(10219,3,'2018-02-12 23:32:32','2018-02-12 23:32:32','<h2>How to Delegate and Get More Done</h2>\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-6884\" title=\"Half the battle of being more productive is building the best team; the other half is using your team wisely. Learn how to delegate and get more done staff\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Capture.jpg\" alt=\"Half the battle of being more productive is building the best team; the other half is using your team wisely. Mastering the latter is the key to maximizing the potential of your team members and minimizing the time and effort spent on outsourceable tasks. How to Delegate and Get More Done\" width=\"683\" height=\"332\" />\r\n<h3>Half the battle of being more productive is building the best team; the other half is using your team wisely. Mastering the latter is the key to maximizing the potential of your team members and minimizing the time and effort spent on outsourceable tasks.</h3>\r\n<strong>Why Entrepreneurs Should Learn How to Delegate</strong>\r\n\r\nThe ability to delegate is critical for scaling a business. And the entrepreneurs who do it well are able to grow their businesses more than firms that don\'t.\r\n\r\nThe Gallup 2015 \"<a href=\"http://www.gallup.com/businessjournal/182414/delegating-huge-management-challenge-entrepreneurs.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Delegating: A Huge Management Challenge for Entrepreneurs</a>\" report found that CEOs with \"high delegator talent\" had a three-year average growth rate of 1,751 percent, 112 percentage points higher than CEOs with \"low delegator talent.\"\r\n\r\nBasically, if you want more growth, you better find the right people and use their talents to company\'s advantage. Read \"<a href=\"http://www.insureon.com/blog/post/2015/12/14/when-you-should-ask-for-help-for-your-small-business.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">When You Should Ask for Help for Your Small Business</a>\" for tips from experts on how and when to start delegating.\r\n\r\n<strong>Hand Off Tasks to Administrative Staff</strong>\r\n\r\nFor cash-strapped small businesses, having support staff can seem like a luxury, but bringing in the right help can actually be a wise investment, says Maura Thomas (<a href=\"https://twitter.com/mnthomas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@mnthomas</a>), productivity expert and founder of <a href=\"http://regainyourtime.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RegainYourTime.com</a>. Today\'s entrepreneurs rely on technology to outsource more tasks. And while it\'s helpful in some ways, there are times when it makes sense to outsource tasks to an administrative staff member, Thomas says.\r\n\r\n\"In today\'s \'do more with less\' world of work, the number of administrative professional jobs is shrinking,\" Thomas says. \"Part of that decline is because of the belief that technology makes support staff unnecessary. But there\'s still much that technology can\'t do that a skilled administrator can.\"\r\n\r\nSo crunch the numbers, but consider the versatility a worker can offer. That advantage can be essential when you\'re scaling up.\r\n\r\n<strong>Communicate Project Goals Clearly</strong>\r\n\r\nDon\'t let your employees try to figure out what you want; tell them upfront, says Joel Razi Lutfiyya, an <a href=\"http://joelrazi.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">independent consultant</a> who works with startup entrepreneurs and small businesses. Once you\'ve chosen the right person to do the job, clearly outline the overall goals and purpose of the project.\r\n\r\n\"One of the biggest mistakes most managers make is they don\'t clearly explain why a project is important, how it will be used, or what their expectations are for the completed job,\" Razi Lutfiyya says. \"Be sure to communicate as clearly as you can so the individual you delegate the project to sees the full picture and understands what is needed.\"\r\n\r\nThis might require some legwork and planning on your part, but the time you\'ll save in back-and-forth emails and clarification will make up for it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Step Out of the Way</strong>\r\n\r\nOnce you actually assign the task, let your employee or contractor handle it. Don\'t prevent them from doing their jobs, says Christy Lamagna (<a href=\"https://twitter.com/SMEChristy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@SMEChristy</a>), founder of Strategic Meetings &amp; Events, a strategic planning firm. You can step in to help, but don\'t make the process stifling.\r\n\r\n\"After a task is assigned, I am available to assist, but I get out of the way of my and let the experts do their work,\" Lamanga says. \"I delegate based on what each member of the team has demonstrated as a strength and their ability to work within a particular timeline.\"\r\n\r\nIf you\'re used to doing everything yourself, this step can be challenging. But when you feel the need to do it yourself, <a href=\"https://strategic.events/sometimes-better-not-follow-leader/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">step back</a> and ask if it\'s a task a CEO should spend that time on. If not, let your trusted team handle it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Match Good Employees with the Right Tools</strong>\r\n\r\nTo be an effective leader, you\'ll need to create the best work environment for your employees. You should be familiar with your employees\' strengths, so the next step is to use them to your advantage, Lamanga advises.\r\n\r\n\"A strategic leader lets the team self-identify their skills and the environment they need to thrive, and then creates that for them,\" Lamanga says. \"As leaders, not bosses or managers, it is incumbent upon us to assign tasks wisely, so we empower our teams.\"\r\n\r\nMake time in your yearly employee evaluations for employees to discuss their strengths and see what tasks you can ask them to take on that will lead to job satisfaction on their part and allow you to focus on the bigger picture.\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"http://www.insureon.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6891\" title=\"Insureon Logo\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Insureon-Logo-1024x237.jpg\" alt=\"Insureon logo\" width=\"329\" height=\"77\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','How to Delegate and Get More Done','','inherit','closed','closed','','6883-revision-v1','','','2018-02-12 23:32:32','2018-02-12 23:32:32','',6883,'https://strategic.events/6883-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10220,3,'2018-02-12 23:38:58','2018-02-12 23:38:58','<h2>How to Delegate and Get More Done</h2>\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-6884\" title=\"Half the battle of being more productive is building the best team; the other half is using your team wisely. Learn how to delegate and get more done staff\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Capture.jpg\" alt=\"Half the battle of being more productive is building the best team; the other half is using your team wisely. Mastering the latter is the key to maximizing the potential of your team members and minimizing the time and effort spent on outsourceable tasks. How to Delegate and Get More Done\" width=\"683\" height=\"332\" />\r\n<h3>Half the battle of being more productive is building the best team; the other half is using your team wisely. Mastering the latter is the key to maximizing the potential of your team members and minimizing the time and effort spent on outsourceable tasks.</h3>\r\n<strong>Why Entrepreneurs Should Learn How to Delegate</strong>\r\n\r\nThe ability to delegate is critical for scaling a business. And the entrepreneurs who do it well are able to grow their businesses more than firms that don\'t.\r\n\r\nThe Gallup 2015 \"<a href=\"http://www.gallup.com/businessjournal/182414/delegating-huge-management-challenge-entrepreneurs.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Delegating: A Huge Management Challenge for Entrepreneurs</a>\" report found that CEOs with \"high delegator talent\" had a three-year average growth rate of 1,751 percent, 112 percentage points higher than CEOs with \"low delegator talent.\"\r\n\r\nBasically, if you want more growth, you better find the right people and use their talents to company\'s advantage. Read \"<a href=\"http://www.insureon.com/blog/post/2015/12/14/when-you-should-ask-for-help-for-your-small-business.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">When You Should Ask for Help for Your Small Business</a>\" for tips from experts on how and when to start delegating.\r\n\r\n<strong>Hand Off Tasks to Administrative Staff</strong>\r\n\r\nFor cash-strapped small businesses, having support staff can seem like a luxury, but bringing in the right help can actually be a wise investment, says Maura Thomas (<a href=\"https://twitter.com/mnthomas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@mnthomas</a>), productivity expert and founder of <a href=\"http://regainyourtime.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RegainYourTime.com</a>. Today\'s entrepreneurs rely on technology to outsource more tasks. And while it\'s helpful in some ways, there are times when it makes sense to outsource tasks to an administrative staff member, Thomas says.\r\n\r\n\"In today\'s \'do more with less\' world of work, the number of administrative professional jobs is shrinking,\" Thomas says. \"Part of that decline is because of the belief that technology makes support staff unnecessary. But there\'s still much that technology can\'t do that a skilled administrator can.\"\r\n\r\nSo crunch the numbers, but consider the versatility a worker can offer. That advantage can be essential when you\'re scaling up.\r\n\r\n<strong>Communicate Project Goals Clearly</strong>\r\n\r\nDon\'t let your employees try to figure out what you want; tell them upfront, says Joel Razi Lutfiyya, an <a href=\"http://joelrazi.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">independent consultant</a> who works with startup entrepreneurs and small businesses. Once you\'ve chosen the right person to do the job, clearly outline the overall goals and purpose of the project.\r\n\r\n\"One of the biggest mistakes most managers make is they don\'t clearly explain why a project is important, how it will be used, or what their expectations are for the completed job,\" Razi Lutfiyya says. \"Be sure to communicate as clearly as you can so the individual you delegate the project to sees the full picture and understands what is needed.\"\r\n\r\nThis might require some legwork and planning on your part, but the time you\'ll save in back-and-forth emails and clarification will make up for it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Step Out of the Way</strong>\r\n\r\nOnce you actually assign the task, let your employee or contractor handle it. Don\'t prevent them from doing their jobs, says Christy Lamagna (<a href=\"https://twitter.com/SMEChristy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@SMEChristy</a>), founder of Strategic Meetings &amp; Events, a strategic planning firm. You can step in to help, but don\'t make the process stifling.\r\n\r\n\"After a task is assigned, I am available to assist, but I get out of the way of my and let the experts do their work,\" Lamanga says. \"I delegate based on what each member of the team has demonstrated as a strength and their ability to work within a particular timeline.\"\r\n\r\nIf you\'re used to doing everything yourself, this step can be challenging. But when you feel the need to do it yourself, <a href=\"https://strategic.events/sometimes-better-not-follow-leader/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">step back</a> and ask if it\'s a task a CEO should spend that time on. If not, let your trusted team handle it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Match Good Employees with the Right Tools</strong>\r\n\r\nTo be an effective leader, you\'ll need to create the best work environment for your employees. You should be familiar with your employees\' strengths, so the next step is to use them to your advantage, Lamanga advises.\r\n\r\n\"A strategic leader lets the team self-identify their skills and the environment they need to thrive, and then creates that for them,\" Lamanga says. \"As leaders, not bosses or managers, it is incumbent upon us to assign tasks wisely, so we empower our teams.\"\r\n\r\nMake time in your yearly employee evaluations for employees to discuss their strengths and see what tasks you can ask them to take on that will lead to job satisfaction on their part and allow you to focus on the bigger picture.\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"http://www.insureon.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6891\" title=\"Insureon Logo\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Insureon-Logo-1024x237.jpg\" alt=\"Insureon logo\" width=\"329\" height=\"77\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','How to Delegate and Get More Done','','inherit','closed','closed','','6883-autosave-v1','','','2018-02-12 23:38:58','2018-02-12 23:38:58','',6883,'https://strategic.events/6883-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10221,3,'2018-02-12 23:42:27','2018-02-12 23:42:27','[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>Twitter Chats Who Knew? Engage, Share, Learn, and Drive Change</h2>\r\n<a href=\"https://strategic.events/event-strategist/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Event Strategists</a> are constantly looking for new opportunities to connect and be thought leaders in our industry. Social Media offers strategic <a href=\"https://twitter.com/search?q=%23eventprofs&amp;src=typd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#eventprofs</a> many ways to accomplish this, with Twitter among the most utilized. Following, liking or retweeting are useful, but the real results are seen through Twitter Chats.\r\n\r\nTwitter chats are business networking events – minus the dress code, and are taking place in almost every industry imaginable. However, in our industry they are underutilized. <a href=\"https://strategic.events/category/resources/strategic-planning-movement/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Strategic Planners</a> should lead the way to introduce this platform, gathering like-minded professionals to meet at a set time to discuss industry related topics. By creating and sharing the chat’s designated hashtag (#) the host allows everyone to add their voice to the conversation.\r\n\r\nBefore you start using Twitter chats, consider these five pointers:\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>First, be real. Don’t try to please everyone. Stay true to yourself and your message. People will respect you for your honesty.</li>\r\n 	<li>You are your brands voice. Make sure to creatively craft your messages and make each and every one personal or unique. You don’t want your viewers and audience to think its spam.</li>\r\n 	<li>Select a time that takes your target audience into consideration. Think time zones and work schedules.</li>\r\n 	<li>Choose topics that are relevant and useful; don’t start a chat for the sake of having one. In return for their time, your participants need to walk away with useful ideas, information and/or connections.</li>\r\n 	<li>Don’t dominate the chat. Throw out a question and let others share their replies. This is a conversation, not a webinar or lecture.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nNow that you’ve learned some of the guidelines here is a list of Twitter chats we think you might want to join in on.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=\"1/2\"][mk_padding_divider size=\"60\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/TSNN-logo.png\" image_size=\"full\" link=\"http://www.tsnn.com/\" target=\"_blank\"][/vc_column][vc_column width=\"1/2\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/expochat?src=hash\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#ExpoChat</a> - Wednesday\'s @ 1pm ET</h2>\r\n<h2>Host: <a href=\"https://twitter.com/TSNN_com_US\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@TSNN_com_US</a></h2>\r\n#ExpoChat focuses on helping personalize events and trade show experiences. This chat aims to teach event management groups and industries how important distinguishing experiences or events are from one another through their unique abilities.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=\"1/2\"][mk_padding_divider][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2.jpg\" image_width=\"1300\" image_height=\"600\" link=\"http://www.themiceblog.com/\" target=\"_blank\"][/vc_column][vc_column width=\"1/2\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/EventPlannersTalk?src=hash\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#EventPlannersTalk</a> - Every Monday 9pm - 10pm UK Time (4pm - 5pm ET)</h2>\r\n<h2>Host: <a href=\"https://twitter.com/themiceblogHQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@themiceblogHQ</a></h2>\r\n#EventPlannersTalk focuses on values in the event industry by providing workshops for people who want to go further and learn more. This chat focuses on event planning trends and ways planners may improve their events.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=\"1/2\"][mk_padding_divider size=\"20\"][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/6.jpg\" image_size=\"full\" link=\"http://www.meetings-conventions.com/\" target=\"_blank\"][/vc_column][vc_column width=\"1/2\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://twitter.com/search?q=%23ChatMC&amp;src=typd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#ChatMC</a> - Follow for schedule</h2>\r\n<h2>Host: <a href=\"https://twitter.com/mcmagtweet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@mcmagtweet</a></h2>\r\n#ChatMC is a magazine that promotes event management and different conventions. This chat is devoted to helping <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/meetingprofs?src=hash\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#meetingprofs</a> + #eventprofs excel by generating discussion on our industry\'s most pressing issues![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=\"1/2\"][mk_padding_divider][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/5.png\" image_size=\"full\" link=\"http://www.successfulmeetings.com/\" target=\"_blank\"][/vc_column][vc_column width=\"1/2\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChatMtgs?src=hash\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#ChatMtgs</a> - Follow for schedule</h2>\r\n<h2>Host: <a href=\"https://twitter.com/SuccessfulMtgs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@SuccessfulMtgs</a></h2>\r\n#ChatMtgs is very similar to #ChatMC due to its promoting and event management advice and industry discussions. This chat is perfect if you are interested in planning successful meetings and learning more about the industry.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=\"1/2\"][mk_padding_divider][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/1.jpg\" image_size=\"full\" link=\"http://www.iexplore.com/\" target=\"_blank\"][/vc_column][vc_column width=\"1/2\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/iExploreChat?src=hash\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#iExploreChat</a> - 3rd Wednesday of each month @ 1pm ET</h2>\r\n<h2>Hosts: <a href=\"https://twitter.com/iexplore\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@iexplore</a> &amp; <a href=\"https://twitter.com/TravelMindset\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@TravelMindset</a></h2>\r\n#iExploreChat is key source for someone into adventures and exponential travel. They share their experiences and help others gain that travel bug to plan an amazing journey to wherever they desire![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][/vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][mk_padding_divider][vc_column_text]For even more information on Twitter chats check out these two articles from <a href=\"https://blog.hootsuite.com/a-step-by-step-guide-to-twitter-chats/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hootsuite</a> and <a href=\"https://blog.bufferapp.com/twitter-chat-101\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Buffer</a>.\r\n\r\nFinally here\'s a few more Twitter chats you may find useful:\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kari-luckett/10-twitter-chats-for-entr_b_9636104.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">10 Twitter Chats for Entrepreneurs</a></li>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"https://trackmaven.com/blog/twitter-chats/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">35 Top Twitter Chats for Marketers</a></li>\r\n 	<li><a href=\"http://breakintotravelwriting.com/top-twitter-chats-for-travel-bloggers/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Top Twitter Chats for Travel Bloggers</a></li>\r\n</ol>\r\nLooking forward to getting to know you and your thoughts on our industry on some of the upcoming Twitter chats! Be sure to keep an eye out for the #SMEChat coming soon. Until then, happy tweeting![/vc_column_text][mk_social_networks size=\"medium\" style=\"simple-rounded\" border_color=\"#211551\" bg_color=\"#211551\" bg_hover_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_hover_color=\"#211551\" align=\"center\" facebook=\"https://www.facebook.com/StrategicMeetingsEvents\" twitter=\"https://twitter.com/SME_Events\" instagram=\"https://www.instagram.com/strategic.events/\" linkedin=\"https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/1320386/\" youtube=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsuJ-F1Ot1zSc1ccpj_DzXA\"]','Twitter Chats Who Knew? Engage, Share, Learn, and Drive Change','','inherit','closed','closed','','6296-revision-v1','','','2018-02-12 23:42:27','2018-02-12 23:42:27','',6296,'https://strategic.events/6296-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10222,3,'2018-02-12 23:47:52','2018-02-12 23:47:52','<h2>Our Integrated Marketing Success Story</h2>\r\n[mk_image_slideshow images=\"6440,6435,6439,6437,6438,6433\" margin_bottom=\"25\" animation_speed=\"2000\" slideshow_speed=\"2500\" pause_on_hover=\"true\"]\r\n\r\nThe UPS Store, in partnership with the renowned business publication, ‘Inc.’ set out on a nationwide search to find and highlight small businesses that embodied exceptional quality, creativity, dedication to client service and entrepreneurship. Their extensive research lead them to Strategic Meetings &amp; Events.\r\n\r\nAfter speaking with a reporter from ‘Inc.’ we were optimistic. The stories around the event marketing campaigns we’ve created practically told themselves. Recounting the hunt for the quintessential travel wallet and the subsequent hour-long meeting we had on how to box and wrap them gave us the opportunity to share details we rarely discuss outside our office. The more we explained our process, the more we were reminded that what we consider common practice is all too rare.\r\n\r\nWe discussed how we market ourselves; the social media campaigns we create, the amazing recipes we send from places we’ve traveled around the globe, the team building events we custom design for clients, the writing we do; from original song lyrics to skits to executive presentations. The more we shared, the more we had to tell. It’s been an incredible 15 years, with countless experiences created and miles flown.\r\n\r\nOur excitement at sharing this news stems not from the publicity, (which we admit is fun) but from the appreciation that the work we are so proud of, and that we give everything we have to, is being recognized even outside our industry for what it is; exceptional. If you’ve worked with the SME team, you understand what it is to have the ‘SME’ experience. You also know that we will continue to find new ways to delight, inspire and motivate your attendees.\r\n\r\nSo, as you watch the <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL9jb2jgq7M\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">video</a> and read the article on <a href=\"https://strategic.events/marketing-shortcuts-for-driving-sales-in-a-hurry/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Marketing Shortcuts for Driving Sales in a Hurry</a>, and read the article on <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-approach-integrated-marketing/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A Strategic Approach to Integrated Marketing</a>, please keep the words, ‘Thank You,’ top of mind. Without your partnership, trust and referrals, our talent, passion and creativity could not be used to it\'s fullest potential.\r\n\r\nHere’s to more fantastic things![mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://www.inc.com/brandview\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6486 size-medium\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/brandview-logo-transparent_213236-300x35.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"35\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout][mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://www.theupsstore.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6454 size-medium\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/UPSStore-300x57.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"57\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Our Integrated Marketing Success Story','','inherit','closed','closed','','6429-revision-v1','','','2018-02-12 23:47:52','2018-02-12 23:47:52','',6429,'https://strategic.events/6429-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10223,3,'2018-02-12 23:52:57','2018-02-12 23:52:57','<h2>Marketing Shortcuts for Driving Sales in a Hurry</h2>\r\n<h3>These three tips will help you close deals quickly.</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone wp-image-6423 size-full\" title=\"Promoting your business is often a long game. It takes time to build awareness, inspire trust, and complete the sales cycle. But, sometimes, you need to generate business faster. Perhaps it is a cash flow issue, or you have inventory you need to move. Read these Marketing Shortcuts for Driving Sales in a Hurry\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Module3-case-study-resized_224801.jpg\" alt=\"Promoting your business is often a long game. It takes time to build awareness, inspire trust, and complete the sales cycle. But, sometimes, you need to generate business faster. Perhaps it is a cash flow issue, or you have inventory you need to move. Read these Marketing Shortcuts for Driving Sales in a Hurry\" width=\"970\" height=\"450\" />\r\n\r\nPromoting your business is often a long game. It takes time to build awareness, inspire trust, and complete the sales cycle. But, sometimes, you need to generate business faster. Perhaps it is a cash flow issue, or you have inventory you need to move. Maybe there\'s a competitor knocking at your door, or you are trying to hit a quarterly sales target. Regardless of what is fueling the urgency, these marketing tips will help you sell faster without compromising your long-term growth plans.\r\n<h2>1. Take a shortcut through the marketing funnel</h2>\r\nIt is called the purchasing journey for a reason. Guiding a customer from start to finish takes time. If you want to drive business quickly, focus on people who have already made their way down that path--your existing customers. Jim Rudden, CMO at <a href=\"https://www.spredfast.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Spredfast</a>, a social marketing software provider, calls this \"fishing where the fish are.\" \"Have you done everything you can to drive new revenue from the customers you have fought hard to gain, and who are your most loyal advocates? There are often quick revenue opportunities in repositioning a product or expanding a service,\" he says.