Thank you to everyone who participated and attended The Hyland Group's Spring Events in Washington, DC last month.  These receptions were a wonderful way to kick off our series of Silver Anniversary themed celebrations.

Attention DC Area Planners – Join The Hyland Group at the Springtime Expo held at the Washington Convention Center on Thursday, May 27.  Stop by The Hyland Group block (Booth #1034) to visit with participating destinations. The day before, we will also be sponsoring PMPI’s Learning Experience workshop and luncheon with many of our bureau members.  Click here to register.

 
Feature Article - Success By Design - Christina Renshaw

Many organizations begin life with small or non-existent budgets and home-grown designs for their marketing.  Logos and business cards — created by yourself or some cousin who’s “really good with computers” along with inexpensive computers, design software and ads claiming that anyone can be a designer — are all feeding into the illusion.  The results include poorly designed and implemented promotional campaigns, logos that don’t accurately reflect the organization’s mission, and too many special effects that overwhelm the intended message.

All organizations need to create reasonable budgets – and discuss them with your designer.  A good designer will make the best use of your available budget and create materials that will promote your organization in a consistent and professional way. While keeping within your budget, a designer can properly help to define your message in a clear and consistent manner; identify and highlight key components of your mission; and enable your organization to stand out in the increasing crowded market.

Be honest in your expectations and abilities, but also listen openly to your designers suggestions and be willing to alter your expectations and try alternatives. Your design pro can help you decide what you need versus what you might think you need. As pros, we know what to avoid and what to do to maximize your strategic direction.

Additional Helpful Tips
Define your audience. One of the biggest advantages in working with a professional is they will want to know who they are designing for. Defining your audience allows you to use the best methods of reaching your audience and maximizing your efforts. This will in turn help you save time and money.

Offset vs. Digital Printing. Offset printing is the standard for most printing. Large presses with up to 10 colors are used to print and sometimes score and fold all in one machine. Digital presses are precision, oversized and very expensive printers. The have capabilities to print 2-sided at the same time, collate, fold and even do variable data entry all on the one device. Generally speaking: Use Offset for quantities of 500+ and digital for quantities 1-500.

Consider a Mail-house.  Once you know the whole cost of your mailing, you often spend less money due to the incredible savings you can get on postage. Save money and precious time by eliminating the need to stuff and stamp all your mailings.

Christina Renshaw began Text Design in 1990 and has grown the boutique design shop into one of the best in the DC metro area. Tex Design's work promotes downtown organizations, creates awareness of healthcare issues for non-profits and government agencies, builds membership for arts groups, and helps to grow businesses. We contribute to our clients growth through the design of creative and engaging communications! Contact Chris.

Writing an article for Latitudes is a great way to earn points for your CMP certification and recertification.  Contact Kristen for more details.

Introducing THE CARIBE’S “ABC Meetings” Package 
As simple as ABC itself, this All Basics Complementary benefits package was designed to help you plan your next Orlando event.  We surveyed our current customers and our sales team to determine the Basic requests for most meetings, and we created a meetings package with those Basics already included.  With the time and the money you save with our ABC Meetings Package, it makes sense to have your event at the Caribe Royale or Buena Vista Suites.

The "ABC Meetings" Package includes 1 complimentary suite for every 40 paid suites; complimentary in-suite Internet for all attendees; complimentary morning and afternoon breaks; complimentary Internet connections/IP addresses – up to 3 initial Internet connections/IP addresses for your meeting rooms and up to 10 additional break-out lines from those initial 3 Internet connections/IP addresses  (based on a sliding scale), complimentary parking and complimentary Fitness Center; 25% off audio visual requirements; no increase in banquet menu prices between 2009 and 2010; no resort fees; no meeting room rental fees; and earn 5% credit on total room revenue to bank towards a future meeting for 2011 or 2012 over select dates (maximum credit capped at $50,000).*

THE CARIBE Quick Facts:
• Caribe Royale and Buena Vista Suites hotels
• 1,497 one-bedroom suites
• 120 two-bedroom villas
• 150,000 square feet of meeting space
• No Resort Fees
• Complimentary self parking
• Complimentary state of the art fitness center
• AAA Four-Diamond and Zagat rated The Venetian Room

*This special benefits package is subject to terms and availability. 

Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau: Buffalo Niagara Convention Center is located in the heart of downtown Buffalo. Featuring 21 individual rooms complete with audio-visual and multi-media capabilities, the Convention Center offers a 64,000 square foot exhibition hall that can accommodate up to 7,000 people.  Groups also have the option to choose from a variety of meeting-friendly hotels with extensive conference space.

Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau: Nestled on the shores of Lake Grapevine midway between Dallas and Fort Worth, Grapevine, Texas offers 5,200 guest rooms and more than 800,000 square feet of meeting space. Grapevine has all the space and amenities your group expects, plus its own unique, historic charm. The Grapevine CVB provides first-class services that include coordinating bid proposals, assisting with site selection and developing itineraries, registration assistance, housing and promotional marketing and publicity.

Renaissance Seattle Hotel: With the body of a full-service hotel and the soul of a boutique, the newly renovated Renaissance Seattle, Washington hotel truly offers guests a unique experience. Eliminate travel stress by hosting your meeting at this convenient downtown hotel that boasts 26,781 square feet of meeting space and easy access to major freeways and the Sea-Tac International Airport.

Grete Eliassen, women’s free skier and X-Games medalist, hit a world “hip” jump record by soaring more than 31 feet in the air at The Canyons last month.  Read more. 

The Coeur D’Alene Resort is gearing up to host the 3-day 2010 Rural Conference this week.  Attendees will submerge themselves in the natural beauty that surrounds the luxurious, lake-front resort as they hear nationally recognized and innovative speakers including representatives from the Obama Administration address critical subjects such as creating a culture of entrepreneurship, key strategies for economic development, green jobs, and educational initiatives to meet the demands of the future.

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas has released the names of the chefs behind its signature restaurants.  The roster of acclaimed chefs from both coasts, all new to the city of Las Vegas, are sure to bring a new flavor to the Strip. Read more.

Recently chosen as a Top 10 Luxury Hotel, a Top 10 Trendiest Hotel and a Top 25 Hotel in the U.S. by TripAdvisor® in its 2010 Travelers’ Choice® Awards, Miami's EPIC Hotel continues to re-define its commitment to quality service and excellence in every area, including environmental responsibility, becoming Green Seal certified. Read more.

Many Hyland Group Members are hosting upcoming client events.  Please view the below list of site inspections or click here to view all upcoming Hyland Group Member events.

May 13 - 15, 2010 Memphis Site Inspection
May 21 - 23, 2010 Peppermill Resort Spa Casino Site Inspection
June 24 - 27, 2010 Halifax Site Inspection
July 16 - 18, 2010 Peppermill Resort Spa Casino Site Inspection
July 23 - 25, 2010 Edmonton Site Inspection
August 19 - 21, 2010 Pasadena (Pre-ASAE) Site Inspection Trip
September 10 - 12, 2010 Peppermill Resort Spa Casino Site Inspection
September 15 - 18, 2010 Anchorage Site Inspection
October 15 - 17, 2010 Peppermill Resort Spa Casino Site Inspection
November 12 - 14, 2010 Peppermill Resort Spa Casino Site Inspection

For more information on site inspections or to schedule an appointment with Hyland Group Members, please contact your Hyland Group representative or email us.

To follow is a list of upcoming travel for Hyland Group Members. 

Latitudes, A Hyland Group Publication
Publisher: Peter Hyland  / Editor: Kristen Keating

The Hyland Group Newsletter, Latitudes, is an online journal for clients, partner-companies, professional associates and industry colleagues of The Hyland Group and is published twelve times yearly. For editorial or edition sponsorship inquiries, kindly email us for more information.

Since 1985, The Hyland Group has been one of the premier sales and marketing firms for the hospitality industry. Please check out our diverse portfolio by visiting http://www.hylandgroup.com/. Let our experienced staff assist you with finding the right destination for your next meeting or conference. Contact us for more information.

© Copyright 2005-2010. The Hyland Group. All Rights Reserved.