Tidbets and Fun Facts + 30 day Challenge

Hi there,

When entering your hotel room check to see if they have salt rocks in the bathroom waiting for you. Why? Listen to my Anchor radio program or Podcast for more details. 9/20/2017 Fun Facts. You can also listen to Maria Kamon©™ @MKPDE on GooglePlay,  PocketCast and iTunes

Fun Fact #1

Leave the morning with grace. According to Smart Magazine. A well started morning set the tone for the rest of the day.

Fun Fact #2  focus on the important issues. You have a list of things on your to do list. Focus on the most important first.

Fun Fact #3 Set a time to address all email, replies to phone calls and return social media or text messages.

Fun Fact # 4

 Enjoy a leisurely lunch. Take the time to enjoy your lunch. That means no lunches at your desk while your working or in front of the computer. It's fine to have lunch at a table in your office. Before eating set a Placesettings for yourself and relax.

Fun Fact # 5

Depart from the workplace in a timely manner. If your an executive or a middle management I encourage you to leave work at the time scheduled. I understand this is difficult, however I have a challenged for you. You will see what a difference it makes on the whole staff.

If you can do this for 30 days and can prove it to me I will give you a planner and pen for 2018. This will apply to the first three (3) people that replay to this challenge.  Challenge ends October 31, 2017.

Prize winners will received this calendar or its equivalent.

Please read disclaimer on contact page of this blog. Like, subscribe,  tell a friend to read this blog. You can also follow on social media @MKPDE

Meeting and Event Planner Trends for 2017-18 Good News

Hi there,

Thank You Pexel for free downloadable

Industry News is so exciting especially when one is in the industry I am in. The ever changing world of meeting and event planning. Why do I call it that? Mainly because the app world along with technology has made it change into a competitive field for the independent planner. Let's see how much more we can expect, that we didn't expect to plan for. For more information you can listen to my Anchor radio show at http://anchor.fm/maria-kamon-mkpde

1. MId-teir is a incoming o better pay with better or increased benefits package. Luxury is on the raise with competive pricing , higher quality services.

2. Creativity is King. Due to the high demand on event planners hotels as having to get creative in the bidding for business.
  * with addition to online events hotel planners have to encourage attended.

* special events such as meeting like meeting success scores, meet and greets, special invitations and BBQ, events might be possible in nagociations.

3. Industry People are looking for venues that offer more than jus meeting and event planning space.
    * Team Building
     * Corporate Meeting Space
     * Ballroom Space

4.  Security is still an issue.
        2017-2018 budgets need to have an extra amount set aside for the security. This will increase the cost of your meeting, event, wedding
     *    Security money needs to be directed towards guest private information being guarded. Guaranteeing safety of personal information.

     *    Guaranteeing selfies in viewers, hotel cameras and security cameras
     *.   Guaranteeing safety of event planners, independent event planners and people who plan events.

5. Incouraging cheifs for catering to shop local for the events planned therefore cutting cost of food.

6. Technology
       * Live streaming events and meetings allowing attendee to attend from place of choice.
       * Instagram and SnapChat are changing the game allowing people to post live shots.

7. Booking lead time is Less.

  * Elbow room negotiations causing more stress on businesses.

 * Event Planners now have to consider more than the venue for events.

* People are less willing to part with their event planners and would rather pay them more then have them leave employment.

 * Event Planners have more room for negotiation.

Please read disclaimer on the contact page. Like subscribe , tell a friend and don't forget to click on an ad. You can listen to a more detail talk on Anchor and you will be able to listen on iTunes, Google Play, or PocketCast.

Before 911 Happens To Your Business

Meeting Security Heats Up


Hi there, Readers;

If you are a meeting an event planner thank you for following or reading my blog. If your just enjoying my post also thank you. This one may or may not apply to you. This blog is for those of us in the industry.

If you remember back to the September 11, 2001 and everything that happened. Security was a big issue. I just read an article in Smart Meeting that Meeting Security is Heating Up. It's that time for our industry to make sure our security measures are in place. The article goes into greater detail and weeks industry professions have to make sure we know what we are doing.

1. Check what is written in your mission statement and business plan about security. Is it still in place? If not make sure it's back in place.

2. First Aide Make all those responsible for public safety to have taken classes. Make sure the first Aide kit is in place with appropriate supplies in case of emergency. This is different than a disaster kit. Make sure that is up to date and not expired.