\r\n\r\nRudden notes that this strategy isn\'t just about short-term gains. It is better in the long run, too. When you use a promotion or a discount to attract new customers, you tend to bring in one-off deals--people who are interested in the discount but aren\'t necessarily going to become repeat customers. Incentivizing existing customers to buy again can deepen important relationships. To do so, try a series of emails in which you customize deals based on past shopping behavior.\r\n\r\nAnother cost-effective tool is retargeting ads. These are ads that are served to people who have previously visited your website in an effort to encourage subsequent action. These individuals have already shown interest in your brand, so focusing on them as opposed to brand-new prospects is just more efficient. \"Retargeting ads get a 10 times higher click-through rate than display ads,\" says Mike Sharkey, CEO and co-founder of marketing automation business <a href=\"https://autopilothq.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Autopilot</a>.\r\n<h2>2. Supercharge your word-of-mouth marketing</h2>\r\nIsn\'t it nice when your existing customers do your marketing for you? That\'s what happens when they refer your business to a friend or share their positive experience on their social media pages.\r\n\r\nPeople are more likely to trust a recommendation from a friend than an ad. To drive business quickly, Rudden suggests \"giving your fans a megaphone\" by offering them a discount, as well as a coupon or gift they can share with a friend. This creates opportunities for deepening your relationships with your existing customers, while also \"getting off on the right foot\" with new ones.\r\n\r\nTo maximize effectiveness, be sure to make the discount enticing and easy-to-share. \"Lyft is a great example of this word-of-mouth marketing concept done right. When you share their referral code with a friend who hasn\'t used the app, they receive a discount, and you as a user are rewarded with a discount of your own. It\'s a win-win for the brand, the rider sharing the referral code, and the new customer that Lyft just acquired,\" says Rudden.\r\n<h2><strong>3. Go ahead and rest on your laurels</strong></h2>\r\nSocial media has made it easier than ever to keep customers and prospects informed of your success stories, new offerings, and promotions, and also to convey your brand voice. \"Seventy percent of marketers rank social media as their top performing non-email channel. It\'s a low-cost tool for distributing original content to attract new customers while still engaging existing ones,\" says Sharkey.\r\n\r\nBut you have to deliver more to your audience than just promo codes. Christy Lamagna, president of <a href=\"https://strategic.events/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Strategic Meetings &amp; Events</a>, uses social media to \"show off\" the work her firm is doing. Her team hosts corporate events around the world, so they share interesting photos, videos, and updates from their travels, as well as links to useful resources.\r\n\r\nBuilding a following online doesn\'t happen overnight, but once you have done it, you really can use the channel to strengthen relationships and drive business. Lamagna\'s clever marketing reflects her brand voice while inspiring her audience to contemplate where they\'d like to host their next event.\r\n\r\nThese digital efforts also help her extend more traditional marketing efforts, like direct mail campaigns. Lamagna partners with The UPS Store <a href=\"https://www.inc.com/theupsstore/a-strategic-approach-to-integrated-marketing.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">to send postcards to prospects and clients</a> from her team\'s travels from around the globe. They also partner on various print projects, such as marketing material and event collateral, and The UPS Store manages the shipping for the promotional campaigns she creates on behalf of her clients. \"We couldn\'t do what The UPS Store does for us. It would take way too much time and money, and we don\'t have the space or the expertise,\" she explains.\r\n\r\nYour customers and prospects will be more open to doing business with you if you have convinced them, or reminded them, of your expertise. Just be sure you can back up what you are marketing. A great discount may generate short-term business, but if you are falling short on quality, you will lose all those customers. \"If you are marketing something you can back up, a lot of times the rest takes care of itself,\" says Lamagna.[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://www.inc.com/brandview\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6486 size-medium\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/brandview-logo-transparent_213236-300x35.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"35\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout][mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://www.theupsstore.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6454 size-medium\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/UPSStore-300x57.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"57\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Marketing Shortcuts for Driving Sales in a Hurry','','inherit','closed','closed','','6422-revision-v1','','','2018-02-12 23:52:57','2018-02-12 23:52:57','',6422,'https://strategic.events/6422-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10224,3,'2018-02-12 23:57:59','2018-02-12 23:57:59','<h2>A Strategic Approach to Integrated Marketing</h2>\r\n<h3>See how this event planning company interweaves travel throughout its print and social media campaigns to drive creative marketing.</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone wp-image-6417 size-full\" title=\"See how this event planning company interweaves travel throughout its print and social media campaigns to drive creative marketing. A Strategic Approach to Integrated Marketing\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/ChristyOverheadShotLogo.jpg\" alt=\"See how this event planning company interweaves travel throughout its print and social media campaigns to drive creative marketing. A Strategic Approach to Integrated Marketing\" width=\"970\" height=\"450\" />\r\n\r\nFor Christy Lamagna, president of <a href=\"https://strategic.events/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Strategic Meetings &amp; Events</a>, marketing isn\'t just a way to get more customers; it\'s an opportunity to showcase what her team does best and demonstrate their strategic, creative, and detail-oriented approach.\r\n\r\nLamagna partners with her clients to understand their goals for each event and create a communication strategy around that vision. These plans include things like designing and distributing marketing materials, such as posting flyers and brochures, sending gifts in the mail, and changing taglines and email signatures to generate buzz for the event. \"We try to create an immersive experience not just during the event, but also in the months before and after, so we can really drive and document change,\" she says.\r\n\r\nFor Strategic Meetings &amp; Events, the baseline is perfection. That means attention to detail is paramount, whether marketing online or off, on behalf of a client or for her business\'s own brand. To help her manage the company\'s social media presence, which includes Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, and a blog, Lamagna hired a full-time employee. \"You don\'t know what you don\'t know,\" she cautions. \"I believe you should focus on what brings you joy and what you can do better than anyone else. You can\'t do it all! Pick your lane, find other experts, and then get out of their way.\"\r\n\r\nFor other marketing initiatives, she relies on her creative and logistic partner, her local The UPS Store in Chester, New Jersey, which is managed by Don Pollard. \"It\'s the smallest things that can make the greatest impression,\" she says. \"When you are a perfectionist like I am, you don\'t trust a lot of people. I can trust Don. He understands that details matter.\"\r\n\r\nFor example, when Strategic Meetings &amp; Events ran a yearlong marketing campaign for a client that required printed pieces and gift items to go out at the same time each month to more than 300 recipients, The UPS Store assisted in getting the packages delivered on time and in pristine condition, even taking special care in the smallest details, like how the tissue paper was folded.\r\n\r\nPollard also handles other details that even Lamagna wouldn\'t have thought of. \"Don and his team collaborate on the perfect-size boxes, how each of the gift items is placed and packaged, the look of the labels and how they are positioned on the box, and even how the box opens,\" she explains.\r\n\r\n<strong>Double duty content</strong>\r\n\r\nInitiatives like the yearlong mailing campaign allow Lamagna to demonstrate what sets her and her team apart. And while she generates a lot of new business from word of mouth, she also invests in thoughtful marketing campaigns for her own company. For example, Strategic Meetings &amp; Events sent postcards to clients and prospects to showcase the team\'s travels. The campaign was so popular, Lamagna went even bigger--literally--with a second-gen iteration: She worked with Pollard to create an oversized postcard with enough room to include recipes from the places the team visited.\r\n\r\nStrategic Meetings &amp; Events often turns its printed campaigns into content to share online, too, which allows the company to derive more value from every marketing piece. On social media, the company shares useful event-planning resources, photos, and videos of its events to create engaging and visually-appealing content. Lamagna also writes for industry publications and speaks frequently at conferences. These efforts help to establish her business as an expert in the space, and combine with the company\'s print campaigns and stellar track record to help convert prospects to customers, and customers to repeat clients.\r\n\r\n\"Everything we do is strategic, and we want our marketing to reflect that,\" says Lamagna. Together with her team, she makes sure her offline and online marketing initiatives work synergistically to showcase the company\'s breadth of experience and devotion to detail.[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://www.inc.com/brandview\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6486 size-medium\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/brandview-logo-transparent_213236-300x35.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"35\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout][mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://www.theupsstore.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6454 size-medium\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/UPSStore-300x57.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"57\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','A Strategic Approach to Integrated Marketing','','inherit','closed','closed','','6416-revision-v1','','','2018-02-12 23:57:59','2018-02-12 23:57:59','',6416,'https://strategic.events/6416-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10225,3,'2018-02-13 00:02:34','2018-02-13 00:02:34','<h2>A Strategic Approach to Integrated Marketing</h2>\r\n<h3>See how this event planning company interweaves travel throughout its print and social media campaigns to drive creative marketing.</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone wp-image-6417 size-full\" title=\"See how this event planning company interweaves travel throughout its print and social media campaigns to drive creative marketing. A Strategic Approach to Integrated Marketing\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/ChristyOverheadShotLogo.jpg\" alt=\"See how this event planning company interweaves travel throughout its print and social media campaigns to drive creative marketing. A Strategic Approach to Integrated Marketing\" width=\"970\" height=\"450\" />\r\n\r\nFor Christy Lamagna, president of <a href=\"https://strategic.events/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Strategic Meetings &amp; Events</a>, marketing isn\'t just a way to get more customers; it\'s an opportunity to showcase what her team does best and demonstrate their strategic, creative, and detail-oriented approach to integrated marketing.\r\n\r\nLamagna partners with her clients to understand their goals for each event and create a communication strategy around that vision. These plans include things like designing and distributing marketing materials, such as posting flyers and brochures, sending gifts in the mail, and changing taglines and email signatures to generate buzz for the event. \"We try to create an immersive experience not just during the event, but also in the months before and after, so we can really drive and document change,\" she says.\r\n\r\nFor Strategic Meetings &amp; Events, the baseline is perfection. That means attention to detail is paramount, whether marketing online or off, on behalf of a client or for her business\'s own brand. To help her manage the company\'s social media presence, which includes Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, and a blog, Lamagna hired a full-time employee. \"You don\'t know what you don\'t know,\" she cautions. \"I believe you should focus on what brings you joy and what you can do better than anyone else. You can\'t do it all! Pick your lane, find other experts, and then get out of their way.\"\r\n\r\nFor other marketing initiatives, she relies on her creative and logistic partner, her local The UPS Store in Chester, New Jersey, which is managed by Don Pollard. \"It\'s the smallest things that can make the greatest impression,\" she says. \"When you are a perfectionist like I am, you don\'t trust a lot of people. I can trust Don. He understands that details matter.\"\r\n\r\nFor example, when Strategic Meetings &amp; Events ran a yearlong marketing campaign for a client that required printed pieces and gift items to go out at the same time each month to more than 300 recipients, The UPS Store assisted in getting the packages delivered on time and in pristine condition, even taking special care in the smallest details, like how the tissue paper was folded.\r\n\r\nPollard also handles other details that even Lamagna wouldn\'t have thought of. \"Don and his team collaborate on the perfect-size boxes, how each of the gift items is placed and packaged, the look of the labels and how they are positioned on the box, and even how the box opens,\" she explains.\r\n\r\n<strong>Double duty content</strong>\r\n\r\nInitiatives like the yearlong mailing campaign allow Lamagna to demonstrate what sets her and her team apart. And while she generates a lot of new business from word of mouth, she also invests in thoughtful marketing campaigns for her own company. For example, Strategic Meetings &amp; Events sent postcards to clients and prospects to showcase the team\'s travels. The campaign was so popular, Lamagna went even bigger--literally--with a second-gen iteration: She worked with Pollard to create an oversized postcard with enough room to include recipes from the places the team visited.\r\n\r\nStrategic Meetings &amp; Events often turns its printed campaigns into content to share online, too, which allows the company to derive more value from every marketing piece. On social media, the company shares useful event-planning resources, photos, and videos of its events to create engaging and visually-appealing content. Lamagna also writes for industry publications and speaks frequently at conferences. These efforts help to establish her business as an expert in the space, and combine with the company\'s print campaigns and stellar track record to help convert prospects to customers, and customers to repeat clients.\r\n\r\n\"Everything we do is strategic, and we want our marketing to reflect that,\" says Lamagna. Together with her team, she makes sure her offline and online marketing initiatives work synergistically to showcase the company\'s breadth of experience and devotion to detail.[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://www.inc.com/brandview\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6486 size-medium\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/brandview-logo-transparent_213236-300x35.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"35\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout][mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://www.theupsstore.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6454 size-medium\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/UPSStore-300x57.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"57\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','A Strategic Approach to Integrated Marketing','','inherit','closed','closed','','6416-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 00:02:34','2018-02-13 00:02:34','',6416,'https://strategic.events/6416-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10226,3,'2018-02-13 00:06:17','2018-02-13 00:06:17','<h2>A Strategic Approach to Integrated Marketing</h2>\r\n<h3>See how this event planning company interweaves travel throughout its print and social media campaigns to drive creative marketing.</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone wp-image-6417 size-full\" title=\"See how this event planning company interweaves travel throughout its print and social media campaigns to drive creative marketing. A Strategic Approach to Integrated Marketing\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/ChristyOverheadShotLogo.jpg\" alt=\"See how this event planning company interweaves travel throughout its print and social media campaigns to drive creative marketing. A Strategic Approach to Integrated Marketing\" width=\"970\" height=\"450\" />\r\n\r\nFor Christy Lamagna, president of <a href=\"https://strategic.events/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Strategic Meetings &amp; Events</a>, marketing isn\'t just a way to get more customers; it\'s an opportunity to showcase what her team does best and demonstrate their strategic, creative, and detail-oriented approach.\r\n\r\nLamagna partners with her clients to understand their goals for each event and create a communication strategy around that vision. These plans include things like designing and distributing marketing materials, such as posting flyers and brochures, sending gifts in the mail, and changing taglines and email signatures to generate buzz for the event. \"We try to create an immersive experience not just during the event, but also in the months before and after, so we can really drive and document change,\" she says.\r\n\r\nFor Strategic Meetings &amp; Events, the baseline is perfection. That means attention to detail is paramount, whether marketing online or off, on behalf of a client or for her business\'s own brand. To help her manage the company\'s social media presence, which includes Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, and a blog, Lamagna hired a full-time employee. \"You don\'t know what you don\'t know,\" she cautions. \"I believe you should focus on what brings you joy and what you can do better than anyone else. You can\'t do it all! Pick your lane, find other experts, and then get out of their way.\"\r\n\r\nFor other marketing initiatives, she relies on her creative and logistic partner, her local The UPS Store in Chester, New Jersey, which is managed by Don Pollard. \"It\'s the smallest things that can make the greatest impression,\" she says. \"When you are a perfectionist like I am, you don\'t trust a lot of people. I can trust Don. He understands that details matter.\"\r\n\r\nFor example, when Strategic Meetings &amp; Events ran a yearlong marketing campaign for a client that required printed pieces and gift items to go out at the same time each month to more than 300 recipients, The UPS Store assisted in getting the packages delivered on time and in pristine condition, even taking special care in the smallest details, like how the tissue paper was folded.\r\n\r\nPollard also handles other details that even Lamagna wouldn\'t have thought of. \"Don and his team collaborate on the perfect-size boxes, how each of the gift items is placed and packaged, the look of the labels and how they are positioned on the box, and even how the box opens,\" she explains.\r\n\r\n<strong>Double duty content</strong>\r\n\r\nInitiatives like the yearlong mailing campaign allow Lamagna to demonstrate what sets her and her team apart. And while she generates a lot of new business from word of mouth, she also invests in thoughtful marketing campaigns for her own company. For example, Strategic Meetings &amp; Events sent postcards to clients and prospects to showcase the team\'s travels. The campaign was so popular, Lamagna went even bigger--literally--with a second-gen iteration: She worked with Pollard to create an oversized postcard with enough room to include recipes from the places the team visited.\r\n\r\nStrategic Meetings &amp; Events often turns its printed campaigns into content to share online, too, which allows the company to derive more value from every marketing piece. On social media, the company shares useful event-planning resources, photos, and videos of its events to create engaging and visually-appealing content. Lamagna also writes for industry publications and speaks frequently at conferences. These efforts help to establish her business as an expert in the space, and combine with the company\'s print campaigns and stellar track record to help convert prospects to customers, and customers to repeat clients.\r\n\r\n\"Everything we do is strategic, and we want our marketing to reflect that,\" says Lamagna. Together with her team, she makes sure her offline and online marketing initiatives work synergistically to showcase the company\'s breadth of experience and devotion to detail.[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://www.inc.com/brandview\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6486 size-medium\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/brandview-logo-transparent_213236-300x35.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"35\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout][mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://www.theupsstore.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6454 size-medium\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/UPSStore-300x57.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"57\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','A Strategic Approach to Integrated Marketing','','inherit','closed','closed','','6416-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 00:06:17','2018-02-13 00:06:17','',6416,'https://strategic.events/6416-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10227,3,'2018-02-13 00:15:48','2018-02-13 00:15:48','<h2>Christy Lamagna\'s Strategic Insight For Event Planners</h2>\r\n<h3>Event Planner Entertainment Interview - Christy Lamagna CMP, CMM, CTSM</h3>\r\nHaving been a Vice President of a Fortune 50 company, and a member of five start-up organizations, Christy\'s strategic insight and creativity will make all your events truly memorable experiences. Christy understands the myriad of challenges corporate planners face, and brings a \'can-do\' attitude to each event.\r\n\r\nWith 20 years of industry experience, Christy has worked on events ranging in size from 150,000, to intimate Board of Directors meetings and places the same attention to delivering exceptional results on all of SME\'s programs. Her experience running and producing tradeshows, building and executing highly profitable sponsorship programs, speech writing and speaker coaching, production acumen and her contract negotiation savvy give her a breadth and depth of experience that few in the industry share.\r\n\r\nAs a frequent speaker, contributor to industry publications and professor of meeting and event management, Christy has dedicated her career to the industry and <a href=\"https://strategic.events/become-strategic-planner/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">raising the bar</a> on how programs are produced. Remembering that laughter and having fun is a key component to any successful endeavor, Christy blends professionalism with a sense of humor and an unwavering commitment to excellence.\r\n\r\n[audio mp3=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/133_KristieL_Adam20W-1.mp3\"][/audio]\r\n\r\n[mk_padding_divider][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Screen-Shot-2016-05-10-at-6.26.25-PM-1.png\"][mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://player.fm/series/event-planner-entertainment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6405\" title=\"Having been a Vice President of a Fortune 50 company, and a member of five start-up organizations, Christy Lamagna\'s strategic insight for event planners is\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/adam_wilber_podcast.jpg\" alt=\"Having been a Vice President of a Fortune 50 company, and a member of five start-up organizations, Christy Lamagna\'s strategic insight for event planners is\" width=\"136\" height=\"136\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Christy Lamagna\'s Strategic Insight For Event Planners','','inherit','closed','closed','','6399-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 00:15:48','2018-02-13 00:15:48','',6399,'https://strategic.events/6399-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10228,3,'2018-02-13 00:23:02','2018-02-13 00:23:02','<h2>Christy Lamagna\'s Strategic Insight For Event Planners</h2>\n<h3>Event Planner Entertainment Interview - Christy Lamagna CMP, CMM, CTSM</h3>\n<h3><img class=\" wp-image-6401 alignright\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/podcast-2.jpg\" alt=\"Having been a Vice President of a Fortune 50 company, and a member of five start-up organizations, Christy Lamagna\'s strategic insight for event planners is\" width=\"308\" height=\"194\" /></h3>\nHaving been a Vice President of a Fortune 50 company, and a member of five start-up organizations, Christy\'s strategic insight and creativity will make all your events truly memorable experiences. Christy understands the myriad of challenges corporate planners face, and brings a \'can-do\' attitude to each event.\n\nWith 20 years of industry experience, Christy has worked on events ranging in size from 150,000, to intimate Board of Directors meetings and places the same attention to delivering exceptional results on all of SME\'s programs. Her experience running and producing tradeshows, building and executing highly profitable sponsorship programs, speech writing and speaker coaching, production acumen and her contract negotiation savvy give her a breadth and depth of experience that few in the industry share.\n\nAs a frequent speaker, contributor to industry publications and professor of meeting and event management, Christy has dedicated her career to the industry and <a href=\"https://strategic.events/become-strategic-planner/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">raising the bar</a> on how programs are produced. Remembering that laughter and having fun is a key component to any successful endeavor, Christy blends professionalism with a sense of humor and an unwavering commitment to excellence.