Small Conferences LLC

SmallConferences.com helps you with cost-effective site selection & creating memorable moments – from small board meetings to annual conferences. We work differently than other planners – resulting in savings of up to 25% or more on your next event! Even if you only have one gathering a year - we can save you time, money & stress! Let us handle the hassles of planning your next board retreat, convention, or symposium so you can concentrate on your mission! Find out more - including exclusive non-profit discounts - by signing up for a complimentary 15 min consultation: https://lnkd.in/e8YZGkCk #gatherings #events #event #partyplanner #eventplanning #party #conference #eventdesign #miami #eventmanagement #conventions #eventorganizer #conferences #corporateevents #tradeshows #meetings #meetingplanner #restaurants #restaurantbusiness #hotels #hotelsales

Has your conference, meeting or event been impacted by the recent hurricanes? Recently, I had to swiftly re-schedule a client's significant annual membership convention from Ashville to Charlotte NC. In under 48 hours, I secured an alternative location, saving them valuable time, money, and stress. I'm an experienced event crisis manager! Example - I successfully rescheduled a biannual convention three times during Covid. This adjustment led to the creation of two new events, one virtual and one in-person. If you need assistance with an event, whether it's the current one or a future gathering, please don't hesitate to reach out. You can find more information about our services here: https://lnkd.in/e3uC2ATq Thank you for considering my support. 

I am thrilled to share that I've recently earned my certification as a Medical Meeting Planner (MMP)! A big thank you to Meeting Professionals International for hosting the insightful Medical Meeting Day @IMEX America in Vegas. It was truly inspiring! In light of the industry's current disillusionment among Health Care Professionals (HCP’s), it's crucial to focus on re-inspiring and motivating them during Medical Meetings. Incorporating these key takeaways from MPI's research can make a significant impact: 5) Small Group Breakouts and Interactive Experiences: Utilize hands-on labs and collaborative training. Lose the lecture! Focus on panel discussions for general sessions with lots of Q and A. 4) Encompass Patient Testimonials and Case Studies: Sponsor patients and their families for that in-person motivating touch! Also consider subsidizing med students to attend. 3) Showcase New Innovations and Novel Treatments: This will assure HCP’s are eager to attend and learn! 2) Focus Subject Matter to the HCP’s Specialty: Vs “sponsor specific” content. Make engagement with sponsors and exhibitors fun. Gamify the interactions between HCP’s and sponsors/vendors. And….. the number one thing HCP’s are asking for: 1) Prioritize Peer-to-Peer Networking: Include outdoor activities and off-site non-education events, tours and meals. Let's work together to ensure your next Medical Meeting, Symposium, CME Program or Congress is a huge success! Reach out to me for assistance! Robert@SmallConferences.com #medical #pharmaceutical #lifesciences #associationplanner #MPIMD #MPIMDCommunity

Thank you Gary Leff for covering the "Junk Fee Equalizer" in the View from the Wing! You're correct - there's nothing worse than "mandatory fees that aren’t even shown to the customer when they’re booking the room" like at the Hyatt Place St. Augustine/Vilano Beach. In particular because this goes against Hyatt Hotels Corporation's own policy. The fact that it's now been over a week since they've been informed of this breach - yet it is still not properly disclosed - shows they really don't care about their guests nor future business from this meeting planner and our clients. #gatherings #events #event #eventplanning #conference #eventdesign #hyattplace #eventmanagement #conventions #eventorganizer #conferences #corporateevents #tradeshows #meetings #meetingplanner #junkfees #smallconferences #hotels #hotelsales #resortfees #hyatt https://lnkd.in/dNTSsnrm 

Can you imagine a fee for parking your invisible car?!? Yes folks – it happened once again! Despite all the promises from companies like Hyatt Hotels Corporation to transparently disclose “Resort Fees” upfront – I was hit with another “surprise” at checkout.

The GMCVB has shared an exciting update on new hotel openings in Miami for 2024-2025! New or reimagined properties offer great value for group bookings, especially for sectors like nonprofits and medical, where repeat venue selection is common. We engage directly with management and owners to establish relationships, as new properties often lack a full sales team on-site. This allows us to secure favorable deals for our clients, with group rates up to 25% lower than comparable properties. Inspiring properties like CitizenM South Beach, Andaz Miami Beach, and The Sunny Resort offer unique experiences for associations. In 2025, Thompson Miami Beach, Dream Hotel, the Raleigh, and the Shelborne are set to captivate visitors. Ready to save 25% on your next Miami meeting? Contact us at: http://MeetIn.Miami/ For assistance nationwide, please visit:  https://lnkd.in/e3uxVyBJ #gatherings #events #event #eventplanning #conference #eventdesign #miami #eventmanagement #conventions #eventorganizer #conferences #corporateevents #tradeshows #meetings #meetingplanner #newhotels #miamibeach #hotels #hotelsales #nonprofit #eventproducer https://lnkd.in/eV8NYE2d

