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Tag: Planner Tips

Three Fun Ways to Recognize & Reward Your Team

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If you’re a manager or team leader, then you need to know how important it is to recognize your team’s efforts. If you make it clear that sweat equity gets noticed and appreciated, then everyone is more likely to go that extra mile. However, while it’s important to get into the habit of seeing and pointing out when people are doing something right, it’s equally important to offer some kind of tangible reward.

For those looking for ideas, you might want to try these:

Reward #1: Points

While it might seem like something out of Harry Potter, rewarding points to teams and individuals who do good work provides a tangible number to represent how well they did. However, as Snack Nation points out, these points should also be used as a kind of reward currency that can be redeemed for actual items (gift cards, prizes, gadgets, etc.). This makes them functional rewards, instead of just a numerical mood booster.

Reward #2: Company Apparel

There’s a reason promotional items tend to be clothing; it’s useful, it’s comfortable, and when you get something for free you make a connection between the brand on your shirt or ball cap with that nice feeling. Insperity suggests that when someone is doing a notable job, you should give them a reward. A free tee shirt, a hat, a sling bag; something that’s useful, that shows your appreciation, and that reminds the employee that their company and team appreciates all their hard work.

Reward #3: Something Small, But Unique

If you want your employee recognition to be really unusual, then make sure it’s something unique. Whether it’s a commemorative coin, a custom action figure, a small print or painting…the sky is the limit. But if you want your recognition to feel really unique, make the reward an “experience!” Maybe “hard to get tickets to” a concert or special event. Experiences over items really helps to set your reward and recognition of your team apart!

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. Click here to contact us today to see how we can help in planning your next meeting in Atlanta, New York, Washington DC or San Francisco.

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.

  • 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 your 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 flexible configurations for up to 240 people and are uniquely tailored for training sessions, meetings, and more. Contact us to learn more.

The Best Ways to Give and Receive Feedback

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Communication is a key component of teamwork. In order to get tasks completed, team members need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively. An important aspect of communication is giving and receiving feedback. When someone on your team could improve or change the way they are doing something, how can you share that in a helpful and positive way? If someone on the team gives you feedback about your performance, how should you respond? Both of these are significant components of effective communication and teamwork.

Giving Feedback

1. Stay Focused
Provide feedback that is directly focused on the issue or the situation at hand. Do not discuss side issues or aspects of the receiver’s personality.

2. Be Clear and Specific
Be clear about the issue and what could be done differently. Do not talk around the issue, but get right to the point and be specific so that the receiver is not confused.

3. Timely Delivery
It is best to provide feedback as quickly as possible. If the feedback is delayed for too long, the receiver may have trouble recalling the details of the situation. Immediate feedback will generally be most effective.

4. Best Timing
Although immediate feedback is important, there are times when the moment is not the best. If emotions are high and the receiver is angry and upset, it may be best to defer the discussion but make sure to have the conversation soon.

5. Mind Your Tone
When providing negative feedback, avoid accusing the receiver. The basis for negative feedback should be how it impacted you and your point of view. This feedback is not attacking the receiver or blaming them, but shares your own feelings.

6. Positivity
As you provide feedback, come from the place of wanting what is best for the receiver. The goal is to help them succeed and even if the feedback is negative, encourage the receiver that you are looking for ways to help them improve.

7. Practice, Practice, Practice
As a leader or team contributor it is important to continue to give feedback, even if it is not always well received. It is a method to help others grow and to help the team succeed – so it is important to continue giving it.

Receiving Feedback

1. Be Open
Recognize that feedback is for your benefit and will only help you grow. Be a person who is open to the ideas of others, recognizing that you don’t have all the answers. Recognize that others on your team have a lot to offer and be a person who is open to feedback.

2. Listen
Instead of jumping to conclusions or immediately forming your response in your mind, stop yourself and really listen to the feedback.

3. Ask
Ask questions if you do not understand the feedback or if you need clarification. This will also help the giver know that you are listening and are trying to understand.

4. Control
When someone has negative feedback, it is easy to get defensive and feel attacked. Control those feelings and consider their point of view. Let their feedback be something that inspires you to improve and change. If you control your defensiveness, they will probably be more willing to provide feedback in the future.

