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3 Benefits of Adding a Post-Conference Reception to Your Meeting

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Your upcoming conference plan is coming together nicely. You have a healthy list of confirmed attendees, your guest speakers are prepared to discuss engaging topics, and your menu is carefully selected. You’ve considered parking arrangements and hotel accommodations for your traveling guests. You have preparations for a contingency plan should there be last minute changes or cancellations. But have you considered planning a post-conference reception?

The closing reception, designed to take place after the formal conference, can be an essential part of your meeting event. Typically scheduled immediately upon closing statements of the conference, the post-meeting reception takes place in another area of the venue, offers hors-d’oeuvres and beverages. Today, we’re discussing three reasons you should consider adding the post-conference reception to your next meeting.

Fosters a Networking Environment

Attendees and vendors will come to your meeting for a host of reasons. One of the most motivating factors is the ability for guests to network. It may be challenging to mingle during the structured meeting, with limited breaks between speakers for example. A post-conference reception is the ideal outlet for guests to network, exchange business cards and discuss business. A relaxed atmosphere reception will foster an environment of natural communication and be inviting for continued relationship-building after the meeting.

Get Feedback About the Meeting

The post-conference reception is a great place to get with attendees one-on-one and ask for feedback about the meeting. In the less formal, reception environment, attendees may be more comfortable offering suggestions and discussing what they enjoyed most about your speakers or content. Get opinions and insights on how best to plan your next meeting.

Relax and Entertain

A long day (or multiple days) of structured meetings can be exhausting. Provide your attendees and guests an opportunity to unwind, with business colleagues and relax. Consider a less formal post-conference reception, with entertainment or unique food and beverage options. Guests will see this as the time to loosen their ties, meet people and network. Use this reception as a way to create a unique experience, after the meeting. You’ll find attendees will have lasting conversations and create memorable experiences that will keep them talking about your conference in the weeks to come.

Don’t allow the learning to stop with the closing announcement at your meeting. Instead, consider adding a reception and provide your guests with the additional opportunity to enjoy your event. AMA Executive Conference Centers offers unique, post-event reception venues with each location. Ask us today about booking one of our lounge areas and finish out your next conference event with an ideal reception.

VMworld Is Back In San Francisco

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AMA Executive Conference Centers is excited to announce that the VMworld conference, hosted by VMware, is returning to San Francisco, August 25th – August 29th, 2019.  The event will take place at the Moscone Center.  VMworld offers pivotal industry knowledge that will allow you to enable your company’s cloud journey and to guide your company based on trends in digital infrastructure technology and transformation.

Who will be there?

VMworld boasts some pretty impressive attendance.  Not surprising considering it is the industry’s premier digital infrastructure event.  The attendees represent a mix of IT professionals and business decision makers from a wide variety of organizations and industries.  Based on prior conferences, you can expect:

·         21,000+ attendees

·         5,000+ companies

·         230 sponsors and exhibitors

·         86 countries represented

You can also expect to learn from a variety of respected industry experts and will have ample opportunity to network with peers and colleagues.

If this is your first time attending VMworld, be sure to add the New V Session to your calendar on August 25th.  This session will connect you with other new attendees and provide tips and tricks for getting the most value out of the conference.

Why attend?

If you need help making the case to attend, the conference website provides helpful resources for justifying the value to your company.

What if I need space for additional meetings?

If you need space for additional meetings, AMA is here to help.  AMA offers conference space at its San Francisco location that would be perfect for any additional space needs you have during VMworld.  The space is just minutes from the Moscone Center and has 13 meeting rooms ranging in size from 208 to 1144 square feet.  The spaces can accommodate meetings of up to 100 participants.  Your guests will be able to meet in comfort by taking advantage of the center’s complimentary beverage service, WIFI, and accommodating reception and lounge area.

Click here to contact AMA now to reserve your conference space during VMworld.

5 Common Meeting Room Setups: Pros & Cons

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When it comes to choosing a meeting room setup, there are many factors to consider. What type of meeting is it? How much participation will be asked of the attendees? But have no fear: the options are many, and you will be sure to find the perfect fit for your next business meeting. Here are five meeting room styles to consider, and the pros and cons of each:

CLASSROOM STYLE
This style is exactly as you would imagine, with meeting participants at tables facing the front of the room as in a classroom setting.

