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Big Ideas: Fascinating TED Talks About New York City

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New York City is the most densely populated city in the United States, with approximately 20 million people squeezed into the 305 square miles of the New York Metro. The City is widely renowned for its diversity, its traffic congestion, and its fascinating history. The convergence of cultures and unique experience of living in close quarters with so many neighbors gives New York a unique feel that can’t be duplicated. We’re proud to have an AMA Executive Conference Center located in the heart of Times Square in New York City. Enjoy learning some fascinating insights into the Big Apple through a few of our favorite TED Talks:

“New York – Before The City”

Eric Sanderson, a landscape ecologist, provides a fascinating look at New York City through a map drawn during the American Revolution. With his keen understanding of the network of habitat relationships between species, Sanderson has digitized the map to create a block-by-block rendering of NYC as it was 400 years ago, complete with estimated Lenape tribe locations, lakes and streams, hills and gullies, and animal and plant species that flourished in the area. In his TED Talk, Sanderson elaborates on his “Mannahatta Project,” and creates a fascinating parallel between the density and interconnectedness of today’s Manhattan and the habitat as it existed prior to the arrival of European settlers.

“How We Found The Worst Place To Park In New York City – Using Big Data”

In this TED Talk, quantitative analyst and big data cruncher Ben Wellington uses numbers compiled from the New York State Department of Transportation to provide a fascinating overview of what it is like to live in New York City. Through his data analysis of waterway sanitation, taxi speeds, and even fire hydrant locations, Wellington draws a picture of day-to-day life in the City while making a case for the availability and use of big data for the good of the City.

“A Park Underneath The Hustle and Bustle of New York City”

Dan Barasch is the co-founder and executive director of the Lowline, a green space garden that he has conceptualized underneath the Lower East Side of New York City. A descendant of Italian immigrants, Barasch has always been fascinated with the early growth of New York City. The discovery of a former trolley terminal that operated from 1908 – 1948 under the Lower East Side was the catalyst for this project that has gleaned interest from thousands of NYC residents and scientists worldwide.

Fall Foodie Favorites In Atlanta

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It’s the coziest time of the year again! The leaves are changing colors and summer fare is shifting into hearty autumn meals. Pull on a sweater, grab a scarf, and get ready for these Top 5 Fall Foodie Favorites in Atlanta:

Porch Light Latin Kitchen
Gathering around the porch light is a time honored tradition on chilly autumn nights. Chef Andre Gomez brings the feeling of a firefly evening to hungry diners with an array of Puerto Rican inspired cuisine. A scratch kitchen, Porch Light uses freshly made local ingredients. The Cumin Spiced Saint Louis Ribs are a must try, best paired with Rum Glazed Sweet Plantains. Family friendly atmosphere, foodie worthy eats.

Kimball House
Kimball House offers an array of ‘food and drinks that reflect the seasons, farms, and personalities of the people preparing them.’ The welcoming ambiance is reminiscent of an Old English Pub. Fresh vegetables decorate the many salad options available, highlighting festive fall produce. For the 21 and over crowd, seasonal cocktails and absinthe are available. The Kimball House features a Raw Bar Happy Hour every Monday through Friday from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.

O4WP Pizza
Home of the famous Grandma Pie, O4WP is the coziest, neighborhood pizzeria in Atlanta. New Jersey native, Anthony Spina, boasts a philosophy of cheesy, satisfying simplicity. Local ingredients and handcrafted, rectangular pizza pies are sure to please the entire family. For an added treat, try a round of Fried Meatballs.

Bread & Butterfly
This cute cafe boasts a Parisian inspired decor. Serving bistro style fare from breakfast to dinner, Bread & Butterfly perfects the art of culinary simplicity. Stop in for an autumn brunch, with fresh brewed espresso, avocado on toast, and a stack of pancakes.

Wrecking Bar Brewpub
Celebrate harvest time with freshly farmed ingredients from the nearby Wrecking Bar and sip on one of 15 beers on tap. The Wrecking Bar Brewpub utilizes a seven barrel brewing system in crafting a rotating selection of lagers, stouts, and porters. Did we mention the bar sits in the cellar of a Victorian mansion? A haunting treat for your palette awaits, just in time for fall!

