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Meetings are one of the very essential ‘must-do’ happenings in a company since it is through such gatherings that you develop each individual and yet maintain smooth and harmonious relationships between co-workers. As your business increasingly demands more from your employees, more should be given back to your employees via conferences to discuss current issues and ideas that would be helpful to uplift your group. Perfect meetings can strengthen the group’s pursuit to increase the company’s advantage in the marketplace, which is certainly a desirable and attainable goal. Achieving this objective with such a gathering should be the direct result of choosing a perfect location that is competitive in cost. Hotel site selection is an integral part of this equation and can be easily accomplished by following these simple steps: 1. Clear Goal - Keep a clear goal in mind and make sure to know the needs of your business agenda. Before doing a visual inspection of the conference place, keep in mind the following things: the objective of your gathering from both the company’s and participant’s point of view; how much is the company willing to spend for a location site; and can the participant’s needs be met at that location. 2. Head Count – Know how many potential people will be attending this meeting. Different hotels can handle different numbers of people. 3. Facilities Equipment – Be sure the chosen facility has all necessary equipment needed to conduct the meeting, including any audio/visual aids such as projectors, sound system, lighting, etc. 4. Transportation Needs – Know in detail what it would take each attendee to get to that location as well as what the budgeted amount is for travel expenses. 5. Shuttle and Parking Needs – If most participants are arriving by plane, know if shuttle service is provided by the hotel you select to handle your participant’s airport arrivals and departures. If there are significant drivers coming in, be sure the meeting site has adequate, safe and free parking facilities on site. 6. Geographical Location – Be familiar with the geography of the area; will the drive from the airport be pleasant and easy or heavy-traffic-threatening? Are there other high-traffic areas close by that may be distracting to your conference? Is it a safe location for your attendees? 7. Current Events – Become familiar enough with the area to determine if there is the potential for another large event in the area, from another group gala to a parade route for a local event. Any of this could affect your happiness with a chosen hotel site. 8. Location Enhancements or Distractions – A training meeting needs an atmosphere that is conductive to a quality learning experience in a controlled environment. On the other hand, an incentive rally filled with celebrations for accomplished goals would thrive in an atmosphere that is alive and entertaining. Know which location is best for your particular gathering. 9. Seasonal Considerations – Not every hotel site is the best to hold a conference every season of the year. A wintry location for the end-of-year planning meeting might find your participants stranded and unable to get home for the holidays. A site that requires changing venues for each function would not be very pleasant in the summer in desert locations. The season of the year does need to be considered in the site selection. 10. Location Familiarity – Meetings held in the same, pleasant locations can be advantageous when they are held the same time every year. A well-liked location allows participants to plan off-site outings because they know what to expect and where to go. It is indeed possible to find a good, desirable and enjoyable site location for your next gathering that still meets the budget set aside for this event. If you are willing to do your homework as indicated above, the hotel site selection process can equate to a great site plus a competitive cost equaling a perfect meeting! C. Michael Hunter is an expert in group and individual luxury travel and meeting planners. To find out more about Hotel Site Selection, go to the main website at: http://www.allureplus.com/.
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