5. Verify
If you have received feedback and are not sure if it is accurate, take the time to ask questions and do the research to see if that approach is best. Be willing to consider the feedback but also double-check its validity if necessary.

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, Washington DC or San Francisco.

Bike The Right Way In These AMA Center Cities

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Commuting by bike is both healthier and more enjoyable than sitting in traffic 5 days a week. Whether you own a bike or don’t own a bike, there are so many great reasons for biking to work, for fun, or for seeing a new city when traveling. Atlanta, San Francisco, New York City, and Washington DC all have city bike share programs that give you the opportunity to rent one of hundreds of bikes around their cities.

New York City

With a fleet of 12,000 bikes across 60 neighborhoods, New York City’s Citi Bike is the nation’s largest bike share program. Pick up a bike from one of the network’s 750 docking stations. Return it to a docking station near the destination. Three dollars buys a 30-minute ride. If you want to continue using Citi Bike after Bike Week is over, we suggest purchasing an annual pass for $169.

Atlanta

An app is not required to use Relay, Atlanta’s bike share program. Relay’s online map helps you find and reserve a nearby bike. You can also find and reserve a bike with the Social Bicycles app. When you get to your reserved bike, you’ll need to unlock it with the PIN you received when you purchased your rideshare time. After your ride, return the bike to a station near your destination. While you can pay as you go for $3.50 per ride, a $15 monthly makes it less expensive to ride all year round.

San Francisco

Ford GoBike has a network of 7,000 bikes that operates throughout the Bay area. Reserving a bike to pick up at one of the 540 docking stations is easy with the Ford GoBike app. Currently, there’s a promotion to pay $2 for 30-minute trips. Buying a monthly pass for $15 may be more cost effective if you plan to bike more during the spring and summer months.

Washington, DC

The Capital Bikeshare program is the most affordable of all the above cities. This program operates a fleet of 4,300 bikes throughout the Washington Metropolitan Area.  Since there are over 500 docking stations, the online map or app should show a bike to reserve near your home or workplace. Single trips under 30 minutes are $2.

If you’re in New York, Atlanta, San Francisco or Washington DC for business, you’re in luck – AMA has an executive conference center within all 4 of these cities! Each conference center has complimentary beverages, free LCD and PC use, executive chairs, spaces for small and large groups, and no service charges. We know the ins and outs of training sessions, business meetings, corporate receptions, focus groups, and board meetings. We take care of the meeting space, you take care of business. Click here to contact us for booking information.

 

Everything You Need To Know When Visiting Hudson Yards

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Hudson Yards is the newest neighborhood in New York City. Featuring more than 100 shops, restaurants, art venues, and attractions, Hudson Yards is now the nation’s largest private development and one of most complex construction projects in New York history. We’re taking a closer look at what makes this destination unique and why it is a great fit for leisure during your next AMA Center meeting in New York City.

Location and Transportation

Hudson Yards is located between 10th and 12th Avenues, from West 30th to West 34th St. There is easy access to commuter rail service, the subway, the West Side Highway, the Lincoln Tunnel, and ferries along the Hudson River.

This new complex was built on 28 acres over a working rail yard. That not only explains why the construction project was so complex but also helps one to understand why Hudson Yards is so unique.

Shop, Dine, and Explore

Apparel, jewelry, and beauty items are just a few of the types of shops in Hudson Yards. Everything from shoe stores to brand name eyewear awaits your browsing.

Dining options range from simple coffee shops to finer dining for your evening enjoyment. A wine bar and ice cream shop are just two other options to discover while visiting Hudson Yards.

Visitors can enjoy a great view of the New York skyline from the Edge. Located 100 stories high, it is the highest man-made outdoor viewing area in the western hemisphere.

Public gardens, art, and cultural institutions and more provide visitors with a variety of choices in this special and unique place. We think that Hudson Yards is a must-see while visiting New York City.

AMA Executive Conference Centers

The AMA New York Conference Center is the largest conference center in New York City’s Time’s Square district. Featuring 90,000 square feet and 43 rooms, this center can accommodate up to 200 participants. Located in the heart of Times Square, the conference center is within blocks to many restaurants, shopping, and attractions, including those in Hudson Yards.

