Here's another golden nugget for ya! When you are contracting with a hotel, you want to make sure that the hotel contract includes the following 2 clauses:
INDEMNIFICATION
This clause outlines who will be held responsible for damages or costs arising from negligence or misconduct of the hotels agents and or the host agents. Agents are officers, directors, employees, members and even volunteers.
Force Majeure
Force Majeure is a French term that means “greater force”. This clause frees or releases BOTH parties from ANY liability or obligation when an Act of God or even war, crime, riot prevents one or both parties from fulfilling their contractual obligation. Say for instance, you contract with a hotel to host your Pastors and Leaders Conference and the hotel experiences a fire. If you have this clause in your contract, you have the right to go to the hotel and request your deposit be returned so that you may opt to use another hotel. If you don’t have this clause in your contract, the hotel could “release” you from your date BUT require you to honor your contract and hold this event on another date when their hotel is fixed. They also can retain your deposit and apply it for your future date.
In a nutshell, make sure that you are absolutely comfortable with all of the parts of the contract. I am available to work with you to negotiate your venue contract. YOU DO HAVE THE RIGHT TO NEGOTIATE EVERYTHING. There's no guarantee that the venue will agree to your terms but you'll never know if you fail to ask.
Remember, Excellence Matters!!!
RMW
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Acts of God
Acts of God
On Friday, March 14, 2008 – my parents 49th wedding anniversary! – Atlanta was hit with an “Act of God” defined as a tornado. What exactly is an “act of God?” An “Act of God” is actually a legal term that means “events outside of human control, like a flood or a storm for which no one can be responsible.” The local news did an outstanding job updating the community about the downtown residents but as a meeting and event planner, my thoughts immediately went to thinking about the groups and conventions that were hosting meetings in downtown Atlanta. According to the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB) website, Atlanta has over 2,000,000 square feet of meeting space making it in the top 5 largest meeting and destinations cities in the world. Atlanta has in fact 91,869 hotel rooms at 743 hotel properties.
My research revealed that on Friday, there were 4 major events occurring in downtown. One in fact was a large Dental Convention that was forced to shut down and end early. As a part of their convention, they had a large exhibit area that held millions of dollars worth of dental equipment that had to be left unattended for 2 days. I can only imagine the amount of revenue lost to this convention due to this storm. Revenue was lost from hotel room commissions, travel for speakers that had to be changed, registrations that may have to refunded, food and beverage that was paid for at hotels that weren’t consumed, advertising dollars spent on event magazines that were soiled or lost and not to mention the loss of sales on the exhibit room floor. The Atlanta news did speak with the Dental Convention Meeting Department and they were properly insured so they were able to focus on the safety of their delegates and not be burdened with how they are going to cover their losses.
As a meeting and event planner, I always advise my clients to purchase event insurance. Since I work with a lot of faith based clients (church folks) I often am told that they have insurance through their church and don’t need any additional coverage. This is a huge error and can be very costly to a ministry. When planning your next event, here’s a list insurance types you should consider:
1. Special Event Liability—Accidents Happen! Special Event Liability insurance that covers you for third party bodily injury and property damage that can unfortunately, occur at a special event.
2. Event Cancellation—Prepare For the Unexpected! You never know when the event you’ve worked so hard to prepare gets interrupted by hurricanes, tornados, or other disasters. Event Cancellation Insurance protects your event expenses and revenue should your event get cancelled or abandoned due to reasons beyond your control. This covers Acts of God.
3. Weather—Rain or Shine…You’re Covered! Weather insurance protects against adverse weather conditions that can often reduce attendance and your revenue opportunities. It’s designed to offset not only the revenue lost due to reduced attendance but other sources such as concessions, food and even parking! It protects your events against covered negative consequences resulting from Rain, Snow, Wind and Temperature.
4. Business Owners Policy— this is for Event and Meeting Planners. The Business Owner’s Policy offers you a complete selection of property and business liability coverage with options that allow you to custom tailor a plan that suits your needs!
5. Property Protection is available with varying deductibles for physical damage to your building or rented space, office equipment, valuable papers and records, window breakage, vandalism, theft, crime and employee dishonesty.
6. General Liability coverage protects against 3rd party complaints for bodily injury and property damage, personal and advertising injury, premises and operations as well as product liability.
7. Professional Liability— Better To Be Safe Than Sorry! Professional Liability coverage, also known as Errors and Omissions Insurance is precautionary protection that will indemnify or release you for a loss sustained because of an error or oversight on your part. For instance, if an event you planned was cancelled and you failed to offer your client Event Cancellation insurance, that client could potentially sue you for their financial loss. Professional Liability ensures that your interests are put first.
8. Event Cancellation – Non Appearance – if a major speaker or artist fails to appear for your event, Event Cancellation insurance will cover the loss sustained by you from their non appearance.
