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Menus for Meetings: Four Trends to Watch in 2020

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Food trends are undoubtedly a focal part of our culture, and they are key to meeting the needs of customers across every industry. As we enter a new decade in 2020, we can expect to see many such trends that will cause shifts for meeting planners as they strive to support their clients’ needs. These are excellent opportunities to add flair to any meeting and express some creativity. Here are four food trends that we can plan to see more of in 2020.

Plant-Based Foods

With an increasing call to action by environmentalists, medical professionals, and healthy eaters alike, plant-based diets are truly catching on. Thanks to the variety of benefits and pure curiosity, many are choosing to eschew meat in favor of this trend. For businesses, this is an opportunity to appeal to a widening demographic, while also offering healthy choices with a touch of ingenuity. Many companies are offering creative and delicious plant-based alternatives to traditional catered food, so expect to see more of this in the coming year.

Responsible Food Sourcing

In alignment with plant-based foods, many people now expect their food to be responsibly sourced – this is one trend we can expect to continue to grow in 2020. While many in the food industry are already working alongside local suppliers and tracing their foods, consumers are now additionally beginning to demand this (and many are willing to pay a premium to know where their food came from). Sustainability consciousness continues to increase across the population, expect an increased focus on knowing where foods came from and how they were prepared.

Allergen-Free Options

As the years have passed, food allergens have become a problem for an increasing portion of the population. Gone are the days of sandwiches or pizza for everyone, thanks to the unfortunate rise of a variety of food allergies and sensitivities. With this, expect to see more transparent labeling of foods, as well as options for those who cannot consume certain things such as gluten or dairy. Luckily, certain chefs and caterers are working hard to increase their ingredient transparency in dishes and providing simple allergen-free options. Many customers will expect this, while others will appreciate the additional options.

Craft Mocktails

While many meetings and events are known for their open bars, expect less of this next year. In conjunction with an increased focus on wellness, many people and companies are moving towards creative drinks without the alcohol. Especially for non-drinkers or those who just aren’t in the mood, inspired mocktails offer an outstanding alternative that decrease the liabilities of alcohol while still adding a touch of fun.

These are just a few of the exciting trends we can expect to see in food as we enter the new decade. As always, our teams at AMA Executive Centers are here to help you better prepare for your next meeting or conference by delivering an outstanding experience to your guests. For more information about our services, click here to contact us.

How to Incorporate Pantone’s 2020 Color of the Year Into Your Meeting

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Recently, Pantone announced Classic Blue as its 2020 Color of the Year. The company called the hue reminiscent of “the sky at dusk.” Traditionally, Pantone’s Color of the Year makes a big impact on the design, decor and fashion around the world. It won’t be surprising to see the color show up at weddings, on invitations, conference branding, social media platforms and more!

Yet fashion designers, wedding planners, graphic designers, interior decorators, and social media influencers aren’t the only ones who can employ this color. Here are ways meeting and conference planners can incorporate Classic Blue into meetings and events:

Branding

The branding for your meeting or conference is often tied into the brand of your company (or client’s company). However, no matter how big or small the business is, how you interact with customers, what you’re selling or where you are, one truth is consistent across the board: you need consistent and engaging branding. This year consider bringing the ‘Color of the Year’ into that color mix!

Signage

Wayfinding is an important component of conferences and other multi-room events. Classic Blue would be an excellent alternative to black for arrows and the font on the signage. Another option is to use eye-catching white text and arrows while Classic Blue serves as the background color on the signage.

Digital Presentations

Create a beautiful presentation with Classic Blue as your digital backdrop or the color of your text. It’s subtle. However, for meetings that largely have the same attendees year after year, introducing an unexpected color element can be a refreshing change.

Conference Badges, Bags and Swag

Classic Blue can work as the color of branded conference bags or the swag that goes in the bag. The shade is a gender-neutral choice if you’re handing out t-shirts or polos as swag. Classic Blue is complimentary to lots of other colors that you can pull from your event’s branding.

Collateral

A calming color that doesn’t bring undue attention to itself like Classic Blue is an option for printed collateral and meeting paper products. Unlike more vibrant colors, Classic Blue won’t be distracting during the meeting.

At AMA Executive Conference Centers, we organize thousands of meetings every year. We have centers in New York City, Atlanta, San Francisco, and the Washington DC area. Organizations appreciate amenities in our facilities such as complimentary beverage service, free PC use, and executive chairs. Contact us to schedule your next meeting or event.

Planning Steps To Move Your 2020 Meeting Forward

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Planning a meeting can be a complex process, but with the right direction and planning tips the tasks can be paired down into some pretty simple and manageable steps.