\n\n[audio mp3=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/133_KristieL_Adam20W-1.mp3\"][/audio]\n\n[mk_padding_divider][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Screen-Shot-2016-05-10-at-6.26.25-PM-1.png\"][mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://player.fm/series/event-planner-entertainment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6405\" title=\"Having been a Vice President of a Fortune 50 company, and a member of five start-up organizations, Christy Lamagna\'s strategic insight for event planners is\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/adam_wilber_podcast.jpg\" alt=\"Having been a Vice President of a Fortune 50 company, and a member of five start-up organizations, Christy Lamagna\'s strategic insight for event planners is\" width=\"136\" height=\"136\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Christy Lamagna\'s Strategic Insight For Event Planners','','inherit','closed','closed','','6399-autosave-v1','','','2018-02-13 00:23:02','2018-02-13 00:23:02','',6399,'https://strategic.events/6399-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10229,3,'2018-02-13 00:22:57','2018-02-13 00:22:57','<h2>Christy Lamagna\'s Strategic Insight For Event Planners</h2>\r\n<h3>Event Planner Entertainment Interview - Christy Lamagna CMP, CMM, CTSM</h3>\r\n<h3><img class=\" wp-image-6401 alignright\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/podcast-2.jpg\" alt=\"Having been a Vice President of a Fortune 50 company, and a member of five start-up organizations, Christy Lamagna\'s strategic insight for event planners is\" width=\"308\" height=\"194\" /></h3>\r\nHaving been a Vice President of a Fortune 50 company, and a member of five start-up organizations, Christy\'s strategic insight and creativity will make all your events truly memorable experiences. Christy understands the myriad of challenges corporate planners face, and brings a \'can-do\' attitude to each event.\r\n\r\nWith 20 years of industry experience, Christy has worked on events ranging in size from 150,000, to intimate Board of Directors meetings and places the same attention to delivering exceptional results on all of SME\'s programs. Her experience running and producing tradeshows, building and executing highly profitable sponsorship programs, speech writing and speaker coaching, production acumen and her contract negotiation savvy give her a breadth and depth of experience that few in the industry share.\r\n\r\nAs a frequent speaker, contributor to industry publications and professor of meeting and event management, Christy has dedicated her career to the industry and <a href=\"https://strategic.events/become-strategic-planner/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">raising the bar</a> on how programs are produced. Remembering that laughter and having fun is a key component to any successful endeavor, Christy blends professionalism with a sense of humor and an unwavering commitment to excellence.\r\n\r\n[audio mp3=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/133_KristieL_Adam20W-1.mp3\"][/audio]\r\n\r\n[mk_padding_divider][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Screen-Shot-2016-05-10-at-6.26.25-PM-1.png\"][mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://player.fm/series/event-planner-entertainment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6405\" title=\"Having been a Vice President of a Fortune 50 company, and a member of five start-up organizations, Christy Lamagna\'s strategic insight for event planners is\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/adam_wilber_podcast.jpg\" alt=\"Having been a Vice President of a Fortune 50 company, and a member of five start-up organizations, Christy Lamagna\'s strategic insight for event planners is\" width=\"136\" height=\"136\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Christy Lamagna\'s Strategic Insight For Event Planners','','inherit','closed','closed','','6399-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 00:22:57','2018-02-13 00:22:57','',6399,'https://strategic.events/6399-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10230,3,'2018-02-13 00:23:27','2018-02-13 00:23:27','<h2>Christy Lamagna\'s Strategic Insight For Event Planners</h2>\r\n<h3>Event Planner Entertainment Interview - Christy Lamagna CMP, CMM, CTSM</h3>\r\n<h3><img class=\"alignright wp-image-6401\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/podcast-2.jpg\" alt=\"Having been a Vice President of a Fortune 50 company, and a member of five start-up organizations, Christy Lamagna\'s strategic insight for event planners is and creativity will make all your events truly memorable experiences. Listen to Christy Lamagna\'s Strategic Insight For Event Planners now.\" width=\"308\" height=\"194\" /></h3>\r\nHaving been a Vice President of a Fortune 50 company, and a member of five start-up organizations, Christy\'s strategic insight and creativity will make all your events truly memorable experiences. Christy understands the myriad of challenges corporate planners face, and brings a \'can-do\' attitude to each event.\r\n\r\nWith 20 years of industry experience, Christy has worked on events ranging in size from 150,000, to intimate Board of Directors meetings and places the same attention to delivering exceptional results on all of SME\'s programs. Her experience running and producing tradeshows, building and executing highly profitable sponsorship programs, speech writing and speaker coaching, production acumen and her contract negotiation savvy give her a breadth and depth of experience that few in the industry share.\r\n\r\nAs a frequent speaker, contributor to industry publications and professor of meeting and event management, Christy has dedicated her career to the industry and <a href=\"https://strategic.events/become-strategic-planner/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">raising the bar</a> on how programs are produced. Remembering that laughter and having fun is a key component to any successful endeavor, Christy blends professionalism with a sense of humor and an unwavering commitment to excellence.\r\n\r\n[audio mp3=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/133_KristieL_Adam20W-1.mp3\"][/audio]\r\n\r\n[mk_padding_divider][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Screen-Shot-2016-05-10-at-6.26.25-PM-1.png\"][mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://player.fm/series/event-planner-entertainment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6405\" title=\"Having been a Vice President of a Fortune 50 company, and a member of five start-up organizations, Christy Lamagna\'s strategic insight for event planners is\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/adam_wilber_podcast.jpg\" alt=\"Having been a Vice President of a Fortune 50 company, and a member of five start-up organizations, Christy Lamagna\'s strategic insight for event planners is\" width=\"136\" height=\"136\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Christy Lamagna\'s Strategic Insight For Event Planners','','inherit','closed','closed','','6399-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 00:23:27','2018-02-13 00:23:27','',6399,'https://strategic.events/6399-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10231,3,'2018-02-13 00:24:07','2018-02-13 00:24:07','<h2>Christy Lamagna\'s Strategic Insight For Event Planners</h2>\r\n<h3>Event Planner Entertainment Interview - Christy Lamagna CMP, CMM, CTSM</h3>\r\n<h3><img class=\"alignright wp-image-6401\" title=\"Having been a Vice President of a Fortune 50 company, and a member of five start-up organizations, Christy Lamagna\'s strategic insight for event planners is and creativity will make all your events truly memorable experiences. Listen to Christy Lamagna\'s Strategic Insight For Event Planners now.\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/podcast-2.jpg\" alt=\"Having been a Vice President of a Fortune 50 company, and a member of five start-up organizations, Christy Lamagna\'s strategic insight for event planners is and creativity will make all your events truly memorable experiences. Listen to Christy Lamagna\'s Strategic Insight For Event Planners now.\" width=\"308\" height=\"194\" /></h3>\r\nHaving been a Vice President of a Fortune 50 company, and a member of five start-up organizations, Christy\'s strategic insight and creativity will make all your events truly memorable experiences. Christy understands the myriad of challenges corporate planners face, and brings a \'can-do\' attitude to each event.\r\n\r\nWith 20 years of industry experience, Christy has worked on events ranging in size from 150,000, to intimate Board of Directors meetings and places the same attention to delivering exceptional results on all of SME\'s programs. Her experience running and producing tradeshows, building and executing highly profitable sponsorship programs, speech writing and speaker coaching, production acumen and her contract negotiation savvy give her a breadth and depth of experience that few in the industry share.\r\n\r\nAs a frequent speaker, contributor to industry publications and professor of meeting and event management, Christy has dedicated her career to the industry and <a href=\"https://strategic.events/become-strategic-planner/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">raising the bar</a> on how programs are produced. Remembering that laughter and having fun is a key component to any successful endeavor, Christy blends professionalism with a sense of humor and an unwavering commitment to excellence.\r\n\r\n[audio mp3=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/133_KristieL_Adam20W-1.mp3\"][/audio]\r\n\r\n[mk_padding_divider][mk_image src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Screen-Shot-2016-05-10-at-6.26.25-PM-1.png\"][mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://player.fm/series/event-planner-entertainment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6405\" title=\"Having been a Vice President of a Fortune 50 company, and a member of five start-up organizations, Christy Lamagna\'s strategic insight for event planners is\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/adam_wilber_podcast.jpg\" alt=\"Having been a Vice President of a Fortune 50 company, and a member of five start-up organizations, Christy Lamagna\'s strategic insight for event planners is\" width=\"136\" height=\"136\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Christy Lamagna\'s Strategic Insight For Event Planners','','inherit','closed','closed','','6399-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 00:24:07','2018-02-13 00:24:07','',6399,'https://strategic.events/6399-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10232,3,'2018-02-13 14:10:10','2018-02-13 14:10:10','<h2>The Top 10 Careers Where People Work the Longest</h2>\r\nThe Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that careers in the meeting, convention and event planning field have a projected to <a href=\"https://strategic.events/the-meeting-planning-industry-needs-a-lasting-strategy/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">growth</a> of 10% from 2014 to 2024. The result: the addition of 9,900 industry related jobs. Overall, event planning came in at an impressive #25 in the ‘<a href=\"http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/best-business-jobs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Best Business Jobs</a>’ list. Does event planning make the top 10 careers where people work the longest?\r\n\r\nWith so many selecting to start their careers in our industry, we thought it would be interesting to investigate the other end of the spectrum and find out what careers people remain in the longest.\r\n\r\nDid you know that Dentist rank #10 and #9 is Taxi or Limo Drivers as careers people remain in the longest?  Want to know who else made the list and what profession holds the# 1 position?  See below to find out!\r\n\r\n[vc_images_carousel images=\"5776,5777,5778,5779,5780,5768,5769,5770,5771,5772,5773,5774\" img_size=\"full\" onclick=\"link_no\" autoplay=\"yes\" wrap=\"yes\"]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>Tags: Top Ten Careers Where People Work The Longest, Top Ten Careers, Top Ten Careers Where People, People Work The Longest, Work The Longest, Careers Where People Work The Longest, Career, Careers, Work, Strategic Planners</em>','The Top 10 Careers Where People Work the Longest','','inherit','closed','closed','','5758-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 14:10:10','2018-02-13 14:10:10','',5758,'https://strategic.events/5758-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10233,3,'2018-02-13 14:12:57','2018-02-13 14:12:57','<h2>Strategically Building Your Information Pipeline</h2>\r\n<h3>BY CHRISTY LAMAGNA, CMP, CMM, CTSM</h3>\r\n<img class=\"wp-image-6226 aligncenter\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Information-Pipeline-Capture.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"437\" height=\"245\" />It took a lot of convincing, but after doing the research, I was finally forced to acknowledge that multi-tasking really does decrease productivity. That tidbit of discouraging news left me looking for a solution as I still have more things to do than time to do them. Thus, my quest to find a working and affordable cloning machine began. I am disappointed to report that I have had no luck thus far. Not one to admit defeat, I went to ‘Plan B’ and found an abundance of useful tools online that save me time, put money in my pocket and best of all, make me look a lot smarter than I actually am.\r\n\r\nNow I’m ‘magically’ mapping the most efficient routes for site visits, know what time sunset is when <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-event-planning-profession/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">planning</a> any evening reception within a moment of someone asking, am up to date on the latest industry trends and area hot spots, can speak to all kinds of social media tools and services to boost one’s digital footprint and can speak with authority on what new technology is worth using for programs.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-6247\" title=\"I’m all about sharing the love so I’ve compiled a list of the sites my team and I have researched and found most useful, in hopes of adding time, money and relevant information to your world. Strategically Building Your Information Pipeline\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/dreamstime_s_34496856.jpg\" alt=\"I’m all about sharing the love so I’ve compiled a list of the sites my team and I have researched and found most useful, in hopes of adding time, money and relevant information to your world. Strategically Building Your Information Pipeline\" width=\"516\" height=\"330\" />All this and I’m saving time. Now let’s get to the money saving. I’ve found sites that pay me to shop (what’s not to love?) that find me discounts on both business and leisure travel, and that offer free tools to boost my social media that I would have otherwise, unwittingly paid for.\r\n\r\nSpeaking of money, I found a great currency converter that allows me to see what kind of deal I may or may not be getting when traveling abroad or doing multiple currency budgets, allowing me to more accurately track and report my final spend. While I’m dabbling in all things international, I use my metrics conversion site to turn feet into meters and gallons into liters, so no chance of any foolish mistakes when estimating ballroom capacity or ordering coffee.\r\n\r\nTalk of bedbugs has subsided but my loathing of those insidious buggers has not, so the bedbug registry is a site I visit. Couple that with sites that tell me where the most happening places to eat, drink and be seen are, and my clients have a home run of information on their hands. I’m all about sharing the love so I’ve compiled a list of the sites my team and I have researched and found most useful, in hopes of adding time, money and relevant information to your world.\r\n\r\nMy guess is you have some trusted sites of your own. Why not share your most used and useful sites with the rest of us? Tweet them to: <a href=\"https://twitter.com/SMEChristy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@SMEChristy</a> or email them to me at: <a href=\"mailto:Christy.lamagna@strategic.events\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Christy.lamagna@strategic.events</a> and I’ll add the best ones to our running list of ‘must visit’ sites. And if anyone has a lead on that cloning machine, I’m ready to write a check…..[mk_button size=\"large\" url=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Bulding-Your-Pipeline-Resource-Page.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" align=\"center\" fullwidth=\"true\"]Get Access to SME\'s Information Pipeline[/mk_button]','Strategically Building Your Information Pipeline','','inherit','closed','closed','','6224-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 14:12:57','2018-02-13 14:12:57','',6224,'https://strategic.events/6224-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10234,3,'2018-02-13 14:18:32','2018-02-13 14:18:32','<h2>5 Things Preventing You From Being Transparent</h2>\r\n<h3>By Heather R. Huhman</h3>\r\nCorporate transparency is a hot topic right now, but there’s still a long way to go. A December 2016 BetterWorks <a href=\"http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/betterworks-employee-sentiment-survey-says-92-of-full-time-working-americans-would-work-harder-if-their-co-workers-could-see-their-goals-300376417.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">survey</a> of 1,000 employees found that 64 percent of respondents continued to feel that their company’s leadership wasn\'t transparent in communicating top goals. So, what are business leaders doing wrong?\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-6008 size-medium\" title=\"Corporate transparency is a hot topic right now, but there’s still a long way to go. A December 2016 BetterWorks survey of 1,000 employees found that 64 percent of respondents continued to feel that their company’s leadership wasn\'t transparent in communicating top goals. 5 Things Preventing You From Being Transparent\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/20160419174511-leadership-employees-careers-meeting-300x169.jpeg\" alt=\"Corporate transparency is a hot topic right now, but there’s still a long way to go. A December 2016 BetterWorks survey of 1,000 employees found that 64 percent of respondents continued to feel that their company’s leadership wasn\'t transparent in communicating top goals. 5 Things Preventing You From Being Transparent\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" />By seeing how others have missed the mark, other leaders can be on the lookout for similar problems in their own companies.\r\n\r\nHere are some mistakes workplace and HR experts have reported seeing firsthand when it comes to transparent leadership:\r\n<h2>1. Believing in the ‘that’s-above-your-pay-grade’ mentality</h2>\r\nMany leaders decide to keep things from their employees because they believe certain information is \"need-to-know.\" Information about how the company is performing or why decisions are made are deemed topics employees either aren’t interested in or have no right to know.\r\n\r\nHowever, leaving employees in the dark breeds distrust. “Employees start to ask ‘What is leadership hiding?’” Carl Seidman, a Chicago-based executive coach and consultant, told me. “Employees can become paranoid, fearful, feel unprotected by leadership, threatened in their roles, disengaged or even malicious if they feel resentful.”\r\n\r\nBut, by giving employees bigger-picture information, they feel valued. They stop thinking they’re expendable because they are included.\r\n\r\nSo, instead of thinking up reasons why employees shouldn’t know something, consider why they might want to. Are they worried they’re not meeting expectations? Do they believe that their work isn’t contributing to the team? Providing information on factors like profits can help alleviate those worries.\r\n\r\n“It\'s all rooted in trust,” Seidman pointed out. “If leaders trust their employees and employees trust their leaders, they should agree that each is acting in the best interest of the company.”\r\n<h2>2. Unclear goals and expectations</h2>\r\nWhen you\'re talking about transparent leadership, general expectations for employees often get overlooked. It’s not that these goals and responsibilities are purposefully kept a secret; companies just aren’t in the habit of making them overt.\r\n\r\nSo, it should come as no surprise that many employees are unsure about how they should be performing.\r\n\r\nA September 2015 Gallup <a href=\"http://www.gallup.com/opinion/gallup/185921/obsolete-annual-reviews-gallup-advice.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">survey</a> of 550 companies consisting of 2.2 million employees found that only 50 percent of those employees said they understood what was expected of them at work. The other half of employees said they had to guess.\r\n\r\nWith all the new performance management tools available, that’s inexcusable. For instance, <a href=\"http://latticehq.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lattice</a> allows an organization to set individual, team and company goals while providing feedback to employees about how they’re doing. Everything is laid out in a clear and easy-to-understand way, so employees don’t have to stumble around and hope they’re doing what they should to help the team succeed.\r\n\r\nAlso helpful: having an open discussion about what’s going on so everyone is informed and involved.\r\n\r\n“At my company, we meet bi-weekly to report on current workflow, what’s in the pipeline, potential new hires, marketing initiatives and anything else that is current,” Christy Lamagna, strategist at <a href=\"https://strategic.events/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Strategic Meetings &amp; Events</a> in Bernardsville, N.J., told me. “We also leave time at the end of each meeting for open discussion.”\r\n<h2>3. Undervaluing the motivational power of honesty</h2>\r\nTransparent leadership is about more than the big picture. It also trickles down to day-to-day performance management. Everyone from executives down to interns needs a clear understanding of how they’re doing with regard to their individual goals.\r\n\r\n“When business leaders avoid sharing real-time performance metrics, they waste time and miss a huge opportunity to motivate employees,” said David Kalt, CEO and founder of <a href=\"https://reverb.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Reverb.com</a> in Chicago. “A constant flow of important data helps employees see the company’s -- and their own -- successes and failures in real-time,\" Kalt said.\r\n\r\n\"This means employees can celebrate their successes and learn from their mistakes as they happen, rather than during an end-of-the-year banquet or quarterly review.”\r\n\r\nClear, constant feedback improves employees’ productivity by reassuring them of the quality of their work. And since that information is freely available to everyone, employees know that their performance is being noticed and appreciated by their managers.\r\n<h2>4. Fearing the worst</h2>\r\nMany employers withhold certain information because they fear it will cause employees to jump ship. Ironically, however, employees tend to fill in the voids with even worse assumptions.\r\n\r\nAll of a sudden, they begin fearing that executives are staying quiet because the company is going under and major layoffs are on the way. In reality, though, what leaders are hiding might be something much less ominous, like a slower sales month.\r\n\r\n“Employers hold a death grip on any negative news; as if employees are so ignorant as to believe that only good things happen to this particular company,” said Joe Campagna, president and executive HR consultant at My Virtual HR Director in Parlin, N.J. “Even when directly questioned by employees, I have seen executives deflect, duck or even lie. This starts a death spiral within a culture.”\r\n\r\nCampagna added that multiple aspects of a company may be affected: Engagement suffers. Great employees turn into toxic ones. Employee retention suffers. Any new initiatives designed to correct the hidden problem are dead in the water before they even start.\r\n\r\nBut bad news doesn’t have to be that destructive. “I always encourage my employers and my clients to be as transparent as possible,” said Campagna. “I counsel executives that negative news is a great opportunity to gain employee trust and loyalty and to raise productivity behind a common cause.”\r\n<h2>5. Missed opportunities to problem-solve</h2>\r\nAs the saying goes: When life hands you lemons, make lemonade. That applies to transparent leadership, as well.\r\n\r\nWhen something bad happens, like a dip in profits, instead of hiding the information from employees, approach it as an opportunity for the team to get creative. “My philosophy for my employees and my clients is to have open and effective communication. Whether it\'s a potential problem, a concern or a question, all these things can be best solved when shared with the rest of the team,” pointed out David Mitroff, founder of <a href=\"http://piedmontave.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Piedmont Avenue Consulting</a> in Oakland, Calif.\r\n\r\nThis reframes any problems as opportunities, making them seem less ominous to leaders and employees. Plus, it allows everyone to be involved in the solution, making employees feel important and indispensable.\r\n\r\nTransparency is something every organization should work toward. But there are still a lot of improvements to make. Understanding all the benefits that come with transparent leadership makes it easier to stay focused on that goal.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>Tags: 5 Things Preventing You From Being Transparent, Transparent, Transparency, Corporate Events, Corporate Meetings, Event Planners, Event Planning, Strategic Events, Strategic Planner Tips, Strategic Planning, Leadership, Success, Entrepreneur</em>\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://www.entrepreneur.com\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6010\" title=\"Entrepreneur\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/1413842518-entrepreneur-logo.jpg\" alt=\"Entrepreneur\" width=\"295\" height=\"112\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','5 Things Preventing You From Being Transparent','','inherit','closed','closed','','6004-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 14:18:32','2018-02-13 14:18:32','',6004,'https://strategic.events/6004-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10235,3,'2018-02-13 14:24:59','2018-02-13 14:24:59','<h2>Remembering who made the first barbecue of the season possible.</h2>\r\nThe thought of officially kicking off the summer with a gathering of friends, food and cocktails has me pushing the week to end so I can start making potato salad and marinating steaks. The only thing that takes priority over writing out my grocery list is writing a check to the Veteran’s association I <a href=\"http://www.valorclinic.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">support</a>, and making sure I call the veteran’s in my life to express my gratitude.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-6051\" title=\"Memorial Day\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/C0Ypt3AUUAAwGHf.jpg\" alt=\"Memorial Day\" width=\"299\" height=\"200\" />While all days off are to be celebrated, Memorial Day is one that deserves not just our enjoyment, but our respect, appreciation, and acknowledgement of what it stands for.\r\n\r\nPerhaps you have a family member or friend, or both, who has served in the military. Some of you reading this may have a loved one actively stationed overseas, and spend countless hours waiting to hear from them and assure yourself they are safe. Perhaps you have a grandfather or uncle who served years ago and who passed before you knew them, or a relative who served our country but who won’t talk about their time in the armed forces.