Pages

Thursday, December 31, 2009

I Bestow Upon You the Gift of Time

HAPPY New Year!!! What a glorious time of year this has been! I was able to help 2 new clients and still spend time with my loved ones. I started the month of November with things I was thankful for and they just multiplied as each gift was announced. I was determined to sprinkle positive energy on every person I was able to interact with and the more I gave away, the more it multiplied. I intend to continue to sprinkle positive energy throughout 2010 and I look forward to helping more friends and clients save time by planning and executing successful meetings on their behalf. I have so much fun doing this and YOU get the gift of time. Take a peek at the new expansions to my website. http://www.a2zmeetingsandevents.com/ Sound has been added for 30 seconds and video clips are next! A newsletter will also be coming out in 2010 and your tips and tricks may be included if you write to me.
In my journey this year I have met some amA2Zing people and one of them has given me the gift of overflowing gratitude. Thank you, Terre! This was her latest gift. It is so awesome … please enrich yourself by taking the time to read this inspiring note and you will understand the gift that has been bestowed on you. Take advantage of this gift and bestow gifts on those you love and respect.

Thanks to Victoria Esther Ben-Toviya
This Thursday evening, Dec. 31st, will be the end of the first decade of the century. It will herald in the second decade, and begin the first “double digits” of the century 2010. (Remember when you went from 9 to 10 years old – double digits?!) It will also be the second full moon of the month of December, making it a BLUE MOON (in Cancer)! There will also be a partial eclipse of the moon in North America. At this season of short daylight, we have the double gift of the silvery reflected Light from the moon again to shimmer on our New Year’s Eve at this auspicious moment in history.
Some say that Moon Light is filled with feminine energy. Some say it is a time of fullness of vision (more light available at night) and therefore a good time for meditation upon our Inner Vision. Some say it is a time to look to our own feminine side and see how we most fully utilize our potentials for life giving – to ourselves and overflowing to others from our own “fullness”.
What is this New Year bringing to your Pathway? What have you been conscious of lately? I hope you will take time to write it down and take one (first) step in whatever that is. What has been on the edge of your consciousness – hovering and hidden (partial eclipse) in your unconsciousness? Take some time to sit with those unconscious shadows and allow them to emerge, be recognized, integrated, and acted upon in a positive way for your personal growth and development.
What is your “theme” for this year? (Check with your Inner Self). It might be your “Year of Peace”, so you seek Peace throughout your days this year. It might be your year of “Joy”. Where will you find joy this year?
What gift do you bestow upon others this Year? “I bestow upon you the gift of ____”. Let your own inner wisdom fill in the blank for each person you love; bestowing this “wish” for them to receive in the coming year. I received the gift of “fun” from my sister. In the coming year I will look for ways to experience fun in my life.
I bestow upon you for this coming year, in the words of Julia Child, “Bon Appetit!” In Hebrew, “B’tai Avone” and may you have a wonderful appetite – for LIFE! (Send me this phrase in languages you know! I want to hear them!)
If we are to help our patients live fully – it begins with us!
Let us celebrate life this year, 2010, with gusto, appetite, and eagerness for each juicy moment of Life to be rich, bold, bodacious and succulent!
Love and blessings to the Earth Angels with whom I am privileged to work,
Victoria Esther Ben-Toviya, MA, BCC
Chaplain

Friday, December 4, 2009

Tips for Designing a Great Meeting Request for Proposal

Oh Lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood!

We are all so busy these days and one missing piece in the puzzle could be the weak spot that makes the rest of your meeting sag. Great communication is easy if all parties start with a complete understanding of the goals. So what kinds of things do the bidding parties need to know about your group? 
  • What is the objective and profile of the meeting?
        • Is it a training meeting, board meeting, sales, continuing education, incentive?
  • If you wanted to accomplish 3 – 5 key things, what would those be?
        • Who are your competitors?
        • Include a clause stating that competing groups will not occupy the hotel over your meeting dates
  • Describe the profile of the audience.
      • Are individuals encouraged to bring family members?
      • What is the percentage of males/females? Age range?
  • Are there special needs unique to your audience?
      • Specific products, cuisine, smoking
      • Disabilities that require special accommodations
      • What is the geographic mix? (If your audience is international, will translators be needed?)
  • What is important to the attendees? (past successful themes, events or venues)
  • Describe specific meeting and guest room needs.
      • Desired meeting flow and meeting room set ups (diagrams are helpful)
      • Include days, dates and times
      • Include set up and tear down times and 24 hour hold when necessary
      • Give room rate range sought after and parameters of flexibility
      • Patterns of arrival and departure could impact rates greatly
      • Be specific on room types desired
      • List specific inclusions you would like in the proposal
      • Complimentary room ratio, staff rooms, upgrades, etc.
      • Provide at least 2 years of group history by night (rooms blocked versus rooms utilized)
  • What is the decision process?
      • Who decides?
      • When will the decision be made?
  • Site inspection request
      • What is the policy for site inspection and detail meetings?
ASK ABOUT:


  • Taxes, service charges, additional fees and inclusions
  • Ground transportation & parking fees
  • Internet access in guest rooms and meeting space 
    • Fees
    • Technical support
  • Business center services and pricing
  • Labor conditions
  • Ownership and management of the hotel and for how long
  • Ancillary & support services
  • Risk assessment /management
  • Events at the hotel or in the city during your dates
Not everything on this list will pertain to every group. Save yourself some stress by communicating items on this list that will impact the outcome of your meeting.


For other helpful meeting tips visit http://www.a2zmeetingsandevents.com/tips.html