‘Big picture’ is the most important thing to consider first – that includes details such as agenda, venue, speakers, food, setup and time of day. We’ve seen that a meeting that is ill-planned will not only impact the planner, but it also negatively influences the goal and purpose of the meeting. Agendas must have a purpose and flow, speakers must impress the attendees, and food must be plentiful and items that the guests enjoy. When essential elements go wrong your meeting can take a fast lane to unproductive-town. Below are a few suggestions from our team on how you can plan for your meeting’s essential elements to go right!

Brainstorm and decide on the purpose and goal of your meeting. Work with others on your team to determine what is being addressed and what should be accomplished. Take notes, get feedback, make checklists. Brainstorm with colleagues to insure the best ideas are taking root.

Have a budget. Find out, or decide what your budget is early on. Without being conscious of financials, meetings can meander or get bogged down in their own procedure. With a budget, your meeting planning will have more focus and will force you to make the best choices. Sometimes when doing research for your overall items the budget will take shape on its own. All in all, it will be your job to make choices that will shape the best meeting from what you’re working with– and then to keep it all under control.

Narrow dates and secure a venue. Much of picking a meeting date and location for your meeting depends on the focus, audience size and availability of the people attending. However, we suggest never scheduling something where people will have to juggle their schedules too much to attend or worse, not be able to attend during the busiest time of the day or during a week that’s in their ‘peak’ work season.

Get your speakers lined up. Not all meetings have speakers, but when they do you’ll need to start organizing this aspect earlier than later. Seek references on speakers in the areas that you want to address from colleagues. Or, work with a professional booking agent if you need to find someone outside your own expertise. Be sure to communicate in advance of the meeting with your speakers regarding their preferred room setup and any technical requirements for their presentation.

Secure the necessary equipment and services. This means food, beverages and technical needs. Meeting facilities like AMA Executive Conference Centers are there to help with many of these details. AMA Center planning staff are available to make suggestions and then help you plan the right choices of catering and technical support for what’s needed for your meeting. We’ve found that having the right snacks and delicious meals during breaks helps to keep attendees focused and their energy up. When it comes to food, beverage and technical planning be sure to take notes and make a checklist. Most venues will have what you need, you just have to articulate those needs in advance of arrival.

Rely on expertise. Aside from help from the venue, don’t forget to ask colleagues who have planned meetings before for their ideas. It’s also helpful to connect with others in a similar role at your local industry association or even another planner that might offer a consulting call to help answer any questions you might have. If your meeting is large enough or has the right budget, you might even consider hiring another planner that can help support you while working through all the details of planning.

Get the word out. Once the planning is out of the way, and all logistical decisions have been made, don’t forget that you still must have people attend. All meetings, whether internal or external to the company, should be publicized in some way. Even if a meeting function is mandatory it’s still a good idea to get people excited with some publicity whether through a special company email or a printed announcement. For functions that have no mandatory attendance, publicity is a must. Without getting the word out no one will be there. So make sure you’ve tackled this important piece of the puzzle early so that news of the meeting has time to travel to your potential attendees and they have time to make arrangements or ask you questions, get answers or register if necessary.

Because conference planning is complex, it needs to be handled with an overall plan in place and specific steps to execution. We’re looking forward to a 2020 filled with productive and successful meetings. Click HERE and let the AMA Executive Conference Centers team know how we can help you plan yours!

12 Top Rinks To Visit in 4 AMA Center Cities This December

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All work and no play…well, you know how that works. With the holiday month upon us, we would like to shift our attention away from business and focus on having fun and relaxing. After all, knowing how to relax is an integral part of any route to success.

We’ve chosen top ice-skating rinks in each of our AMA Executive Conference Center cities to help you take full advantage of the next visit. You can always find an hour or two to do some ice-skating, can’t you?

Conquering the Rinks in Atlanta:

  • Skate The Station – largest open-air ice skating rink in Atlanta. The mind-boggling 10,000 square foot area is already decorated for the exciting holiday season
  • Ice Rink at Sugar Hill – experience an old tradition of skating on natural ice. It’s a small rink with a family atmosphere.
  • Avalon on Ice – another nice outdoor ice-skating rink to help you relax after a tough day. You can even take private lessons.
  • Olde Town On Ice – the oldest outdoor rink in Georgia creates a perfect holiday ambiance as it celebrates its 10th anniversary.

