5 Ways for Destination Management Companies and Event Providers to Become Local Area Experts

Posted by in Business Travel on January 25, 2012

By Debra Villa

Succeeding as a Destination Management services provider or Events Services company and handling large groups requires a special set of skills – expert people-management, superior organization, an altered sense of timing (things take longer with large groups), and the desire to achieve the best experience for each and every participant, no matter how large the group. And while there are many companies that handle large group logistics, relatively few have dedicated the time to become local area experts and really delve into all their local region has to offer. Doing so will not only set your services apart and add to your company’s credibility as a logistics expert, but will also enhance marketing opportunities by allowing you to offer new excursions and activities for all of your groups.

Becoming a local area expert and developing the personal relationships to back that up is a time-consuming quest and requires a commitment to stay on top of things, but some pre-planning and organization can go a long way toward maximizing your time investment. Here are 5 ways to get started in your local area:

1. Set up Google Alerts – This service allows you to monitor the web for interesting new content about a subject matter of your choice – a great way to stay current on activity trends, or be informed about what your competitors are doing. (Be sure to use quotation marks around your search term if it’s more than one word – otherwise the search engine will give you any results it finds for any of the single words you type in)

2. Subscribe to your area’s top Events Calendars – most have a feature now that allows you to select your areas of interest, then subscribe to e-mail postings/alerts. And while you’re at it, set up a new e-mail account that is just for these notices so it won’t clog your regular Inbox, but you can still have handy access to the listings at any time, without having to search each Calendar every time you need to know what’s going on locally.

3. Harvest the local associations and Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) websites. For example – have a wine region nearby? Chances are there is a vineyard association or a winery marketing association with a wonderful website full of great events info for groups. Don’t rely just on your local Convention and Visitors Bureau for info, since most of them now use a paid advertising model for their listings and you could miss some great local venues worth discovering.

4. Become a local tourist. Get out there and drive around! Go see things in person, take a guided tour if any are offered in your area, and personally check out the local events and activities – there is no better way to see if you can recommend something for your clients than to experience it yourself.

5. Meet & Greet. New people, not the same ones over and over! Make appointments with new venue managers, go see the local wineries, make it a point to dine out at a new restaurant each month. Meet the people and establish new relationships – you’ll have fun doing it, and your business and your groups will benefit from all of your efforts.

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Restaurant Interior Design Ideas and Gallery

Posted by in Architecture and Interior Design on January 2, 2012

By Michell Jones

When it comes to restaurant interior design ideas, you know how having or lack of having a great theme for your restaurant can affect your business very much. It simply boils down to the fact that the environment we are in while eating, affects our mood and even our impression on the taste of the food.

Another reason for the importance of choosing a great creative interior design for your restaurant is, with all the competition these days, you know you want to make your restaurant stand out and attract more customers.

This means not only the food quality and taste should be outstanding, but also the interior design of your restaurant and the type of decorations you have used must be creative and unique as well.

That is why this free guide is going to help you find out how to find creative restaurant design ideas and photo galleries to find the best theme idea that will match your preference.

How to Find Your Favorite Restaurant Interior Design Ideas?

When you want to search for picture galleries online, it is worth knowing the various styles and themes you can look for. In the past, most restaurants used to look almost the same and follow similar themes and decorations. But today the number of creative styles you can find are almost unlimited.

For example your restaurant interior style can be modern or traditional, cozy or luxury, simple or very creative, Asian style or American, and many other options you can choose from.

So which design is the best for your restaurant? You may be wondering.

It all depends on the message you like to communicate with your customers. Do you want them to feel at home and comfortable when they eat at your restaurant? Or do you prefer to make it a luxury place they only come for special occasions? This determines whether you want to choose from simple or more elegant interior design ideas.

The point is, when you know exactly what kind of message you want your restaurant theme and design to express, you can more easily search for photo galleries and interior ideas online.

You will find that these galleries can sometimes give you more and better ideas comparing to hiring a professional. This way not only you can save a lot of money, but also find the perfect restaurant interior style you are looking for today.

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Design Professionals Leaving Projects Before Completing Services Need To Be Protected

Posted by in Architecture and Interior Design on January 2, 2012

By Steven Goldstein Esq

When the parties discuss terminating the relationship, they often make certain agreements between themselves regarding the terms of the termination. It is imperative that such terms be memorialized in writing, since they are as important, if not more so, than the terms of the original agreement between the parties.

There are no guarantees that litigation will not subsequently ensue regarding the services performed by the professional prior to the date the relationship is terminated. Preparation of the appropriate settlement agreement, however, will certainly go a long way toward protecting the design professional’s interests if a lawsuit is filed. Although each project is unique, thus requiring preparation of a settlement agreement which provides the appropriate terms and conditions, the following is a general list of provisions professionals should include to provide protection:

    • Identify the parties to the agreement and the effective date of the agreement;

    • State the relationship between the parties and the existence of any prior agreements which will be superseded by the settlement agreement;

    • Set forth that although the professional’s services are not yet complete, the parties have agreed to terminate their relationship and any prior agreements for mutual convenience with no admission of liability on the part of the design professional;

    • Identify the termination date of the prior contract and state that the professional will not perform any further services at the project as of that date;

    • If applicable, set forth the date the design professional will provide written notice to the appropriate agency (i.e., Department of Buildings) advising of the withdrawal of the professional at the project;

    • With respect to outstanding fees, provide the exact amount, method and date of payment to the design professional;

    • When turning over project records, clearly identify what documents will be provided, and in what form, as well as the party that will retain ownership of the documents. If ownership is retained by the professional, set forth that the documents are to be used solely for the subject project;

    • Acknowledge that the design professional is issuing a limited license for use of the identified documents solely at the subject project, and provide that any breach of the agreement by the contracting party will terminate the license;

    • State that any reference to the professional on the design professional’s project documents will be deleted;

    • Provide that the design professional is to be indemnified and held harmless by the contracting party for any liability resulting from subsequent use of the design professional’s project documents;

    • Include mutual General Releases in favor of each party to the settlement agreement; and

  • Clearly state that the agreement is being signed by individuals authorized to enter into the agreement and bind the referenced parties to the terms of the agreement.

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