✓PROS: it is familiar and conducive to paying full attention to the speaker. Tables are great for taking notes, organizing meeting materials, using laptops or eating a meal while listening to the speaker. This is an ideal setup for training sessions.
✓CONS: this style can sometimes feel crowded, and is not a very cutting edge presentation style as participants may feel like they’ve traveled back in time to their school days. Meeting planners must make sure the tables are not too crowded, so that the seating arrangement is as comfortable as possible.

THEATER STYLE
This style features a large area with rows of chairs, and often a stage where the speaker stands or the presentation takes place.

✓PROS: this style is great for a short meeting, or a long conference with ample breaks throughout the day. It is ideal for a large amount of people, like a press conference or product launch.
✓CONS: this is not well-suited for note-taking or meetings with a good deal of audience participation.

TEAM / POD STYLE
This style groups participants in smaller clusters together in one large room.

✓PROS: this is great for working in small groups or encouraging interaction during meetings or breaks. It fosters community, and participants can bounce ideas and thoughts off of one another.
✓CONS: this is not ideal for a less interactive meeting, where the speaker is the sole focus of the conference and attention must be paid in great detail. It is susceptible to distractions and side talk.

U-SHAPE STYLE
This style arranges tables around the perimeter of the room so that the presentation can take place in the middle of the participants.

✓PROS: this seating arrangement is great for a very visual presentation with a good deal of interaction from the group.
✓CONS: it is not ideal for a mass meeting or one where group interaction is discouraged.

CONFERENCE STYLE
This is similar to a boardroom setup, where participants are seated around a conference table.

✓PROS: this is ideal for smaller, more intimate groups where discussion and participation is encouraged. The face-to-face interaction is an added bonus.
✓CONS: this is not an ideal setup for very visual presentations or meetings where interaction or input is discouraged.

Find your ideal meeting room setup at one of our AMA Executive Conference Center locations: Washington D.C., San Francisco, Atlanta, and New York City. Our state-of-the-art executive centers will provide all of your business meeting needs, no matter what style is best for you. Contact us today.

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Semicon West 2019 Returns to San Francisco’s Moscone Center

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SemiCon West 2019 will be held in San Francisco beginning July 9th at the Moscone Center on Howard Street. With over 550 exhibitors and 80+ hours of business and technical programming, the 3-day convention promises a glimpse of what’s next in a field that is rapidly moving BEYOND SMART.

SMART Pavilions

On the expo floor attendees will find pavilions where the latest in transportation, design, workforce, medical technology, and manufacturing are showcased. Attendees will also have the opportunity to “meet the experts” and watch informational presentations.

TechTALKS

Hear about everything from “Reducing Risks for Customers” in materials manufacturing to “New Architectures” to “Enable the Intelligent Future.” Several keynote speakers, including Jeffrey Welser, PhD. with IBM Research, are also on the agenda to speak and share.

Wearable Technologies Conference Series

On July 9th and 10th, attendees can learn about the current status of the wearable market through an extensive conference exhibition. This is a great opportunity to network with the “Who’s Who” of the entire WT ecosystem.

AMA San Francisco Executive Conference Center

Located only minutes away from the Moscone Center and a mere 15 minutes from the airport is AMA’s San Francisco Executive Conference Center. Based on location and value, AMA San Francisco is the perfect venue to host your SemiCon West 2019-related event.  Hold your breakfast meetings, product demonstrations, or networking receptions during the convention for up to 100 guests in one of 13 well-appointed meeting rooms or reception spaces.  Each room includes audio-visual equipment, adjustable lighting, complimentary WIFI, executive seating, complimentary beverage service, and professional service staff.  A variety of floor plan options ensure the most comfortable arrangement for any need. On-site catering is easily available for breakfasts, luncheons, meeting breaks or any service need during rental.

Click here to contact the AMA team  today to discuss your tailored convention meeting package.  Our experienced event managers will make planning your company activity simple and successful – while keeping it productive and enjoyable!

The Perks of Adding Fruits and Veggies to Your Meeting Menus

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Did you know that watermelon is a berry? Avocados are too! June is National Fruit and Vegetable Month, and there’s no better way to celebrate than to add an array of healthy produce to your next meeting, networking reception, or cocktail hour. Not only is produce a nutritious choice to add to your menu, it is fun, colorful, soothing, and an interesting way to get people talking.