Breaking the Ice in San Francisco:

  • Union Square Rink – located in downtown, it’s a perfect place to enjoy the city and ice skate at the same time.
  • Holiday Ice Rink – the largest outdoor ice rink in San Francisco is an excellent place for fulfilling holiday fun.
  • Walnut Creek on Ice – it’s a nice small ice-skating rink where you can show off your skills or take skating lessons.
  • San Mateo on Ice – a sizeable outdoor skating rink located in the Central Park of San Mateo (a short drive from Frisco).

Sliding and Pirouetting in Washington DC:

  • National Gallery of Art Ice Rink – skate with an excellent view of the Sculpture Garden!
  • Canal Park Ice Rink – a great place to skate with family, friends, and coworkers. The design is fantastic.
  • Wharf Ice Rink – it’s a wonderful opportunity to skate, shop, and have a hot cup of coffee. Skate while enjoying an amazing view of the water.
  • Rockville Outdoor Rink– located in nearby Maryland, the rink is beautifully decorated for the holidays and open every day regardless of the weather.

Making Memories in New York City:

  • Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park – surrounded by a holiday bazaar, this ice-skating rink is a double relaxation experience.
  • Rockefeller Center Rink – this rink doesn’t need an introduction. If you have an opportunity, you should definitely visit it. Consider coming in the morning or you may be struggling through a crowd.
  • Wollman Skating Rink – if you want to skate in the very heart of Manhattan while enjoying an amazing view, this is the right rink to choose.
  • Brookfield Place Rink – a huge outdoor rink with a great view is what you need after a tough day at work.

Make your next visit to each one of our AMA Executive Conference Centers memorable. For information about AMA’s centers, please contact us today.

Three Ways to Manage Your Stress During the Holidays

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Holidays are made fun with lively music and decor, opportunities to visit friends and families, and, of course, time off from work. But let’s face it, winter holidays can also be extremely stressful, more than any other time of year.

So how can you take charge of your workday and ease the pressure of this time of year? Here are a few strategies to help you enjoy the year right up to the end, frazzle-free.

Stay Organized By Bookending Your Days:

If you want to reduce your stress load during the holidays, you need to plan ahead. One of the best ways to do that is to take 5-10 minutes at the beginning and end of the day to write down what you plan to achieve for the day, and assess whether or not you achieved it.

When you first wake up, don’t check your phone, social media, or the news. Instead spend a few minutes clarifying your top 3-5 tasks for the day, and writing them down. At night, before you go to sleep, review how things went and think ahead for the next day. Stay ahead of the ever-growing task list in November and December.

Say No and Focus On What You REALLY Want:

With the holidays around the corner, your ‘to do’ list is bound to get longer, and often others are bound to try to lighten their load by putting their tasks on your list. Saying “no” is a must during this time of year, but you might feel uncomfortable doing so. You don’t want to appear rude or burn any bridges. How can you create healthy boundaries?

First, focus on what really matters to you. Write down your priorities so that you have them in tangible form. When people ask you to take on responsibilities that do not align with your number one goals, respectfully decline them without beating around the bush, delaying, or otherwise indicating that you are “considering it.”

Be firm, be respectful, don’t be afraid to say no twice if you must, without getting irritated. People will eventually get the message.

Reduce Interruptions:

Except for when it is necessary for work purposes, get into the habit of keeping your phone off and out of reach. Give yourself permission to work in new environments if you need to put some physical space between yourself and potential interrupters, and let your colleagues, friends, and family know what times you are available to them, and when you need time to focus on your tasks.

The holidays can be stressful, but they needn’t be, not if you stay conscientious of the way you manage your time, energy, and interactions with others. And when you reduce your stress level you will better be able to better enjoy celebrating with the people you care about.

AMA Executive Conference Centers offer some of the industry’s best executive meeting and conference venues. We work to help companies and corporate planners across the U.S. facilitate meetings with the best possible outcomes. Contact us today to see how we can help in planning your next meeting in Atlanta, New York, the Washington DC area or San Francisco. No matter what the season, we’re here to help.

