Expert Advice

Cities Are Bustling Again, So Book Early
03/14/13
There have been positive trends of increased demand for more face-to-face meetings and convention programs, with even large attendances being recorded. So what does that mean for Illinois planners in 2013? Certainly, the year brings a brighter economic...
Healthy Catering Can Be More Than Good For You
03/14/13
Gone are the days of the donut/coffeecake/pastry breakfast sessions. Conference and event guests are more health conscious than ever, which means planners have to be cognizant of preparing a menu that meets these dietary needs. The good news is that...
Making the Most of your PR Campaign
12/5/12
Bill Gates once shrewdly stated, “If I was down to my last dollar, I’d spend it on public relations.” Savvy business people have long realized the value of a strong PR campaign for telling a compelling story about their company and its services. A...
Autopilot- Digital Registration Systems for Busy Event Planners
12/5/12
Communicating with event attendees is important in all stages of your production (pre, proper and post). Many planners consider guest check-in to be one of the most essential pieces of the production puzzle, as registration is where guests initially...
Top Fall Food and Drink Trends
09/27/12
Fall is the perfect time of year to change up your event’s culinary direction, décor and overall atmosphere. Knowing how beautiful and colorful fall is here in Chicago, Blue Plate strives to give focus to our fall events and therefore create customized...

Suppliers Speak

Planner's Pocket Dictionary: Catering Terms
11/30/11
Whether it's a cocktail reception or a formally seated meal, planners must be service savvy. We chatted with event producer Lauren Plue at Blue Plate Catering to cook up some hot industry-insider terms you can use in planning your next...

Running Your Business

Creative Solutions for Events with a Small Budget
07/5/11
Despite the belt-tightening and cautious eyes on the numbers, events don't have to lose their "wow" factor. You can pull of great events with a tight budget; all it takes is the willingness to step outside the box and put some twists on the familiar...
What Effective ROI Measurement Means to Planners
07/5/11
It's the one question that can make or break a meeting professional's career: Is a meeting vital to an organization's bottom line? The short answer, "yes," may have you breathing a sigh of relief. Before you get too comfortable, however, make sure you'...

Getting Started

Making Sense of Certifications
07/5/11
Proving that it's not always about who you know, certifi cations are a great way to prove your dedication to the industry and your prowess as a professional. But how do you know what acronym means what? Read on for a breakdown of the meetings and...
How to Get The Most Out of Your Hotel Venue
07/5/11
So you're new to the event planning industry, and you don't know how to get the most bang for your buck when dealing with hotels. Working with sales managers doesn't have to be a painful experience. By following a few simple basics, you can negotiate...