Intro -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Table of Contents -- Introduction -- About This Book -- Foolish Assumptions -- Icons Used in This Book -- Beyond the Book -- Where to Go from Here -- Part 1 Been to Any Good Meetings or Events Lately? -- Chapter 1 Gearing Up for Meetings and Events -- Being Wise About Holding Meetings -- Choosing to hold a meeting or event -- Breaking the meeting habit -- Focusing on Your Purpose -- Figuring Out Who Should Be Involved -- Keeping your meetings lean and mean -- Identifying your event audience -- Knowing How Long a Meeting or Event Should Last
Finding the Right Setting -- Getting Help When You Can -- Chapter 2 Strictly Business: Defining Meetings -- Holding Shareholders Meetings -- Inviting the shareholders -- Sending out meeting announcements -- Understanding the order of business -- Gathering the Board of Directors -- Getting Away: Corporate Retreats -- Setting Up Successful Sales Meetings -- Prepping Quickly: Impromptu Meetings -- Chapter 3 The ABCs of Meeting Preparation -- Identifying the Purpose -- Planning the Agenda -- Inviting Attendees -- Discovering the right number -- Fitting into busy schedules -- Assessing Your Needs
Meeting location -- On-site meeting space -- Local off-site meeting space -- Out-of-town on-site meeting space -- Out-of-town off-site meeting space -- Transportation -- Specific material and equipment needs -- Refreshments -- Assisting Guests with Special Needs -- Accommodating deaf & hard-of-hearing participants -- Accommodating visually-impaired participants -- Accommodating mobility-impaired participants -- Setting the Scene -- Seating -- Heating and cooling -- Room noise and other distractions -- Lighting -- Essential details -- Chapter 4 Mixing Business with Pleasure: Events
Heading to a Destination Event -- Connecting with the Media -- Before the event -- During the event -- After the event -- Honoring Employees -- Launching a Product -- Define your launch strategy and objectives -- Decide on a date and location -- Develop a budget -- Put together your "dream team" -- Verify the guest list -- Formulate the creative ideas -- Make decisions about outside vendors/suppliers -- Plan the program -- Go over program details with participants -- Double-check the details -- Direct the event -- Critique the results -- Chapter 5 Bringing an Event to Life
Deciding When to Stage Your Event -- Choosing Your Venue -- Mapping out a location -- Outdoor events -- Indoor events -- Looking at some venue options -- Hotels -- Conference centers -- Convention centers -- Resorts -- Retreat centers -- Cruise ships -- Unique environments -- Visiting venue possibilities -- Scripting the Event -- Analyzing Your Audience -- Creating the Atmosphere -- Planning the entertainment and decorations -- Choosing foods and beverages -- Creating a Memorable Theme -- Selecting a theme that fits -- Integrating a theme into your event -- Entertaining the Groups