Getting Your Team Back On Track After The Holidays

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It’s not easy to come back to work motivated after a fun season of holiday cheer, short weeks, and festive distractions. Suddenly workdays seem longer and Friday is so far away. Your team is probably in a slump now that the holiday parties and Secret Santas are gone until next year, so you’ll want to do your part to fight away those post-holiday blues. Consider these 5 tips to get your staff motivated in the new year:

  • Offer healthy snacks in the break room. Encourage healthy New Year’s Resolutions by treating your team to delicious and nutritious goodies. By now, everyone is ready for a break from the endless homemade baked goods and sweets, and any special reward to interrupt the 9-to-5 workday will raise morale in the office.
  • Encourage walk breaks. Studies show that walks during the workday can boost mood and help combat stress. Show your staff that you care about their mental and physical health by prioritizing breaks for getting fresh air and a little healthy activity.
  • Set goals for the new year. Start the new year strong by making sure the whole team is on the same page with goals and expectations. Morale is improved when staff are part of a joint effort and working toward the same purposes. As a plus, include incentives to get everyone on board.
  • Make time for short pow-wows. Bring the whole team together for energizing meetings to update staff on any upcoming changes in the new year or exciting plans ahead in the company. Use these meetings to inspire and empower staff to bring their very best.
  • Schedule an office retreat. If it’s feasible, plan a weekend retreat for team building and relaxation. If only a couple hours can be spared, cater a lunch or plan an in-office activity to show your staff they are appreciated.

AMA Executive Conference Centers are located in four beautiful areas of the United States: Atlanta, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington D.C., perfect for that office retreat or team meeting. To learn more about our state of the art, convenient meeting spaces, contact us today.

Making The Task of Decision-Making Easier

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As soon as we’re old enough to understand what options are, we’re faced with the tasks of making decisions. Whether the decision is what flavor ice cream to pick or what major to choose in college, at any age decisions can seem like the most daunting exercise. Here are three education areas that can help you to make the task of decision-making easier:

#1: Make Hard Choices

Making decisions can be very difficult because we always want to make the “better” decision. Ruth Chang, a philosopher, shares in her TED Talk why there is no “better” option when making a decision. She goes on to explain why both choices are on a level playing fields and how this can help you choose what you truly want inside.

#2: Three Lessons on Decision-Making

Have you ever daydreamed about being the best poker player in the world? Turns out, decisions made by the best involve a lot more work than people-reading and bluffing. World Champion poker player Liv Boeree explains that there are 3 things she’s learned about decision-making. She states that the lessons include luck, quantification, and intuition – and these three factors can be used to make decisions in our daily life. Luck and intuition can play a major role in what outcome each decision brings, and quantification is crucial to estimating the odds of something good or bad happening.

#3: Think Like a Computer

Computers always know what to do and they have no understanding of how hard it can be to make a decision. That’s because computers were made to generate the best decision based on numbers and formulas. Humans don’t do that. Tom Griffiths, a psychologist and cognitive scientist, share in his TED Talk that the ways to make better decisions are by thinking like a computer.

 

Insightful TED Talks on Decision Making

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We make decisions every day. From the clothes we put on in the morning to the side of the bed we crawl into at night, our days are fraught with decisions. Sometimes, making a choice can be simple, for example, choosing which shoes to wear, or whether to stop for gas on the way to work. Other decisions can be much more complex and daunting. The three TED Talks below offer some unique and refreshing ideas to help put your decision-making process into perspective!

Why We Ignore Obvious Problems – And How To Act On Them

Michele Wucker, an author and policy analyst is an expert on economic policy and crisis anticipation. In her TED Talk, she offers an eye-opening analysis that explores decision making and avoidance through the lens of the 2008 economic crisis. With her explanation of “Black Swan” versus “Gray Rhino” approaches to complex problems, Wucker offers incisive analysis of our very human fear of seemingly overwhelming problems, and suggests solutions through vulnerability, safety nets, and information sharing.

Three Ways To Make Better Decisions – By Thinking Like A Computer

Tom Griffiths is a computational cognitive scientist, so it is no surprise that he suggests we approach decision making by using the same process as a computer. In his TED Talk, Griffiths provides a breakdown of the “computer science of human decisions” for anything from choosing a restaurant for dinner to buying a house. The process, he says, still boils down to numbers. Using the computer science approach, Griffiths doesn’t guarantee that all decisions will be correct, but it does encourage us to take the chance of making the decision regardless, and to forgive ourselves for the inevitable wrong decision.

How Can Groups Make Good Decisions

In their TED Talk, Mariano Sigman and Dan Ariely, experts in psychology, cognitive science, and behavior, explore the process of consensus and decision-making in large groups of people. Through a series of experiments, Sigman and Ariely discovered that group decisions concerning information and even moral decisions were more accurate and reflected a greater consensus when large groups of people were broken down into smaller discussion groups. They conclude that good group decisions require two things: deliberation and differing opinions.

Productive decision making 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.