3. Each business is suppose to have a plan in place against terrorism. Is yours in place?

4. Make sure you know the difference between Safety verses Security.

5. If you don't know what is right for your business call a.) Fire Department b.) Police Department for a volunteery inspection. It's better that you call then be fined or someone get hurt and your businesses is out of compliance. There is also c.) You can hire a professional consultany to do both. Just make sure they have the proper credentials.

6. Make sure you follow through on any recommendations they might have for you.

If it's back in the news for meting and Event planners, it's back to being important for your business.

Wallet 2017

Hi there, Readers;

I was employed by a hotel for a while. I have to admit I learned so much about money. How to carry it and what is important when traveling. Most of all I learned all the different types of wallets.

I know you are probably laughing at me. However, it is one thing I am still not completely savvy about. Wallets as they are called. Electronic, business, or physical there is a whole new verity that comes into reality each year.

As I spent my time checking in people and checking out people I was blessed with many people who travel constantly for business. Some of them I would call friends, mainly they were thee ones who came in for business, once or twice a month. Hotels call them the regulars. They are the bread and butter, so to speak of the hotel industry. In this electronic world with electronic wallets, keys, doors, windows and the fast pace of life. Travelers  still don't trust just one method of carrying their money.

Old school hotels you would check in fill out a form that included your license plate number, your personal address and you'd pay cash. Today, most people do this over internet. Regulars have an account with the chain of hotel of choice and get prizes and rewards for their stay. Therefore, you can have a food treat when you register or check in or you can just take the points. The points equal free nights stay at other hotels around the world. Keys of yesteryear are now consider a plastic card with a microchip that can open the room door. It is always advised that you don't keep these next to your phone. I still don't totally understand how they work, what I do understand is they create a conflict with one another. I also can explain some hotels have virtual keys, where you check in with an app. You have to look it up within your membership and upon check in. Virtual check in or e-check in means that you are arriving and would like the hotel company to know. Once that is done your credit card will be charge are there are no refunds. You will still have to present identification upon check in. This saves time at check in. It is purely a customer preference. However, in talking with them this is what I found out.



Wallet Tips While Traveling

1. Shop for pricing online before making your reservation. The company price isn't always the best however if your company is paying for it, they can bill them directly saving you the hassle of having to put your credit card information on the reservation. You can always call the number on the membership card and negotiate the price. Be sure to take a screenshot of the price you where quote. In case you have to prove it.

2. When traveling it is best to be secure. We use to carry a thing called "Traveler's Checks". It is advice to carry more than one form of payment. Cash, Check, Credit card.

3. My travelers informed me that not all places accept Apple Pay, AndroidPay, or PayPal. It is always best to carry more than a virtual credit card.

3. Don't take all your credit cards. I had one gentleman who was carrying all his credit cards with him and he had so many that when he lost one, he had to trace back every place he visited and which credit card he used where. Complicated for sure. It took him most of the night trying to figure it out. The next morning he had an early morning business meeting and he was exhausted, frustrated, tried and not in the best of mood. Success knocks in many ways. Overall he did the best he could. It took a lot out of him. The thing is the check in person can't help you with the details of tracing your steps, we can only do so much. Keep your travel credit cards to a minimum and know the balance.

4. Keep your wallet organized. I can't say this enough. I like the next person enjoy the luxury of a computerized world. However, depending on your business you might need to have personal paper receipts. There companies or app like Concur where you can take a photo of the receipt and file it away. However, I am still a believer in paper receipts only because they work when the battery on the computer or phone run out. I recommend having a place to place your receipts in your wallet at the end of the day one can US Mail them to your business or US Mail to your house. All hotels offer US Postal service pick up. I did check Concur and it seems to be a very useful tool for those who travel.  Don't want to US Mail then, place them in a pocket in your luggage after each day. Make it a habit.

5. Before your trip, verify what company uses what? Not all business take American Express, or debit cards, others might take only American Express, while still others only take Master Card and Visa. It really is the personal choice of the business. Hotels in the US I believe will take all of them. What I did find out. some take cash and others are credit card only.

6. When shopping for a wallet. Be practical. Think of what you need and what you will use each pocket for. Make sure it has a place for your passport, paper money and change. Card slots enough for the credit cards you need and small enough to keep save on your being. What one man sees as a wallet another might see as a cash register. Be safe and happy travels.

Disclaimer: Please see disclaimer in the contact area. I was not paid to endorse any company listed here. It is my opinion based on several conversations from people I met in and research. My opinion are subject to change. Click on the link if you want more information about the companies mentioned.