\r\n\r\nRegardless, the people who literally devote their lives either entirely or for a period of time, and who put themselves in harm’s way to protect a nation of people, the overwhelming majority of whom they have never met, are heroes. In turn, we won’t meet 99.9% of the people who have served our country, and in turn us, yet we owe each of them our freedom and life as we know it.\r\n\r\nMake a moment to reflect on why Memorial Day was created and how we can use the day as a reminder of our responsibility to honor, thank and support all those who have given so much, so freely and so selflessly. For more information on ways to support Veterans, both locally or nationally, go to:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.valorclinic.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Valor Clinic Foundation</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.hopeforthewarriors.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hope for the Warriors</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.wwfs.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Wounded Warriors Family Support</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.puppiesbehindbars.com/home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Puppies Behind Bars</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.thanksusa.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Thanks USA</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.fisherhouse.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Fisher House Foundation</a>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-6054 size-full\" title=\"On Memorial Day we support those who served our country the United States of America. Remembering who made all this possible.\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/CaptureJFK.jpg\" alt=\"Memorial Day\" width=\"1331\" height=\"634\" />\r\n\r\n<em>Tags: Memorial Day, Memorial Day Weekend, Memorial, Veteran, Veterans, USA, Support Our Troops, Support Our Veterans, United States, America, United States of America, Remember Those Who Made All This Possible</em>','Memorial Day: Remember Those Who Made All This Possible','','inherit','closed','closed','','6139-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 14:24:59','2018-02-13 14:24:59','',6139,'https://strategic.events/6139-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10236,3,'2018-02-13 14:31:05','2018-02-13 14:31:05','<h2>Advice from a Meeting Pro: Take a Chance</h2>\r\n<h3><strong><img class=\"alignright wp-image-6192\" title=\"As meeting professional and educator Christy Lamagna, a 2017 Changemaker, shares her hard-won business lessons. MeetingsNet’s annual Changemaker list recognizes 20 outstanding meetings professionals for their efforts to move their organizations and the industry forward in unique and positive ways.\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Lamagna.jpg\" alt=\"As meeting professional and educator Christy Lamagna, a 2017 Changemaker, shares her hard-won business lessons. MeetingsNet’s annual Changemaker list recognizes 20 outstanding meetings professionals for their efforts to move their organizations and the industry forward in unique and positive ways.\" width=\"363\" height=\"189\" /></strong></h3>\r\n<strong>As meeting professional and educator Christy Lamagna, a 2017 Changemaker, shares her hard won business lessons.</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>MeetingsNet’s annual Changemaker list recognizes 20 outstanding meetings professionals for their efforts to move their organizations and the industry forward in unique and positive ways. <a href=\"http://www.meetingsnet.com/association-conventions-and-expos/2017-changemakers-change-good\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Find all the profiles here.</a></strong>\r\n<h3>Christy Lamagna, CMP, CMM, CTSM</h3>\r\nFounder\r\nStrategic Meetings &amp; Events\r\n<em>For her dogged and ongoing efforts to educate her peers and share lessons learned</em>\r\n<h2>Making Change</h2>\r\nI have taught two college courses for 10 years: strategic planning and strategic production. I produce a tremendous amount of content; I want to share what I have learned with anyone who wants to learn it. I mentor dozens of people a year, which has resulted in some fascinating and some mind-boggling conversations!\r\n\r\nMy current goal is to help change the perception of the meetings industry. We need to become strategic planners and move away from the party planner perception that stigmatizes us.\r\n\r\nAt my company, making change has led to maturity. Our templates and forms have been fine-tuned, our processes have been streamlined, and we are more mindful of clients who would take advantage of our time if not kept in check. We work very hard to learn from our mistakes. They’re great teaching tools if you pay attention.\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">“There is so much to learn, and people are generous in their replies if you ask good questions and genuinely listen to their answers.”</h2>\r\n<h2>What’s Next?</h2>\r\nMy goal with my company is to bring each member of the team into an area they’ve not yet experienced so they stretch their skills. Boredom is death for over-achieving professionals.\r\n<h2>Change Management</h2>\r\nTake a chance. Nothing worth having comes without risk. Being afraid is okay. Being brave is not the absence of fear, it is acting in the face of it.\r\n<h2>Role Models</h2>\r\nI don’t have just one person to thank. From how to dress, to how to run a staff meeting or manage a team, even what books to read, I’ve learned from those I’ve met along the way. I love being in a room full of people smarter than I am. (It happens a lot!)\r\n\r\nI ask other CEOs how they manage the isolation that comes with being the boss. It’s not something people outside that role consider but it’s a challenge at times. I also ask others what they are reading or struggling with in that moment and how they’re handling it. There is so much to learn, and people are generous in their replies if you ask good questions and genuinely listen to their answers.\r\n<h2>Best Business Advice</h2>\r\nGo out and look for important people because important people aren’t looking for you.\r\n<h2>Giving Back</h2>\r\nI am on the Board of Directors of <a href=\"https://asyv.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village</a> and an active contributor to <a href=\"http://roswellhforh.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hearts for Honduras</a> and <a href=\"http://www.valorclinic.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Valorclinic.org</a>, a foundation to help homeless veterans. My philosophy of giving back is based on “tikkun olam,\" which means “repair of the world.”\r\n<h2>Thinking Differently</h2>\r\nI got asked to leave the Girl Scouts. I wanted to run the meetings, not attend them, so it seems I have always looked at things from my own perspective with varying levels of success! I’ve rarely fit in, so I have learned to use it to my advantage.\r\n<h2>Got a Spare Hour?</h2>\r\nMy number one pleasure: reading. From Dostoyevsky to cookbooks, everything interests me. (But it must be in print—no e-books.) Naps are a close second.\r\n\r\n<strong>BACK TO THE FULL LIST OF <a href=\"http://www.meetingsnet.com/association-conventions-and-expos/2017-changemakers-change-good\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">2017 CHANGEMAKERS</a></strong>\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http://www.meetingsnet.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-1342 size-full\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/MeetingsNet.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"33\" /></a></p>\r\n[/mk_mini_callout]','Advice from a Meeting Pro: Take a Chance','','inherit','closed','closed','','6189-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 14:31:05','2018-02-13 14:31:05','',6189,'https://strategic.events/6189-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10237,3,'2018-02-13 14:34:59','2018-02-13 14:34:59','<h2>Advice from a Meeting Pro: Take a Chance</h2>\r\n<h3><strong><img class=\"alignright wp-image-6192\" title=\"As meeting professional and educator Christy Lamagna, a 2017 Changemaker, shares her hard-won business lessons. MeetingsNet’s annual Changemaker list recognizes 20 outstanding meetings professionals for their efforts to move their organizations and the industry forward. Advice from a Meeting Pro: Take a Chance\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Lamagna.jpg\" alt=\"As meeting professional and educator Christy Lamagna, a 2017 Changemaker, shares her hard-won business lessons. MeetingsNet’s annual Changemaker list recognizes 20 outstanding meetings professionals for their efforts to move their organizations and the industry forward. Advice from a Meeting Pro: Take a Chance\" width=\"363\" height=\"189\" /></strong></h3>\r\n<strong>As meeting professional and educator Christy Lamagna, a 2017 Changemaker, shares her hard-won business lessons.</strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>MeetingsNet’s annual Changemaker list recognizes 20 outstanding meetings professionals for their efforts to move their organizations and the industry forward in unique and positive ways. <a href=\"http://www.meetingsnet.com/association-conventions-and-expos/2017-changemakers-change-good\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Find all the profiles here.</a></strong>\r\n<h3>Christy Lamagna, CMP, CMM, CTSM</h3>\r\nFounder\r\nStrategic Meetings &amp; Events\r\n<em>For her dogged and ongoing efforts to educate her peers and share lessons learned</em>\r\n<h2>Making Change</h2>\r\nI have taught two college courses for 10 years: strategic planning and strategic production. I produce a tremendous amount of content; I want to share what I have learned with anyone who wants to learn it. I mentor dozens of people a year, which has resulted in some fascinating and some mind-boggling conversations!\r\n\r\nMy current goal is to help change the perception of the meetings industry. We need to become strategic planners and move away from the party planner perception that stigmatizes us.\r\n\r\nAt my company, making change has led to maturity. Our templates and forms have been fine-tuned, our processes have been streamlined, and we are more mindful of clients who would take advantage of our time if not kept in check. We work very hard to learn from our mistakes. They’re great teaching tools if you pay attention.\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">“There is so much to learn, and people are generous in their replies if you ask good questions and genuinely listen to their answers.”</h2>\r\n<h2>What’s Next?</h2>\r\nMy goal with my company is to bring each member of the team into an area they’ve not yet experienced so they stretch their skills. Boredom is death for over-achieving professionals.\r\n<h2>Change Management</h2>\r\nTake a chance. Nothing worth having comes without risk. Being afraid is okay. Being brave is not the absence of fear, it is acting in the face of it.\r\n<h2>Role Models</h2>\r\nI don’t have just one person to thank. From how to dress, to how to run a staff meeting or manage a team, even what books to read, I’ve learned from those I’ve met along the way. I love being in a room full of people smarter than I am. (It happens a lot!)\r\n\r\nI ask other CEOs how they manage the isolation that comes with being the boss. It’s not something people outside that role consider but it’s a challenge at times. I also ask others what they are reading or struggling with in that moment and how they’re handling it. There is so much to learn, and people are generous in their replies if you ask good questions and genuinely listen to their answers.\r\n<h2>Best Business Advice</h2>\r\nGo out and look for important people because important people aren’t looking for you.\r\n<h2>Giving Back</h2>\r\nI am on the Board of Directors of <a href=\"https://asyv.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village</a> and an active contributor to <a href=\"http://roswellhforh.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hearts for Honduras</a> and <a href=\"http://www.valorclinic.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Valorclinic.org</a>, a foundation to help homeless veterans. My philosophy of giving back is based on “tikkun olam,\" which means “repair of the world.”\r\n<h2>Thinking Differently</h2>\r\nI got asked to leave the Girl Scouts. I wanted to run the meetings, not attend them, so it seems I have always looked at things from my own perspective with varying levels of success! I’ve rarely fit in, so I have learned to use it to my advantage.\r\n<h2>Got a Spare Hour?</h2>\r\nMy number one pleasure: reading. From Dostoyevsky to cookbooks, everything interests me. (But it must be in print—no e-books.) Naps are a close second.\r\n\r\n<strong>BACK TO THE FULL LIST OF <a href=\"http://www.meetingsnet.com/association-conventions-and-expos/2017-changemakers-change-good\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">2017 CHANGEMAKERS</a></strong>\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http://www.meetingsnet.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-1342 size-full\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/MeetingsNet.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"33\" /></a></p>\r\n[/mk_mini_callout]','Advice from a Meeting Pro: Take a Chance','','inherit','closed','closed','','6189-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 14:34:59','2018-02-13 14:34:59','',6189,'https://strategic.events/6189-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10239,3,'2018-02-13 14:47:18','2018-02-13 14:47:18','[vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1509745412782{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2>Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?</h2>\r\n<h3>By Megan Powers</h3>\r\nDo you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected.\r\n<h2>Start with strategy</h2>\r\nLet’s start with your strategy. Do you have one? If you start with exploring why you’re doing what you’re doing with your team, it will help you get there. I mentioned team because it’s a great idea to get buy-in from those you’re working with so you know you’re all headed down the same path together.\r\n\r\nIn the process of planning and executing events it’s smart to do the same with all of the tools and strategies you’re using.\r\n<h2>Managing your events</h2>\r\nThere are many elements involved in managing the planning of your events, including elements for execution, and post-event round-up and review.\r\n\r\nOf course, we think you should start with a good project management tool. Here’s why…\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Using a cloud-based tool where you can manage every single aspect of your events will keep all elements of your events in one central place.</li>\r\n 	<li>Having the history of your events in that one place ensures you don’t lose any history when colleagues move on from your organization.</li>\r\n 	<li>Managing the workflow of your events online instead of via email also ensures you’re working efficiently and collaboratively with your supplier partners.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nOn a podcast recently I had a guest (an event marketer) tell me his clients aren’t terribly concerned with drawing in attendees (aka, “butts in the seats”) through their marketing. This really surprised me! After I processed it I said “I wonder what their bosses think about that?”\r\n\r\nEvent planners and managers are very wrapped up in the logistics (without which the event wouldn’t happen), and can lose sight that there are tools which, when used properly, will help them be more efficient. It might require more work on the front-end, but your solution provider should be helping you with that.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-7752\" title=\"Do you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected. Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/night-150x150.png\" alt=\"Do you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected. Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?\" width=\"362\" height=\"362\" />\r\n<h2>Ultimately – what’s your goal?</h2>\r\nWhether your end-goal is to drive more revenue (which may or may not include more attendees), to get the “best of the best” in your industry to attend, or simply to educate your company’s staff, you should be using the best technology available to get you there.\r\n\r\nIf your team is managing the workflow of your event planning via email and excel, it’s past time to consider using a project management tool.\r\n\r\nUsing a cloud-based tool like EventCollab enables you to…\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Manage every room, and all of the gear and items that go into them in REAL-TIME (no more sending an email on-site, and posting version 21b of your matrix up to Dropbox!).</li>\r\n 	<li>Manage the staff and keyholders for every room in a central place, accessible to all who have been given permission to see it (no more worrying about freelancers or clients seeing information they might not need to see!).</li>\r\n 	<li>Manage your technical schedules, cue sheets, and labor in one central place with real-time updates (no more worrying if you’re paying too much for labor because now you can handle the next day in real-time every day!).</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nWe have a client who saved over $100K in labor costs over the previous year because we were using our EventCollab and Showbook tools to manage the headcount onsite.\r\n\r\nThat’s pretty significant, right?\r\n\r\nNow, it all depends on the size of your event, but another important thing to keep in mind is using a tool that will scale up and down with your event without a significant cost difference is possible. Our tool enables just that – it’s based on event and not the number of users or the number of attendees.\r\n<h2><img class=\"alignright wp-image-7753 size-full\" title=\"Do you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected. Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/freedom-768x292.png\" alt=\"Do you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected. Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?\" width=\"768\" height=\"292\" />Back to strategy…</h2>\r\nIndustry speaker and thought-leader Christy Lamagna has a lot of valuable things to say about thinking of our positions in the meetings and event industry as strategic roles.\r\n\r\n“As ‘Event Strategists,’ our mission will be to create goal-oriented events in alignment with an organization’s sales and marketing goals. There is a defined process on how this is done and how results are measured.” – Christy Lamagna\r\n\r\nBecause we are strategists and managers within this industry, we must also be demanding tools that enable us to do what trained, qualified, certified professionals do.\r\n\r\nWhile we should be starting with the end in mind, which includes having our attendees at the very TOP of that list, using the proper tools for the job is important also.\r\n\r\nChristy cleverly compares — in the realm of us being STRATEGIC professionals in the meeting industry (vs. the alternative of just throwing anyone and no tools at a project/event) — to having your hairdresser give you a root canal. You must have the right training and tools for the job.\r\n\r\nThe good news? It’s all VERY possible! There are great tools out there like EventCollab, wonderful industry associations providing the certifications and education, and tremendous industry thought leaders like Christy leading the way to proving the value of what we all do when we meet face-to-face.\r\n\r\nDo you work within your organization to start with the end in mind? Are you regularly looking for tools to help you do your job more efficient and collaboratively? We’d love to hear about it!\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://blog.eventcollab.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-7758 size-full\" title=\"Event Collab Blog Logo\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/eventcollablogo.jpg\" alt=\"Event Collab Blog Logo\" width=\"293\" height=\"46\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?','','inherit','closed','closed','','7749-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 14:47:18','2018-02-13 14:47:18','',7749,'https://strategic.events/7749-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10240,3,'2018-02-13 15:00:05','2018-02-13 15:00:05','[vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1509745412782{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2>Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?</h2>\r\n<h3>By Megan Powers</h3>\r\nDo you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected.\r\n<h2>Start with strategy</h2>\r\nLet’s start with your strategy. Do you have one? If you start with exploring why you’re doing what you’re doing with your team, it will help you get there. I mentioned team because it’s a great idea to get buy-in from those you’re working with so you know you’re all headed down the same path together.\r\n\r\nIn the <a href=\"https://strategic.events/essential-pillars-strategic-meetings/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">process of planning</a> and executing events it’s smart to do the same with all of the tools and strategies you’re using.\r\n<h2>Managing your events</h2>\r\nThere are many elements involved in managing the planning of your events, including elements for execution, and post-event round-up and review.\r\n\r\nOf course, we think you should start with a good project management tool. Here’s why…\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Using a cloud-based tool where you can manage every single aspect of your events will keep all elements of your events in one central place.</li>\r\n 	<li>Having the history of your events in that one place ensures you don’t lose any history when colleagues move on from your organization.</li>\r\n 	<li>Managing the workflow of your events online instead of via email also ensures you’re working efficiently and collaboratively with your supplier partners.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nOn a podcast recently I had a guest (an event marketer) tell me his clients aren’t terribly concerned with drawing in attendees (aka, “butts in the seats”) through their marketing. This really surprised me! After I processed it I said “I wonder what their bosses think about that?”\r\n\r\nEvent planners and managers are very wrapped up in the logistics (without which the event wouldn’t happen), and can lose sight that there are tools which, when used properly, will help them be more efficient. It might require more work on the front-end, but your solution provider should be helping you with that.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-7752\" title=\"Do you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected. Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/night-150x150.png\" alt=\"Do you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected. Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?\" width=\"362\" height=\"362\" />\r\n<h2>Ultimately – what’s your goal?</h2>\r\nWhether your end-goal is to drive more revenue (which may or may not include more attendees), to get the “best of the best” in your industry to attend, or simply to educate your company’s staff, you should be using the best technology available to get you there.\r\n\r\nIf your team is managing the workflow of your event planning via email and excel, it’s past time to consider using a project management tool.\r\n\r\nUsing a cloud-based tool like EventCollab enables you to…\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Manage every room, and all of the gear and items that go into them in REAL-TIME (no more sending an email on-site, and posting version 21b of your matrix up to Dropbox!).</li>\r\n 	<li>Manage the staff and keyholders for every room in a central place, accessible to all who have been given permission to see it (no more worrying about freelancers or clients seeing information they might not need to see!).</li>\r\n 	<li>Manage your technical schedules, cue sheets, and labor in one central place with real-time updates (no more worrying if you’re paying too much for labor because now you can handle the next day in real-time every day!).</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nWe have a client who saved over $100K in labor costs over the previous year because we were using our EventCollab and Showbook tools to manage the headcount onsite.\r\n\r\nThat’s pretty significant, right?\r\n\r\nNow, it all depends on the size of your event, but another important thing to keep in mind is using a tool that will scale up and down with your event without a significant cost difference is possible. Our tool enables just that – it’s based on event and not the number of users or the number of attendees.\r\n<h2><img class=\"alignright wp-image-7753 size-full\" title=\"Do you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected. Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/freedom-768x292.png\" alt=\"Do you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected. Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?\" width=\"768\" height=\"292\" />Back to strategy…</h2>\r\nIndustry speaker and thought-leader Christy Lamagna has a lot of valuable things to say about thinking of our positions in the meetings and event industry as strategic roles.\r\n\r\n“As ‘Event Strategists,’ our mission will be to create goal-oriented events in alignment with an organization’s sales and marketing goals. There is a defined process on how this is done and how results are measured.” – <a href=\"https://strategic.events/meetings-christy-lamagna-solution/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Christy Lamagna</a>\r\n\r\nBecause we are strategists and managers within this industry, we must also be demanding tools that enable us to do what trained, qualified, certified professionals do.\r\n\r\nWhile we should be starting with the end in mind, which includes having our attendees at the very TOP of that list, using the proper tools for the job is important also.\r\n\r\nChristy cleverly compares — in the realm of us being <a href=\"https://strategic.events/how-to-become-strategic-planner-change-future/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">STRATEGIC</a> professionals in the meeting industry (vs. the alternative of just throwing anyone and no tools at a project/event) — to having your hairdresser give you a root canal. You must have the right training and tools for the job.\r\n\r\nThe good news? It’s all VERY possible! There are great tools out there like EventCollab, wonderful industry associations providing the certifications and education, and tremendous industry thought leaders like Christy <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">leading the way</a> to proving the <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/strategic-event-planning-resources/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">value</a> of what we all do when we meet face-to-face.\r\n\r\nDo you work within your organization to start with the end in mind? Are you regularly looking for tools to help you do your job more efficient and collaboratively? We’d love to hear about it!\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://blog.eventcollab.