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3 TED Talks To Get Your Team Working Together

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It’s vital in business that you find ways for everyone on your team to contribute their own ideas – so you can find the best possible way to help your clients. Each employee brings a unique perspective and skill set to the table. A group of people working together in collaboration can do so much more than any of us can do alone.

Although you might understand the value of collaboration, some days it feels easier to just sit at your desk with headphones in and your head down working. Take a break from the usual and watch one or all of these TED Talks that discuss working together in unique ways and help remind us about the power of collaboration!

 Dan Cobley: What Physics Taught Me About Marketing

Most people wouldn’t think that physics and marketing are similar disciplines at all, but Dan Cobley proves them wrong. In this funny and insightful talk, he manages to make comparisons that you probably couldn’t have thought of without his unique background. By combining his expertise and passion for two really different subjects, he can look at problems in a whole new way. That’s why it is so important to work with people with diverse experiences and perspectives. You never know what dynamic new ideas could come out of a new combination of unique people.

 Linda Hill: How to Manage for Collective Creativity

It’s easy to sit in meetings and talk about how a group should be collaborating. It’s so much more difficult to actually implement change. In her talk, Linda Hill gives concrete strategies and examples that can help anyone to collaborate better.

Shade Zahrai and Aric Yegudkin: The Rhythmic Beauty of Collaboration

This one might be cheating because it’s not technically a talk; it’s a dance performance, but it did happen at a TED event. Neither dancer is the “lead”. Rather, they are both able to showcase their own skills while building off of each other. The dancers beautifully illustrate the magic that can come out of a good collaboration.

We hope these talks will help you understand the value of teamwork and collaboration in your company. At AMA Executive Conference Centers, we offer meeting spaces that help companies bring their meetings and conferences to life. With locations in Atlanta, New York, Washington DC, and San Francisco – click here to learn more about hosting your meeting with AMA.

5 Easy Tips for Gathering Post-Meeting Feedback From Attendees

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Post-meeting feedback is the foundation for building future events that meet, and possibly exceed, client expectations. Attendees are your largest source for gathering insight into what worked and what didn’t—valuable information for securing returning and new business. Here are 5 easy tips for how to gather post-meeting feedback from attendees:

1. Make Providing Feedback Easy

Surveys are a helpful way to gather feedback and are most engaging when they are short and not time consuming. Develop questions that go beyond the standard yes or no answers. Explore using apps like EventMobi, which provides for instant feedback.

2. Monitor Social Media

When attendees have a positive experience—or a negative one—they are quick to share the details on social media. The ability to post comments quickly—along with a hashtag identifying the event or location—makes monitoring social media a must in gathering attendee feedback.

3. Provide Incentives

Most attendees must catch-up on work and family obligations once the meeting is over. Taking the time to provide feedback about the event from which they just returned is yet another task. By providing incentives, such as reduced registration for the next event, is sometimes helpful in drawing their focus and for receiving their feedback.

4. Engage During the Event

Interacting with attendees while they are on site is a great way to capture feedback as attendees are “in the moment.” Their feedback is fresh and can lead to making immediate changes when possible. Additionally, always remember to say thank you. Let attendees know you appreciate their presence at the meeting and welcome their feedback afterward.

5. Don’t Forget Vendors

Your vendors play an important role in the overall success of your meetings and events. It is important to include them when seeking post-meeting feedback. Their input can go a long way to improving the next meeting experience for everyone.

Contact us today to learn more about hosting your meetings at AMA Executive Conference Centers in Atlanta, New York City, San Francisco and Washington DC.

2019 National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC

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There is no better way to celebrate the arrival of spring than attending the nation’s three-week long National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC, to admire the 3,000+ cherry blossom trees in full bloom. The festival, which runs this year from March 20 to April 13, produces and coordinates a large variety of events throughout the weeks in honor of both Japanese and American cultures and the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Cherry Blossom Tours

Whether you enjoy the relaxing narration and live band entertainment of the Odyssey cruise as you sail past the famous cherry blossom trees and historic DC monuments or bike through a sea of pink and white blossoms surrounding the Potomac Tidal Basis with Blossoms by Bike, a guided tour of the beautified region is certainly a must. Visit the Tour Provider section of the National Cherry Blossom Festival website to plan any number of provided tours.

