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Meeting Etiquette That Will Make You a Gold Star Attendee!

We know that AMA Executive Conference Center blog readers aren’t always the meeting planner…sometimes they’re the meeting attendee! Being a good meeting guest is just as important a task as is planning a meeting. To help you become the attendee that gets a ‘gold star’ for being both professional and productive we’re sharing 5 etiquette tips on the blog today:

ARRIVE EARLY
There’s a saying used by professionals in the theatre industry, ‘If you’re not 15 minutes early then you’re late!” This philosophy fits perfectly into the timely arrival expectations that a planner has for their attendees on meeting day. If at all possible, arrive slightly early or at the latest, arrive when the meeting is scheduled to begin. Never arrive late. The beginning of a meeting is important time as the structure for the day is set, the agenda is discussed and expectations for results that day are shared. By arriving late you put yourself at risk for missing valuable information and disrupting the flow of the meeting once you do arrive. Do yourself, and the meeting planner a favor…arrive early.

COME PREPARED
Always come prepared with something to write with and something to write on. Whether you’re an ‘old school’ note taker with pen and pad or a Millennial that loves taking notes on the iPad, be sure that when the meeting begins you have all items in place so you’re not disrupting other attendees. If handouts are provided in advance then be sure that you have each organized and accessible. There’s nothing more distracting during a meeting than an attendee that consistently fidgets through their briefcase trying to locate handouts or other items needed.

REFRAIN FROM ELECTRONICS
Best to keep all electronic devices on ‘silent or ‘vibrate’ mode as having devices ringing or beeping in the middle of a meeting is most definitely considered rude and unprofessional. Interruptions by electronic devices have the ability to break the pace of the meeting which becomes a disservice to both the speaker and the other attendees. Keep in mind that it’s always best to answer calls, texts or emails on your mobile devices in private when you’ve been given the green light to ‘break’ from meeting activities.

BE A GOOD LISTENER
Be attentive and be a good listener by ‘being present’ at all times. To do so, you’ll want to listen to what the speaker has to say, listen to what other attendees share, and based on all the feedback access whether your question or statement is appropriate at that time. When asking your question (or making a statement) be sure that you communicate your thoughts clearly and politely – there’s never a need for combative or negative tone. And for side conversations with other meeting attendees, be sure you hold them until after the meeting is adjourned – so as not to seem inconsiderate to the speaker.

FOLLOW UP
Be the guest that’s in attendance for the entire meeting. And once it’s adjourned know that it’s the ideal time to have those side conversations with other attendees – without lingering longer than necessary in the meeting room of course. A brief ‘thank you’ to the speaker and planner for the meeting is always a professional and impressionable gesture. And once you’re back into the groove of working at your desk, don’t forget to complete any assigned tasks as requested.

These are just a few etiquette actionable items that seem to rise to the top with meeting planners and guests at AMA Executive Conference Centers. It’s true that meetings are an important vehicle for moving business forward. And we find that the most productive meetings are those where the attendees arrive with a professional mindset, armed with proper business etiquette!

Four Favorite Museums In AMA Conference Center Cities

The opportunity to explore and enjoy a wide range of visual arts – from traditional media to contemporary approaches – is one of the best parts of traveling and visiting different cities. For example, Atlanta, New York City, San Francisco and Washington D.C. , in addition to hosting our AMA Executive Conference Centers, also are four of the country’s prized cultural epicenters, offering an abundance of artistic experiences. We’ve narrowed the cultural cornucopias for each to present you with our team’s favorite museum in each city that is a must-see when you’re in town.

ATLANTA

The High Museum of Art, also known simply as The High, is a cultural centerpiece in Midtown Atlanta’s ‘village for the arts.’ Dedicated to supporting and collecting works by Southern artists, The High is a leading art museum in the South and houses more than 15,000 works of art in its permanent collection. With something for every art lover, the museum also supports an extensive anthology of 19th- and 20th-century American and decorative art; significant holdings of European paintings; a growing collection of African American art; and burgeoning collections of modern and contemporary art, photography, folk art and African art. The facility is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $14.50; children younger than 6 are free.

NEW YORK

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, known better as The Met, is a collection of three facilities that collectively host one of the country’s finest collections of art. Located near Central Park, The Met Fifth Avenue features more than 5,000 years of art from all time periods and cultures. In addition to its galleries and exhibitions, the museum puts on a number of daily events and programs for families. The facility is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The Met Breuer, located in the landmark building designed by Marcel Breuer on 75th Street and Madison Avenue, provides extra space ‘to explore the art of the 20th and 21st centuries through the global breadth and historical reach of The Met’s unparalleled collection,’ according to the website. Finally, The Met Cloisters branch of the museum is dedicated to the gardens, art and architecture of medieval Europe. This facility is located on four acres overlooking the Hudson River in Fort Tryon Park.

WASHINGTON, DC.

The world’s largest museum and research complex, the Smithsonian Institution is a collection of government-administered facilities that include the National Zoo, Air and Space Museum, American History Museum, American Indian Museum, Natural History Museum, Smithsonian Castle and about a dozen other museums, galleries and centers in Washington, D.C. (and a couple in New York City). All the Smithsonian museums in the capitol have free admission and are open every day of the year (except Dec. 25th unless otherwise noted). Among its various collections, the Smithsonian Institution boasts approximately 156 million artifacts, works of art and specimens; 9.9 million digital records available online; and two million library volumes. According to the institution’s website, these collections ‘represent our nation’s rich heritage, art from across the globe, and the immense diversity of the natural and cultural world.’

SAN FRANCISCO

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, located in the city’s South of Market neighborhood, provides a notable collection of contemporary masterpieces, along with special exhibitions and interactive events, such as panel discussions, daily tours, film screenings and more. Additionally, the facility – whose mission is to make ‘the art of our time a vital and meaningful part of public life,’ – offers 45,000 square feet of art-filled public spaces that are open with no ticket required. The museum is accessible to children and offers free visits for K-12 students. Visitors also can take advantage of the museum’s free, guided public tours through the art collection and exhibitions. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Tuesday and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday. It is closed each Wednesday, along with Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

If you’re ever visiting one of these great AMA Conference Center cities for a meeting or event, don’t miss the opportunity to splurge on the timeless artistic treasures to be found there. Taking a detour to enjoy these world-class museums that will help you make the most of your stay!

5 Art Galleries In DC To Add To Your Bucket List

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.