In conclusion, you can’t afford NOT to have insurance. Please make sure you budget it as a line item. When contacting an agency, ask for references and check their payment policies.
Remember…Excellence Matters!
On Friday, March 14, 2008 – my parents 49th wedding anniversary! – Atlanta was hit with an “Act of God” defined as a tornado. What exactly is an “act of God?” An “Act of God” is actually a legal term that means “events outside of human control, like a flood or a storm for which no one can be responsible.” The local news did an outstanding job updating the community about the downtown residents but as a meeting and event planner, my thoughts immediately went to thinking about the groups and conventions that were hosting meetings in downtown Atlanta. According to the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB) website, Atlanta has over 2,000,000 square feet of meeting space making it in the top 5 largest meeting and destinations cities in the world. Atlanta has in fact 91,869 hotel rooms at 743 hotel properties.
My research revealed that on Friday, there were 4 major events occurring in downtown. One in fact was a large Dental Convention that was forced to shut down and end early. As a part of their convention, they had a large exhibit area that held millions of dollars worth of dental equipment that had to be left unattended for 2 days. I can only imagine the amount of revenue lost to this convention due to this storm. Revenue was lost from hotel room commissions, travel for speakers that had to be changed, registrations that may have to refunded, food and beverage that was paid for at hotels that weren’t consumed, advertising dollars spent on event magazines that were soiled or lost and not to mention the loss of sales on the exhibit room floor. The Atlanta news did speak with the Dental Convention Meeting Department and they were properly insured so they were able to focus on the safety of their delegates and not be burdened with how they are going to cover their losses.
As a meeting and event planner, I always advise my clients to purchase event insurance. Since I work with a lot of faith based clients (church folks) I often am told that they have insurance through their church and don’t need any additional coverage. This is a huge error and can be very costly to a ministry. When planning your next event, here’s a list insurance types you should consider:
1. Special Event Liability—Accidents Happen! Special Event Liability insurance that covers you for third party bodily injury and property damage that can unfortunately, occur at a special event.
2. Event Cancellation—Prepare For the Unexpected! You never know when the event you’ve worked so hard to prepare gets interrupted by hurricanes, tornados, or other disasters. Event Cancellation Insurance protects your event expenses and revenue should your event get cancelled or abandoned due to reasons beyond your control. This covers Acts of God.
3. Weather—Rain or Shine…You’re Covered! Weather insurance protects against adverse weather conditions that can often reduce attendance and your revenue opportunities. It’s designed to offset not only the revenue lost due to reduced attendance but other sources such as concessions, food and even parking! It protects your events against covered negative consequences resulting from Rain, Snow, Wind and Temperature.
4. Business Owners Policy— this is for Event and Meeting Planners. The Business Owner’s Policy offers you a complete selection of property and business liability coverage with options that allow you to custom tailor a plan that suits your needs!
5. Property Protection is available with varying deductibles for physical damage to your building or rented space, office equipment, valuable papers and records, window breakage, vandalism, theft, crime and employee dishonesty.
6. General Liability coverage protects against 3rd party complaints for bodily injury and property damage, personal and advertising injury, premises and operations as well as product liability.
7. Professional Liability— Better To Be Safe Than Sorry! Professional Liability coverage, also known as Errors and Omissions Insurance is precautionary protection that will indemnify or release you for a loss sustained because of an error or oversight on your part. For instance, if an event you planned was cancelled and you failed to offer your client Event Cancellation insurance, that client could potentially sue you for their financial loss. Professional Liability ensures that your interests are put first.
8. Event Cancellation – Non Appearance – if a major speaker or artist fails to appear for your event, Event Cancellation insurance will cover the loss sustained by you from their non appearance.
In conclusion, you can’t afford NOT to have insurance. Please make sure you budget it as a line item. When contacting an agency, ask for references and check their payment policies.
Remember…Excellence Matters!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Gospel Heritage Conference
I just returned from being out of my office all week attending the Gospel Heritage Foundation conference. I am totally exhausted but it was an incredible week! I will post some photos later today when things calm down in my office. Everyone in gospel was there! I always enjoy this conference for a few reasons:
1. It allows me to volunteer my team and be mentored. I often am asked to mentor people and I share with them that the best way to spend time with someone you want to mentor you, is to volunteer your time in their offices or at an event. I have had the priviledge of working with Dr. Teresa Hairston in a variety of capacities but always "sow" my time and talents to her during this conference.
2. It gives me the opportunity to meet new people, reconnect with old industry friends and just to see what's happening in the industry. I always tell people that it is so important to attend industry events. This is an incredible opportunity to network. I met quite a few people that were ready with business cards and CD samplers in hand! Way to go! I actually taught a session with Traci Artis of Zomba and Willie Mae McIver of ABC Rejoice Radio. The class topic was "Maximizing Your Ministry through Marketing". It was incredible. The tips that were shared were priceless. A couple of the attendees shared that it was worth the entire cost of the trip just to attend this session. There were over 40 classes offered so I can assure you that whatever your needs were, they were met.