National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade

On April 13, 2019, the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade will overtake Constitution Avenue – From 7th to 17th Streets in one of DC’s largest spectator events complete with giant colorful helium balloons, celebrity performers, marching bands, beautiful floats, and talented performers just to name a few. The once a year experience is unlike any other of the DC area with easy access to the one-mile length of the parade from multiple metro stations. Occurring from 10 am to 12 noon, the parade route is open to the public and free apart from if you wish to purchase Grandstand seating.

Petalpalooza

On April 6, 2019, Petalpalooza, formerly known as Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival, will kick off with more than eight straight hours of free entertainment complete with a beer garden, interactive art installations, and a fireworks show. Hosted by the District Wharf, this exciting event has activities sure to please all age groups.

AMA’s Washington Area Conference Center is conveniently located within walking distance of the Yellow Line METRO stop at Crystal City and minutes from Reagan National Airport – perfect for holding your meeting and attending the events of a lifetime at the National Cherry Blossom Festival. For more information click here to contact us.

Special Spring Offers at AMA Executive Conference Centers

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ATLANTA

Book Now: $500 per day for meeting space for any Atlanta Center conference or meeting being held in March and/or May 2019. Includes: basic meeting package for up to 16 people.*

Click here to learn more about our AMA Atlanta Conference Center.

SAN FRANCISCO

Limited Time Offer: Take 20% off package rates for meetings held in March 2019. Plus, if you hold a March meeting, receive 10% off package rates for meetings held April through December 2019.*

Click here to learn more about our AMA San Francisco Conference Center.

WASHINGTON, DC

March Renovation Special: Check out our newly renovated space and get 40% off meeting package rates for your March 2019 meetings. Promotion applicable to meeting package rates only and apply only to meetings held at the AMA DC area Conference Center.*

Click here to learn more about AMA Washington D.C. Conference Center.

*Offers are subject to space availability and certain restrictions apply:

Offer applicable to AMA Center in Atlanta: $500 per day for meeting space for any meetings being held in February, March and/or May 2019. Includes: Basic meeting package for up to 16 people. Restrictions: Meeting room size up to 812 square feet.

Offer applicable to AMA Center San Francisco only: 20% off valid for meeting packages only for meetings held in February 2019 or March 2019. Additional meetings booked receive 10% off package rates for meetings held April 2019 through December 27, 2019.

For AMA DC Area Center: 40% off applicable to meeting package rates only and only applicable to meetings held at AMA National Landing (DC area) only.

For Atlanta, Washington DC, and San Francisco: discounts not valid on previously booked business and not applicable to catering or additional A/V services or equipment. Not to be combined with any other offers or discounts.

5 Cool Things To Do in San Francisco After Your AMA Meeting

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San Francisco is by far one of the most vibrant cities in America. There is no shortage of one-of-a-kind experiences to be had even if you have only one day to explore. You can take advantage of the scenic cultural landscape and laid-back vibe while you take in the sights, sounds, and tastes of the Golden City by the Bay. These activities are the perfect postscript to an AMA Executive Conference Center meeting.

Fisherman’s Wharf

Fisherman’s Wharf is almost a mandatory stop for all visitors to San Francisco. The historic Hyde Street Pier is a maritime wonder in itself where a steam-powered tugboat from 1907 rests languidly beside a square-rigged ship built in 1886. Fisherman’s Wharf is also a lively cafe and food mecca and you will want to grab a sample of fresh crab cooked in steaming cauldrons on the street along with a hot loaf of the local sourdough bread. Take a stroll to Pier 39 for the quaint shops, colorful street performers, and barking sea lions.

Cable Car

Take a ride on the iconic San Francisco Cable Car for a memorable excursion up the steep hills the city is known for. The popular cable cars run all day and in the evenings and tickets may be purchased at the Powell/Market Street turnaround. The cars have outside seats and inside seats but no matter the weather you might want to sit on the eastern side facing the bay for the best Instagram views. The San Francisco Cable Car system is the last working system of its kind left in the world.

