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3 Guidelines That Will Change How You Plan

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Meeting planning is so much more difficult than many people think, and if you don’t keep on top of every detail, you can easily become overwhelmed and wind up in a time crunch. Thankfully, there are ways to avoid this. Follow these major guidelines below and never dread your planning deadlines again!

Start Early

This can’t be emphasized enough: you need to begin planning as soon as possible, ideally a year or more before, but definitely as soon as the meeting date is defined. Everything – finding a venue, hiring event staff – everything will be more difficult, and more time-consuming the longer you wait. Give yourself and your clients a break and give yourself plenty of time to set up a checklist of things to do, and put that checklist in the form of a timeline that you share with your clients as well. That way, everybody is on the same page and knows what needs to be taken care of and when.

Use Technology

Let technology do the heavy lifting for you. Nowadays there are numerous ways in which the herculean task of meeting planning can be made easier by utilizing the proper software, project management apps, and marketing automation tools. On average, companies that use planning software save themselves a whopping 223 hours per year.

Focus

You may think you’re great at multi-tasking and that in fact, you’re being more efficient by doing so. However, recent research conducted by Stanford University refutes that notion. According to the study, high multi-taskers were more prone to distraction and had less retention than low multi-taskers. Distraction is a primary time-wasters, so it’s clear that an ability to focus rather than to spread yourself too thin trying to do many things at once will be far more efficient. If necessary, delegate tasks so you can keep laser-focused.

If you take these tips onboard, you’ll find your days go more smoothly and your deadlines won’t loom over you. To ease your burden even more, click here to contact with AMA Executive Conference Centers and lock down your venue meeting dates for Atlanta, New York City, San Francisco and Washington DC!

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Visit Atlanta For Awesome Spring Break Activities

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Spring Break is a time to let loose and have a little fun…even if you’re traveling for business. If visiting Atlanta or our AMA Atlanta Center during Spring Break the awesome news is that you can find plenty to do that will keep you entertained! Here are three activities that are favorites for our AMA Atlanta team and their visiting guests:

Take A World of Coca Cola Tour:

Anyone who has sipped an ice-cold Coca Cola knows how refreshing this amazing beverage can be. Did you know that you can also tour the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta? That’s right! The World of Coca-Cola is located at 121 Baker Street Northwest Downtown and is generally open on most days from 10 am to 5 pm.

The tour will show you over 200 rare Coca-Cola artifacts, and you can sample over 100 different flavors and varieties of Coca-Cola beverages that have been on the market over the decades. Most visitors spend at least two or three hours enjoying all of the exhibits. Then you get to head over to the test kitchen to enjoy over 100 samples of different Coca-Cola variety beverages that have gotten released in the years past.

Each visitor ages 12+ will pay $17 for entry and children ages 3-12 pay $13. These will include your beverage packages and drink samples, as well as access to all of the various artifacts and displays that the World of Coca-Cola has to offer. Booking your tour is the way to guarantee admission as each tour is limited to 10 participants for a personal experience.

Tour Atlanta By Electric Car:

The new electric car tours while also keeping the environment around Atlanta as clean as possible. These tours last approximately 90 minutes and will take you everywhere throughout Atlanta. Whether you live here or have just come to town to visit, you will see all of the city’s famous sights such as The World of Coca Cola Museum and Centennial Olympic Park. You can also enjoy the views of various headquarters that have gotten based in Atlanta such as CNN or the Coca-Cola company. Enjoy a drive through classic neighborhoods such as Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, and Midtown.

Each tour is guided by a local history expert who will share fascinating information about Atlanta’s downtown area and teach you what you need to know to appreciate this great city for everything that it has to offer.

Tickets for the Electric Car Tour cost $36.00 per person and can get purchased via Viator.com (A TripAdvisor Company).

Eat Your Way Around Atlanta with Our Southern Atlanta Food Tour:

If you come from a family of foodies, then the Southern Atlanta Food Tour will provide you with the perfect day trip or excursion. You will travel throughout the city of Atlanta for approximately 3.5 hours while tasting approximately 15 different foods at 7 of the area’s most popular restaurants. Everything from sampling a wide variety of southern foods to enjoying the Smoke Ring’s BBQ or the Arden Gardens fruit juice smoothies become options when you take in what this diverse tour has to offer.

Please note that this is a WALKING tour of Atlanta, so moderate physical activity is part of the tour package. There are no other means of transportation that come provided by this tour.

Tickets for this tour run at $75.00 and include all of your food samples at all of your stops throughout the tour. You can purchase your tickets via Viator.com (a TripAdvisor Company).

If you are looking for fun Spring Break activities to participate in while in Atlanta for business, you don’t have to look far. Try out some of our suggested activities and learn all about the city that you are visiting (or have lived in for years through these fun tour experiences).

For further information on hosting your next meeting at our AMA Atlanta Center, or need ideas for fun activities to do when visiting, please feel free to contact us for further assistance.

See Washington DC With These Free Walking Tours

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If you’re visiting the AMA Executive Conference Center in the Washington DC area, you’re bound to want to see some of the sites as well. There’s plenty to experience in this wonderfully historic part of our country, and no better way to see them then by some of the free walking toursoffered around the city. All you’ll need is a good pair of walking shoes, a bottle of water, and the time to learn about some of our history.

The National Mall Tour

This tour allows you to walk the popular National Mall, while visiting each of the memorials located there. Those include, the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. The tour lasts approximately two hours and is about a mile long, with plenty of places to rest along the way. Click here to learn more about this tour. 