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-7758 size-full\" title=\"Event Collab Blog Logo\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/eventcollablogo.jpg\" alt=\"Event Collab Blog Logo\" width=\"293\" height=\"46\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?','','inherit','closed','closed','','7749-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 15:00:05','2018-02-13 15:00:05','',7749,'https://strategic.events/7749-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10241,3,'2018-02-13 15:04:26','2018-02-13 15:04:26','[vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1509745412782{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2>Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?</h2>\r\n<h3>By Megan Powers</h3>\r\nDo you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected.\r\n<h2>Start with strategy</h2>\r\nLet’s start with your strategy. Do you have one? If you start with exploring why you’re doing what you’re doing with your team, it will help you get there. I mentioned team because it’s a great idea to get buy-in from those you’re working with so you know you’re all headed down the same path together.\r\n\r\nIn the <a href=\"https://strategic.events/essential-pillars-strategic-meetings/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">process of planning</a> and executing events it’s smart to do the same with all of the tools and strategies you’re using.\r\n<h2>Managing your events</h2>\r\nThere are many elements involved in managing the planning of your events, including elements for execution, and post-event round-up and review.\r\n\r\nOf course, we think you should start with a good project management tool. Here’s why…\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Using a cloud-based tool where you can manage every single aspect of your events will keep all elements of your events in one central place.</li>\r\n 	<li>Having the history of your events in that one place ensures you don’t lose any history when colleagues move on from your organization.</li>\r\n 	<li>Managing the workflow of your events online instead of via email also ensures you’re working efficiently and collaboratively with your supplier partners.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nOn a podcast recently I had a guest (an event marketer) tell me his clients aren’t terribly concerned with drawing in attendees (aka, “butts in the seats”) through their marketing. This really surprised me! After I processed it I said “I wonder what their bosses think about that?”\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://strategic.events/why-planners-need-to-get-strategic/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Event planners</a> and managers are very wrapped up in the logistics (without which the event wouldn’t happen), and can lose sight that there are tools which, when used properly, will help them be more efficient. It might require more work on the front-end, but your solution provider should be helping you with that.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-7752\" title=\"Do you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected. Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/night-150x150.png\" alt=\"Do you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected. Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?\" width=\"362\" height=\"362\" />\r\n<h2>Ultimately – what’s your goal?</h2>\r\nWhether your end-goal is to drive more revenue (which may or may not include more attendees), to get the “best of the best” in your industry to attend, or simply to educate your company’s staff, you should be using the best technology available to get you there.\r\n\r\nIf your team is managing the workflow of your event planning via email and excel, it’s past <a href=\"https://strategic.events/how-to-schedule-strategic-meetings-dont-waste-time/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">time</a> to consider using a project management tool.\r\n\r\nUsing a cloud-based tool like EventCollab enables you to…\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Manage every room, and all of the gear and items that go into them in REAL-TIME (no more sending an email on-site, and posting version 21b of your matrix up to Dropbox!).</li>\r\n 	<li>Manage the staff and keyholders for every room in a central place, accessible to all who have been given permission to see it (no more worrying about freelancers or clients seeing information they might not need to see!).</li>\r\n 	<li>Manage your technical schedules, cue sheets, and labor in one central place with real-time updates (no more worrying if you’re paying too much for labor because now you can handle the next day in real-time every day!).</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nWe have a client who saved over $100K in labor costs over the previous year because we were using our EventCollab and Showbook tools to manage the headcount onsite.\r\n\r\nThat’s pretty significant, right?\r\n\r\nNow, it all depends on the size of your event, but another important thing to keep in mind is using a tool that will scale up and down with your event without a significant cost difference is possible. Our tool enables just that – it’s based on event and not the number of users or the number of attendees.\r\n<h2><img class=\"alignright wp-image-7753 size-full\" title=\"Do you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected. Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/freedom-768x292.png\" alt=\"Do you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected. Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?\" width=\"768\" height=\"292\" />Back to strategy…</h2>\r\nIndustry speaker and thought-leader Christy Lamagna has a lot of valuable things to say about thinking of our positions in the meetings and event industry as strategic roles.\r\n\r\n“As ‘Event Strategists,’ our mission will be to create goal-oriented events in alignment with an organization’s sales and marketing goals. There is a defined process on how this is done and how results are measured.” – <a href=\"https://strategic.events/meetings-christy-lamagna-solution/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Christy Lamagna</a>\r\n\r\nBecause we are strategists and managers within this industry, we must also be demanding tools that enable us to do what trained, qualified, certified professionals do.\r\n\r\nWhile we should be starting with the end in mind, which includes having our attendees at the very TOP of that list, using the proper tools for the job is important also.\r\n\r\nChristy cleverly compares — in the realm of us being <a href=\"https://strategic.events/how-to-become-strategic-planner-change-future/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">STRATEGIC</a> professionals in the meeting industry (vs. the alternative of just throwing anyone and no tools at a project/event) — to having your hairdresser give you a root canal. You must have the right training and tools for the job.\r\n\r\nThe good news? It’s all VERY possible! There are great tools out there like EventCollab, wonderful industry associations providing the certifications and education, and tremendous industry thought leaders like Christy <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">leading the way</a> to proving the <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/strategic-event-planning-resources/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">value</a> of what we all do when we meet face-to-face.\r\n\r\nDo you work within your organization to start with the end in mind? Are you regularly looking for tools to help you do your job more efficient and collaboratively? We’d love to hear about it!\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://blog.eventcollab.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-7758 size-full\" title=\"Event Collab Blog Logo\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/eventcollablogo.jpg\" alt=\"Event Collab Blog Logo\" width=\"293\" height=\"46\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?','','inherit','closed','closed','','7749-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 15:04:26','2018-02-13 15:04:26','',7749,'https://strategic.events/7749-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10242,3,'2018-02-13 15:04:50','2018-02-13 15:04:50','[vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1509745412782{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2>Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?</h2>\r\n<h3>By Megan Powers</h3>\r\nDo you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected.\r\n<h2>Start with strategy</h2>\r\nLet’s start with your strategy. Do you have one? If you start with exploring why you’re doing what you’re doing with your team, it will help you get there. I mentioned team because it’s a great idea to get buy-in from those you’re working with so you know you’re all headed down the same path together.\r\n\r\nIn the <a href=\"https://strategic.events/essential-pillars-strategic-meetings/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">process of planning</a> and executing events it’s smart to do the same with all of the tools and strategies you’re using.\r\n<h2>Managing your events</h2>\r\nThere are many elements involved in managing the planning of your events, including elements for execution, and post-event round-up and review.\r\n\r\nOf course, we think you should start with a good project management tool. Here’s why…\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Using a cloud-based tool where you can manage every single aspect of your events will keep all elements of your events in one central place.</li>\r\n 	<li>Having the history of your events in that one place ensures you don’t lose any history when colleagues move on from your organization.</li>\r\n 	<li>Managing the workflow of your events online instead of via email also ensures you’re working efficiently and collaboratively with your supplier partners.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nOn a podcast recently I had a guest (an event marketer) tell me his clients aren’t terribly concerned with drawing in attendees (aka, “butts in the seats”) through their marketing. This really surprised me! After I processed it I said “I wonder what their bosses think about that?”\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://strategic.events/why-planners-need-to-get-strategic/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Event planners</a> and managers are very wrapped up in the logistics (without which the event wouldn’t happen), and can lose sight that there are tools which, when used properly, will help them be more efficient. It might require more work on the front-end, but your solution provider should be helping you with that.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-7752\" title=\"Do you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected. Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/night-150x150.png\" alt=\"Do you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected. Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?\" width=\"362\" height=\"362\" />\r\n<h2>Ultimately – what’s your goal?</h2>\r\nWhether your end-goal is to drive more revenue (which may or may not include more attendees), to get the “best of the best” in your industry to attend, or simply to educate your company’s staff, you should be using the best technology available to get you there.\r\n\r\nIf your team is managing the workflow of your event planning via email and excel, it’s past <a href=\"https://strategic.events/how-to-schedule-strategic-meetings-dont-waste-time/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">time</a> to consider using a project management tool.\r\n\r\nUsing a cloud-based tool like EventCollab enables you to…\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Manage every room, and all of the gear and items that go into them in REAL-TIME (no more sending an email on-site, and posting version 21b of your matrix up to Dropbox!).</li>\r\n 	<li>Manage the staff and keyholders for every room in a central place, accessible to all who have been given permission to see it (no more worrying about freelancers or clients seeing information they might not need to see!).</li>\r\n 	<li>Manage your technical schedules, cue sheets, and labor in one central place with real-time updates (no more worrying if you’re paying too much for labor because now you can handle the next day in real-time every day!).</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nWe have a client who saved over $100K in labor costs over the previous year because we were using our EventCollab and Showbook tools to manage the headcount onsite.\r\n\r\nThat’s pretty significant, right?\r\n\r\nNow, it all depends on the size of your event, but another important thing to keep in mind is using a tool that will scale up and down with your event without a significant cost difference is possible. Our tool enables just that – it’s based on event and not the number of users or the number of attendees.\r\n<h2><img class=\"alignright wp-image-7753 size-full\" title=\"Do you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected. Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/freedom-768x292.png\" alt=\"Do you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected. Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?\" width=\"768\" height=\"292\" />Back to strategy…</h2>\r\nIndustry speaker and thought-leader Christy Lamagna has a lot of valuable things to say about thinking of our positions in the meetings and event industry as strategic roles.\r\n\r\n“As ‘Event Strategists,’ our mission will be to create goal-oriented events in alignment with an organization’s sales and marketing goals. There is a defined process on how this is done and how results are measured.” – <a href=\"https://strategic.events/meetings-christy-lamagna-solution/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Christy Lamagna</a>\r\n\r\nBecause we are strategists and managers within this industry, we must also be demanding tools that enable us to do what trained, qualified, certified professionals do.\r\n\r\nWhile we should be starting with the end in mind, which includes having our attendees at the very TOP of that list, using the proper tools for the job is important also.\r\n\r\nChristy cleverly compares — in the realm of us being <a href=\"https://strategic.events/how-to-become-strategic-planner-change-future/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">STRATEGIC</a> professionals in the meeting industry (vs. the alternative of just throwing anyone and no tools at a project/event) — to having your hairdresser give you a root canal. You must have the right training and tools for the job.\r\n\r\nThe good news? It’s all VERY possible! There are great tools out there like EventCollab, wonderful industry associations providing the certifications and education, and tremendous industry thought leaders like Christy <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">leading the way</a> to proving the <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/strategic-event-planning-resources/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">value</a> of what we all do when we meet face-to-face.\r\n\r\nDo you work within your organization to start with the end in mind? Are you regularly looking for tools to help you do your job more efficient and collaboratively? We’d love to hear about it!\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://blog.eventcollab.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-7758 size-full\" title=\"Event Collab Blog Logo\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/eventcollablogo.jpg\" alt=\"Event Collab Blog Logo\" width=\"293\" height=\"46\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?','','inherit','closed','closed','','7749-autosave-v1','','','2018-02-13 15:04:50','2018-02-13 15:04:50','',7749,'https://strategic.events/7749-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10243,3,'2018-02-13 15:06:07','2018-02-13 15:06:07','[vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1509745412782{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2>Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?</h2>\r\n<h3>By Megan Powers</h3>\r\nDo you have a strategy whne planning events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected.\r\n<h2>Start with strategy</h2>\r\nLet’s start with your strategy. Do you have one? If you start with exploring why you’re doing what you’re doing with your team, it will help you get there. I mentioned team because it’s a great idea to get buy-in from those you’re working with so you know you’re all headed down the same path together.\r\n\r\nIn the <a href=\"https://strategic.events/essential-pillars-strategic-meetings/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">process of planning</a> and executing events it’s smart to do the same with all of the tools and strategies you’re using.\r\n<h2>Managing your events</h2>\r\nThere are many elements involved in managing the planning of your events, including elements for execution, and post-event round-up and review.\r\n\r\nOf course, we think you should start with a good project management tool. Here’s why…\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Using a cloud-based tool where you can manage every single aspect of your events will keep all elements of your events in one central place.</li>\r\n 	<li>Having the history of your events in that one place ensures you don’t lose any history when colleagues move on from your organization.</li>\r\n 	<li>Managing the workflow of your events online instead of via email also ensures you’re working efficiently and collaboratively with your supplier partners.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nOn a podcast recently I had a guest (an event marketer) tell me his clients aren’t terribly concerned with drawing in attendees (aka, “butts in the seats”) through their marketing. This really surprised me! After I processed it I said “I wonder what their bosses think about that?”\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://strategic.events/why-planners-need-to-get-strategic/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Event planners</a> and managers are very wrapped up in the logistics (without which the event wouldn’t happen), and can lose sight that there are tools which, when used properly, will help them be more efficient. It might require more work on the front-end, but your solution provider should be helping you with that.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-7752\" title=\"Do you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected. Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/night-150x150.png\" alt=\"Do you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected. Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?\" width=\"362\" height=\"362\" />\r\n<h2>Ultimately – what’s your goal?</h2>\r\nWhether your end-goal is to drive more revenue (which may or may not include more attendees), to get the “best of the best” in your industry to attend, or simply to educate your company’s staff, you should be using the best technology available to get you there.\r\n\r\nIf your team is managing the workflow of your event planning via email and excel, it’s past <a href=\"https://strategic.events/how-to-schedule-strategic-meetings-dont-waste-time/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">time</a> to consider using a project management tool.\r\n\r\nUsing a cloud-based tool like EventCollab enables you to…\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Manage every room, and all of the gear and items that go into them in REAL-TIME (no more sending an email on-site, and posting version 21b of your matrix up to Dropbox!).</li>\r\n 	<li>Manage the staff and keyholders for every room in a central place, accessible to all who have been given permission to see it (no more worrying about freelancers or clients seeing information they might not need to see!).</li>\r\n 	<li>Manage your technical schedules, cue sheets, and labor in one central place with real-time updates (no more worrying if you’re paying too much for labor because now you can handle the next day in real-time every day!).</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nWe have a client who saved over $100K in labor costs over the previous year because we were using our EventCollab and Showbook tools to manage the headcount onsite.\r\n\r\nThat’s pretty significant, right?\r\n\r\nNow, it all depends on the size of your event, but another important thing to keep in mind is using a tool that will scale up and down with your event without a significant cost difference is possible. Our tool enables just that – it’s based on event and not the number of users or the number of attendees.\r\n<h2><img class=\"alignright wp-image-7753 size-full\" title=\"Do you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected. Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/freedom-768x292.png\" alt=\"Do you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected. Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?\" width=\"768\" height=\"292\" />Back to strategy…</h2>\r\nIndustry speaker and thought-leader Christy Lamagna has a lot of valuable things to say about thinking of our positions in the meetings and event industry as strategic roles.\r\n\r\n“As ‘Event Strategists,’ our mission will be to create goal-oriented events in alignment with an organization’s sales and marketing goals. There is a defined process on how this is done and how results are measured.” – <a href=\"https://strategic.events/meetings-christy-lamagna-solution/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Christy Lamagna</a>\r\n\r\nBecause we are strategists and managers within this industry, we must also be demanding tools that enable us to do what trained, qualified, certified professionals do.\r\n\r\nWhile we should be starting with the end in mind, which includes having our attendees at the very TOP of that list, using the proper tools for the job is important also.\r\n\r\nChristy cleverly compares — in the realm of us being <a href=\"https://strategic.events/how-to-become-strategic-planner-change-future/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">STRATEGIC</a> professionals in the meeting industry (vs. the alternative of just throwing anyone and no tools at a project/event) — to having your hairdresser give you a root canal. You must have the right training and tools for the job.\r\n\r\nThe good news? It’s all VERY possible! There are great tools out there like EventCollab, wonderful industry associations providing the certifications and education, and tremendous industry thought leaders like Christy <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">leading the way</a> to proving the <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/strategic-event-planning-resources/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">value</a> of what we all do when we meet face-to-face.\r\n\r\nDo you work within your organization to start with the end in mind? Are you regularly looking for tools to help you do your job more efficient and collaboratively? We’d love to hear about it!\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://blog.eventcollab.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-7758 size-full\" title=\"Event Collab Blog Logo\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/eventcollablogo.jpg\" alt=\"Event Collab Blog Logo\" width=\"293\" height=\"46\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?','','inherit','closed','closed','','7749-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 15:06:07','2018-02-13 15:06:07','',7749,'https://strategic.events/7749-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10244,3,'2018-02-13 15:07:01','2018-02-13 15:07:01','[vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1509745412782{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2>Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?</h2>\r\n<h3>By Megan Powers</h3>\r\nDo you have a strategy when planning events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected.\r\n<h2>Start with strategy</h2>\r\nLet’s start with your strategy. Do you have one? If you start with exploring why you’re doing what you’re doing with your team, it will help you get there. I mentioned team because it’s a great idea to get buy-in from those you’re working with so you know you’re all headed down the same path together.\r\n\r\nIn the <a href=\"https://strategic.events/essential-pillars-strategic-meetings/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">process of planning</a> and executing events it’s smart to do the same with all of the tools and strategies you’re using.\r\n<h2>Managing your events</h2>\r\nThere are many elements involved in managing the planning of your events, including elements for execution, and post-event round-up and review.\r\n\r\nOf course, we think you should start with a good project management tool. Here’s why…\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Using a cloud-based tool where you can manage every single aspect of your events will keep all elements of your events in one central place.</li>\r\n 	<li>Having the history of your events in that one place ensures you don’t lose any history when colleagues move on from your organization.</li>\r\n 	<li>Managing the workflow of your events online instead of via email also ensures you’re working efficiently and collaboratively with your supplier partners.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nOn a podcast recently I had a guest (an event marketer) tell me his clients aren’t terribly concerned with drawing in attendees (aka, “butts in the seats”) through their marketing. This really surprised me! After I processed it I said “I wonder what their bosses think about that?”\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://strategic.events/why-planners-need-to-get-strategic/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Event planners</a> and managers are very wrapped up in the logistics (without which the event wouldn’t happen), and can lose sight that there are tools which, when used properly, will help them be more efficient. It might require more work on the front-end, but your solution provider should be helping you with that.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-7752\" title=\"Do you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected. Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/night-150x150.png\" alt=\"Do you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected. Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?\" width=\"362\" height=\"362\" />\r\n<h2>Ultimately – what’s your goal?</h2>\r\nWhether your end-goal is to drive more revenue (which may or may not include more attendees), to get the “best of the best” in your industry to attend, or simply to educate your company’s staff, you should be using the best technology available to get you there.\r\n\r\nIf your team is managing the workflow of your event planning via email and excel, it’s past <a href=\"https://strategic.events/how-to-schedule-strategic-meetings-dont-waste-time/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">time</a> to consider using a project management tool.\r\n\r\nUsing a cloud-based tool like EventCollab enables you to…\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Manage every room, and all of the gear and items that go into them in REAL-TIME (no more sending an email on-site, and posting version 21b of your matrix up to Dropbox!).</li>\r\n 	<li>Manage the staff and keyholders for every room in a central place, accessible to all who have been given permission to see it (no more worrying about freelancers or clients seeing information they might not need to see!).</li>\r\n 	<li>Manage your technical schedules, cue sheets, and labor in one central place with real-time updates (no more worrying if you’re paying too much for labor because now you can handle the next day in real-time every day!).</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nWe have a client who saved over $100K in labor costs over the previous year because we were using our EventCollab and Showbook tools to manage the headcount onsite.