A favorite feature of meeting planners is the 6th-floor meeting space at the AMA New York Conference Center. A spacious lounge also overlooks Broadway, making it a perfect space for receptions and conference activities.

AMA Executive Conference Centers are also available in Atlanta, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. Each of our centers provides the essentials you need for a successful meeting or event. The centers are conveniently located close to transportation, lodging, dining, shopping, and attractions. Learn more about our centers and our services by clicking here to contact us today.

Becoming More Resilient to Change: 5 Applicable Strategies

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As technology changes communication and culture, the business landscape is also in constant flux. A person’s professional life is seen as the foundation for personal life maintenance—without a job there is no money for shelter, food, or stability for the individual or their family. So, when the workplace feels unstable, it is natural for workers to feel deeply threatened. One American Psychological Association study identified that “regardless of the economic climate,” money is consistently the leading stressor for Americans. Work (if employed) follows closely as the second major stressor, substantially ahead of family responsibilities and then health concerns.

If you are working in a business or industry undergoing cultural, process, or labor changes, there are some methods you can use to weather the changes and come out stronger and more confident on the other side:

Acknowledge Your Feelings

Too often, scary feelings are suppressed in an effort to “put on a brave face.” But this avoids actually facing your feelings and situation. Instead, truly consider what you are feeling: Are you scared, angry, confused, sad…? Once you have narrowed down some feelings, try turning them into sentences. For example: I am confused about where I will fit in the new department structure. I am scared my job may be in jeopardy. This process helps you gain a clearer focus to move forward.

Communicate

Once you have articulated your feelings and concerns to yourself bring them to comfortable and appropriate workplace channels. Talk with your supervisor or human resource manager. There are structures in place to support your professional clarity, especially in times of change. Use these tools to gain further insight and possibly peace of mind.

Avoid The Rumor Mill

It may be tempting to indulge and even participate in rumor consumption and spreading, but this will never help anyone and can only exacerbate an already stressful environment. This goes back to method #2; appropriate channels will have more credible information for you than break-room banter.

Set Goals

Aversion to change can stem from a feeling of powerlessness and lack of control. When experiencing change at work, establishing goals can help you both stay focused while also giving you a sense of purpose and direction. Additionally, setting mini-goals (smaller steps toward big goals) allows you to experience task-completion satisfaction more regularly.

Practice Mindfulness

Meditation comes in many styles and can be tailored to fit your emotions and needs. Not everyone can sit and clear their minds on command. For others—especially busy meeting and event professionals—there are many inexpensive (or free) meditation apps like Headspace and Calm, which guide you through short, voice-led meditations, relaxing sounds, or breathing exercises to reduce your stress and increase your mental clarity.

While the above methods are specifically aligned with workplace change, any of them could be used to maintain confidence while managing other major life changes as well. Change is inevitable – however, growth from it is a choice.

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.

Top Attractions To Visit While In Washington DC

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Washington DC, a compact city defined by imposing neoclassical buildings and monuments, is a premier tourist attraction. A visit to this city will give you the opportunity to see iconic buildings that house the federal government’s three branches which includes the Supreme Court, the White House and the United States Capitol. The area is also rife with performing-arts venues, iconic museums, world-class eateries, lush parklands and hundreds of delightful attractions.

Get the most out of your next visit to our AMA Executive Conference Center in Washington DC by extending your stay and enjoying some attractions. Enjoy our complete guide on the top 10 attractions to visit once you arrive here:

1. The United States Capitol

Most widely known as the Capitol Building, the United States Capitol is where the U.S. Congress meets. If you want to visit the House of Representatives or the Senate when they are in session, all you need is to obtain a free passé from congressmen’s office. Learn more by visiting The Capitol’s visitor center website.

2. The White House

The White House is a well-secured place where the current United States President resides. It is also where the President hosts leaders of foreign countries. The first US President to live and welcome dignitaries in the White House was John Adams. There are several self-guided tours in the area for visitors who plan to visit the White House – however, public tour requests must be submitted through one’s Member of Congress. For more information visit the White House online.

