| By R.L. Fielding | | | | meetings. Many offer standard, executive and |
| Long gone are the days when a person stayed at | | | | suite guest quarters to suit travelers. |
| one job for the majority of his or her life. Today, | | | | Some conference centers also offer a variety of |
| recent studies suggest that the average | | | | amenities to the traveling business person. On-site |
| American worker will have up to 10 different jobs | | | | gift shops, hair salons, dry cleaning services, free |
| throughout the course of a career. | | | | cyber cafes, shoeshine and repair, automated |
| With so many new faces beginning different jobs | | | | teller machines, mail services and much more can |
| each year, and with more than 25 percent of the | | | | make guests feel right at home. |
| current working U.S. population reaching retirement | | | | Comprehensive Dining & Catering Options |
| age by 2010, companies are hiring and most | | | | For those business men or women who enjoy a |
| importantly, looking to train new staff quickly and | | | | quick breakfast or for those who prefer large, |
| efficiently. | | | | four course dinners, conference center dining can |
| In order to ensure that companies retain the level | | | | cater to all kinds of tastes. |
| of productivity they need to succeed in business, | | | | Conference center catering teams are |
| many are educating their new hires, and even | | | | experienced in serving a variety of meals, such as |
| current employees, via high-tech corporate | | | | a buffet to allow teams to mingle or a |
| training programs. | | | | family-style dinner, which gives smaller groups the |
| The conference planning industry is booming as | | | | opportunity to get to know one another over a |
| many businesses are saying good-bye to | | | | more intimate setting. |
| standard, in-office training sessions and taking their | | | | Café-like dining, most commonly open late-night, |
| teams to full service, amenity-filled conference | | | | accommodates those in search of a snack. Some |
| centers. | | | | centers even offer on-site pubs where guests |
| There are many different reasons why managers | | | | can catch a baseball or football game on television |
| and businesses are choosing to take their group | | | | while enjoying a quick hamburger. |
| to full-service conference centers, including: | | | | Recreational Options |
| Versatile Meeting Facilities | | | | What better way to unwind after a long day of |
| Conference centers offer services that can’t | | | | meetings than a hike or a shopping excursion? |
| be matched by companies trying to train their | | | | Conference centers offer a variety of amenities |
| employees in-house. | | | | for those in search of a break from business, |
| Corporate conference centers pride themselves | | | | including 24-hour fitness centers, outdoor sports |
| on their flexibility and wide range of options, as | | | | facilities for golf or biking, and game rooms. For |
| well as their commitment to a superior training | | | | those not into sports, other weekend activities |
| experience. Some options might include meeting | | | | may be available, such as a shopping shuttle that |
| spaces that can accommodate both small and | | | | brings guests to local area malls and movie |
| large groups, many different rooms and room | | | | theatres. |
| configurations, indoor and outdoor recreation and | | | | Customized Meeting Solutions |
| fitness facilities, IT/AV support, on-site | | | | Managers looking to add a little extra flair to their |
| conference planning managers, high-class lodging | | | | training program will be glad to learn that some |
| arrangements for out-of-town business people | | | | conference centers have an events and media |
| and even customized meeting plans. | | | | team that can turn any meeting into a unique |
| In addition, many conference centers cater only | | | | experience. By utilizing set design and staging, |
| to businesses rather than splitting their time and | | | | lighting and special effects, video projection, audio |
| resources between businesses and leisure only | | | | support and music, graphic design and animation, |
| guests. By catering strictly to business clientele, | | | | live Webcasts, vendor fairs, video editing, |
| these conference centers are further able to | | | | duplication and much more, they can help |
| provide groups with a distraction-free | | | | transform a standard program into a memorable |
| environment that fosters concentration and | | | | affair. |
| productivity during meetings. | | | | For example, the Chicago area chapter of Meeting |
| Professional Meeting Planners | | | | Professionals International (MPI-CAC) partnered |
| Most of the larger conference centers offer | | | | with Q Center in St. Charles, Illinois to create a |
| assistance from professional, on-site conference | | | | customized program for the group’s annual |
| planning managers to help produce a highly | | | | educational conference. Under the general theme |
| productive training session. | | | | of "Learn, Share, Lead," the Q Center team |
| On-site conference planning managers consult with | | | | designed an exciting and educational experience |
| clients to discuss their group's needs, including: | | | | for the conference attendees. |
| meeting spaces, room setups, technology and | | | | Throughout the conference, Q Center encouraged |
| media needs, food and catering options, | | | | audience participation by incorporating live |
| transportation options and even team building | | | | web-casting, electronic voting and other advanced |
| activities. These experienced professionals work | | | | meeting technology. Highlights of the MPI-CAC |
| with groups to ensure they have adequate | | | | conference included a "video wall" created with |
| supplies and support services. On-site conference | | | | windows and 14 projectors, scenic elements |
| planning managers can also help identify key | | | | customized with the MPI logo, a breakfast inspired |
| speakers, as well as help draft meeting agendas. | | | | by the film Breakfast at Tiffany's and gift boxes |
| Productivity-Enhancing Technology | | | | of signature cookies at departure. |
| Conference centers can also boost productivity | | | | Make a Conference Center Your Campus |
| by providing the latest technology. By offering | | | | It’s clear that for corporations looking to |
| trainers and trainees easy access to high speed | | | | deliver an effective, efficient and memorable |
| Internet, they can open up a world of possibilities, | | | | training program, hosting it at a conference center |
| such as super high speed T3 lines that can handle | | | | is an ideal solution. Through their comprehensive |
| full-motion, real-time video, and very large | | | | services and facilities, they not only make the |
| databases that can be manipulated over a busy | | | | process easier for the company holding the |
| network. | | | | training, but also help to create a more |
| Many high-tech meeting rooms will also supply a | | | | productive, engaging experience for those |
| variety of audio/visual equipment, including | | | | participating. |
| wireless laptops for each participant, shareware, | | | | About Q Center |
| voice and keyboard chat, online quizzes, polls and | | | | This article was provided by Q Center, which is |
| more. Conference facilities may also offer live | | | | dedicated to providing premier learning and |
| online demos and “webinars,” a type of | | | | conference facilities equipped for total productivity |
| live web seminar, that’s interactive between | | | | and supported by a quality-focused conference |
| the presenter and audience. | | | | planning team. Q Center has the facilities and |
| Most of the larger conference centers also retain | | | | technology to create virtually unlimited meeting |
| expert technical support personnel for on-the-spot | | | | scenarios. More than ordinary conference facilities, |
| dilemmas. Anyone who has ever tried to fix a | | | | Q Center is a conference complex. Located in the |
| faulty overhead projector during a meeting will | | | | western suburbs of Chicago, Q Center is |
| appreciate a conference center that can handle | | | | conveniently accessible to both of Chicago's major |
| tech issues quickly and efficiently. | | | | airports and to the many organizations with |
| Convenient Accommodations & Amenities | | | | headquarters and major offices in Chicago. Visit |
| Larger conference centers offer full lodging | | | | for more information. |
| accommodations to make their guests feel at | | | | This article is copyrighted by Q Center. |
| home and comfortable after a long day of | | | | |