They’re Eye-Catching
Fruit and vegetables come in a rainbow of colors! From the ruby red shine of a bell pepper to the bright violet purple of a dragon fruit, your eye is drawn to these foods. They attract interest and whet the appetite.

Keep Moods Stable
Produce such as raspberries, apples, potatoes, and artichokes are high in fiber. Fiber is the great mood stabilizer! It helps keep blood sugar in check, which keeps mood swings at bay. Foods such as mushrooms, squash, and bell peppers also contain vitamin and minerals which reduce stress. Magnesium and potassium help keep blood vessels open and blood pressure down. Good moods and low stress are bound to make your next veggie filled meeting a success.

Fun To Munch
Fruits and vegetables can be fun to eat. Some snap and some crunch. Some are juicy and sweet, while others are velvety and rich. Baby carrots are small and convenient and great to pop into your mouth. Artichokes leaves can be fun to peel and eat. All great additions to add to the buffet for a late-afternoon meeting snack break.

Nutritious
Of course, the best reason to add more fruits and veggies to your meeting menus is that produce is nutritious. Filled with vitamins and nutrients, there is no better option to feed your group.

Some Of Our Favorite Additions
There is a nearly endless variety of fruits and vegetables to choose from, allowing for a number of different preferences and tastes to be met. Here are a few of our favorites we love for clients to add to their menus.

Tomatoes are a crowd favorite, and with statistics showing over 93% of Americans grow tomatoes in their own yards, it’s easy to assume people can’t live without them. Make sure your next meeting menu offers tomatoes, either in a lovely Caprese salad, delicately presented with cooked pasta or as finger food with a host of fun dips. No executive meeting meal should be without them.

Avocados are a fruit that’s currently trending in popularity and offer a savory, protein-rich option for salads, sandwiches, and toppings. Whether your menu includes avocados in slices or as guacamole, they’re definitely a crowd favorite.

Keep Apples on your meeting menu as a classic, fan-favorite fruit option. In addition to being a tremendous source of fiber and containing no fat or cholesterol, apples are easy to grab and eat for a quick snack during a full day meeting.

Watermelons, Cantaloupe, and Honeydew, oh my! No fruit menu is complete without at least one of these refreshing, nutrient-rich fruits. Whether prepared as a fruit salad or on a fruit tray, keeping your food stations stocked with melon options will keep your attendees happy.

Did you know that zucchini contains more potassium than the banana? When considering your menu options, consider implementing Squash and Zucchini as a side dish option as well as a main dish option for your vegan or vegetarian attendees.

Adding an array of fruit and vegetables to your next meeting menu can only benefit you and your business associates. Not only is it a healthy and delicious choice, it can even improve moods. For more ideas on how to incorporate delicious fruit and veggie options into your June meetings, contact us. AMA Executive Conference Centers in Atlanta, New York City, Washington DC and San Francisco are here to help you host your best conferences and meetings!

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.

 

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.

Simplify Your Life With These TED Talks

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For the average person, life is becoming increasingly complex. Our days are busy, our task lists are full, and prioritization isn’t just a choice, it’s a necessity. Nonetheless, some people have rejected this lifestyle as an inevitability. What if you could simplify your life, accomplish more, and find greater fulfillment? Here are a few of our favorite TED Talks to help you do just that!

A Rich Life With Less Stuff by the Minimalists

These two friends have gained prominence in the past few years for their eschewing of materialism, consumerism, and the traditional life path. Their suggestion? Focus less on material goods, seek out your passion, simplify your life, and find happiness.

As Work Gets More Complex, 6 Rules To Simplify
by Yves Morieux

In Yves Morieux’s discussion of the workplace, he discusses how traditional approaches to solving workplace problems have become too complex. Rather, he favors six rules to increase efficiencies, simplify processes, and improve performance and fulfillment among employees.

Sweat The Small Stuff by Rory Sutherland

Applicable to both professional and personal challenges, this talk takes a humorous approach to problem-solving. Sutherland’s discussion focuses on how big problems can be solved by simple solutions, rather than applying maximum force. The end state is decreased stress, fewer resources required, and better solutions.

All It Takes Is 10 Mindful Minutes by Andy Puddicombe

This talk discusses the power of mindfulness and encourages the execution of the simplest task: doing nothing. Specifically, it encourages the power of 10 minutes of daily meditation to simplify thoughts, improve focus, and slow down.

While these TED Talks are just the tip of the iceberg, it’s a great start towards slowing down and simplifying your life. At AMA Executive Conference Centers, we are passionate about helping employees 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.

