GDPR is underway and we all must be prepared with our processes on how we will manage requests for Data Subject Removals or Changes. Three high level processes are provided: If the Organization receives the request If the Meeting Agency receives the request If another third party provider receives the request Download these examples now. Debi Scholar Continue reading

Critical to add active Opt-In Consents for your speakers, facilitators, participants regardless if they attend a meeting, event, or conference in an in-person, hybrid, or remote (virtual/digital). Continue reading

Marriott leaders’, with the decision to cut commissions from 10% to 7%, squander our flexibility and power to influence our organizations towards efficient Strategic Meetings Management (SMM) programs. Worse, when Marriott chooses to show preferentialism toward four (4) sourcing agencies that are exempt from this commission reduction, the inequality results in an industry uproar with obvious imbalance. Continue reading

“Debi, do you realize that many people don’t want to come to your country…that is why virtual meetings demand will increase” is the message I heard three weeks ago during a conference call with a Supplier with attendees from U.K.,... Continue reading

Let's propel the Mobile Meeting Application to be the primary attendee registration platform and integrate the data with our SMM Technology so that we drive 100% adoption to use the mobile meeting application and the data transferred into the attendee... Continue reading

Strategic Meetings Management (SMM) delivers propelling results for corporations and associations such as greater access to skilled resources to improve meeting experiences, further ability to secure a “seat at the table” with C-level leaders, and better supplier pricing with reduced... Continue reading

Achieve SMM success with Pioneers and original SMM Thought Leaders Kevin Iwomoto and Debi Scholar. Get advice, bring your challenges, and opportunity to win 1 of 4 books! – no challenge too big! SMM Webinar Registration Continue reading

“Young children of mixed races play cricket…one hands me a bat and giggles at the way I hold it…” Yummy recipes (my favorite..Spinach and Tangerine Soup from Lesotho!), provoking pictures, sincere stories, and tough terrain … plus more in the... Continue reading

A public, and HUGE THANK YOU to Ann Rebentisch, CMP, CMM, Founder of the LinkedIn CMM Group. (Certificate in Meetings Management). With her leadership to encourage many CMMs to come forward, and with the support of the Meetings Media, we... Continue reading

Have you integrated virtual / digital meetings into your meetings and events yet? If your answer is no, it is probably because: Your organization’s culture does not embrace virtual / hybrid meetings yet It does not fall under your area... Continue reading

Bravo for Brilliant education coming up at the Global Business Travel Association Convention starting on Sunday, August 4 in San Diego. Are you interested in Risk Based Service Level Agreements? On Tuesday, August 6 at 9:00 a.m., I will be... Continue reading

President John F. Kennedy said, "There are risks and costs to a program of action, but they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction." Isn't that the truth? Do you believe it is far better... Continue reading

In the last blog post, I talked about the 3 books that were on my hard drive. A few more edits and they will become a reality! I expect by end of May. "Your SMM Toolkit" Book is currently at... Continue reading

Three years ago, I had a conversation with a meetings supplier who was interested in offering Strategic Meetings Management Services. He asked, "Don't we just have to install a meetings management technology system and then we are finished?" I put... Continue reading

In high profile meeting environments where the tools need to match the egos and the expectations, the iPad has captured the audience not only because of its fashionable sophistication, but also because of its practicality. With four generations in our... Continue reading

Excel – a meeting planner's essential tool, but is it? We send out meeting invitations through email, copy the responses into Excel, sort the list of registered names, pair up the shared rooms, categorize by selected activities, and filter the... Continue reading

Even with the economic forecast in recovery and spend appears to be accelerating, organizations are still cost-conscious on their meeting and event expenses so much so that three clients have asked me recently for a recipe of my secret savings... Continue reading

Does the thought of pricing meeting management services intimidate you? If you are like most meeting or travel leaders, it does. And, why not, because there are multiple ways to price meeting and event services. I'm holding an educational webinar... Continue reading

Do you want to save time, be more productive, and get that darn Meeting Policy written now? What should go into your meeting policy? How much will your Organization SAVE if people follow the policy? What is your project plan... Continue reading

If you're a regular reader, you know I love Virtual Meetings and started the PwC Virtual Meetings Department in 2002 – 11 years ago. Considering technology advancements and timelines, 11 years ago is like the era of using horse and... Continue reading

I really try to be patient...but it has been 385 days since I've been able to change my LinkedIn profile due to some glitch in their system that LinkedIn Technical Support can't figure out. My plea..."Please techies, get this fixed... Continue reading

Goodness sakes, do we love our acronyms or what? Are you a Do-It-Yourselfer (DIY) or do you hire contracted help? In our business environment, many managers are roll-up-your sleeves, working managers who need to quickly learn how to do things... Continue reading

Please find copies of our Newsletter linked here. Be sure to sign up for our webinar next week. Here are the details: Next Level in Contracting: Crafting Risk Based Service Level Agreements February 20 at 12:00 PM EST. You're in... Continue reading

Corporate Credit Cards, Procurement Cards, Meeting Cards and Ghost Cards have become a common payment method in the travel and meeting industry. And, rightly so, because paying for products or services via a Card vs. the traditional Accounts Payable method... Continue reading