discussions. The article provides a good reference and summary for those who will want to order meetings according to parliamentary procedure or some other format; for those using Robert’s Rules, the article is a handy reference to the terms you’ll be using to conduct business at your own meetings.

http://www.mocities.com/%5CUploadedMedia%5C11481_SuccessMtgs.pdf

Trade shows for your best prospects are a great way to generate leads if you know how to take advantage of the opportunity. You can reap the benefits without having to rent a booth.

Insurance Sales - Be a Trade Show Attendee, Not a Booth Owner By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Cheryl_Clausen]Cheryl Clausen Trade shows for your best prospects are a great way to generate leads if you know how to take advantage of the opportunity. You can reap the benefits without having to rent a booth. The down side to renting a booth in addition to the cost is the fact that you’re tied to the booth unless you have enough help to man your booth so that you can be free to roam the event. Most trade shows are recurring and you can know the date of the next one a year in advance, so you have plenty of time to plan your strategy for sales success. If the event is held at a hotel or a convention center connected to a hotel you could rent a room during the event and send post cards to prospects inviting them to visit you to get something they would value. You could even host an after the event cocktail hour. You can walk the trade show making sure you meet as many potential prospects as possible, and then always have something of value to offer them to make a connection. Whatever your plan, make sure you have your entire marketing and sales strategy mapped out for the event far enough in advance to have everything prepared for the big event so you get the sales success you envision. Make sure you arrive at the event early and work your plan. Know who is running the event and find out if there is an opportunity for you to help with the event that will get you exposure to the right people. You may want to greet arrivers and hand them a bag they can use to collect all the trade show goodies in. Perhaps you want to visit the booths early and bring them a cup of coffee. Be prepared to position yourself for the most exposure, and be prepared with a great attention getting core marketing message. And no matter what your plan of attack always have something to offer the people you meet that they would really want so you can start the connection.

Your offer is the key to the whole lead generation process. You have to come up with something that is a value added proposition. Something your prospects would really want and it doesn’t have to be something tangible. In fact, information that isn’t readily available but really helpful or useful will encourage others to reach out to you. The first step to [http://coachingmegaagents.com/ArticleSales.php]sales success is getting the people whose attention you want to connect with you, and this is a great way to do it. But you don’t want to do it in a pushy way. Remember you’re not a booth holder. You’re either walking the trade show or inviting people to connect with you at your own event near the trade show, so you just need to meet and greet people and make a friend; and then mention this valuable something you’d like them to have.

Why do most people waste the leads they get at trade shows? Because they don’t follow-up or they don’t follow-up fast enough. Remember the leads you got from the trade show don’t know you, so you need to have a system to follow-up with those leads in some way within 72 hours or they’re wasted. Beyond 72 hours they’ve moved on from the trade show and their interest and enthusiasm will have waned. So include your follow-up plan of attack in your overall plan. Top producers are top producers because they have a plan for their sales success and they’re committed to working their plan.

Ready to get unstuck? Increase your [http://omaha-business-coach.com/sales.html]Insurance Sales, check this out.

Could you sell more with a few [http://coachingmegaagents.com/TimeManagement.php]Time Management Tips?

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cheryl_Clausen http://EzineArticles.com/?Insurance-Sales—Be-a-Trade-Show-Attendee,-Not-a-Booth-Owner&id=784250

A timeline for would-be trade show participant, listing each of the steps that should be taken to ensure a rewarding exhibition of your product or service.

The guide suggests you begin planning for your company’s trade show exhibit up to a year in advance by setting clear goals, budgeting for the trip, and understanding the contract you’ll sign with the show and the space and amenities you’ll be given. The guide also provides helpful reminders of what should be accomplished by a certain time before the show is to be held. This highly-detailed reference is a very useful planning aid, covering all aspects of both your trade show visit and how business will be conducted while you and/or key staff members are traveling. There are handy reminders and tips for staff accommodations, paperwork pertaining to your exhibit space, payments, and more.

