Meeting Industry Forecast
So the cycle turns once again. For those who plan meetings, the pendulum swing back toward a buyer's market should give their organizations much-needed breathing room on rates, dates, and space.

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Source: Convene, November 2008

Weaving a Tight Web
In recent years there has been a lot of focus on Internet security, identity theft and how to stay safe online, mostly aimed at consumers and individual networks. And there is now a massive industry devoted to trying to turn your office and your home into a web-connected Fort Knox. But for those of us who frequent hotels and convention centers, there can be a gaping hole in the security measures taken to keep our information secure.

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Source: Smart Meetings November 2008

Hammer Time
During a U.S. presidential debate a few weeks ago, one of the candidates very angrily talked about an AIG corporate offsite where attendees received massages, ate lobster and were pampered. The next day, a firestorm erupted about the indulgence of these types of meetings during times of crisis. One week later, AIG announced that it had cancelled all of its meetings, except for those that are critical to business operations.

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Source: MPI, November 2008

Presentations Done Right
Everyone’s been there—and maybe done that: standing in front of the room, facing your PowerPoint slides, reading all the words with your back to the audience.

Oops! According to presentation expert Nancy Duarte, president and CEO of Duarte Design, that’s not only a snorer, but you’re also disengaging with your audience. “You have to look the audience in the eye and create a personal connection,” she says. “You have to be a content carrier and own it, and not be dependent on your slides.”

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Source: Smart Meetings November 2008

Home Tweet Home
The verb “to tweet” — not sure if the Oxford English Dictionary has anointed it as such, but it’s in Wikipedia — means to send a message on Twitter. Which just might be the next communications revolution that changes our lives, not to mention our industry.

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Source: Convene, November 2008

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The Heathman Lodge Vancouver, Washington

Inspired by authentic Pacific Northwest décor and cuisine, the Heathman Lodge provides a calm refuge and a memorable experience. A grand lodge but also an urban retreat, the Heathman Lodge offers a blend of heart-felt service and business amenities, all in rustic mountain lodge comfort.

With 182 rooms, including 21 suites, small to medium size groups can have the lodge all to themselves. Whether business meetings small or large, conference, or social gathering, the Heathman Lodge delivers versatile and stylish event space covering more than 10,000 square feet. All meeting space is on the same level and adjacent to the beautiful lobby draped in Pendleton Quilts. The Lodge is situated in a beautiful rustic setting in Vancouver, Washington, conveniently located just 15 minutes from Portland International Airport, minutes from Vancouver Mall, and downtown Vancouver.

To learn more about this venue, please visit: http://www.heathmanlodge.com, and be sure to mention, "Opus Solutions."

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…these Holiday Fun Facts?

• "It's A Wonderful Life" appears on TV more often than any other holiday movie.
• "Rudolph" was actually created by Montgomery Ward in the late 1930's for a holiday promotion.
• Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26th to January 1st.
• Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor of black studies, created Kwanzaa in 1966. It is a nonreligious celebration of family and social values for African American families.
• Holly berries are poinsonous.
• If you received all of the gifts in the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas", you would receive 364 presents.
• Hannukah is celebrated around the world for eight days and nights.
• Potato pancakes, called laktes, are a Hanukkah staple, the oil-rich latke is prepared to commemorate the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days
• "The Nutcracker" is the most famous Christmas ballet.
• Jingle Bells was first written for Thanksgiving and then became one of the most popular Christmas songs.
• Coca Cola was the first beverage company to use Santa for a winter promotion.
• More diamonds are sold around Christmas than any other time of the year.
• The U.S. Postal Service delivers about 20 billion pieces of mail between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

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