AMA Executive Conference Centers is here for your business meetings and corporate conferences in Atlanta. Our AMA Atlanta Center is just minutes from the Midtown arts and cultural district, as well as Piedmont Park. Host planning meetings, board retreats, focus groups, or corporate events at our center, conveniently located in midtown Atlanta’s Proscenium Office Building. With rooms perfect for meetings for up to 120 people, rental of our Atlanta area Center includes equipment and staff to help your meeting go off without a hitch. To find out more about how AMA can help make your next meeting in Washington DC, Atlanta, San Francisco or New York City a success, contact us today.

Changing Industries Forever with Virtual Reality

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Architectural Digest recently published insights on how virtual reality is changing the way that individuals across many industries are doing business. Patrick Sutton, an architect from Baltimore, discovered that the interior design industry could advance by leaps and bounds with the use of this technology. Instead of having to meet face-to-face with clients and present them with ideas on a flat 2-D surface, Sutton found that he could show them what he had in mind. They could experience his ideas for themselves and together they could work on how to adjust and change the designs. The technology to create virtual designs is currently not an inexpensive option, but it does help clients get exactly what they want and increases trust and satisfaction. Sutton found that virtual reality allowed he and his clients to make small changes along the way and have a much better idea about how it is all going to fit together.

As impressive as virtual reality is for the field of architecture, it is tremendously underutilized for other industries. Many forecast that as technology advances and headgear becomes more comfortable and affordable, businesses will begin to get a taste of just how beneficial virtual reality could be for their field. According to Event Drive, the popularity of virtual reality used for entertainment and education during meetings and events is also positioned to grow. In October 2017, Mark Zuckerberg announced the launch of Oculus venues, a Social platform in virtual reality that enables live events to be seen with LiveNation and TicketMaster and an Oculus Rift virtual reality headset.

Benefits of this technology are substantial – when incorporated as entertainment it’s a guaranteed way to engage with attendees. Statistics show that by the end of 2018, there will be over 170 million virtual reality users worldwide. This growing accessibility makes it the perfect time to engage with event audiences by creating unique brand experiences with virtual reality technology.

AMA Executive Conference Centers provide meeting spaces customized to both individual and company meeting planner needs. We are experts at planning professional gatherings and have convenient facilities in five locations: Atlanta, New York City, Washington DC and San Francisco. Contact us at AMA Executive Conference Centers to learn more and reserve a space for your next meeting.

TED Talks on Success for Meeting and Event Professionals

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Success can mean different things to different people. What remains the same is the desire for success as a meeting and event professional.  Let these three TED talks inspire and encourage you to greater heights in your profession!

Embrace The Near Win

Success is a journey. It does not happen overnight. What we can do is recognize the adventure for what it is and enjoy it. Sarah Lewis, an art historian and critic, explains how the almost failure and the near win can be just as important in our lives as the successes. This TED talk will inspire you to celebrate and embrace the near wins in your life.

The Difference Between Winning and Succeeding

Coach John Wooden led his team at UCLA to record wins in the world of basketball. He opens up in this TED talk about many things regarding winning, succeeding and the profound difference. Coach shares his father’s wisdom regarding success with us, as well as how he encouraged and inspired his players to monumental accomplishments. You’ll also enjoy the moments he quotes poetry. Coach John Wooden will deeply inspire you to embrace success, not just the win.

8 Secrets of Success

This power-packed,  three minute clip, brought to you by Richard St. John, will change your life forever. In under four minutes, Richard St. John an analyst and author, manages to explain in plain language (with humor) the 8 key points to success. He condensed his two hour, high school presentation down to a precise and power-filled slideshow. One that anyone, of any age and occupation, can implement immediately. This is a must-watch for everyone! He effectively breaks down the basic keys to success in life. They’re easy to follow, easy to understand and will change your outlook and aid in your success.

Success is desirable in all professions. These TED talks will encourage the event professional or meeting specialist to seek greater heights and bigger accomplishments. They will inspire you to learn, reflect and grow in your profession.

