DISTRIBUTE ECO-FRIENDLY ITEMS. If you plan to distribute promotional items to your attendees, consider purchasing useful reusable items made from recycled materials. Look for energy-efficient items made of toxin-free materials. 

GREEN-UP EXHIBITS. If your meeting includes vendors or exhibit booths, encourage exhibitors to distribute only those items made of recycled content. Ask them to be mindful of the quantity of brochures or any other promotional items they distribute. Ask vendors to break down corrugated boxes so they can be easily collected for recycling. E-mail post-event surveys to your attendees as well as your vendors and ask for their feedback and ideas to improve greening efforts. 

OFFSET WHAT YOU CAN'T RECYCLE. Consider donations to organizations such as CarbonFund to help support carbon-reducing projects such as renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects. It's simple and affordable.

"Guests rave about the quality and variety of our food", says Jack Doherty, Executive Chef at Q Center. "I frequently hear our food is TOO good and it caused a guest to gain a few pounds. That's the kind of comment cruise ships receive - not conference centers." Doherty would know. As a member of the culinary team aboard the Queen Elizabeth II, he learned a thing or two about impeccable service and how to create an extraordinary culinary experience...READ MORE

The right size meeting space is critical. Not enough space and your attendees will be cramped and uncomfortable. Too much space could mean you spend extra money on A/V equipment. Plus, attendees might feel lost or distracted. Here's a guide to help you figure out how much space you need for your next event...ESTIMATING MEETING SPACE REQUIREMENTS

Even the most experienced meeting planner has had some things fall off their radar, only to discover them later. Sometimes it's a last minute blitz to fix, and sometimes it's too late. Here's a checklist that outlines key actions to begin three months prior to your start date...MEETING PLANNER CHECKLIST