As highlighted in our recent update on the ongoing hotel strike, our call to action for hotel partners was to "Get Creative with Recruiting!" We focused on collaborating with local schools and homeless shelters to provide training opportunities for individuals seeking to enter the hospitality industry. While the specific program mentioned was not at the shelter I teach at, the initiative mirrors our efforts to empower formerly homeless individuals with the necessary skills for reentering the workforce. One such successful collaboration is the partnership between Camillus House, Hyatt Regency, and FirstService, which aims to recruit graduates from a 6-month Kitchen Cook certificate program offered in partnership with Miami Dade College. These graduates are offered a starting rate of $20-25 per hour, along with a range of generous benefits. This wage increase represents a significant uplift for many, surpassing their previous earnings by an average of $10 per hour prior to experiencing homelessness. Additionally, there is potential for these individuals to double their pay rate within 3-5 years as they advance to senior cook positions. To explore more solutions addressing the staffing challenges in the hospitality industry, please visit our newsletter: https://lnkd.in/etynRVqW #gatherings #events #event #eventplanning #conference #eventdesign #eventmanagement #conventions #eventorganizer #conferences #corporateevents #meetings #meetingplanner #hotels #hotelsales #nonprofit #eventproducer #strike #hotelstrike https://lnkd.in/gycbb8Yi

Well, staying at a hotel amidst a strike can be quite the experience, as recent events have shown: - Long lines at check-in, navigating through strikers blocking the lobby entrance. - Room delays until late at night, with cleanliness concerns. - Limited bar and food service with reduced menus. - Trash buildup and unattended towels in hallways. - And who can forget the 7 am wakeup call by airhorns from the striking workers? Instead of strikes, as mentioned previously, exploring alternative solutions seems more constructive. Our recent newsletter suggested various measures: - Advocating for more workers to enter the US. - Using technology for operational efficiency. - Supporting employees with minimal financial impact. - Outsourcing non-core activities for streamlined operations. - Adopting innovative recruitment strategies to attract talent. While unions highlight increased workloads without more staff, it's noteworthy that hospitality workers are enjoying record-high wages, with salaries up by 20% since 2019. Check out more insights in the Washington Post article linked below. #gatherings #events #event #eventplanning #conference #eventdesign #miami #eventmanagement #conventions #eventorganizer #conferences #corporateevents #tradeshows #meetings #meetingplanner #restaurants #restaurantbusiness #hotels #hotelsales #strike #hotelstrike [Link to the Washington Post article for more details.](https://lnkd.in/e-5iNhKA)

CNN just released a list of the 25 of the most underrated destinations.  Why is this important? First, of course, there’s some great un-crowded places for your next family vacation – like White Sands National Park in NM or Mount Magazine State Park in AR. But more importantly – some amazing places for your next meeting or conference that not only offers great value for the money – but opportunities for offsite activities & tours. Here’s a few: Springfield MA - The Pioneer Valley along the Connecticut River offers many outdoor activities plus be sure to visit the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame where the sport was born in 1891. Venues for your meetings are often $50-100 a night less than Boston & include MGM Resorts Springfield, the budget friendly Sheraton Monarch Place Hotel plus the MassMutual Convention Center. Great access via Hartford (BDL) Airport only 13 miles away. Durham NC - Is a science, art, sports & entertainment hub that will save you 25-35% in costs vs Charlotte. The city revolves around a reenergized downtown featuring The Durham Bulls – the nation’s most famous minor league baseball team. Venues include the historic 21c Museum Hotel, newly renovated Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, plus budget friendly options like the Sheraton Imperial. Plus, so easy to get to with several nearby airports including Raleigh–Durham International (RDU) & Greensboro (GSO). Memphis TN – Is where you’ll find a wonderful affordable blend of nature, history, music and food. Beale Street is known for the blues, but the city was also the cradle of soul & rock‘n’roll – remember Elvis’s Graceland is here too! There’s Memphis pork barbecue, soul food & Delta-style fish. Explore historic civil war battlefields like Shiloh National Military Park. Venues offer 30-35% savings over Nashville including the Sheraton Memphis Downtown across from the Renasant Convention Center, The Guest House at Graceland or the Peabody Memphis. The Memphis International Airport (MEM) is an easy 10-15 min from downtown. Finally check out Tacoma WA – So much cheaper (30% less) than Seattle yet for outdoor lovers closer to Mount Rainier and Olympic National Parks. In the city you have Point Defiance Park plus Zoo & Aquarium along with one of the best automobile collections at America's Car Museum. Venues include the brand-new Marriott Tacoma Downtown at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center, Hotel Murano & Emerald Queen Casino Hotel. The Seattle (SEA) Airport is only 15 miles away. No matter where you want to go – SmallConferences.com is here to help you get the very best prices! https://lnkd.in/euG6PA8w

Well, the anticipated hotel strikes have commenced as mentioned in last month's newsletter ( https://lnkd.in/etynRVqW ). While the unions argue that the workload has surged without a proportional increase in staff, it's worth noting that hospitality workers are currently enjoying record-high wages, with salaries seeing a remarkable 20% rise since 2019. Have you seen a similar increase in your salary lately? Considering the potential consequences, striking might exacerbate the challenge of securing a clean room while driving up the costs for guests. Instead of strikes, exploring alternative solutions to address the staff shortage appears more constructive. In a recent newsletter, I proposed various measures to tackle this issue effectively: 1) Advocating for the government to permit more workers into the US. 2) Leveraging technology to enhance operational efficiency. 3) Encouraging properties to support their employees with minimal financial impact. 4) Outsourcing non-core activities to streamline operations. 5) Adopting innovative recruitment strategies to attract talent. To read more about the ongoing hotel strikes, check out the detailed insights in the article: https://lnkd.in/de36DPK3 Let's focus on better solutions to address the staffing challenges in the hospitality industry more effectively. #HospitalityIndustry #HotelWorkers #StaffShortage #Strike #RecruitmentSolutions