Ghirardelli Square

Ghirardelli Square isn’t just about chocolate but you can take a tour of the factory while you are there. The square has been a San Francisco landmark since 1862 but now houses a complex of quirky shops and trendy eateries. It is a cutting-edge retail destination with pleasant outdoor spaces and a cool nostalgic energy. You can have a bite to eat at Lori’s Diner with its bay views, stop and sip in a wine-tasting room, or have a brew at The Pub. It offers a delicious late night menu and is an ideal end to any day.

Alcatraz Island

Day and night tours to Alcatraz Island are offered by the National Park Service year-round. The experience includes a round-trip ferry ride with an animated onboard narration. The guided tour highlights the island’s notorious history pointing out areas of attempted escape from the prison and other interesting tidbits of lore. Once the ferry has docked, the Cellhouse itself can be explored with a knowledgeable park ranger on hand to answer questions. The night tour features breathtaking views of the San Francisco city lights.

Chinatown

San Francisco’s Chinatown covers 24 city blocks and is one of the oldest in the United States. You can take a slow walk down Grant Avenue, the heart of Chinatown, and be dazzled by the neon lights, glowing lanterns, and sometimes tacky gift shops. The unique atmosphere of herbal stores, smiling fishmongers, and enticing restaurants will have you daring a meander through the alleys and side streets to see what treasures might be hidden there. You will think you left the city for someplace new.

AMA Executive Conference Centers has centers in San Francisco, Washington DC, Atlanta, and New York to serve all your conference and meeting needs. For more information, you can contact us anytime.

Interesting Things You Didn’t Know About Atlanta, NYC, San Francisco and DC

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Some of the most iconic cities in the U.S. also have some of the most fascinating histories behind them. Guess which U.S. city had the first pizzeria? We looked into Atlanta, New York City, San Francisco and Washington DC – each an AMA Executive Conference Centers city – and you’ll be amazed at some of the things that you may not have known about them!

Atlanta, Georgia, USA downtown city skyline.

ATLANTA

Let’s start on the east with Atlanta, located in Georgia, which is known as The Peach State.

  • Atlanta is home to The Varsity, which is the largest fast food drive-in in the world, established in 1928.
  • The symbol of the city is the phoenix after being burned down during the Civil War in 1864.
  • It has one of the biggest Hindu temples outside of India.
  • There are 71 streets whose names are a take on “Peachtree.”
  • Hartsfield-Jackson International Airportcurrently holds the title of world’s busiest airport.
  • Two Nobel Peace Prize winners were from Atlanta: President Jimmy Carter and Martin Luther King Jr.
New York City Financial District cityscape at dusk.

NEW YORK CITY

Now, let’s take a bite out of the Big Apple with some fun facts on this bustling city.

  • In 1886, the Statue of Liberty was given to the United States by France. It was part of their centennial celebration.
  • The New York Public Libraryis home to over 50 million books. It also currently boasts the title of the third largest library in the world.
  • The Wyckoff Farm is the oldest building in New York City, established in the 1640s.
  • The taxis in the city weren’t always their well-known yellow. In fact, they used to be red and green until 1912.
  • In 1895, the first pizzeria was opened in the United States. It was located in, you guessed it, New York City.
  • And do you know where Times Square gets its name? The New York Times!
San Francisco skyline, California, USA

SAN FRANCISCO

Let’s head west to the bright and sunny San Francisco.

  • The Chinatown in San Francisco is the oldest in North America and is home to over 100,000 people.
  • The official musical instrument of San Francisco is the accordion.
  • The ice cream and oatmeal cookie treat that’s coated in chocolate called It’s-Itwas created in San Francisco.
  • The street that is currently known as Maiden Lane used to be a red-light district and was called Morton Street.
  • Over 50 film festivals happen in San Francisco each year.
  • There’s a name for the color of the Golden Gate Bridge: International Orange.
Washington DC, USA in spring season.

WASHINGTON DC

Finally, let’s shed some light on the capital of the United States: Washington DC!

  • The streets use letters as names but are missing the letter “J.”
  • The Washington Monument is the world’s tallest obelisk.
  • Inside of the Capital Building are elevators that are only used by senators.
  • The Washington Metrois the third most busy subway system in the United States.
  • Before it was called the White House, the building was known as the President’s Palace or President’s House.
  • Washington DC is home to a unique museum called the International Spy Museum.

