by Toni Breeden: How to Avoid an Unprofitable Meeting

Article by OfficeArrow: Cover Your Assets When Serving Alcohol at Company Events

Article by Libby Huffman: Make it Flow: Conference Scheduling Tips

Templates2 by Libby Huffman: Meeting Evaluation Form(Excel)

by Toni Breeden: Planning a Difficult Meeting

Article by Chrissy Scivicque: The First Step in Planning a Successful Event

by Toni Breeden: Planning a Meeting that is More Fun for Attendees

Question by megroos: Off-Site Meetings

Article by Jackie Nees: The Games We Play: How Games at Work Can Boost Morale and Improve Productivity

by Jackie Nees: Meeting or Memo?

Article by Caroline Cloutier: When to Seek Professional Help: Planning that Important Meeting or Event

by Chrissy Scivicque: Avoid Q and A Disaster

by Libby Huffman: How to Create an Effective Meeting Agenda

Article by Caroline Cloutier: Printing Meeting Materials on a Budget

by Toni Breeden: Cut to the Chase: Keeping Meeting Discussions Concise and Relevant

Article by Libby Huffman: Outlook: Your Personal Assistant

by Toni Breeden: Keep Your Meeting On Track

Tip by aussieadmin: Interesting Internet Finds

Templates2 by Libby Huffman: Agenda (Word)

Question by Chrissy Scivicque: Help! Need to Schedule a Meeting and Everyone Has a Conflict!

Templates2 by Chrissy Scivicque: Meeting Effectiveness Scorecard (WORD)

Question by Chrissy Scivicque: Catering in Atlanta

Article by Chrissy Scivicque: The 2008 Annual Administrative Summit

by Toni Breeden: PowerPoint Tips to Help You Avoid an Unprofessional Meeting Presentation

Article by Toni Breeden: Tips for Preparing for an Upcoming Meeting or Event

Article by Dr. Peggy Frailey PhD: 4 Tips for Working the Room

Question by Chrissy Scivicque: Affordable Meeting City?

Question by Chrissy Scivicque: Schedule Meetings a Year in Advance?

Whenever a meeting coincides (even approximately) with a major holiday, there are many creative ways to use the holiday as a theme, which can then direct menus, agendas, content, activities, door prizes, and incentives. This article will provide ideas on how to successfully incorporate holiday themes in your meetings.

Ongoing training of your staff raises their consciousness about the importance of customer service and can prepare them with specific tools and strategies. This article gives a prescription for running effective training meetings for your staff and covers the five most important ingredients in any customer service training session.

Just as decades ago we moved from the industrial to the service economy model, our society is now moving from being a service economy to being an experience economy. Organizations that can provide unique experiences for their customers and employees gain a distinct and sustainable competitive advantage (think of things such as Rainforest Café or the interactivity of an Apple Store). This article demonstrates ways to turn every day meetings and events into memorable and interactive experiences.

As a meeting planner it was always my worst nightmare when a guest drank too much, especially if that guest was someone in a position of authority within my company. This article prescribes specific steps for handling an intoxicated guest and reviews some of the risks you take if you do not handle these situations appropriately.

This article describes the technology that allows presenters to instantly poll their audience and share the results (think Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?). We'll show you how this technology could really enhance your meetings. Plus, we'll share some cost information based on a review of service providers.

Many planners get confused about various interactive formats for their meetings, especially keynotes, workshops, breakout sessions and roundtable discussions. Learn the differences in these formats and how to determine when each is most appropriate.

Nothing beats experience when it comes to planning a meeting. Unfortunately, not all of us have the time work through errors we might make in the process. Learn a few secrets to the planning process that many overlook.

Tired of hosting and attending useless meetings? Too many workers waste time on these gatherings and leave with little useful information. Learn how an agenda can create a useful meeting environment and get results.

Have you seen the acronym CMP but wondered what it means? Or maybe you’re just looking for a one-stop shop to help you plan your next company meeting? The Complete Meeting Package may be your answer. Learn how it can be used to make your life easier and stretch your budget to

If you’re new to PowerPoint or you just need to some help to spice up your next presentation, we’ve got an article for you. Read more for tips on keeping your presentation as professional as possible while catching the attention of your audience.