\r\n\r\nThat’s pretty significant, right?\r\n\r\nNow, it all depends on the size of your event, but another important thing to keep in mind is using a tool that will scale up and down with your event without a significant cost difference is possible. Our tool enables just that – it’s based on event and not the number of users or the number of attendees.\r\n<h2><img class=\"alignright wp-image-7753 size-full\" title=\"Do you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected. Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/freedom-768x292.png\" alt=\"Do you have a strategy for your events beyond simply getting them executed within a specific budget? Do you consider how your planning affects attendance? Event marketing is an interesting conversation when you pair it with logistics. It’s ALL inter-connected. Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?\" width=\"768\" height=\"292\" />Back to strategy…</h2>\r\nIndustry speaker and thought-leader Christy Lamagna has a lot of valuable things to say about thinking of our positions in the meetings and event industry as strategic roles.\r\n\r\n“As ‘Event Strategists,’ our mission will be to create goal-oriented events in alignment with an organization’s sales and marketing goals. There is a defined process on how this is done and how results are measured.” – <a href=\"https://strategic.events/meetings-christy-lamagna-solution/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Christy Lamagna</a>\r\n\r\nBecause we are strategists and managers within this industry, we must also be demanding tools that enable us to do what trained, qualified, certified professionals do.\r\n\r\nWhile we should be starting with the end in mind, which includes having our attendees at the very TOP of that list, using the proper tools for the job is important also.\r\n\r\nChristy cleverly compares — in the realm of us being <a href=\"https://strategic.events/how-to-become-strategic-planner-change-future/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">STRATEGIC</a> professionals in the meeting industry (vs. the alternative of just throwing anyone and no tools at a project/event) — to having your hairdresser give you a root canal. You must have the right training and tools for the job.\r\n\r\nThe good news? It’s all VERY possible! There are great tools out there like EventCollab, wonderful industry associations providing the certifications and education, and tremendous industry thought leaders like Christy <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">leading the way</a> to proving the <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/strategic-event-planning-resources/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">value</a> of what we all do when we meet face-to-face.\r\n\r\nDo you work within your organization to start with the end in mind? Are you regularly looking for tools to help you do your job more efficient and collaboratively? We’d love to hear about it!\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://blog.eventcollab.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-7758 size-full\" title=\"Event Collab Blog Logo\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/eventcollablogo.jpg\" alt=\"Event Collab Blog Logo\" width=\"293\" height=\"46\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Is Strategy Important to you When Planning Events?','','inherit','closed','closed','','7749-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 15:07:01','2018-02-13 15:07:01','',7749,'https://strategic.events/7749-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10245,3,'2018-02-13 17:20:22','2018-02-13 17:20:22','','','','inherit','open','closed','','strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups-2','','','2018-02-14 20:46:54','2018-02-14 20:46:54','',10179,'https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10246,3,'2018-02-13 17:23:55','2018-02-13 17:23:55','[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=\"10245\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1518119179908{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Strategic Planning Movement Social Media Groups</h2>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">The Strategic Planning Movement\'s goal is to help the event industry and its dedicated professionals to evolve into a more sophisticated form of planner; specifically, strategic planners.</h3>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Without this change, we will continue exist in the darkness of the misconceptions around what we do, why events are held and our perceived value. By banding together and becoming strategic in our professional vision, brand and goals, we create the pathway to a brighter future, elevating the way we are perceived, illuminating the power of strategic events and the critical role we play in their creation.</h3>\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_padding_divider size=\"20\"][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/2\"][vc_single_image image=\"10157\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" link=\"http://www.facebook.com/groups/740077079531864/\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/2\"][vc_single_image image=\"10156\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" link=\"https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8652469\"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]','Strategic Planning Movement Social Media Groups','','inherit','closed','closed','','10179-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 17:23:55','2018-02-13 17:23:55','',10179,'https://strategic.events/10179-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10247,3,'2018-02-13 17:51:30','2018-02-13 17:51:30','[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=\"10245\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1518544284190{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Strategic Planning Movement\r\nSocial Media Groups</h2>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">The Strategic Planning Movement\'s goal is to help the event industry and its dedicated professionals to evolve into a more sophisticated form of planner; specifically, strategic planners.</h3>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Without this change, we will continue exist in the darkness of the misconceptions around what we do, why events are held and our perceived value. By banding together and becoming strategic in our professional vision, brand and goals, we create the pathway to a brighter future, elevating the way we are perceived, illuminating the power of strategic events and the critical role we play in their creation.</h3>\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_padding_divider size=\"20\"][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/2\"][vc_single_image image=\"10157\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" link=\"http://www.facebook.com/groups/740077079531864/\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/2\"][vc_single_image image=\"10156\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" link=\"https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8652469\"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]','Strategic Planning Movement Social Media Groups','','inherit','closed','closed','','10179-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 17:51:30','2018-02-13 17:51:30','',10179,'https://strategic.events/10179-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10248,3,'2018-02-13 19:37:25','2018-02-13 19:37:25','[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=\"10245\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1518550641440{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Strategic Planning Movement\r\nSocial Media Groups</h2>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">The Strategic Planning Movement\'s goal is to help the event industry and its dedicated professionals to evolve into a more sophisticated form of planner; specifically, strategic planners.</h3>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Without this change, we will continue to exist in the darkness of the misconceptions around what we do, why events are held and our perceived value. By banding together and becoming strategic in our professional vision, brand and goals, we create the pathway to a brighter future, elevating the way we are perceived, illuminating the power of strategic events and the critical role we play in their creation.</h3>\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_padding_divider size=\"20\"][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/2\"][vc_single_image image=\"10157\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" link=\"http://www.facebook.com/groups/740077079531864/\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/2\"][vc_single_image image=\"10156\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" link=\"https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8652469\"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]','Strategic Planning Movement Social Media Groups','','inherit','closed','closed','','10179-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 19:37:25','2018-02-13 19:37:25','',10179,'https://strategic.events/10179-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10249,3,'2018-02-13 19:38:05','2018-02-13 19:38:05','[mk_page_section bg_color=\"#ffffff\" border_color=\"#ffffff\" full_width=\"true\" padding_top=\"0\" padding_bottom=\"0\" top_shape_color=\"#ffffff\" bottom_shape_color=\"#ffffff\" sidebar=\"sidebar-1\"][vc_column border_color=\"#ffffff\" css=\".vc_custom_1473177697729{margin: 10px !important;}\"][mk_layerslider id=\"7\"][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][mk_page_section bg_color=\"#ffffff\" sidebar=\"sidebar-1\"][vc_column width=\"2/3\"][mk_fancy_title tag_name=\"h1\" color=\"#d6a461\" size=\"30\" line_height=\"97\" font_weight=\"bold\" txt_transform=\"none\" margin_top=\"30\" margin_bottom=\"6\" font_family=\"Palatino Linotype, Book Antiqua, Palatino, serif\" font_type=\"safefont\"]MAKE YOUR VISION A REALITY[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1516503168238{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]Strategic Meetings &amp; Events produces goal driven, corporate events that integrate your company\'s sales and marketing message into every aspect of the program. We create experiences that leave your target audience thinking, feeling and remembering the information that is most important to you. With a worldwide scope and an infinite amount of talent, creativity and energy, SME is a global corporate event management company that redefines excellence in everything we do.\r\n\r\nSupporting your sales goals with corporate events is so much more than executing logistics or hosting the same sales meeting or incentive trip year after year. Our strategic planning experts will take your vision and build a comprehensive plan to achieve your goals, drive your sales cycle and make your programs more cost efficient. And we’re told that we are delightful to work with. How great is that?[/vc_column_text][mk_padding_divider size=\"10\"][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=\"true\" color=\"#211551\" size=\"25\" font_weight=\"bold\" margin_top=\"30\" margin_bottom=\"6\" font_family=\"none\"]\r\n<h2>Discover Strategic Meetings &amp; Events</h2>\r\n[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1517941052491{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n\r\n[gallery size=\"full\" mobx_row_height=\"600\" link=\"file\" ids=\"10100\"]\r\n\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=\"true\" color=\"#211551\" size=\"25\" font_weight=\"bold\" margin_top=\"30\" margin_bottom=\"6\" font_family=\"none\"]\r\n<h2>Comprehensive Corporate Event Management</h2>\r\n[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text]Strategic Meetings &amp; Events professional planning experts become your extended team. Our sole focus is your success, specifically as you define it. The process is often filled with long hours, a myriad of changes and tons of pressure. Why not work with a team who thinks of everything, tracks the details, manages your spend and keeps you smiling even when you’re exhausted?[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text align=\"center\" animation=\"fade-in\"]\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://strategic.events/category/news-flash\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">News Flash</a></h2>\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_blog style=\"grid\" column=\"1\" image_size=\"full\" post_count=\"2\" disable_meta=\"false\" pagination=\"false\" cat=\"493\"][/vc_column][vc_column width=\"1/3\"][mk_padding_divider size=\"30\"][mk_social_networks size=\"medium\" style=\"simple-rounded\" border_color=\"#000050\" bg_color=\"#000050\" bg_hover_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_hover_color=\"#000050\" align=\"center\" facebook=\"https://www.facebook.com/StrategicMeetingsEvents\" twitter=\"https://twitter.com/SME_Events\" pinterest=\"https://www.pinterest.com/strategicmeetingsevents/\" instagram=\"https://www.instagram.com/strategic.events/\" linkedin=\"https://www.linkedin.com/company/strategic-meetings-&amp;-events\" youtube=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsuJ-F1Ot1zSc1ccpj_DzXA\"][vc_wp_search][vc_separator][mk_padding_divider size=\"15\"][vc_single_image image=\"1125\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" css_animation=\"appear\" link=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/tastebuzz/\"][mk_blog style=\"grid\" column=\"1\" image_size=\"medium\" post_count=\"1\" excerpt_length=\"0\" pagination=\"false\" cat=\"40\"][vc_single_image image=\"10091\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" link=\"https://strategic.events/sme-social-media-connect/\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1518218071438{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n\r\n[gallery link=\"file\" size=\"full\" mobx_row_height=\"400\" ids=\"10130\"]\r\n\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_padding_divider size=\"60\"][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner css=\".vc_custom_1518027141126{background-color: #211551 !important;}\"][mk_fancy_title color=\"#ffffff\" size=\"28\" margin_bottom=\"0\" font_family=\"none\" align=\"center\"]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><a style=\"color: #ffffff;\" href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/strategic-event-planning-resources/strategic-planning-movement/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Strategic Planning</a></span>\r\n<a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/strategic-event-planning-resources/strategic-planning-movement/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Movement</span></a></p>\r\n[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text align=\"center\" css=\".vc_custom_1518550679377{margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;}\"]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/strategic-event-planning-resources/strategic-planning-movement/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">The Strategic Planning Movement\'s goal is to help the event industry and its dedicated professionals to evolve into a more sophisticated form of planner; specifically, strategic planners.</span></a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/strategic-event-planning-resources/strategic-planning-movement/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Without this change, we will continue to exist in the darkness of the misconceptions around what we do, why events are held and our perceived value. By banding together and becoming strategic in our professional vision, brand and goals, we create the pathway to a brighter future, elevating the way we are perceived, illuminating the power of strategic\r\nevents and the critical role\r\nwe play in their creation.</span></a></p>\r\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/2\" css=\".vc_custom_1518027164805{background-color: #211551 !important;}\"][vc_single_image image=\"10157\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" link=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/740077079531864/\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/2\" css=\".vc_custom_1518027173263{background-color: #211551 !important;}\"][vc_single_image image=\"10156\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" link=\"https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8652469\"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][vc_row fullwidth=\"true\" css=\".vc_custom_1469113826042{background-color: #211551 !important;}\"][vc_column][vc_raw_js]JTNDc2NyaXB0JTNFJTBBZmJxJTI4JTI3dHJhY2slMjclMkMlMjAlMjdWaWV3Q29udGVudCUyNyUyQyUyMCU3QiUwQXZhbHVlJTNBJTIwMy41MCUyQyUwQWN1cnJlbmN5JTNBJTIwJTI3VVNEJTI3JTBBJTdEJTI5JTNCJTBBJTNDJTJGc2NyaXB0JTNF[/vc_raw_js][mk_button dimension=\"flat\" size=\"large\" url=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/contact-strategic-meetings-events/\" target=\"_blank\" align=\"center\" fullwidth=\"true\" margin_bottom=\"6\" margin_right=\"0\" bg_color=\"#211551\" btn_hover_bg=\"#d6a461\" btn_hover_txt_color=\"#211551\" action=\"``mailto:Christy.Lamagna@strategic.events``\" type=\"``submit``\" value=\"``Send\"]Contact us to discover the perfect fit for your company’s event goals.[/mk_button][/vc_column][/vc_row]','Strategic Meetings & Events | Global Corporate Event Management','','inherit','closed','closed','','7-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 19:38:05','2018-02-13 19:38:05','',7,'https://strategic.events/7-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10250,3,'2018-02-13 19:40:55','2018-02-13 19:40:55','[mk_page_section bg_color=\"#ffffff\" border_color=\"#ffffff\" full_width=\"true\" padding_top=\"0\" padding_bottom=\"0\" top_shape_color=\"#ffffff\" bottom_shape_color=\"#ffffff\" sidebar=\"sidebar-1\"][vc_column border_color=\"#ffffff\" css=\".vc_custom_1473177697729{margin: 10px !important;}\"][mk_layerslider id=\"7\"][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][mk_page_section bg_color=\"#ffffff\" sidebar=\"sidebar-1\"][vc_column width=\"2/3\"][mk_fancy_title tag_name=\"h1\" color=\"#d6a461\" size=\"30\" line_height=\"97\" font_weight=\"bold\" txt_transform=\"none\" margin_top=\"30\" margin_bottom=\"6\" font_family=\"Palatino Linotype, Book Antiqua, Palatino, serif\" font_type=\"safefont\"]MAKE YOUR VISION A REALITY[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1516503168238{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]Strategic Meetings &amp; Events produces goal driven, corporate events that integrate your company\'s sales and marketing message into every aspect of the program. We create experiences that leave your target audience thinking, feeling and remembering the information that is most important to you. With a worldwide scope and an infinite amount of talent, creativity and energy, SME is a global corporate event management company that redefines excellence in everything we do.\r\n\r\nSupporting your sales goals with corporate events is so much more than executing logistics or hosting the same sales meeting or incentive trip year after year. Our strategic planning experts will take your vision and build a comprehensive plan to achieve your goals, drive your sales cycle and make your programs more cost efficient. And we’re told that we are delightful to work with. How great is that?[/vc_column_text][mk_padding_divider size=\"10\"][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=\"true\" color=\"#211551\" size=\"25\" font_weight=\"bold\" margin_top=\"30\" margin_bottom=\"6\" font_family=\"none\"]\r\n<h2>Discover Strategic Meetings &amp; Events</h2>\r\n[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1517941052491{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n\r\n[gallery size=\"full\" mobx_row_height=\"600\" link=\"file\" ids=\"10100\"]\r\n\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=\"true\" color=\"#211551\" size=\"25\" font_weight=\"bold\" margin_top=\"30\" margin_bottom=\"6\" font_family=\"none\"]\r\n<h2>Comprehensive Corporate Event Management</h2>\r\n[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text]Strategic Meetings &amp; Events professional planning experts become your extended team. Our sole focus is your success, specifically as you define it. The process is often filled with long hours, a myriad of changes and tons of pressure. Why not work with a team who thinks of everything, tracks the details, manages your spend and keeps you smiling even when you’re exhausted?[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text align=\"center\" animation=\"fade-in\"]\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://strategic.events/category/news-flash\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">News Flash</a></h2>\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_blog style=\"grid\" column=\"1\" image_size=\"full\" post_count=\"2\" disable_meta=\"false\" pagination=\"false\" cat=\"493\"][/vc_column][vc_column width=\"1/3\"][mk_padding_divider size=\"30\"][mk_social_networks size=\"medium\" style=\"simple-rounded\" border_color=\"#000050\" bg_color=\"#000050\" bg_hover_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_hover_color=\"#000050\" align=\"center\" facebook=\"https://www.facebook.com/StrategicMeetingsEvents\" twitter=\"https://twitter.com/SME_Events\" pinterest=\"https://www.pinterest.com/strategicmeetingsevents/\" instagram=\"https://www.instagram.com/strategic.events/\" linkedin=\"https://www.linkedin.com/company/strategic-meetings-&amp;-events\" youtube=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsuJ-F1Ot1zSc1ccpj_DzXA\"][vc_wp_search][vc_separator][mk_padding_divider size=\"15\"][vc_single_image image=\"1125\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" css_animation=\"appear\" link=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/tastebuzz/\"][mk_blog style=\"grid\" column=\"1\" image_size=\"medium\" post_count=\"1\" excerpt_length=\"0\" pagination=\"false\" cat=\"40\"][vc_single_image image=\"10091\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" link=\"https://strategic.events/sme-social-media-connect/\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1518218071438{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n\r\n[gallery link=\"file\" size=\"full\" mobx_row_height=\"400\" ids=\"10130\"]\r\n\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_padding_divider size=\"60\"][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner css=\".vc_custom_1518027141126{background-color: #211551 !important;}\"][mk_fancy_title color=\"#ffffff\" size=\"28\" margin_bottom=\"0\" font_family=\"none\" align=\"center\"]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><a style=\"color: #ffffff;\" href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/strategic-event-planning-resources/strategic-planning-movement/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Strategic Planning</a></span>\r\n<a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/strategic-event-planning-resources/strategic-planning-movement/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Movement</span></a></p>\r\n[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text align=\"center\" css=\".vc_custom_1518550817496{margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;}\"]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/strategic-event-planning-resources/strategic-planning-movement/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">The Strategic Planning Movement\'s goal is to help the event industry and its dedicated professionals to evolve into a more sophisticated form of planner; specifically, strategic planners.</span></a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/strategic-event-planning-resources/strategic-planning-movement/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Without this change, we will continue\r\nto exist in the darkness of the misconceptions around what we do, why events are held and our perceived value. By banding together and becoming strategic in our professional vision, brand and goals, we create the pathway to a brighter future, elevating the way we are perceived, illuminating the power of strategic events and the critical role\r\nwe play in their creation.</span></a></p>\r\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/2\" css=\".vc_custom_1518027164805{background-color: #211551 !important;}\"][vc_single_image image=\"10157\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" link=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/740077079531864/\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/2\" css=\".vc_custom_1518027173263{background-color: #211551 !important;}\"][vc_single_image image=\"10156\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" link=\"https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8652469\"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][vc_row fullwidth=\"true\" css=\".vc_custom_1469113826042{background-color: #211551 !important;}\"][vc_column][vc_raw_js]JTNDc2NyaXB0JTNFJTBBZmJxJTI4JTI3dHJhY2slMjclMkMlMjAlMjdWaWV3Q29udGVudCUyNyUyQyUyMCU3QiUwQXZhbHVlJTNBJTIwMy41MCUyQyUwQWN1cnJlbmN5JTNBJTIwJTI3VVNEJTI3JTBBJTdEJTI5JTNCJTBBJTNDJTJGc2NyaXB0JTNF[/vc_raw_js][mk_button dimension=\"flat\" size=\"large\" url=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/contact-strategic-meetings-events/\" target=\"_blank\" align=\"center\" fullwidth=\"true\" margin_bottom=\"6\" margin_right=\"0\" bg_color=\"#211551\" btn_hover_bg=\"#d6a461\" btn_hover_txt_color=\"#211551\" action=\"``mailto:Christy.Lamagna@strategic.events``\" type=\"``submit``\" value=\"``Send\"]Contact us to discover the perfect fit for your company’s event goals.[/mk_button][/vc_column][/vc_row]','Strategic Meetings & Events | Global Corporate Event Management','','inherit','closed','closed','','7-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 19:40:55','2018-02-13 19:40:55','',7,'https://strategic.events/7-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10251,3,'2018-02-13 21:11:35','2018-02-13 21:11:35','[vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1512770270898{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2>Strategic Steps To Successfully Achieve Your Business Goals</h2>\r\n<h3>By Christy Lamagna, CMP, CMM, CTSM</h3>\r\nWhile there may be no such thing as a stupid question, there is a correlation between the smarter the question, the more in depth and valuable the answer will potentially be. That’s why when someone asks you to plan a meeting, regardless of how large or for whom, your first question needs to be, <strong>‘What’s the goal of the meeting?’</strong>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-9254\" title=\"When someone asks you to plan a meeting, regardless of how large or for whom, your first question needs to be, ‘What’s the goal of the meeting?’ Do this and follow these strategic steps to successfully achieve your business goals.\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/pexels-photo-461077-3.jpeg\" alt=\"When someone asks you to plan a meeting, regardless of how large or for whom, your first question needs to be, ‘What’s the goal of the meeting?’ Do this and follow these strategic steps to successfully achieve your business goals.\" width=\"386\" height=\"257\" />You may be told, “because it’s held every year” or “we need to have an annual sales meeting. That’s just what we do” or something equally vague yet definitive and entirely unhelpful. If the person asking for the meeting can’t articulate its purpose, how can you define what <a href=\"https://strategic.events/our-integrated-marketing-success-story/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">success</a> looks like?