In wrapping up, make it a point now to identify at least one conference that can speak to your "business" needs and plan to attend.
Remember... Excellence Matters!
R
1. It allows me to volunteer my team and be mentored. I often am asked to mentor people and I share with them that the best way to spend time with someone you want to mentor you, is to volunteer your time in their offices or at an event. I have had the priviledge of working with Dr. Teresa Hairston in a variety of capacities but always "sow" my time and talents to her during this conference.
2. It gives me the opportunity to meet new people, reconnect with old industry friends and just to see what's happening in the industry. I always tell people that it is so important to attend industry events. This is an incredible opportunity to network. I met quite a few people that were ready with business cards and CD samplers in hand! Way to go! I actually taught a session with Traci Artis of Zomba and Willie Mae McIver of ABC Rejoice Radio. The class topic was "Maximizing Your Ministry through Marketing". It was incredible. The tips that were shared were priceless. A couple of the attendees shared that it was worth the entire cost of the trip just to attend this session. There were over 40 classes offered so I can assure you that whatever your needs were, they were met.
In wrapping up, make it a point now to identify at least one conference that can speak to your "business" needs and plan to attend.
Remember... Excellence Matters!
R
Monday, February 11, 2008
Feedback on photo shoot
It's been great hearing from everyone about my new blog. I have really enjoyed writing it. You know last week I shared about the photo shoot. One of the pastors that participated reached out to me today and said they can line up a group of people that would love to do it again before November (my plan is to do it again the first day of my conference). If you too are interested in my hosting another shoot before November - say April - leave me a comment so I can gauge the interest.
Thanks!
Remember - Excellence Matters!
R
Thanks!
Remember - Excellence Matters!
R
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
PhotoStamp and Kingdom.com
I was surfuring through some of my idea files and came across PhotoStamp.com. This is really a great way to personalize a formal event invitation (wedding, anniversary celebration or major event). As an event planner, I'm always looking for ways to help my clients' events stand out. The great thing about using a photo stamp is it draws attention to your invitation and you can almost be 100% assured that it will be opened in a timely manner. Creating the stamps is really easy! All you have to do is go to this website, download the guest of honor's photo, select the value of the postage stamp and order your quantity. Go to www.photostamp.com to learn more.
Also, I was talking to a friend today and she told me about a website - kingdom.com. When I teach my Hospitality workshops, I always share that you should use cloth linens and skirting for buffets and you should. However, for sign in tables, media tables or display tables, consider this option. Order a custom table cover with your company or ministry name on it. These often cost about $200. Well, this site is offering them for $99 plus a small fee to add your company or church name. Go to www.kingdom.com for ordering info.
Have a great day!!!!
Remember - Excellence Matters!
R
Monday, February 4, 2008
Bedazzled for Valentine's Day
My mantra is that Excellence Matters! In order to help you stand out and show that you are excellenct, periodically, I'm going to share with you some of my FAVORITE THINGS! We all know that it's the little things that count.
1. Here's something I stumbled upon at the latest Special Event Conference hosted here in ATL in January. GLITTERING CHOCOLATES!!!! These chocolate candies are covered in edible glitter. They are FABULOUS!!!! These little sweet treats are perfect for all of the DIVA's in your life!!! They are perfect for Valentines Day as well as Party Favors! If you are planning an event at your church for your First Lady - ORDER THESE!!!! Leave me a comment if you want the purchasing information.
2. Surprise your loved one or honoree with a Red Carpet! Contact your local event rental company and rent a 35' roll of red carpet. They rent for about $30 but your loved one or special honoree will feel like you spend thousands!!!
Remember- Excellence Matters!
R
Welcome!!!
Welcome everyone to my blog!!! I have so much going on that I had to finally stop and finish setting up my blog. I'm always telling my clients what to do to promote their latest ventures and I need to take my own advice..lol!
Ok, here's my quick story: I work with churches and ministries as a RESOURCE CENTER for training in the areas of Hospitality, Leadership and Administration. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE WHAT I DO!!!! In fact, so much so that I have written 3 resource books that provide the "mechanics" of what I teach in my workshops. If you have a heart for excellence in the areas of Hospitality, Leadership and Administration, get these books!
You'll learn more about me and my business as you continue to read my blog. I plan on blogging at least 2-3x a week so keep up with me! I move fast!!!!
What's Next? I'm currently writing an Armor Bearer's guide. My guide will provide the "mechanics" of how to serve. A "To Do List" of serving if you will. For those that want the scriptural background and history of serving as an armor bearer, here are two of my favorite books:
1. The Art of Armor Bearing by Bishop Lester Love.
2. The Etiquette of Armor Bearing by Bishop Randy Borders.
Leave me a post if you would like purchasing information...
Remember - Excellence Matters!
R
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