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IN THIS ISSUE

Open Mic: Thrive Vs. Survive

Genius is in the questions we ask ourselves and those of others," I heard a woman at a coffee shop remark one cold winter day.  ough I never found out who she was, I haven't been able to shake this little overheard nugget of wisdom. It struck such a...
Tips from the Pros: Before You Yell 'Fore!'

Planning the perfect golf tournament may seem like a daunting task, but we persuaded local pros to share their secrets to help you stay out of the rough.

The Essentials
A great golf course is the first priority. Many...
Planning Primer: What's the Word?

If you're just starting out in the meetings and events industry, you may feel as if your caterer is speaking Greek. Columbia Tower Club's Jacques Bergeron helps decode some common catering terms.

A La Carte >> menu items...
It's Your Business: Poised and Polished

In a world that continues to blur the lines between weekend and workday wear, a professional that still presents a professional image is hard to come by. Sweat suits, torn jeans, or even (gasp!) halter tops have become all too familiar fixtures in a...
Weirdest Requests: Making it a Party to Remember

Convention and visitors bureaus around the state scramble to find exotic accessories to make planner wishes a reality.

G'Day Mate
THE REQUEST: Kangaroo photo-op
SUBMITTED BY: Mary German, director of client services,...
Checklist: Under Contract

Believe it or not, there's a bright spot in this economy. Hotels need to fill those empty rooms, so, when planning your next event, be sure to reconsider the contract terms. Whether you're negotiating for a single event or multiple events over many...
Social Media: The Business of Being Social

Social media, by its very nature, is, well, social. People talk more casually, share more freely and interactively "hook up" with far less vetting. At  rst glance, this freaks out a lot of people. Business contacts who look at pictures of you from...
Meet + Eat: The Insiders' Choice

Worried about choosing the right restaurant space for your meeting? Take a tip from those who know great food as well as what makes great meetings. Caterers have expertise in both food and events, so we asked caterers all over Texas where they like to...
Venue Report: Raise the Bar

Tired of the same ol' routine? Looking for a unique way to spice things up at your next event? Well, these nightlife venues could just be the push you need to plan a memorable event.
Photo: The House of Blues' special event room.

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Drumming Up Team Spirit

In this high-tech era of social media, audience response systems, and webcasting, planners might wonder what something as low-tech as drumming can accomplish. But in both heart and history, drumming forms the essence of why we meet. "Drumming has been...