AMA Executive Conference Centers are focused on creating environments that will help your meeting and conference goals to be achieved. To learn more about our Centers in Atlanta, New York, Washington DC and San Francisco, click here to contact us.

How to Make Effective Use Of Your Time

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Time is the most precious resource we have, but too many distractions threaten to slow down progress and steal time. If you want to make the most effective use of your time, you’ll have to learn how to avoid distractions and maintain momentum.

Identify and Remove Distractions

Covey’s Time Management Grid is a four quadrant grid that divides the things that take up your time based on their urgency and importance.
Click here to view grid: https://www2.usgs.gov/humancapital/documents/TimeManagementGrid.pdf

  • Quadrant 1: Urgent and important (like an approaching deadline or family emergency.)
  • Quadrant 2: Not urgent but important (like a long-term professional or personal goal.)
  • Quadrant 3: Urgent but not important (favors or tasks other people want you to do urgently.)
  • Quadrant 4: Not urgent and not important (like watching television or browsing social media.)

It is ideal to remain in quadrant 2 as much as possible. The more Q3 and Q4 activities you can avoid, the less time you’ll spend scrambling in Q1. Remove unimportant distractions by:

Build and Maintain Your Momentum

One of the best ways to make the most of your time is to not procrastinate in the beginning waiting on perfect circumstances. According to Business Insider, it’s better to get working in the beginning, and worry about quality later. Once you get the ball rolling, it’s important to keep it rolling. A few things you can do to maintain your momentum are:

  • Keep your mind on the task at hand and worry about your long-term strategies later.
  • Split your project into smaller tasks to build momentum and progression.
  • Your mind can wander when you are tired, so be sure to start the day with your biggest tasks.

Keep It Simple

Making things simple is a great way to progress and keep your momentum going. AMA’s Executive Conference Centers have Centers in a variety of cities, and each with flexible meeting configurations uniquely tailored for training sessions, meetings, conferences and more. Click here to contact with us to learn more our Centers in Atlanta, New York, Washington D.C. and San Francisco.

The Best Ways to Experience NYC’s Central Park this Fall

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Fall time in the northeastern United States is welcoming, cozy, and full of beauty. New York City is no exception, with brilliant weather, beautiful scenery, and a plethora of things to do. And as one of the city’s premiere gems, Central Park is the ideal place to catch some of the fall time fun.

Central Park Fun Facts

During the mid-1800s, New York City citizens created a plan to establish public grounds within the city that would rival any other across the world. The project was finalized, passed, and began in 1853 when the city acquired more than 700 acres of land for the job.

Central Park opened to the public in 1859 but continued expanding until 1863. As the first landscaped public park in the country, it is also one of the largest and most beautiful; consisting of an astounding 843 acres. More than 42 million people visit its attractions, events, and general splendor each year. Whether it’s winter, spring, summer or fall, Central Park is the place to be in NYC.

Must-See Happenings at Central Park this Fall

Places to Take in the Foliage
With all that acreage and beautiful landscape, Central Park is the perfect place to see the amazing colors and foliage that autumn provides. A few places in particular might be ideal places for finding inspiration, taking a little hike, or planning an event. Try checking out magnificent Belvedere Castleor take a stroll down 38-acres of lush woodlands and majestic nature at The Ramble.

Bring Your Furry Friend Along
Thousands of people walk their dogs in Central Park every day, but when autumn comes around, the dogs come out in droves. Bring your furry friends with you to the park to get in on games, connecting, contests, and more when you attend the My Dog Loves Central Park Fair in late-October.

Visit the Zoo
The Central Park Zoo is open year-round, but fall time is one of the best times of the year to go. Not only is the foliage spectacular, but it’s the perfect weather for walking around and seeing more active animals. Whether you’re there with your family or planning an event for your company, the zoo can offer beauty, fun, and some education.

Get in the Halloween Spirit
Central Park becomes a fall time wonderland around Halloween and if you’re looking for the perfect spooky-cool event, try taking advantage of the Halloween Pumpkin Flotilla. A few days before Halloween, you can take part in festivities like pumpkin carving, costume parades and contests, and the Flotilla. People from all over the world come to see the Pumpkin Flotilla, where pumpkin after pumpkin floats across the water and lights up the sky. An ‘Instagram-worthy’ event to attend!

