My Articles | About Us | Contact Us | Advertise With Us | Search   
 
News, Tips & Offers delivered to your inbox

ABOUT US | VIEW ALL FEATURED ARTICLES | VIEW ALL TOPICS | VIEW ALL REGIONS | DM MOBILE | DM BLOG

7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Maryland

Have you ever found yourself having to scramble to organize a meeting at the last minute?

Local Companies

Accent Displays Inc
410-383-2000
2560 Madison Ave
Baltimore, MD
Mahkah Displays LLC
866-788-2413
15 Manor Drive, A-2
Hagerstown, MD
The Becker Group
410-576-0222
901 Cathedral St
Baltimore, MD
Artbeat Graphic Designs
410-477-5699
4256 North Point Rd Suite 109
Baltimore, MD
U Neek Expo
410-796-7601
2801 W Patapsco Ave
Baltimore, MD
Papa Leone's Spaghetti House
410-284-9770
2713 Old North Point Rd
Baltimore, MD
J & F Awning Co Inc
410-962-1224
1547 Ridgely St
Baltimore, MD
Number One Signs
410-276-2822
1828 N Patterson Park Ave
Baltimore, MD
Burke's Cafe Restaurant
410-752-4189
36 Light St
Baltimore, MD
Giovanni's Signs
410-426-3030
6607 Belair Rd
Baltimore, MD

Have you ever found yourself having to scramble to organize a meeting at the last minute? Wouldn't it be nice that if and when this daunting situation arose, you were well prepared with all necessary information ready at your fingertips? That's why I've developed the following seven survival strategies to help you plan for the inevitable, because you know as well as I, it's going to happen 'someaday.'

Survival Strategy #1. Question the meeting need.

Before you jump into automatic pilot to start your last minute meeting organization, challenge the request. Since deciding to hold a meeting demands serious consideration because of the costs involved, both direct and indirect, double-check the rationale for holding the meeting. Develop a few pertinent questions to ask and find out if a meeting alternative, such as a teleconference would achieve the same results.

Survival Strategy #2. Know the basics.

If the meeting really needs to happen, make sure that you plan for the basics:

  • What is the purpose of the meeting?
  • Where should it take place - on or off-site?
  • When is it scheduled for - date and time?
  • What's the meeting agenda?
  • Who needs to be invited?
  • What refreshments and snacks are needed?
  • What specific materials and equipment is needed?
  • What travel and hotel arrangements, if any, are necessary?
  • What's the meeting budget?

    When it comes to budget, remind your boss that good quality, last minute buying and cheap don't usually correlate. The reality is that last minute pricing may well come at a premium.

    Survival Strategy #3. Develop checklists.

    Checklists should be every meeting planners guardian angel. They're there to help out in time of trouble and avoid unnecessary panic. With the hundreds of pieces that make up the meeting puzzle, the only way to put them together and keep tabs on all the details is with a checklist. Become a checklist fanatic and consider having a checklist for each checklist. Cover all your bases. The more thorough you are, the greater the probability of success, even at the last minute.

    Survival Strategy #4. Create a contact list.

    When you need something in a hurry who do you call? These are the people who need to make up your contact list. Consider your facility needs, catering, audio-visual, etc. Compile a list with phone including cell phones, fax and email information. Keep this list updated annually as contacts and their information can change. Also include useful website resources as you find them, but remember to check them out beforehand.

    Survival Strategy #5. Build relationships.

    Don't wait until you need a favor from someone, rather continually find ways to build a "dream team" or support network. Build a contact base of other meeting professionals, suppliers, vendors and angels you can call on at the last minute to help you out. Take time to discuss their strategies and resources for dealing with last minute meetings, and add this information to your "survival kit." Don't forget to include your fellow co-workers who might be willing and able to help out at a moment's notice.

    Survival Strategy #6. Develop contingencies.

    Because your plans are last minute, the greater the chance of something not working out the way you'd like it to. So what's your backup? If you don't have one, all your original plans could be destroyed in an instant, and you'll be scrambling even more than before to put a second strategy into operation. Have a Plan B ready "in the wings" just in case you need it. Once again, t he more thorough you are, the greater the probability of pulling off this miracle.

    Survival Strategy #7. Learn to laugh.

    Keeping a sense of humor will definitely help prevent you getting mad, angry and frustrated with those disorganized managers who leave things to the last minute and expect you to perform miracles. Learn to laugh at them and yourself to keep a saner perspective on life. If nothing else, remember that laughing is a great survival technique, which is good for your health and will help reduce stress and blood pressure levels.

    Written by Susan A. Friedmann,CSP, The Tradeshow Coach, Lake Placid, NY, working with companies to improve their meeting and event success through coaching, consulting and training.

    Author: “Meeting & Event Planning for Dummies,” and “Riches in Niches: How to Make it BIG in a small Market” (May 2007).

    For a free copy of “10 Common Mistakes Exhibitors Make”, e-mail: article4@thetradeshowcoach.com; website: www.thetradeshowcoach.com.

    • Featured Local Company

    Accent Displays Inc

    410-383-2000
    2560 Madison Ave
    Baltimore, MD
    Read more about 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings

    Regional Articles
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Annapolis MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Baltimore MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Bel Air MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Beltsville MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Bethesda MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Bowie MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Brooklyn MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Capitol Heights MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Catonsville MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Chevy Chase MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Clinton MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Cockeysville MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings College Park MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Columbia MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Crofton MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Cumberland MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Derwood MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings District Heights MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Dundalk MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Edgewood MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Elkridge MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Elkton MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Ellicott City MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Essex MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Forest Hill MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Fort Washington MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Frederick MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Frostburg MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Gaithersburg MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Germantown MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Glen Burnie MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Greenbelt MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Gwynn Oak MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Hagerstown MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Halethorpe MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Havre De Grace MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Hyattsville MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Jessup MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Joppa MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Kensington MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings La Plata MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Lanham MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Laurel MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Lexington Park MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Lusby MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Lutherville Timonium MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Middle River MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Millersville MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Montgomery Village MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Mount Airy MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Nottingham MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Odenton MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Olney MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Owings Mills MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Oxon Hill MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Parkville MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Pasadena MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Pikesville MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Potomac MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Randallstown MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Reisterstown MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Rockville MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Rosedale MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Salisbury MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Severn MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Severna Park MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Silver Spring MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Suitland MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Sykesville MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Takoma Park MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Temple Hills MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Towson MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Upper Marlboro MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Waldorf MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Westminster MD
    - 7 Strategies for Last Minute Meetings Windsor Mill MD
    Rss   Delicious   Digg   Add To My Yahoo   Add To My Google   Bookmark   Search Plugin
    Topics:
    Advertising Family Home Services Real Estate Resources
    Business Services Fashion Industrial Goods & Services Retail & Consumer Services
    Career Financial Services Insurance Software
    Cars Food & Beverage Internet Technology
    Computer Hardware Franchise Legal Telecommunications
    Construction Health Miscellaneous Trade Shows
    Education Holidays Nightlife Travel
    Entertainment Home Appliances Online Database Weddings
    Environmental Home Electronics Pets World History
    Articles.DirectoryM.com | Search | About Us | Contact Us | Mobile | Blog | En Español
    Copyright © BET Information Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.