All In One Tour

Encompassing the National Mall, this tour also includes more of the famous DC monuments and parks. Because there’s so much more involved, this tour is about four hours long and covers just over two miles of walking. There are plenty of places for refreshments and bathroom breaks along the way. Click here to learn more about this tour.

Old Town Alexandria

If you like old houses and historic settings, this is the tour for you. This tour will take you along the old streets of Alexandria – in the locations where our forefathers walked. It lasts about two hours and is a little over a mile long. Similar to this tour is the Historic Georgetown Tour, only located in a different part of the city. Click here to learn more about the Old Town Alexandria tour. 

If you’re wanting to visit some grand old places in the nation’s capital then get moving with one of these walking tours!

Are you considering where to host your next conference or meeting in Washington DC, Atlanta, San Francisco or New York? Contact us to learn more about the AMA Executive Conference Centers. We’re here to help you make the most of your meeting!

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3 Unique San Francisco Spring Break Activities You Will Love

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The city of San Francisco is a study in contrast and a beacon for the creative and the artful. It is no wonder it attracts visitors from all over the world to its picturesque docks and one-of-a-kind vistas. San Francisco is the perfect destination for those who seek adventure and activity as well as for those who just want to relax and have some fun. If you’re visiting our AMA San Francisco Center during spring break, you just might have the time of your life. Here are a few unique things you can do:

Baker Beach

You don’t go to Baker Beach in San Francisco to swim. You go for the picture postcard views of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and for the opportunity to shoot Instagram-worthy photographs you can brag about. You might get lucky and spot a whale or a sea lion just offshore or, when the tides are low, see starfish and sea anemones clinging to the rocks.

You can bask on the beach in the sun when the weather is right or just walk with your toes in the sand and admire the views. The very northern end of the beach is clothing-optional if you dare. Bring a picnic lunch and catch a breeze at a picnic table in the cypress grove just behind the beach. The famous San Francisco fog often creates an atmospheric mood so don’t forget your camera.

Musee Mecanique

Musee Mecanique is the whimsical home of the world’s largest private collection of antique arcade machines and coin-operated musical instruments. It is a San Francisco hidden gem tucked comfortably at the end of Taylor Street on Fisherman’s Wharf’s Pier 45. Walking through the doors is like entering a time machine and you will be mesmerized by the over 300 mechanical oddities there to greet you.

The quirky arcade features everything from hand-cranked music boxes to modern video games all in perfect working order. You will want to bring a lot of quarters for this trip down memory lane. Life-sized carnival automatons, photo booths, and old-timey pinball machines share space with eccentric mechanical banks and fortune-telling card games. You will want to experience them all.

Fire Engine Tours

Jump aboard the shiny red vintage fire engine and see San Francisco in a totally different way. It’s a classic 90-minute adventure taking passengers through the forests of the Presidio and across the Golden Gate Bridge in style. San Francisco’s popular Fire Engine Tours will have you singing along with the foghorns in the distance and with the clanking cable cars passing by. It is not a quiet event.

The fire engine only seats fourteen people keeping the unique tours personalized and exciting. The daily tours depart from The Cannery at Fisherman’s Wharf. Specialty guided tours are available throughout the year and include wine-tastings at local wineries and a combination fire engine ride and Alcatraz Island Tour. It’s an unparalleled way to enjoy your spring break.

AMA Executive Conference Centers offers uniquely-tailored meeting spaces in four convenient locations including San Francisco, New York, Atlanta, and Washington DC. We organize and take care of all of the details for corporate functions, business meetings, and receptions. For more information, click here to contact us anytime.

Everything Is Important – How to Prioritize Your Workload

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As a meetings professional, you undoubtedly have a to-do list a mile long intertwined with meetings – and every client or project is THE MOST important. So how do you manage your workload when seemingly everything is important? Setting up a balanced and consistent routine are keys to managing your workload well. Here are a few tips to help you start managing your workload more effectively.

Write It All Down

Whether it’s handwritten in a notebook on your desk or a running list on your computer, write down every commitment you make, when you make it. Write down deadlines, write down meetings, and make sure you also write down any personal obligations as well so you can make an effort to plan around them. Being able to see everything in one place is helpful in picking out what you need to prioritize.

Plan Your To-Do Lists

Connected to the tip above, take the time to plan out your to-do lists. At the beginning of each week take 20-30 minutes to review your commitments and deadlines for the week and prioritize your weekly to-do list. Then at the beginning of each day take no more than 10 minutes to look through and prioritize your tasks for the day.

Do One Thing at a Time

We all want to believe we multitask well, but the truth is that we can never complete anything to the fullest of our abilities by working on multiple tasks at once. It takes a lot of mental effort to start and stop a task. Plan to work on one item until it is completed or until you reach a reasonable stopping place to move on to something else. Devoting your entire attention to the task at hand will ensure that you are doing your best work and help you complete the task faster.

Don’t Try to Do it All

Sometimes you just have to say no. You can’t be everything to everyone or take on every task someone asks you to. You have to figure out the best ways to scale your time. Focus on the things that you are truly good at and enjoy, delegate other tasks. Doing this allows you to focus on and do your best work while also giving others the chance to step up.

Take a Minute

Give yourself some downtime. Whether it’s a couple of minutes to take a walk outside every day during lunch or two days home with your family, make time for yourself. The workload you have will expand and contract over time. Make sure you take advantage of your downtime to really recharge.

If your workload is overwhelming you, try implementing just a few of these tips to prioritize and balance your workload. Create or adapt your routine to follow some of these guidelines and you will find yourself breathing a little easier each day. If you are in need of help planning a work meeting or conference, contact AMA Executive Conference Centers and we can help mark that to-do off your list too!

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.