Take a Tour
If you’re unsure of where to go to see the best fall foliage or simply want to see it all, try taking a tour. There is a variety of Central Park guided tours that can work with both large and small groups. It’s the ideal season for these guided tours and each fall tour is designed to show you the very best parts of the park, though personalized tours can be provided.

Our New York AMA Executive Conference Center is the largest conference center in New York City. Let us host your next business meeting, conference, or executive event at one of our AMA Centers in New York, Atlanta, San Francisco and Washington DC. Contact us to let us know how we can assist you.

3 TED Talks With an Interesting Take on Grammar

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Good grammar is key to professional communication. A solid command of the rules allows you to share your ideas effectively. But for many people, grammar can be tricky and a bit mundane. That’s why we’ve gathered a few of our favorite TED talks on the subject. They each bring a fresh perspective to what can otherwise be a pretty dry topic.

The Tricky Semicolon

Oh, the dreaded semicolon. If you often wonder how and when to use this bit of punctuation, this quick video from Emma Bryce is for you. It’s part of a TED-Ed series that transforms ideas into animated lessons. The video lays out everything you need to know about the semicolon in a fun and creative way. Understanding how to use this tool can help you connect your ideas more powerfully.

Inside the World of a Copy Editor

For something completely different, check out Mary Norris’ quirky take on her experiences as a copy editor for the New Yorker. This may not be a step-by-step lesson on grammar, but it is an insightful look at how to tackle grammatical issues while maintaining the voice of the writing. It’ll get you thinking about how grammar influences the reader’s perception. Making a choice that’s not grammatically correct may do a better job of getting your meaning across.

But Really, What’s the Point?

How much does good grammar really matter? In this video, Andreea Calude poses this very question. The TED-Ed lesson takes viewers on a journey through the history of written language, explaining the cultural background of grammar rules. It explores the fascinating differences between written and spoken language. Mary Norris’ talk posits that the rules can be bent in certain situations. This video compliments that idea nicely.

Who knew grammar could be so interesting? We always enjoy how TED talks put a spin on things. It makes for a thought-provoking learning experience, no matter the topic.

2019 Feast of San Gennaro in New York City

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Each September in New York City, the streets of Little Italy play host to one of the largest and longest-running street festivals in town. Attracting well over a million visitors each year, the Feast of San Gennaro began as a small observance but has grown into an 11-day long celebration of Italian-American heritage that includes live music, fun, and plenty of food.

The areas around Mulberry Street began to fill with immigrants, largely from Sicily and Naples, as far back as the 1880’s. The first celebration honoring the patron saint of Naples in what is now known as Little Italy took place in 1926 as a small block party that lasted just one day. The saint’s statue was carried through the streets as a symbol of devotion, and this Grand Procession stills takes place as part of the modern festival.

This year’s Feast of San Gennaro will occur from September 12th through the 22nd and includes a lengthy lineup of activities. The Grand Procession starts at 2:00 p.m. on September 12th, and will feature floats, music, and special celebrity guests. A cannoli eating contest featuring an endless avalanche of Caffe Palermo cannoli will take place on September 13th. Throughout the festival, live music will be performed nightly at the Grand Stage on Mott Street.

The street fair has no admission, and vendors line the streets with crafts, games, and food stalls. Browse the wares a bit before deciding what to eat, as options are plentiful. Sausage and pepper sandwiches, calamari, fried clams, zeppoles, pizza—there is almost too much to choose from. If you somehow don’t manage to find your favorites or get your fill, Little Italy offers some of the best Italian restaurants in town. Try Rubirosa on Mulberry, Emporio on Mott, or Lombardi’s on Spring, to name a few.

The festival spans many blocks along Mulberry Street from Canal all the way to Houston. Between Mott and Baxter, it spills onto Grand and Hester as well. Crowds are higher during the weekends, so weeknights are a great option if you can swing it. Street closures and crowds tend to snarl traffic, so it may be easiest to take the subway into the area. Nearby stations include Prince, Spring, and Canal Streets.