3. The Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial is an important monument built to honor Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States. A big statue of the late Abraham Lincoln is erected on the center of the Greek Doric style temple. The monument is open complimentary 24 hours a day for visitors from all over the world to see.

4. National Air and Space Museum

Known as the NASM, the National Air and Space Museum is one of the most frequently visited museums in the world. The museum preserves a wide selection of classic air and spacecraft objects such as the original 1903 Wright Brothers plane. In addition to the exhibits, the museum also contains an IMAX theatre, the Albert Einstein Planetarium and the Public Observatory. Admission is free, for more information about visiting hours click onto NASM’s website.

5. Supreme Court of the United States

This highest court in the U.S. is also another top attraction you can visit in Washington DC. You can tour the building to listen to the proceedings of the court or attend a free lecture about the building’s history. To view available and ongoing lectures visit them online for more information.

6. Georgetown and the Waterfront

The bustling street of Georgetown is a place to be when you want to shop while you are in Washington DC. You can also stroll through the Waterfront to watch the stunning views of the Potomac River. If you want to fill your stomach, you can do so at one of the restaurants overlooking the water.

7. National Mall

The National Mall is also another top attraction to visit while in Washington DC. The mall is located in downtown and stretches on the west from the Potomac River to the U.S. Capitol building. It is the top tourist attraction in Washington attracting millions of visitors from across the world each year. There are no fees to experience the National Mall – visit their site online for information on the best routes for navigating your visit.

8. National Zoological Park

The National Zoo is home to more than 2,000 different reptiles, birds and animals. Some of the unique animals you will find in the area include White-Naped Cranes, Cheetahs, Asian Elephants, Sumatran Tigers, Red Pandas, Western Lowland Gorillas, and North Island Brown Kiwis. The zoo is a frequently visited thanks to its leadership in areas of animal care, and the quality of experience visitors get. Unlike most other zoos, the National Zoo has free admission.

9. The World War II Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument flank the World War II Memorial. The monument which features stone architecture and bronze sculptures was built to honor the United States soldiers that died in the World War II. This memorial is free and open to the public 24 hours a day.

10. National Gallery of Art

The National Gallery of Art is housed in two separate buildings connected by a tunnel. It is one of the most renowned art museums in the United States. The museum features a wide range of European and American decorative arts, sculpture and paintings, and admission is always complimentary.

Meeting Venues In Washington DC

If you are looking for a meeting or conference venue in Washington DC, then look no further. AMA Executive Conference Centers offer a unique network of venues located in Washington DC, Atlanta, New York and San Francisco. Each venue is structured to meet the planning and hosting needs of both planners and executives. For more information about meeting at an AMA Executive Conference Center connect with us online.

Making The Most Of Your Visit To San Francisco’s Chinatown

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Centered on Stockton Street and Grant Avenue, San Francisco’s Chinatown is not only the oldest Chinatown in North America but it’s a protected historic district. A major cultural center, it covers 24 city blocks. There’s a reason this beautiful and culturally-rich neighborhood is host to over 2,000,000 tourists per year. A must-see, when visiting our AMA Executive Conference Center in San Francisco take some time and visit these Chinatown destinations:

China Live

China Live is a two-story emporium in the heart of Chinatown featuring a tea café, retail marketplace, and market-style restaurant and bar. For the perfect experience, browse the retail space for everything from produce and cookware to Chinese spices and condiments before stopping by the Oolong Café for any of the rotating selection of teas while admiring the gorgeous mural inspired by the Ming Dynasty. Lastly, head to the Bar Central for one of their specialty cocktails such as the French Concession.

Chinese Culture Center

The Chinese Culture Center (CCC), founded in 1965, has spent five decades in the community as a leading promoter of public art projects and events. In addition to running two galleries and three music festivals a year, the center also organizes walking tours through Chinatown featuring visits to an herbal pharmacy, a dim sum restaurant, and the oldest Taoist temple in the United States. From April 27, 2019 to December 21, 2019, the Chinese Culture Center is presenting their current group art exhibition Present Tense that reflects the complex responsibility of remembrance following struggles for freedom.

