When you take time to look examine your operation in more detail, you often discover that many of your actions are done out of habit rather than being productive and profitable. Think about some of shows that you attend. How do they really fit into your marketing strategy? Are you attending them just because you’ve always done so, or because your competition is there? These are often your weak links, shows that utilize unnecessary time and energy. Think about doing away with “nice to be at shows” and rather opt at putting all your energy into more profitable events that attract larger quantities of your target market. Another weak budgetary link is associated with excessive employee spending at shows, such as dining at finest restaurants and ordering highest priced items just because boss is paying. Consider setting up a per diem allowance and make employees accountable for expenses. You might even reward them with difference if they under spend their stipend. 2. Exhibit a global competitiveness mindset

The most common reason shows go wrong lies in simple fact that not enough time is devoted to adequate planning and preparation. And, many of those shows that are believed to have been successful, are often more by chance than through actual organization. Super successful meeting planners have both a strategic and tactical plan of action. They then use following five basic questions as their foundation before making any arrangements:

· Where does this meeting fit into our corporate marketing strategy? · Why are we meeting? · What is purpose of meeting? · Who should attend meeting? · What is our budget? 2. Taking care of details

So much of putting a meeting together means taking care of details, and there are usually more of these than you care to think about. Being detail-oriented is a definite plus. The key to so much of a meeting planner’s success is having a system that works. Creating checklists is one of best I know. With hundreds of pieces that make up meeting puzzle, only way to put them together and keep tabs on all details, is with a checklist. Become a checklist fanatic and consider having a checklist for each checklist. I’m getting dizzy just thinking about it.

3. Practicing savvy marketing

A significant part of a successful meeting planner’s role involves developing a pre-, at- and post-event plan. Most meeting planners fail to have a plan that encompasses all three areas. Budget is naturally going to play a major role in deciding what and how much promotional activity is possible. Super successful meeting planners know importance of developing a meaningful theme or message that ties into their strategic marketing plan, and that will guide their promotional decisions. They know and understand their target audience and plan different promotional programs aimed at different groups they are interested in attracting.

4. Being a team player

Super successful meeting planners know exactly how to work together as a team, helping each other out whenever and wherever necessary. They help everyone get acquainted, develop a level of trust, and familiarize and understand each other's strengths. They know what it takes to create an environment of camaraderie where staff, as a whole pulls out all stops to succeed and set themselves apart from competition.

5. Knowing how to manage time