Our New York AMA Executive Conference Center  is the largest conference center in New York City. Let us host your next business meeting, conference, or executive event at one of our AMA Centers in New York, Atlanta, San Francisco and Washington DC. Contact us to let us know how we can assist you.

3 Top Fall Attractions in New York

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New York City is home to more than 8.6+ million people. That size of a population makes it a space where there is a lot to do no matter what time of year it is. The entire city is home to a variety of great fall time activities. Whether you’re interested in pumpkin patches, sipping apple cider, taking a hayride, going Trick-Or-Treat, hosting a Thanksgiving dinner, or selecting yourselves a living Christmas tree, New York City has something to offer everyone throughout the Fall season.

Here are a few of our top fall attractions in New York:

Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival

The Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival runs September 7th & 8th at the Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, New York and admissions run from $7 to $35. This fall festival includes plenty of tastings from wineries, distilleries, and ciders that come to showcase at the event. Choose your sampling and then decide which ones you would like to purchase. Gourmet food and food trucks will finish off your experience. Click here to visit them online for more information. 

NYC Oktoberfest

NYC natives love attending the annual NYC Oktoberfest – also enjoyed by regional visitors and tourists alike. Attendees enjoy over 50 different food vendors and can shop at over 100 different merchandisers. This event is free and takes place from Lexington Avenue to 42nd-57th streets in New York City on October 5, 2019. Click here to visit them online for more information.

Bayswater Fall Festival

The Bayswater Fall Festival takes place right outside of New York City. It’s a perfect destination, should you be looking to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city for a day in the quiet that comes with the Bayswater area. Attendees at this Queens, New York festival can expect to enjoy a festival for all ages that includes hayrides, pumpkin patches, arts-and-crafts, and other family-friendly activities. Click here to visit them online for more information. 

AMA Executive Conference Centers has a Center located in New York City – right in the heart of Times Square. We also have Centers throughout the U.S. and are here to help make planning additional fall activities easy for your company. Whether you want to host an executive meeting, retreat, conference, product launch or corporate reception, our four locations are available for multiple dates throughout 2019 and into 2020. Center locations include Atlanta, New York City, Washington DC Area, and San Francisco.

Click here to contact us and let’s start planning your next corporate event!

Top 4 TED Talks on Collaboration for the Meeting & Event Professionals

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There is strength in numbers. Amazing things happen when we work together and this is especially true with meeting and event professionals. The following TED Talks are some of the best conversations on the topic of collaboration – enjoy!

How to Manage for Collective Creativity

Linda Hill, the co-author of “Collective Genius” and a Harvard professor, discusses the tactics used by very successful companies in this TED talk on collaboration. She  opens up about her research into how these businesses tapped their own resources to benefit the most from collaboration and everyone’s input, not just the designated creative ones of the company.

What Happened When I Open-Sourced My Brain Cancer

This TED talk really spotlights the power of collaboration. When faced with a very difficult medical situation, Salvatore Iaconesi made the decision not to stand by and watch. He would not allow himself to be passive, but instead turned to the world and the power of people to overcome a dismal diagnosis.

The Case For Collaborative Consumption

A recognized expert and researcher of collaborative behaviors and trust-mechanics, Rachel Botsman explains that humans are wired to share. The way we live, work and play are changing. These once crazy ideas of sharing and collaborating are now gaining momentum. Enjoy watching Rachel’s TED talk on technology-enabled collaboration and their effect on us.

A Conservative’s Plea: Let’s Work Together

This TED talk discusses ways we can make a difference in a segregated world. It goes into detail on what each of us can do individually to make an impact together. Arthur Brooks breaks down the walls between liberals and conservatives. He shares his ideas that will stop the battle of the sides and usher in the collaboration. Arthur Brooks is the President of the American Enterprise Institute, and an active social scientist.

Meeting planners and professionals have the opportunity to work collaboratively each day. This includes working alongside other professionals as they are planning a big meeting or brainstorming with their own clients. These TED talks share incredible ideas on how to improve this partnership and how to tap this underrated resource. Remember: there is strength in numbers!