Don’t Waste Time: Plan Meetings That Are Effective and Engaging

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It’s no secret that attending meetings can often become an unpopular activity with employees. Increasingly hectic work schedules combined with the decreased attention span of the millennial population has made it even more difficult to run productive internal meetings. Nonetheless, meetings are often an important part of running a successful business. It’s not too late to change your meeting tactics, engage your employees, and increase productivity. Here are some novel ideas to help you do just that.

Engage All Employees In The Conversation

One of the most frustrating habits that a manager leading a meeting can have is talking at the group, rather than with the group. This quickly leads to inattention and frustration. Rather, a suggested tactic is “call on people gently and strategically.” Evaluate who would be a relevant participant in the topic, and then invite them to speak. Not only will this involve employees, it will increase the flow of ideas.

Encourage And Show Empathy

In order to receive meaningful feedback, it is critical to ensure employees feel comfortable enough to speak without judgment. This allows people to offer their ideas as well as “act as individual agents of change.” Not only will your organization flourish, but employees will begin to flourish as well.

Set Ground Rules And Stick To Them

There is nothing like a manager who sets policies but never adheres to them. Employees not only regard their manager in a negative light, but they are unlikely to follow the policies themselves. It is important to structure a meeting to provide expectation management; that said, ground rules must be taken seriously. For example, try a no-device policy that is coupled with a time limit on the meeting. Tech-free meetings are often more focused and therefore, tasks are accomplished more quickly. These types of policies are effective in engaging your office population, if they are properly adhered to.

Keep Meetings Small

A major point of frustration in many offices is the experience of sitting through a meeting that is irrelevant. It is important for those leading and scheduling meetings to keep them thin, inviting only the necessary participants. Many successful companies adhere to this model, and the result is increased efficiency. Do your best to only bring in critical participants – you can always reconvene if you need different inputs.

These tactics are great for small gatherings, large meetings, and even conferences. Here at AMA Executive Conference Centers, our top priority is helping deliver effective meeting solutions to leaders and professionals. We look forward to the opportunity to host your next meeting at one of our Centers in Atlanta, New York, Washington DC, and San Francisco. For more information, contact us here.

Top Meetings and Event Newsletters Delivered Right To Your Inbox

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We know the importance of keeping up with the rapid evolution of the meetings and event industry. That’s why we’ve created this list of top publications that can be delivered right to your email inbox. Keep up with the latest news, trends, and tips, and stories by subscribing to these industry-specific newsletters:

MeetingNews
This daily newsletter, from the Northstar Meetings Group, will deliver the latest news, research, and technology trends straight to your email. 55,000 plus subscribers rely on MeetingNews to keep them up-to-date on the latest industry topics. Click here to subscribe.

Successful Meetings Tip of the Day
Successful Meetings’ How-To Tip of the Day is a daily publication that will provide you with one daily business tip to help you grow in your profession and inspire you to succeed. Click here to subscribe.

Smart Meetings Magazine
This weekly newsletter is the winner of two email publication awards– the 2015 Best Niche eNewsletter and the 2016 Maggie Award for Best Web eNewsletter. The publication provides you with current industry news every week.

M&C Wellness Tip
While out there planning and organizing meetings and events, don’t forget to take your health into consideration. M&C Wellness Tip of the Week newsletter delivers health tips and advice to keep ‘you and your attendees’ healthy! Click here to subscribe.

M&C Hot Ideas
With M&C’s Hot Idea of the Day newsletter, you’ll have access to hot and fresh new ideas for your next meeting. Click here to subscribe.

Crain’s Business Alerts Newsletter
Business newsletters aren’t often as tailored to your needs as Crain’s are. Their newsletter subscription page lets you customize your subscriptions, choosing from ten Crain’s business alerts newsletters, and up to 25 separate industries you’d like to hear about. Click here to subscribe.

PCMA News Junkie
The PCMA organization aims to educate and inform the meetings and events industry. Their knowledgeable newsletters are a great source for helping you excel in your position. Seven newsletters (daily to weekly to monthly) provide the most relevant news, advice, and stories in the industry. Click here to subscribe.

Remain informed, inspired, and ahead with these top-rated industry newsletters. For more insights and industry resources, connect with AMA Executive Conference Centers at one of four of our convenient locations: Atlanta, New York City, Washington DC and San Francisco.