For more fun facts about United States cities, check out 50states.comand learn to your heart’s content. And for more facts about hosting your next meeting at an AMA Executive Conference Center in one of the above cities, click onto www.AMAconferencecenters.org.

Which Social Media Channels are Used Most By Meeting Planners?

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Which Social Media Channels are Used Most By Meeting Planners?

The use of social media during events has risen sharply in the past few years. In a recent poll done by Successful Meetings Magazine, readers were asked to talk about their use of social media at meeting events. Of the readers who responded, their jobs broke down as follows:

43% of respondents were corporate planners
42% of respondents were association planners
14% were third party or independent planners

Of all of those surveyed, 92% of all association planners said that promoting their events was the most important step to take to have a successful event or meeting. Virtually all agreed that the best way to promote events was through the use of social media.

However, that does not mean all social media outlets are created equally when it comes to event promotion.

Which Social Media Channels Are Best for Event Promotion?

It’s no secret that some social media channels are better for promoting events than others. So, the question is: What are the social media channels that are most popular for marketing meeting events?

The top social media channel that meeting planners are using in 2018 are Facebook and Twitter. Why are companies using these sites?

For Facebook, the base of users is still one of the largest in the world, making it a great way to get the word about an event out. Word can also spread rapidly when people mark “Going” on a Facebook event page. Their friends see the event or they can share the event to get others to come, too. Meeting planners also rave about being able to “invite” people to the meeting so that they see it’s happening. When people RSVP it allows the meeting planner to plan for how many people will be at the event before it even happens.

For Twitter, the option of “retweets” is a powerful way to spread the word about an upcoming meeting or event. Twitter also allows the user to add links which helps the meeting planner link to other web pages where more information about the specific event being talked about is able to be found.

Which Social Media Channels Are Not As Popular for Event Promotions?

While Facebook and Twitter are clearly the most popular social media channels used for advertising meeting events, the next question poses: Which social media channels are not as popular among meeting planners?

According to the Successful Meetings Magazine poll, the least popular social media channels for meeting planners are SnapChat and Pinterest.

Snapchat is more of a personal form of social media which is used to reach out to friends and family. Many people share personal information on these channels. It is often not considered professional enough to be used by corporate or association planners when planning meetings. Moreover, it doesn’t offer a way to connect additional information about the event to the invitation. There is also no great way to respond or RSVP to events that are being advertised.

Pinterest is more geared towards “ideas” rather than creating events. For example, if someone is hosting a holiday party, Pinterest is a site they might use to curate ideas for decorations or food, but not so much to invite people to their party. For this reason, many corporate and associate planners tend not to use this as a method of communicating events to possible attendees.

Conclusion:

Social media use among corporate planners is continually evolving, yet some forms of social media are more useful to meeting planners than others. Most social media channels that are used by meeting planners are those that allow them to share additional information and link webpages about the event to the announcement. Meeting planners also look for ways to allow potential attendees to share the event and RSVP easily, which is why Twitter and Facebook are the most popular social media outlets for meeting planners.

If you are a meeting planner looking to plan and then share your upcoming meeting on social media please feel free to contact us here at AMA Executive Conference Centers with any questions you may have. With Centers in Atlanta, New York, San Francisco and Washington DC we’re here to get you going in the right direction!

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Amazon Headquarters Will Be Coming to Crystal City

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Amazon Headquarters Will Be Coming to Crystal City

In the end, it turns out that TWO cities have won the “prize” of Amazon building their new headquarters in their city. One city where a secondary headquarters will be built in New York City and the other will be the National Landing area in Crystal City, Virginia which is just outside of Washington DC. This means that the much sought-after 50,000 job headquarters will be split between two cities, providing a major boost to the economy of each destination. With an AMA Executive Conference Center located in Crystal City, we couldn’t be more excited about this announcement!

Amazon’s founder and CEO Jeffrey P. Bezos states that they chose these cities because they believe that both locations have the potential to attract world-class talents to fill their job vacancies. This will allow Amazon to invest in their customers for years to come. It also allows Amazon to become a more vital part of these communities where they build their headquarters and provide good, quality jobs to residents in that area.