\r\n\r\nSo how do you get to the answer? The first thing you do is interrupt the familiar process of simply diving in and instead, creating a new, deliberate, thoughtful, <a href=\"https://strategic.events/how-to-become-strategic-planner-change-future/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">strategic</a> plan. Don’t back down until you get an answer to the ‘why’ of the meeting. There are a few ways to approach this process, all of which are designed to give you the confidence to stick to the new plan, educate your audience and set yourself, the organization and the attendees up for success.\r\n\r\nHost a ‘<a href=\"https://strategic.events/discovery-sessions-meeting/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">discovery session</a>.’ My good friend Allison Saget taught me about these years ago and I’ve been holding these valuable meetings ever since. The purpose of these meetings is to get all the key decision makers into one place and focus on the ‘why’ of the meeting. The understood reason is to increase sales in some way, but there’s more to it, so don’t settle for “to improve revenue” as the answer.\r\n\r\nEncouraging key stakeholders to dig in and do some real thinking will likely uncover a common challenge; each person has a different answer. You likely have your CEO, CMO and EVP of sales in the room, each with their own agenda. It’s your job to incorporate their (relevant) ideas into a cohesive message. Events, when executed strategically are an inseparable component of an organization’s sales and marketing plan, so those elements are bound to be a part of the answer.\r\n\r\nSo instead of, ‘holding a sales meeting to inspire the sales team to sell more’ a strategic goal would be, ‘offer the sales team an opportunity to train on the new product we’re launching and familiarize them with the corresponding <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-approach-integrated-marketing/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">marketing strategy</a>.’ With that information in mind, you have a clear vision.\r\n\r\nThere’s one more essential task to complete before you declare success and dive into the next strategic step of the process. You need to make sure that your <a href=\"https://strategic.events/goal-setting-part-1/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">clearly articulated goal</a> is what your audience needs to hear. <strong>It’s critical that the message being given is the one your target audience needs to receive.</strong> If you don’t ask your audience what they want, chances are you aren’t going to give it to them, which means they won’t attend at all (external audience) or they’ll leave dissatisfied (internal audience and perhaps an external audience.)\r\n\r\nFind out how to do that in my next piece. Until then, follow me on Twitter: <a href=\"https://twitter.com/SMEChristy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@SMEChristy</a>, and take advantage of the free tools and information I’ve created <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-home/event-planning-resources/event-planning-free-tools-guides/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here</a>, and send me your feedback on what I’ve written by emailing me: <a href=\"mailto:Christy.lamagna@strategic.events\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Christy.lamagna@strategic.events</a>.\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"http://www.corporateeventnews.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-7555\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/logo_cen_2.png\" alt=\"Corporate Event News Logo\" width=\"211\" height=\"67\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Strategic Steps To Successfully Achieve Your Business Goals','','inherit','closed','closed','','7757-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 21:11:35','2018-02-13 21:11:35','',7757,'https://strategic.events/7757-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10252,3,'2018-02-13 21:31:33','2018-02-13 21:31:33','[vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1509994475690{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2>Sick Of Lousy Meetings? Christy Lamagna Has The Solution</h2>\r\n<h3>By Bruce Weinstein</h3>\r\n[clickToTweet tweet=\"You have to hire people who are smarter than you are. - @SMEChristy #business #success\" quote=\"You have to hire people who are smarter than you are.\"]\r\n\r\nOne of the most unpleasant aspects of business is going to lousy meetings. We’ve all been there. Boring speakers. Uncomfortable rooms with poor lighting and sound. Not enough coffee.\r\n\r\nWorse than all of these are meetings that have no call to action. You wonder, \"What am I supposed to do with all of the information I just learned?\"\r\n\r\nMeetings don’t have to be like this. And they won’t be if you work with an event strategist. I didn’t even know such a job existed until I decided to write about ethical issues in the meeting planning industry and discovered a woman named Christy Lamagna, CMP, who is taking the industry, and the businesses they work with, to a higher level.\r\n\r\nChristy is the CEO of <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/mastermind-corporate-meetings-management/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Strategic Meetings &amp; Events</a>, a private company with offices in Chicago, Palm Beach, Seattle, San Francisco, New York, and Bernardsville, New Jersey. What follows are highlights from a conversation I had with Christy at the Forbes headquarters in Jersey City, New Jersey.\r\n\r\n<strong>Bruce Weinstein:</strong> What is an event strategist?\r\n\r\n<strong>Christy Lamagna:</strong> A meeting planner and an event planner execute logistics, and when someone asks them to produce a meeting, they find the venue space and they execute an event. An event strategist will work with key management to influence what attendees leave saying, thinking and doing. We influence behavior.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> Who is a dream client for you?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> Someone who truly wants to make their events a meaningful part of their organization. Events are the only three-dimensional embodiment of a company\'s marketing message. I want to speak to someone who truly gets excited about that, who says, \"I do want to hear what my attendees are looking for because my ego isn\'t what\'s important, it\'s the content,\" and who truly respects the power that meetings can have.\r\n\r\nIf a prospective client just wants to check a box or throw money at a problem so they can say they did it, it doesn\'t matter how much money they want to give me. We\'ll both be frustrated because I want to do so much more for them and they can\'t appreciate that.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> Have you turned down clients who were able to pony up the cash but who were box checkers?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> Yes. I can\'t take your money if you\'re not going to appreciate what I\'m doing. I\'d rather you go work with someone else and let me work with people who I can truly deliver everything possible to. If I take business that isn\'t right for me, it\'s going to prevent me from taking business that is, and neither of us are going to say good things when it\'s over because we\'re both going to be disappointed.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> What should Forbes readers keep in mind before they hire an event strategist?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> Anyone who thinks a PowerPoint deck is the best way to establish a relationship and tell you what they do, doesn\'t understand the meaning of events. If you work with someone who the first question they\'re going to ask you is, \"Let\'s talk about budget,\" or, \"Let\'s talk about location,\" they\'ve missed again.\r\n\r\nInstead, you want the strategist to ask, “What\'s your goal for having this meeting? Tell me what you would like to accomplish. What do you want your attendees saying, thinking, and doing when they leave?\" The goal is to make events investments, not expenditures.\r\n\r\nA planner who tells you they can do everything is either charging you too much or not telling you the truth. You have to hire people who are smarter than you are. I have a sister company that does all of my production because I can\'t focus the lights and program the audio.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> Are meeting planners and event strategists licensed?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> We’re not, but we should be. After all, we’re in charge of tens of millions of dollars and more importantly, the safety and well-being of thousands of people.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> It\'s like anyone can call themselves a therapist, anyone can be-\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> Anyone can be a planner. There are exams, and there is training, but at the end of the day there are no universal standards. You can hire your administrative assistant to plan your meeting. Who\'s going to stop you? The admin is going to be thrilled because she gets to go on these free trips. That shouldn\'t be happening. It’s a matter of ethics.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> So when someone becomes trained or certified as a meeting planner now, how much training in ethics do they get?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> To become a CMP, a Certified Meeting Planner, you have to get re-certified every five years. You take an exam. There are some ethics questions on those exams.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> Is this sufficient training to meet the ethical challenges in the industry?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> No. Just because a person has a CMP doesn’t mean that person has the integrity to be a planner. For example, I get between three and six invites a week from vendors, \"Come to Dubai.\" \"Come to South Africa.\" \"Come to New Zealand.\" We call them “fams” — familiarization trips.\r\n\r\nI want to go to all three of those places. The vendors pay for everything. But I don\'t have a client who wants to go to New Zealand.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> You might.\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> But I’ll respond by saying, \"I\'d love to go to your country. I don\'t have a client now, or even on the horizon, who\'s looking to go to New Zealand, and I know it\'s going to cost you $6,000-8,000 per person. You can spend it on someone who\'s potentially going to be there.\"\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> What’s another ethical issue you face?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> When I go on a site visit, a hotel is going to roll out for the red carpet for me and say, \"Christy, you’ve got to come and stay for two days, see the hotel. We\'re going to put you in the penthouse suite.\"\r\n\r\nBut it’s incumbent upon me to say, \"I need a regular room because if I\'m here, I need to know what that’s like as that is where my guests will be staying.”\r\n\r\nI’m not the person paying the bill. I can never confuse myself as an invited guest. It is never about me. Although I’m representing the company that\'s writing those checks, I’m just the paid help.\r\n\r\n===\r\n\r\nThis edited and condensed interview doesn’t do justice to the far-ranging conversation Christy and I had. I was impressed by her humility, courage and honesty, including telling me about mistakes she has made and she’s learned from them.\r\n\r\n[clickToTweet tweet=\"Ethical #leadership is the key to success, and @SMEChristy is an excellent example. @TheEthicsGuy\" quote=\"As we’ve seen throughout these columns, high-character leadership is the key to a business’s long-term success, and Christy Lamagna is an excellent example of this.\"]\r\n\r\nCheck <a href=\"https://twitter.com/@TheEthicsGuy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@TheEthicsGuy</a> availability to speak on high-character leadership <a href=\"https://www.espeakers.com/marketplace/v3#/bookmenow/5597/9024\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here</a>.\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://www.forbes.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-7775\" title=\"Forbes Logo\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/forbes-snooty-designers.png\" alt=\"Forbes Logo\" width=\"195\" height=\"95\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Sick Of Lousy Meetings? Christy Lamagna Has The Solution','','inherit','closed','closed','','7771-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 21:31:33','2018-02-13 21:31:33','',7771,'https://strategic.events/7771-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10253,3,'2018-02-21 14:41:06','2018-02-21 14:41:06','[vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1509994475690{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h1>Sick Of Lousy Meetings?</h1>\r\n<h2>Christy Lamagna Has The Solution</h2>\r\n<h3>By Bruce Weinstein</h3>\r\n[clickToTweet tweet=\"You have to hire people who are smarter than you are. - @SMEChristy #business #success\" quote=\"You have to hire people who are smarter than you are.\"]\r\n\r\nOne of the most unpleasant aspects of business is going to lousy meetings. We’ve all been there. Boring speakers. Uncomfortable rooms with poor lighting and sound. Not enough coffee.\r\n\r\nWorse than all of these are meetings that have no call to action. You wonder, \"What am I supposed to do with all of the information I just learned?\"\r\n\r\nMeetings don’t have to be like this. And they won’t be if you work with an event strategist. I didn’t even know such a job existed until I decided to write about ethical issues in the meeting planning industry and discovered a woman named Christy Lamagna, CMP, who is taking the industry, and the businesses they work with, to a higher level.\r\n\r\nChristy is the CEO of <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/mastermind-corporate-meetings-management/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Strategic Meetings &amp; Events</a>, a private company with offices in Chicago, Palm Beach, Seattle, San Francisco, New York, and Bernardsville, New Jersey. What follows are highlights from a conversation I had with Christy at the Forbes headquarters in Jersey City, New Jersey.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-7779\" title=\"A meeting planner and an event planner execute logistics, and when one asks them to produce a meeting, they find the venue and they execute an event. An event strategist will work with key management to influence what attendees leave saying, thinking and doing. Sick Of Lousy Meetings? Christy Lamagna Has The Solution\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/christy-lamagna-1-1200x675.jpg\" alt=\"A meeting planner and an event planner execute logistics, and when one asks them to produce a meeting, they find the venue and they execute an event. An event strategist will work with key management to influence what attendees leave saying, thinking and doing. Sick Of Lousy Meetings? Christy Lamagna Has The Solution\" width=\"536\" height=\"301\" />\r\n\r\n<strong>Bruce Weinstein:</strong> What is an event strategist?\r\n\r\n<strong>Christy Lamagna:</strong> A meeting planner and an event planner execute logistics, and when someone asks them to produce a meeting, they find the venue space and they execute an event. An event strategist will work with key management to influence what attendees leave saying, thinking and doing. We influence behavior.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> Who is a dream client for you?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> Someone who truly wants to make their events a meaningful part of their organization. Events are the only three-dimensional embodiment of a company\'s marketing message. I want to speak to someone who truly gets excited about that, who says, \"I do want to hear what my attendees are looking for because my ego isn\'t what\'s important, it\'s the content,\" and who truly respects the power that meetings can have.\r\n\r\nIf a prospective client just wants to check a box or throw money at a problem so they can say they did it, it doesn\'t matter how much money they want to give me. We\'ll both be frustrated because I want to do so much more for them and they can\'t appreciate that.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> Have you turned down clients who were able to pony up the cash but who were box checkers?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> Yes. I can\'t take your money if you\'re not going to appreciate what I\'m doing. I\'d rather you go work with someone else and let me work with people who I can truly deliver everything possible to. If I take business that isn\'t right for me, it\'s going to prevent me from taking business that is, and neither of us are going to say good things when it\'s over because we\'re both going to be disappointed.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> What should Forbes readers keep in mind before they hire an event strategist?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> Anyone who thinks a PowerPoint deck is the best way to establish a relationship and tell you what they do, doesn\'t understand the meaning of events. If you work with someone who the first question they\'re going to ask you is, \"Let\'s talk about budget,\" or, \"Let\'s talk about location,\" they\'ve missed again.\r\n\r\nInstead, you want the strategist to ask, “What\'s your goal for having this meeting? Tell me what you would like to accomplish. What do you want your attendees saying, thinking, and doing when they leave?\" The goal is to make events investments, not expenditures.\r\n\r\nA planner who tells you they can do everything is either charging you too much or not telling you the truth. You have to hire people who are smarter than you are. I have a sister company that does all of my production because I can\'t focus the lights and program the audio.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> Are meeting planners and event strategists licensed?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> We’re not, but we should be. After all, we’re in charge of tens of millions of dollars and more importantly, the safety and well-being of thousands of people.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> It\'s like anyone can call themselves a therapist, anyone can be-\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> Anyone can be a planner. There are exams, and there is training, but at the end of the day there are no universal standards. You can hire your administrative assistant to plan your meeting. Who\'s going to stop you? The admin is going to be thrilled because she gets to go on these free trips. That shouldn\'t be happening. It’s a matter of ethics.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> So when someone becomes trained or certified as a meeting planner now, how much training in ethics do they get?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> To become a CMP, a Certified Meeting Planner, you have to get re-certified every five years. You take an exam. There are some ethics questions on those exams.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> Is this sufficient training to meet the ethical challenges in the industry?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> No. Just because a person has a CMP doesn’t mean that person has the integrity to be a planner. For example, I get between three and six invites a week from vendors, \"Come to Dubai.\" \"Come to South Africa.\" \"Come to New Zealand.\" We call them “fams” — familiarization trips.\r\n\r\nI want to go to all three of those places. The vendors pay for everything. But I don\'t have a client who wants to go to New Zealand.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> You might.\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> But I’ll respond by saying, \"I\'d love to go to your country. I don\'t have a client now, or even on the horizon, who\'s looking to go to New Zealand, and I know it\'s going to cost you $6,000-8,000 per person. You can spend it on someone who\'s potentially going to be there.\"\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> What’s another ethical issue you face?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> When I go on a site visit, a hotel is going to roll out for the red carpet for me and say, \"Christy, you’ve got to come and stay for two days, see the hotel. We\'re going to put you in the penthouse suite.\"\r\n\r\nBut it’s incumbent upon me to say, \"I need a regular room because if I\'m here, I need to know what that’s like as that is where my guests will be staying.”\r\n\r\nI’m not the person paying the bill. I can never confuse myself as an invited guest. It is never about me. Although I’m representing the company that\'s writing those checks, I’m just the paid help.\r\n\r\n===\r\n\r\nThis edited and condensed interview doesn’t do justice to the far-ranging conversation Christy and I had. I was impressed by her humility, courage and honesty, including telling me about mistakes she has made and she’s learned from them.\r\n\r\n[clickToTweet tweet=\"Ethical #leadership is the key to success, and @SMEChristy is an excellent example. @TheEthicsGuy\" quote=\"As we’ve seen throughout these columns, high-character leadership is the key to a business’s long-term success, and Christy Lamagna is an excellent example of this.\"]\r\n\r\nCheck <a href=\"https://twitter.com/@TheEthicsGuy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@TheEthicsGuy</a> availability to speak on high-character leadership <a href=\"https://www.espeakers.com/marketplace/v3#/bookmenow/5597/9024\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here</a>.\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://www.forbes.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-7775\" title=\"Forbes Logo\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/forbes-snooty-designers.png\" alt=\"Forbes Logo\" width=\"195\" height=\"95\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Sick Of Lousy Meetings? Christy Lamagna Has The Solution','','inherit','closed','closed','','7771-autosave-v1','','','2018-02-21 14:41:06','2018-02-21 14:41:06','',7771,'https://strategic.events/7771-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10254,3,'2018-02-13 21:33:40','2018-02-13 21:33:40','[vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1509994475690{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2>Sick Of Lousy Meetings? Christy Lamagna Has The Solution</h2>\r\n<h3>By Bruce Weinstein</h3>\r\n[clickToTweet tweet=\"You have to hire people who are smarter than you are. - @SMEChristy #business #success\" quote=\"You have to hire people who are smarter than you are.\"]\r\n\r\nOne of the most unpleasant aspects of business is going to lousy meetings. We’ve all been there. Boring speakers. Uncomfortable rooms with poor lighting and sound. Not enough coffee.\r\n\r\nWorse than all of these are meetings that have no call to action. You wonder, \"What am I supposed to do with all of the information I just learned?\"\r\n\r\nMeetings don’t have to be like this. And they won’t be if you work with an event strategist. I didn’t even know such a job existed until I decided to write about ethical issues in the meeting planning industry and discovered a woman named Christy Lamagna, CMP, who is taking the industry, and the businesses they work with, to a higher level.\r\n\r\nChristy is the CEO of <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/mastermind-corporate-meetings-management/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Strategic Meetings &amp; Events</a>, a private company with offices in Chicago, Palm Beach, Seattle, San Francisco, New York, and Bernardsville, New Jersey. What follows are highlights from a conversation I had with Christy at the Forbes headquarters in Jersey City, New Jersey.<img class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-7779\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/christy-lamagna-1-1200x675.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"536\" height=\"301\" />\r\n\r\n<strong>Bruce Weinstein:</strong> What is an event strategist?\r\n\r\n<strong>Christy Lamagna:</strong> A meeting planner and an event planner execute logistics, and when someone asks them to produce a meeting, they find the venue space and they execute an event. An event strategist will work with key management to influence what attendees leave saying, thinking and doing. We influence behavior.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> Who is a dream client for you?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> Someone who truly wants to make their events a meaningful part of their organization. Events are the only three-dimensional embodiment of a company\'s marketing message. I want to speak to someone who truly gets excited about that, who says, \"I do want to hear what my attendees are looking for because my ego isn\'t what\'s important, it\'s the content,\" and who truly respects the power that meetings can have.\r\n\r\nIf a prospective client just wants to check a box or throw money at a problem so they can say they did it, it doesn\'t matter how much money they want to give me. We\'ll both be frustrated because I want to do so much more for them and they can\'t appreciate that.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> Have you turned down clients who were able to pony up the cash but who were box checkers?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> Yes. I can\'t take your money if you\'re not going to appreciate what I\'m doing. I\'d rather you go work with someone else and let me work with people who I can truly deliver everything possible to. If I take business that isn\'t right for me, it\'s going to prevent me from taking business that is, and neither of us are going to say good things when it\'s over because we\'re both going to be disappointed.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> What should Forbes readers keep in mind before they hire an event strategist?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> Anyone who thinks a PowerPoint deck is the best way to establish a relationship and tell you what they do, doesn\'t understand the meaning of events. If you work with someone who the first question they\'re going to ask you is, \"Let\'s talk about budget,\" or, \"Let\'s talk about location,\" they\'ve missed again.\r\n\r\nInstead, you want the strategist to ask, “What\'s your goal for having this meeting? Tell me what you would like to accomplish. What do you want your attendees saying, thinking, and doing when they leave?\" The goal is to make events investments, not expenditures.\r\n\r\nA planner who tells you they can do everything is either charging you too much or not telling you the truth. You have to hire people who are smarter than you are. I have a sister company that does all of my production because I can\'t focus the lights and program the audio.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> Are meeting planners and event strategists licensed?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> We’re not, but we should be. After all, we’re in charge of tens of millions of dollars and more importantly, the safety and well-being of thousands of people.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> It\'s like anyone can call themselves a therapist, anyone can be-\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> Anyone can be a planner. There are exams, and there is training, but at the end of the day there are no universal standards. You can hire your administrative assistant to plan your meeting. Who\'s going to stop you? The admin is going to be thrilled because she gets to go on these free trips. That shouldn\'t be happening. It’s a matter of ethics.