Air travel is unpredictable, but you shouldn’t have to deal with the consequences. Learn how taking a carry on can make all the difference in the world (if you have the right things in it!). We’ll show you what you need to keep close when boarding a plane.

Presenting a successful presentation isn’t just about excellent public speaking skills anymore. Memorable presentations require special equipment, products and visual aids. Learn the essentials to conducting a great presentation.

If you’ve ever attended a meeting you know things can be fast paced and topics can change quickly. That’s why it’s important to take good minutes. Learn how you can take effective meeting notes with today’s article.

In this final installation of the Enlightening Conversations series, we sit down with Erin Blaskie, a successful young entrepreneur in the Virtual Assistance industry. You’ll learn how she started her career and the key things she recommends for any VA to hit six-figure success.

Do you have a big business gathering coming up? Feeling some last minute jitters? We have some helpful ways to prepare so, when the big day comes, you’ll know you’ve got everything under control. Maybe you can even de-stress enough to enjoy the event yourself!

If you enjoy planning and hosting meetings for your company, you may want to consider getting some formal training in the topic. Becoming certified can be a wonderful addition to your resume, while also providing you with new ways of doing something you already love. We have everything you need to know to determine if this is right for you and if so, how to get started.

There’s nothing worse than being called into a meeting that lacks direction and is seemingly pointless. They’re a waste of both time and money. We’ll show you how to avoid wasting resources with our suggestions on planning an effective and focused meeting.

Many times, it falls on us office professionals to plan company meetings and events. If you aren’t a trained professional, you can quickly become overwhelmed with this task. So how do you know when it’s time to call in a trained expert? We have a few suggestions.

In many offices, a pile of memos has collected on your desk by the end of the week. Or someone is calling a meeting at least once a day whether they need to or not. Is either of these communication methods effective? How do you know when to call a meeting or send a memo instead? We’ll give you the lowdown on when each is appropriate and tips for doing both.

Looking to save money on that large print job? There are alternatives to using traditional print shops, like going paperless or finding a sponsor to support your project. Check out our article for some nontraditional ways to print out meeting materials when you’re looking to cut costs.

Finding it difficult to keep your meetings on point? It happens to everyone, but there are some things you can do to regain focus and ultimately, ensure a successful meeting. Read more for suggestions on keeping track of your thoughts and your meeting. Remember, you can’t ever be too prepared!

Want to add a creative and refreshing element to your next meeting? Consider providing spa services! It may seem extravagant, but it can be a great way to ensure that your message is received and your attendees are at their best. Read more for the benefits of offering spa services as well as when and how to incorporate them into your next meeting.

Wondering how you’re going to deliver some bad news in a meeting? Negative topics like layoffs and cutbacks can be difficult to talk about and definitely require a sensitive approach. Explore some helpful tips for planning and organizing those difficult meetings.

If you’re about to schedule a long meeting and you haven’t allotted some time for breaks, you may want to re-think your strategy. Providing breaks allows attendees to recharge and focus, among other things. Check out our article for some other benefits of scheduling breaks in meetings as well as advice on how to incorporate them.

Planning a company meeting or event for the first time? Although this is a new and stressful experience, it’s important that you keep your professionalism intact with everyone involved, from venue contacts and event attendees. We’ve compiled a list of some helpful suggestions for coordinating your company’s next event while staying professional.

Golfers rejoice! If you’re looking for a great place to golf while on business, Golf Magazine and the National Golf Foundation have compiled a list of the 10 best cities for golf in the U.S. according to various criteria. We’ll breakdown the highlights and show you some great golf cities. See where your city ranks!

Tired of the same old, boring meetings? You might be surprised to hear how easy it is to plan a fun and memorable one! Discover some simple ways to spice up your next meeting and ensure that your attendees will want to come to future ones as well.

In planning your next company meeting or event, you’ll want to make sure that you’ve covered all the bases – from big to small. Preparation is key and that is why we have compiled a list of suggestions and reminders for ensuring that your meeting goes off without a hitch.

You may have experienced a common phenomenon at work: the unproductive meeting. If you’re the organizer, there are some tips and tricks for getting results. Find out what situations call for meetings (and which ones can be avoided) and how to conduct an effective meeting from start to finish.

No matter how far along you are in your career, you have probably experienced an unproductive meeting. These time-wasters can be pretty frustrating, but they can also be avoided. Check out our article for some suggestions on keeping your next meeting concise and productive.