Finally, the guide offers some advice for managers such as suggestions for “mystery shopping” the competition at the show, and strategies for acting on what you’ve learned once the show is complete.

http://www.kdl.to/guides/exhibition_guide.htm

The question of how much to pay a trade show model or “booth babe” is asked often with most people not willing to share specifics. However, in our experience, for Chicago trade shows, the going rate that a model should expect is between $150-$250 per day for a major city like Chicago or New York. Obviously, that pay rate depends on which trade show and type of work required.

Once the model or brand representative begins to establish him or herself, that rate can increase dramatically. As the model begins to acquire positive feedback and a positive reputation he or she will also begin to grow their resume and connections. This will result in better gigs - if not more prestiguies positions, certainly better pay because the model is a known entity and the hiring manager knows what to expect.

The rate I am qouting is is strictly for basic booth duties i.e. for the model or brand representative to look nice, be polite, and know basic things about the company he or she is representing.

Factors that might change that rate include: If the client requires you wear a specific costume, do special activities (pose for photos, exhibit a particular skill, etc.)

Friedmann provides ten simple steps to make sure that your business meetings are effectual, well-structured, and professional. Her common sense approach to planning will help you avoid small annoyances and problems that can crop up whenever a business meeting is planned.

Practicing good time management, working well with subordinates and colleagues, and maintaining a positive attitude are all tactics that will help you plan and hold business meetings. Being a “perpetual learner,” constantly absorbing new ideas and strategies, is also vital to continued success. “We live in an information age and are surrounded by more stuff than we can possibly cope with. However, successful people [...]constantly look for new and improved ways of doing things, learning from the masters and staying open and willing to try different approaches,” Friedmann writes.

Above all, she suggests keeping a sense of humor, no matter what occurs: “If nothing else, remember that laughing is good for your health and will help reduce your stress and blood pressure levels.” Having a positive approach, and planning ahead, will help your meetings go smoothly.

http://www.livingnow.info/story/8219/Ten_Secrets_of_Super_Successful_Meeting_Planners

This hotel is the epitome of what a great hotel for hosting a meeting or training session should be. It has a great meeting facility as well as friendly, helpful staff, clean rooms, great local transportation (provided by the hotel!), and clean, comfortable rooms that now feature the clean - always washed! - comforter instead of a bedspread.

Holiday Inn Express - Palatine website

by Scott Clark
abstract prepared by Hugh Fisher
Puget Sound Business Journal, 5 May 2000

A twofold discussion, featuring several ways to maximize your exposure and impact in the high-energy environment of a trade show, and some important reminders for those embarking on a new business venture.

Clark suggests a four-step approach to making the most of a trade show appearance: engaging the potential customer with a good first impression, qualifying to sort out the best and most serious prospects, demonstrating your product effectively, and taking the next step by following up with literature or a personal contact after the show is finished.

Clark also provides some “reality checks” for entrepreneurs, warning that past business experience (even in management) does not guarantee that a new venture will succeed. “To believe past management experience ensures future entrepreneurial success,” he writes, “is like assuming a shift manager of the congressional kitchen is qualified to be president.” Prior small business experience, careful choosing of teammates and employees, and effective strategic planning are key in making any new venture more likely to succeed.

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2000/05/08/smallb7.html

Resorts East Chicago Hotel and Casino runs regular bus service from downtown Chicago to their resort in East Chicago. The nice part about this is that it is nearly free - of course it is, they want your money!

From the Hilton Towers stop, the fare is only $1 and guests will receive a $5 cash voucher upon arrival!

From other locations in Chicago the fare is $5 but guests will receive a $10 cash voucher.

http://www.resortseastchicago.com/transportation.shtml

If you are looking for a great casino experience while you are visiting Chicago, you really can’t beat Resorts East Chicago. The Casino features more than 53,000 square feet of gaming action, and it features the largest and widest variety of games in all Northwest Indiana.

Resorts East Chicago Casino features four spacious playing levels that are open 24/7. The casino offers 1,900 of the latest and most popular slot machines and video poker games, 60 table games, and 16 live poker tables.