BETTER YET 6-1-2003

Meetings & Conventions: Short Cuts June 2003 August 2002 Short Cuts: BETTER YET Smarter Business Gifts Gift-giving in the corporate world is a recognized and effective way for companies to thank clients and promote their business. BusinessWeek (businessweek.buyerzone.com) offers these dos and don’ts for selecting the perfect gift. Inquire first. Some companies have very strict protocol on accepting gifts. Call ahead to the client’s human resources department and inquire ...

Sneakers Made for Travel

Meetings & Conventions: Short Cuts June 2003 June 2003 Short Cuts: Sneakers Made for Travel No more excuses, says Reebok, and they mean it. The Canton, Mass.-based shoe company recently introduced the Reebok Travel Trainer to America. The lightweight sneaker already is a hit with Asia-Pacific road warriors. Suitable for indoor cross-training, the Travel Trainer has a flexible sole and elastic bands for rolling up and tucking neatly into luggage. A fixture in airport vending ...

HEALTH BEAT 6-1-2003

Meetings & Conventions: Short Cuts June 2003 June 2003 Short Cuts: HEALTH BEAT The Wrath of Grapes As long as there have been fermented brews to drink, there have been hangovers and arguments on how best to relieve them. Consider the following advice. Suzanne Simons, executive director of the Chicago-based National Headache Foundation, recommends bouillon cubes. Rich in minerals and salts, they help the body retain water and cancel out the ill effects of dehydration, a major ...

Haute Mac and amp; Cheese

Meetings & Conventions: Short Cuts June 2003 June 2003 Short Cuts: Haute Mac & Cheese Basic American fare rises to the top of hotel menus Fire drill: The amazing Raspyni Brothers When it comes to traditional homemade comfort foods, Mom suddenly has some stiff competition. Hotel restaurants, aiming to please travelers’ palettes and soothe their souls, are putting a new spin on family favorites. “The idea is global comfort with high-end appeal,” says executive chef Dewey ...

On the Spot 6-1-2003

Meetings & Conventions: Short Cuts June 2003 June 2003 Short Cuts: On the Spot How do you manage to keep F&B costs to a minimum? “Rather than going with the pre-selected menu offered by the hotel, I prefer to create my own. That way, I negotiate lower prices and get the freshest ingredients. Also, my attendees are big eaters, and I find buffets keep everyone satisfied and costs down.” Lisa Bortolussi, CMP Meeting Planner–Special Events Amway Corp. Ada, Mich. “Since I ...

Numbers Game 6-1-2003

Meetings & Conventions: Short Cuts June 2003 February 2002 Short Cuts: You Told Us... In March, we asked readers if they ever felt pressured to plan personal events for friends and family. Among your responses: • “I got stuck planning my family’s reunion last July. It was a disaster. Thank God I have good relationships with suppliers. From now on, everyone can do their own thing; I will show up and party hearty.” — Renee Pierce, Sacramento, Calif. • ...

Keep On the Grass

Meetings & Conventions: Short Cuts June 2003 June 2003 Short Cuts: Keep On the Grass These parks offer a green carpet for groups America’s national parks are not just for leisure travelers. Among ideal event venues is Grand Teton National Park (www.gtlc.com/lodging.htm) in Moose, Wyo., where Jenny Lake Lodge offers spectacular mountain views and 37 rustic yet well-appointed log cabins (telephones are optional). Larger groups can head down the road to the 385-room Jackson ...

Short Cuts - Tips for Work, Home and Life 6-1-2003

Meetings & Conventions: Short Cuts June 2003 Short Cuts - Tips for Work, Home and Life Edited by Cheryl-Anne Sturken Keep On the Grass These parks offer a green carpet for groups On the Spot How do you manage to keep F&B costs to a minimum? Haute Mac & Cheese Basic American fare rises to the top of hotel menus Health Beat The Wrath of Grapes Sneakers Made for ...

BETTER YET 5-1-2003

Meetings & Conventions: Short Cuts May 2003 August 2002 Short Cuts: BETTER YET Signage on a Budget Custom-made signage does not have to take a gouge out of the meeting budget. Carrollton, Texas-based Fastsigns International Inc. (www.fastsigns.com) offers these tips for affordable signage. One size is best. Stick to one size of template. This allows the printer to get the most out of a single sheet of material. Do your own artwork. Design the sign in-house and avoid ...

Mornings on the Run

Meetings & Conventions: Short Cuts May 2003 May 2003 Short Cuts: Got a Minute? Grab Some Breakfast Mornings on the Run Holiday Inn Express recently unveiled a new standard feature that lets guests dash out the door without missing the most important meal of the day. The limited-service chain’s new Express Start breakfast bars, rolled out in all 1,200 locations during the first three months of the year, go well beyond grab-and-go fare. Offerings at the buffets include eggs, ...

HEALTH BEAT 5-1-2003

Meetings & Conventions: Short Cuts May 2003 May 2003 Short Cuts: HEALTH BEAT High on Yoga More evidence the yoga craze is reaching new heights: Frequent flyers are now turning to the ancient practice to relax and keep the blood flowing during long flights. It’s a natural fit. Experts say extended periods of inactivity can lead to a deadly condition called deep-vein thrombosis. Those flying for more than five hours are particularly at risk. Carol Dickman (www.stretch.com), a ...

Corporate Juggling Acts

Meetings & Conventions: Short Cuts May 2003 May 2003 Short Cuts: Corporate Juggling Acts How to beguile an audience with manual dexterity Fire drill: The amazing Raspyni Brothers Attendees spend a lot of time and energy juggling family and work responsibilities — why not hire some professionals to show them how it’s really done? “Juggling touches the playful child in people, loosens them up and stimulates good times,” says Ginny Rose, festival coordinator of the 2,700-member ...