5 Art Galleries In DC To Add To Your Bucket List

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If you’re looking for interesting locations in Washington DC that will inspire and educate, then art galleries are an option well worth considering. In the DC area, just minutes from our AMA Executive Conference Center, there are a number of excellent options to choose from. DC is an area rich with galleries, museums, historical landmarks, and many other fine cultural establishments. With so much to see, you definitely wouldn’t want to miss any of the very best. Here are 5 art galleries in the DC area that fall into our ‘amazing destinations’ and experiences you don’t want to miss.

RENWICK GALLERY
Located just steps from the White House, this gallery is superb for its excellent service and interactivity. Here, you’ll find pieces from around the world in relation to a variety of changing themes. At the Renwick Gallery, visitors explore unique craft objects by contemporary artists to learn about process, material and technique. Learn more here.

NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
One of the shining stars of DC museums, this gallery with free entry has an extensive collection inside a vast expanse of gorgeous rooms to explore. One of the most popular and Instagrammed exhibits is the sparkling hallway that connects the east and west buildings.  The Gallery’s great reputation is undeniable – it’s a jewel on the mall and a true national treasure. Learn more here.

HIRSHHORN: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
DC’s Hirshhorn Museum is undoubtedly among the top contemporary art spaces in the United States. Founded in the 1960s, the museum exhibits artworks by some of the modern and contemporary art world’s greatest masters, including Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Jackson Pollock, Francis Bacon, and Edward Hopper. If modern art is your inspiration you’ll want to put his visit top on your list. Learn more here.

SMITHSONIAN’S FREER AND SACKLER GALLERIES
The Smithsonian’s premier art gallery, these exhibits boast some amazing art pieces from nearly every place and time period on the planet. Billed as the museum where ‘Asia Meets America,’ the sheer size and diversity of work on display here means that you’re bound to discover more than a few worthwhile pieces. Learn more here.

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY
For American historical value, this gallery delivers. Here you can find works of art for an assortment of important historical figures from the civil war, the suffrage and civil rights movements, and all the presidents too. Most recently, the installation of former President Barack Obama and Mrs. Michelle Obama’s portraits by artists Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald. Learn more here.

At AMA, we specialize in hosting and organizing executive meetings and conferences. We are experts at planning professional gatherings and have convenient facilities in four locations: Atlanta, New York City, Washington DC and San Francisco.  Visit us here to learn more, and see how we can help make your next meeting a success.

Surviving The Busy Holiday Season By Being Organized

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As the holidays approach, so too do those end-of-the-year meetings and holiday events. But as much as it’s a celebratory period, it’s also a season where your time as a planner is limited.

We ask, what better time to get organized than in the Fall?! October offers a great time to focus on getting yourself organized before the hectic holiday season hits. The kids are back in school and Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away. Take some time now to get yourself organized before those invites start coming in for parties or before you find yourself the one in need of extra rentals for your event. Position yourself to leap into action from a much more prepared place, all because of a little organization.

Here are our top three helpful tips for getting better organized and ready for the busy holiday season:

Start With A List

In order to find a starting place, take some time and write out a list of the top five spots in your home and office that are most important to you to be organized. (Don’t forget that your car can be one of these!) From there, write out five actions you’ll take to make each spot more organized and efficient. This will not only provide you with a starting place but will also help you navigate your goals – making the mountain before you seem much more manageable.

Label, Label, Label

Some say there’s no better step to getting organized than having a labeling system. If you don’t know what something is, then what good is organizing it, right? There are many methods for doing this. Whichever method you choose make sure that your labels are easy to read and right to the point. For example, if you have a box of ornaments, don’t just slap the label “Christmas” on it. Take the extra time to label it “Christmas Tree Ornaments” so that you know not to open that box when you’re looking for the holiday lights.

Purge ‘Stuff’ For Peace Of Mind

Most people can stand to throw away a lot more of their ‘stuff’ than they typically do. Often, our houses and offices become downright smothered by stuff. The adage about a cluttered space causing a cluttered mind just might have some validity to it. When your home and work areas are in a recognizable order, your life becomes easier to navigate. This peace of mind allows you to focus on the important people and moments in your life. Simply set aside a day just to purge items. Buy a box of garbage bags and go room to room collecting all the things you do not need. You just might be surprised at how much you collect for donation and the dumpster – not to mention how freeing it is to purge and make space in your home, office, life and mind.

At the end of the day, becoming organized is sure to make you feel better. Take some time this week, as you may not have it later, and set yourself up for success and lots of celebrating this holiday event season.

At AMA Executive Conference Centers, we are passionate about helping event and meeting planners maximize their time and improve their work-life harmony. For more information about our executive meeting services and conference centers in Atlanta, New York City, San Francisco and Washington DC, contact us here.