Northern Virginia Is Prestigious For Business

Northern Virginia has always been a prestigious place for building business and all signs point to that continuing in the future. Many suggest that this area could essentially become a Silicon Valley of sorts that is located on the east coast if trends continue throughout the next decade. Amazon coming to the area means that even the biggest businesses in the world are interested in investing in the Northern Virginia area, which gives it the potential to continue to grow rapidly in the near future.

Moreover, Amazon coming to the Northern Virginia area means that the price of deals being done with businesses is continuing to grow as well. Amazon was offered an $819 million package deal by Virginia Governor Ralph Northam and other county leaders. In return, Amazon estimates 25,000 jobs will be created with a median salary of $150,000 per year in wages for each position they fill.

The Amazon Deal is a Once-In-A-Generation Deal

The Amazon deal that was signed in Crystal City is a once-in-a-generation sized deal. Amazon is expected to invest over $2.5 billion in the commonwealth and this project is on track to generate over $3.2 billion in tax revenue. These 25,000 jobs are all expected to be in place by the year 2030. Hiring is set to begin in 2019 when about 400 people will be hired and by 2020 that number will balloon to 1,180 more people being hired. It will continue to increase throughout the next decade until all 25,000 jobs are in place at their new headquarters in Crystal City.

Conclusions

The new Amazon headquarters coming to the Crystal City area continues to prove that Northern Virginia is a mainstay on the national market for attracting businesses to build and develop facilities in that area. This, in turn, raises the value of the homes in the area and the standard of living in this part of the state. While Amazon is one of the biggest announcements that Northern Virginia has made as far as businesses coming to invest in the area, many others are also interested in investing in Northern Virginia’s local market and are looking to take part in this booming part of the US economy.

AMA Executive Conference Centers will be on hand to greet Amazon as they move their headquarters into Crystal City. For more information on our Washington DC area Center located in Crystal City please feel free to contact us.

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Holidays at AMA in New York City

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Holidays at AMA in New York City

 

‘Tis the season of business travel during the holidays; when the inevitable question of business or pleasure is sure to come up. However, when traveling to New York City, especially during the holidays, it doesn’t matter if your soul purpose of travel is business; there are plenty of holiday activities that can bring pleasure to any business trip. The following is some of the fun that can be had between meetings during your visit to AMA’s Executive Conference Center located in the heart of NYC’s Time Square.

Union Square Holiday Market

Being away from home on business during the holidays can make anyone feel a bit like Scrooge. A visit to the Union Square Holiday Market is guaranteed to make up for lost time, when you bring the most unique gifts home to your loved ones. Click here to learn more about the Union Square Holiday Market.

Holiday Jazz Cruise

Sightseeing in NYC can be done in style while sipping on hot cocoa (spiked if you choose) and tapping twinkle toes to a yuletide beat on a 1.5-hour Holiday Jazz Cruise. Observe the city lights by water, as a live Jazz Trio plays all the holiday favorites. Click here to learn more about holiday statue and sightseeing cruises.

Sippin’ Santa Pop-up Bars

When it’s time to mix and a’ mingle in the jingling feet, miracles don’t happen on 34th, but rather 12th Street, where the Sippin’ Santa Pop-up Bars return, with Christmas-themed drinks to keep you warm and bring you cheer. Click here to learn more about the Miracle and Sippin’ Santa Pop-Up Bars in New York City.

Rockefeller Christmas Tree

Perhaps the most dazzling of Christmas trees is found in the Rockefeller Center, standing 72-feet-tall, adorned with 3 million Swarovski crystals. This tree brings a sense of holiday magic to any spectator, no matter their age. Click here to learn more about activities at Rockefeller Center.

Radio City Christmas Spectacular

See more Swarovski crystals shine in brilliance, as they shower the costumes of the famous, show stopping, leg kicking Rockettes, at the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. This dynamic performance has been a NYC favorite since 1932. Click here to learn more about the Rockettes and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular show.

No need to feel ‘bah humbug’ while attending a December conference or meeting at our AMA Conference Center in NYC. We’re conveniently located near the best restaurants and entertainment; you’re in good hands this holiday season. Whether you have a couple minutes, hours, or days, there’s an event nearby guaranteed to spark the spirit of the season!

Click here to connect for more details on how we take care of the meeting space, and you take care of business.

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