Are you still living in the dark ages and reserving time for teleconferences? It’s no longer necessary to plan ahead! Stop wasting your precious time and start using “on demand” teleconferencing services. We’ll explain how this fabulous service works.

Event and Meeting Planning is a very important part of many office positions. Perhaps you’d like to expand your skills in this area and build your resume. This article outlines several programs that provide hands-on education in the field of event and meeting planning including budgeting, marketing, and contract negotiation.

Are your company meetings boring you to sleep? A fresh perspective might be as simple as comfy chairs and a little gaming. Explore how creative meetings are changing the way we do business.

If you’re hosting a large teleconference for a group of people you want to impress, try using a professional operator. We’ll share some of the benefits of this service and how to implement it next time you’re looking to make a strong, professional impression.

Creating the right signage for your meeting depends on your purpose and the best way to communicate your message. Whether you choose banners, posters, or another method of providing information, keep the intent in mind.

You’ve been there: You’re sitting in a meeting when it happens – a BlackBerry goes off, and a woman drops her fork and starts scrambling around to find it. If these scenarios seem all too realistic, you’re not alone. Learn the top “dos” and “don’ts” of meeting etiquette to ensure that these situations are problems of the past.

Giving piles of paper to your clients, prospects and business associates is likely a waste of time – not to mention money and resources. Paper gets lost, mixed up, crumpled and torn. You can ensure that your important materials stay safely in the hands of your desired recipients by providing such information on USB flash drives. Curious? We’ll explain more…

If you enjoy planning and hosting meetings for your company, you may want to consider getting some formal training in the topic. Becoming certified can be a wonderful addition to your resume, while also providing you with new ways of doing something you already love. We have everything you need to know to determine if this is right for you and if so, how to get started.

Are you responsible for planning and organizing meetings? If so, review these helpful tips to ensure you’re using the time wisely. The experts at Quill Office Supplies know that business professionals are busy, so they’ve come up with 5 key tips to help make any meeting more productive and successful.

Every week here at OfficeArrow, we scrub the Web looking for great tips and fabulous resources so you don’t have to! It can be a chore, slogging through all the junk out there. Let us save you time and energy. Stop by every Friday and pick up your cheat sheet of all the great stuff we’ve found around the Web in the last seven days!

In the second installment in our Microsoft® Outlook series, we delve into the popular Outlook Calendar application. Need to schedule company-wide meetings or send e-mail reminders? Be sure to utilize this highly beneficial tool.

Suppose you’ve just been asked to organize a meeting for your entire department. Most likely, you’re wondering what this all entails. Although every event has different requirements, learn which items are across-the-board meeting essentials.

How much time do you spend planning off-site meetings? Sure, they’re supposed to be “small and simple” but the truth is, it can take hours of work to plan a business gathering. From selecting a venue to booking accommodations to finding a caterer, these events can soak up time and money. OfficeArrow’s new partner, Worktopia, is THE solution to get it all done (while still keeping your sanity).

Remember when you would exchange business cards with someone and then place theirs into your Rolodex? Well, collecting business cards isn’t that straightforward anymore. Now, you have to decide why you’re collecting it (Courtesy?) and what you will do with it afterward (Scan it?).Here are some things to consider when collecting business cards.

You've been designated as the secretary for your department-wide meeting. Before you panic, learn how to take effective notes that you can fully utilize once the meeting has adjourned. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or meeting newbie, don't

Every meeting planner should always have a large supply of index cards on hand because they serve as excellent, on-the-spot facilitation tools. These handy little squares can be used in many ways and for many purposes. This article describes five ways to utilize this simple yet effective tool.

Do you feel like you're always taking one step forward and three steps back, while your responsibilities pile higher and higher? It may be time to re-examine how you handle your workload in order to determine where time is being wasted and how to improve your overall efficiency.

All groups and teams move through stages of development. For groups that meet regularly, it's important to know and understand your current stage of development. For each, there are different dynamics at play that must be considered to hold an effective meeting.

Whether you realize it or not, customer service can ultimately determine the success or failure of the meeting. Despite being relatively easy to deliver, exceptional service is often missing. This article examines basic philosophies and approaches to delivering world-class customer service that you can incorporate into your meetings and events.