Portsmouth Square

Portsmouth Square has long been recognized as not only the “Heart of Chinatown” but as a crucial landmark in the history of California. Home to a number of historical statues and markers, it is the site of the first raising of the American flag in San Francisco in 1846 and the announcement of gold discovery in 1848. Additionally, there is a memorial dedicated to Robert Louis Stevenson, author of Treasure Island, who frequented the square in his pastime. Presently, the park serves not only as a historical site but a favorite spot by the locals to enjoy Chinese chess games, tai chi, and more.

AMA’s San Francisco Executive Conference Center is conveniently located mere minutes from Chinatown, various shopping areas and museums, and only 15 miles from the San Francisco International Airport. A perfect location to hold your meeting and enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience that is Chinatown, San Francisco. For more information, click here to contact us.

The Top Benefits of Hosting a Retreat for Your Team

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Your team works together every day. They have a number of responsibilities and projects that cause them to need to interact and work together. Sometimes, you need to get away from the office for a while with one another. AMA believes it’s time for your team to experience the key benefits of a retreat. Here’s why!

1. Your Team Gets a Chance to Build Relationships

During the work day, relationships may be difficult to build. Some team members may prefer to focus on work during the work day, while others never really have a chance to interact with one another. During a retreat, however, you get a chance to build relationships and bond with one another in a way that often doesn’t happen during the typical business day.

2. You Have a More Constructive Environment to Talk

Often, your team members have great ideas, but they’re never sure it’s exactly the right time to share them. During a retreat, on the other hand, they have the perfect chance to chat with other members of the team, including management, and suggest those great ideas. It could be the next great idea that improves your office!

3. You Can Take a Focused Look at the Big Picture

During a retreat, you’re away from the day-to-day grind of the office: the paperwork; the repetitive tasks that have to be completed every week; the software that refuses to work the way you want it to. Often, this is a great chance to take a more focused look at the big picture that drives your company: the company’s values, its plans, and its goals for the future.

4. You Give Team Members a Chance to Decompress

During a retreat, many team members have a chance to unwind in a way that they simply don’t during any other work activity. Hosting a retreat immediately after your busy season or a high-stress project is a great way to help decrease stress levels and help get your team ready to come back and start working on their next project.

Does your team need a chance to get away together: to enjoy some bonding and experience the other key benefits of a retreat? Click here to contact us today to learn how AMA Executive Conference Centers can offer the perfect retreat and recharge meeting support in Atlanta, New York City, Washington DC and San Francisco!

Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone to Achieve Success

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The fear of stepping out into the unknown is limiting the majority from realizing success in various aspects of their lives. You need to understand that it is impossible to achieve your dreams without overcoming the fears within, and taking risks. Most people are okay with their comfort zone, which hinders them from achieving success.

Here are some tips for meeting and event professionals who wish to step out of their comfort zone, in pursuit of success:

Begin with Baby Steps

Jumping out of your comfort zone in pursuit of your dream as an event professional is not a good idea. If you want to minimize the chances of failure, you need to exercise some caution when taking risks. Event and meeting professionals who start off with baby steps as they try to get out of their comfort zone have shown a higher rate of achieving success.

The desire to rise in your career fast is sometimes overwhelming, and it may force some individuals to return to their comfort zone when they fail to realize what they are pursuing. If you wish to reach your career goals with a solid foundation, consider stepping out of your comfort zone by taking baby steps at the initial stages.

View Failure As A Teacher

“Experience is the best teacher” goes the adage, but you can also learn a lot through failure. Organizing meetings and events is not a simple task, and the successful completion of activities is not a guarantee. If things fail to turn out as you expect after a specific meeting, take time to consider what you need to adjust, and any missing details you need to examine. Viewing failure as a teacher is a great approach to success for meeting and event professionals.

Embrace Discomfort

Professionals in the meeting industry interact with various professionals from time to time, and engaging particular individuals for the first time is a challenge at times. It is okay to feel uncomfortable when networking or working with new people on projects, but if you want to grow as an event professional, you need to get comfortable with discomfort.

Withstanding the discomfort of being around new faces for the first time for a longer time than usual, and embracing the challenge by practicing some more, will make you feel less uncomfortable. The short-term activity of embracing discomfort will eventually have you realizing success as a meeting and event professional.