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> So when someone becomes trained or certified as a meeting planner now, how much training in ethics do they get?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> To become a CMP, a Certified Meeting Planner, you have to get re-certified every five years. You take an exam. There are some ethics questions on those exams.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> Is this sufficient training to meet the ethical challenges in the industry?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> No. Just because a person has a CMP doesn’t mean that person has the integrity to be a planner. For example, I get between three and six invites a week from vendors, \"Come to Dubai.\" \"Come to South Africa.\" \"Come to New Zealand.\" We call them “fams” — familiarization trips.\r\n\r\nI want to go to all three of those places. The vendors pay for everything. But I don\'t have a client who wants to go to New Zealand.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> You might.\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> But I’ll respond by saying, \"I\'d love to go to your country. I don\'t have a client now, or even on the horizon, who\'s looking to go to New Zealand, and I know it\'s going to cost you $6,000-8,000 per person. You can spend it on someone who\'s potentially going to be there.\"\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> What’s another ethical issue you face?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> When I go on a site visit, a hotel is going to roll out for the red carpet for me and say, \"Christy, you’ve got to come and stay for two days, see the hotel. We\'re going to put you in the penthouse suite.\"\r\n\r\nBut it’s incumbent upon me to say, \"I need a regular room because if I\'m here, I need to know what that’s like as that is where my guests will be staying.”\r\n\r\nI’m not the person paying the bill. I can never confuse myself as an invited guest. It is never about me. Although I’m representing the company that\'s writing those checks, I’m just the paid help.\r\n\r\n===\r\n\r\nThis edited and condensed interview doesn’t do justice to the far-ranging conversation Christy and I had. I was impressed by her humility, courage and honesty, including telling me about mistakes she has made and she’s learned from them.\r\n\r\n[clickToTweet tweet=\"Ethical #leadership is the key to success, and @SMEChristy is an excellent example. @TheEthicsGuy\" quote=\"As we’ve seen throughout these columns, high-character leadership is the key to a business’s long-term success, and Christy Lamagna is an excellent example of this.\"]\r\n\r\nCheck <a href=\"https://twitter.com/@TheEthicsGuy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@TheEthicsGuy</a> availability to speak on high-character leadership <a href=\"https://www.espeakers.com/marketplace/v3#/bookmenow/5597/9024\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here</a>.\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://www.forbes.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-7775\" title=\"Forbes Logo\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/forbes-snooty-designers.png\" alt=\"Forbes Logo\" width=\"195\" height=\"95\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Sick Of Lousy Meetings? Christy Lamagna Has The Solution','','inherit','closed','closed','','7771-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 21:33:40','2018-02-13 21:33:40','',7771,'https://strategic.events/7771-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10255,3,'2018-02-13 21:34:31','2018-02-13 21:34:31','[vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1509994475690{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2>Sick Of Lousy Meetings? Christy Lamagna Has The Solution</h2>\r\n<h3>By Bruce Weinstein</h3>\r\n[clickToTweet tweet=\"You have to hire people who are smarter than you are. - @SMEChristy #business #success\" quote=\"You have to hire people who are smarter than you are.\"]\r\n\r\nOne of the most unpleasant aspects of business is going to lousy meetings. We’ve all been there. Boring speakers. Uncomfortable rooms with poor lighting and sound. Not enough coffee.\r\n\r\nWorse than all of these are meetings that have no call to action. You wonder, \"What am I supposed to do with all of the information I just learned?\"\r\n\r\nMeetings don’t have to be like this. And they won’t be if you work with an event strategist. I didn’t even know such a job existed until I decided to write about ethical issues in the meeting planning industry and discovered a woman named Christy Lamagna, CMP, who is taking the industry, and the businesses they work with, to a higher level.\r\n\r\nChristy is the CEO of <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/mastermind-corporate-meetings-management/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Strategic Meetings &amp; Events</a>, a private company with offices in Chicago, Palm Beach, Seattle, San Francisco, New York, and Bernardsville, New Jersey. What follows are highlights from a conversation I had with Christy at the Forbes headquarters in Jersey City, New Jersey.<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-7779\" title=\"A meeting planner and an event planner execute logistics, and when one asks them to produce a meeting, they find the venue and they execute an event. An event strategist will work with key management to influence what attendees leave saying, thinking and doing. Sick Of Lousy Meetings? Christy Lamagna Has The Solution\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/christy-lamagna-1-1200x675.jpg\" alt=\"A meeting planner and an event planner execute logistics, and when one asks them to produce a meeting, they find the venue and they execute an event. An event strategist will work with key management to influence what attendees leave saying, thinking and doing. Sick Of Lousy Meetings? Christy Lamagna Has The Solution\" width=\"536\" height=\"301\" />\r\n\r\n<strong>Bruce Weinstein:</strong> What is an event strategist?\r\n\r\n<strong>Christy Lamagna:</strong> A meeting planner and an event planner execute logistics, and when someone asks them to produce a meeting, they find the venue space and they execute an event. An event strategist will work with key management to influence what attendees leave saying, thinking and doing. We influence behavior.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> Who is a dream client for you?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> Someone who truly wants to make their events a meaningful part of their organization. Events are the only three-dimensional embodiment of a company\'s marketing message. I want to speak to someone who truly gets excited about that, who says, \"I do want to hear what my attendees are looking for because my ego isn\'t what\'s important, it\'s the content,\" and who truly respects the power that meetings can have.\r\n\r\nIf a prospective client just wants to check a box or throw money at a problem so they can say they did it, it doesn\'t matter how much money they want to give me. We\'ll both be frustrated because I want to do so much more for them and they can\'t appreciate that.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> Have you turned down clients who were able to pony up the cash but who were box checkers?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> Yes. I can\'t take your money if you\'re not going to appreciate what I\'m doing. I\'d rather you go work with someone else and let me work with people who I can truly deliver everything possible to. If I take business that isn\'t right for me, it\'s going to prevent me from taking business that is, and neither of us are going to say good things when it\'s over because we\'re both going to be disappointed.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> What should Forbes readers keep in mind before they hire an event strategist?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> Anyone who thinks a PowerPoint deck is the best way to establish a relationship and tell you what they do, doesn\'t understand the meaning of events. If you work with someone who the first question they\'re going to ask you is, \"Let\'s talk about budget,\" or, \"Let\'s talk about location,\" they\'ve missed again.\r\n\r\nInstead, you want the strategist to ask, “What\'s your goal for having this meeting? Tell me what you would like to accomplish. What do you want your attendees saying, thinking, and doing when they leave?\" The goal is to make events investments, not expenditures.\r\n\r\nA planner who tells you they can do everything is either charging you too much or not telling you the truth. You have to hire people who are smarter than you are. I have a sister company that does all of my production because I can\'t focus the lights and program the audio.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> Are meeting planners and event strategists licensed?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> We’re not, but we should be. After all, we’re in charge of tens of millions of dollars and more importantly, the safety and well-being of thousands of people.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> It\'s like anyone can call themselves a therapist, anyone can be-\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> Anyone can be a planner. There are exams, and there is training, but at the end of the day there are no universal standards. You can hire your administrative assistant to plan your meeting. Who\'s going to stop you? The admin is going to be thrilled because she gets to go on these free trips. That shouldn\'t be happening. It’s a matter of ethics.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> So when someone becomes trained or certified as a meeting planner now, how much training in ethics do they get?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> To become a CMP, a Certified Meeting Planner, you have to get re-certified every five years. You take an exam. There are some ethics questions on those exams.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> Is this sufficient training to meet the ethical challenges in the industry?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> No. Just because a person has a CMP doesn’t mean that person has the integrity to be a planner. For example, I get between three and six invites a week from vendors, \"Come to Dubai.\" \"Come to South Africa.\" \"Come to New Zealand.\" We call them “fams” — familiarization trips.\r\n\r\nI want to go to all three of those places. The vendors pay for everything. But I don\'t have a client who wants to go to New Zealand.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> You might.\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> But I’ll respond by saying, \"I\'d love to go to your country. I don\'t have a client now, or even on the horizon, who\'s looking to go to New Zealand, and I know it\'s going to cost you $6,000-8,000 per person. You can spend it on someone who\'s potentially going to be there.\"\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> What’s another ethical issue you face?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> When I go on a site visit, a hotel is going to roll out for the red carpet for me and say, \"Christy, you’ve got to come and stay for two days, see the hotel. We\'re going to put you in the penthouse suite.\"\r\n\r\nBut it’s incumbent upon me to say, \"I need a regular room because if I\'m here, I need to know what that’s like as that is where my guests will be staying.”\r\n\r\nI’m not the person paying the bill. I can never confuse myself as an invited guest. It is never about me. Although I’m representing the company that\'s writing those checks, I’m just the paid help.\r\n\r\n===\r\n\r\nThis edited and condensed interview doesn’t do justice to the far-ranging conversation Christy and I had. I was impressed by her humility, courage and honesty, including telling me about mistakes she has made and she’s learned from them.\r\n\r\n[clickToTweet tweet=\"Ethical #leadership is the key to success, and @SMEChristy is an excellent example. @TheEthicsGuy\" quote=\"As we’ve seen throughout these columns, high-character leadership is the key to a business’s long-term success, and Christy Lamagna is an excellent example of this.\"]\r\n\r\nCheck <a href=\"https://twitter.com/@TheEthicsGuy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@TheEthicsGuy</a> availability to speak on high-character leadership <a href=\"https://www.espeakers.com/marketplace/v3#/bookmenow/5597/9024\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here</a>.\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://www.forbes.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-7775\" title=\"Forbes Logo\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/forbes-snooty-designers.png\" alt=\"Forbes Logo\" width=\"195\" height=\"95\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Sick Of Lousy Meetings? Christy Lamagna Has The Solution','','inherit','closed','closed','','7771-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 21:34:31','2018-02-13 21:34:31','',7771,'https://strategic.events/7771-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10256,3,'2018-02-13 21:38:03','2018-02-13 21:38:03','[vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1509994475690{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2>Sick Of Lousy Meetings? Christy Lamagna Has The Solution</h2>\r\n<h3>By Bruce Weinstein</h3>\r\n[clickToTweet tweet=\"You have to hire people who are smarter than you are. - @SMEChristy #business #success\" quote=\"You have to hire people who are smarter than you are.\"]\r\n\r\nOne of the most unpleasant aspects of business is going to lousy meetings. We’ve all been there. Boring speakers. Uncomfortable rooms with poor lighting and sound. Not enough coffee.\r\n\r\nWorse than all of these are meetings that have no call to action. You wonder, \"What am I supposed to do with all of the information I just learned?\"\r\n\r\nMeetings don’t have to be like this. And they won’t be if you work with an event strategist. I didn’t even know such a job existed until I decided to write about ethical issues in the meeting planning industry and discovered a woman named Christy Lamagna, CMP, who is taking the industry, and the businesses they work with, to a higher level.\r\n\r\nChristy is the CEO of <a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/mastermind-corporate-meetings-management/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Strategic Meetings &amp; Events</a>, a private company with offices in Chicago, Palm Beach, Seattle, San Francisco, New York, and Bernardsville, New Jersey. What follows are highlights from a conversation I had with Christy at the Forbes headquarters in Jersey City, New Jersey.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-7779\" title=\"A meeting planner and an event planner execute logistics, and when one asks them to produce a meeting, they find the venue and they execute an event. An event strategist will work with key management to influence what attendees leave saying, thinking and doing. Sick Of Lousy Meetings? Christy Lamagna Has The Solution\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/christy-lamagna-1-1200x675.jpg\" alt=\"A meeting planner and an event planner execute logistics, and when one asks them to produce a meeting, they find the venue and they execute an event. An event strategist will work with key management to influence what attendees leave saying, thinking and doing. Sick Of Lousy Meetings? Christy Lamagna Has The Solution\" width=\"536\" height=\"301\" />\r\n\r\n<strong>Bruce Weinstein:</strong> What is an event strategist?\r\n\r\n<strong>Christy Lamagna:</strong> A meeting planner and an event planner execute logistics, and when someone asks them to produce a meeting, they find the venue space and they execute an event. An event strategist will work with key management to influence what attendees leave saying, thinking and doing. We influence behavior.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> Who is a dream client for you?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> Someone who truly wants to make their events a meaningful part of their organization. Events are the only three-dimensional embodiment of a company\'s marketing message. I want to speak to someone who truly gets excited about that, who says, \"I do want to hear what my attendees are looking for because my ego isn\'t what\'s important, it\'s the content,\" and who truly respects the power that meetings can have.\r\n\r\nIf a prospective client just wants to check a box or throw money at a problem so they can say they did it, it doesn\'t matter how much money they want to give me. We\'ll both be frustrated because I want to do so much more for them and they can\'t appreciate that.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> Have you turned down clients who were able to pony up the cash but who were box checkers?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> Yes. I can\'t take your money if you\'re not going to appreciate what I\'m doing. I\'d rather you go work with someone else and let me work with people who I can truly deliver everything possible to. If I take business that isn\'t right for me, it\'s going to prevent me from taking business that is, and neither of us are going to say good things when it\'s over because we\'re both going to be disappointed.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> What should Forbes readers keep in mind before they hire an event strategist?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> Anyone who thinks a PowerPoint deck is the best way to establish a relationship and tell you what they do, doesn\'t understand the meaning of events. If you work with someone who the first question they\'re going to ask you is, \"Let\'s talk about budget,\" or, \"Let\'s talk about location,\" they\'ve missed again.\r\n\r\nInstead, you want the strategist to ask, “What\'s your goal for having this meeting? Tell me what you would like to accomplish. What do you want your attendees saying, thinking, and doing when they leave?\" The goal is to make events investments, not expenditures.\r\n\r\nA planner who tells you they can do everything is either charging you too much or not telling you the truth. You have to hire people who are smarter than you are. I have a sister company that does all of my production because I can\'t focus the lights and program the audio.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> Are meeting planners and event strategists licensed?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> We’re not, but we should be. After all, we’re in charge of tens of millions of dollars and more importantly, the safety and well-being of thousands of people.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> It\'s like anyone can call themselves a therapist, anyone can be-\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> Anyone can be a planner. There are exams, and there is training, but at the end of the day there are no universal standards. You can hire your administrative assistant to plan your meeting. Who\'s going to stop you? The admin is going to be thrilled because she gets to go on these free trips. That shouldn\'t be happening. It’s a matter of ethics.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> So when someone becomes trained or certified as a meeting planner now, how much training in ethics do they get?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> To become a CMP, a Certified Meeting Planner, you have to get re-certified every five years. You take an exam. There are some ethics questions on those exams.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> Is this sufficient training to meet the ethical challenges in the industry?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> No. Just because a person has a CMP doesn’t mean that person has the integrity to be a planner. For example, I get between three and six invites a week from vendors, \"Come to Dubai.\" \"Come to South Africa.\" \"Come to New Zealand.\" We call them “fams” — familiarization trips.\r\n\r\nI want to go to all three of those places. The vendors pay for everything. But I don\'t have a client who wants to go to New Zealand.\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> You might.\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> But I’ll respond by saying, \"I\'d love to go to your country. I don\'t have a client now, or even on the horizon, who\'s looking to go to New Zealand, and I know it\'s going to cost you $6,000-8,000 per person. You can spend it on someone who\'s potentially going to be there.\"\r\n\r\n<strong>Weinstein:</strong> What’s another ethical issue you face?\r\n\r\n<strong>Lamagna:</strong> When I go on a site visit, a hotel is going to roll out for the red carpet for me and say, \"Christy, you’ve got to come and stay for two days, see the hotel. We\'re going to put you in the penthouse suite.\"\r\n\r\nBut it’s incumbent upon me to say, \"I need a regular room because if I\'m here, I need to know what that’s like as that is where my guests will be staying.”\r\n\r\nI’m not the person paying the bill. I can never confuse myself as an invited guest. It is never about me. Although I’m representing the company that\'s writing those checks, I’m just the paid help.\r\n\r\n===\r\n\r\nThis edited and condensed interview doesn’t do justice to the far-ranging conversation Christy and I had. I was impressed by her humility, courage and honesty, including telling me about mistakes she has made and she’s learned from them.\r\n\r\n[clickToTweet tweet=\"Ethical #leadership is the key to success, and @SMEChristy is an excellent example. @TheEthicsGuy\" quote=\"As we’ve seen throughout these columns, high-character leadership is the key to a business’s long-term success, and Christy Lamagna is an excellent example of this.\"]\r\n\r\nCheck <a href=\"https://twitter.com/@TheEthicsGuy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@TheEthicsGuy</a> availability to speak on high-character leadership <a href=\"https://www.espeakers.com/marketplace/v3#/bookmenow/5597/9024\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here</a>.\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"https://www.forbes.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-7775\" title=\"Forbes Logo\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/forbes-snooty-designers.png\" alt=\"Forbes Logo\" width=\"195\" height=\"95\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Sick Of Lousy Meetings? Christy Lamagna Has The Solution','','inherit','closed','closed','','7771-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 21:38:03','2018-02-13 21:38:03','',7771,'https://strategic.events/7771-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10257,3,'2018-02-13 22:34:26','2018-02-13 22:34:26','[vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1509984342317{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2 class=\"entry-title\">Boss vs. leader: Each has a purpose, which one are you?</h2>\r\n<h3>By <span class=\"entry-author\"><span class=\"entry-author-name\">Christy Lamagna, CMP, CMM, CTSM</span></span></h3>\r\nShakespeare wisely wrote: “Heavy is the head that wears the crown.” Anyone who has held a position of leadership knows what that sentence means.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignleft wp-image-7745\" title=\"Being a boss and being a leader are two entirely different things. Bosses tell others what to do and have decision-making responsibilities. Leaders inspire\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/shutterstock_boss-287x300.jpg\" alt=\"Being a boss and being a leader are two entirely different things. Bosses tell others what to do and have decision-making responsibilities. Leaders inspire\" width=\"221\" height=\"231\" />Being a boss and being a leader are two entirely different things. Bosses tell others what to do and have decision-making responsibilities. Leaders inspire those around them. What actions a leader inspires is based on whether that person is a good leader or a bad one.\r\n\r\nBosses aren’t necessarily bad, and leaders are not automatically good. Not everyone is meant to be a boss or a leader, and there’s nothing wrong with that. If everyone were in charge nothing would ever get done.\r\n\r\nIf you are tasked with managing people, it’s time to evaluate whether you’re a boss, or a leader, and what type of boss or leader you are. If you’re not sure, read on and see if you find yourself in these words.\r\n\r\nMany people think there is power in telling someone: “no.” The truth is, finding a way to make something happen and being the person who finds a way to say “yes” is where the power is. Authority is given, respect is earned. Do you want to be the person responsible for progress or the person who stops things from happening?\r\n\r\nTrue leadership has been defined as inspiring others to do what you want them to do because they want to do it. Good leaders conduct themselves as people worth emulating. They do not demand others to follow, nor do they lead by intimidation. Good leaders’ followers want to earn their approval, and strive to do their best to earn the leaders’ respect. If you find your style is to use fear as a way of handling those you manage, you’re not a leader, you’re a bully.\r\n\r\nGood leaders surround themselves with people who are smarter than they are and never stop learning. They are not afraid to admit that they don’t know everything, and they embrace change, learning and the process of continuing to strive to be more. True leaders know the journey never ends; the more you know the more you realize you need to learn. If you think you know it all, that’s a clear indication that your attitude may need some work.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-7784\" title=\"Being a boss and being a leader are two entirely different things. Bosses tell others what to do and have decision-making responsibilities. Leaders inspire\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/pexels-photo-515169-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"Being a boss and being a leader are two entirely different things. Bosses tell others what to do and have decision-making responsibilities. Leaders inspire\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" />\r\n\r\nPeople come in all shapes and sizes and their personalities are just as varied as their looks. Leaders take the time to recognize and acknowledge people’s differences and strike a balance between treating everyone with the same amount of respect while tailoring their learning style to the person with whom they are speaking. Leaders not only see people’s differences, they take the time to embrace those differences and use people’s individual strengths to maximize potential.\r\n\r\nSo back to Shakespeare. If leaders are able to inspire, lead, motivate and help mold people, what’s to complain about? It’s essential to remember that with power comes responsibility and with responsibility comes a need to be diligent in ones words and actions. While no one is perfect, a leader needs to be aware that their words have meaning, are being listened to and taken seriously and that their actions affect those around them. Sometimes that means making tough choices, doing the right thing even though that’s usually the hard thing to do, and staying true to their ethics, standards and principles.\r\n\r\nIt’s worth a quick mention that charismatic, inspiring, intelligent leaders can also use those qualities for the wrong reasons. It’s not hard to think of people who have changed the world by getting masses of people to follow them down a dark path.\r\n\r\nWhether a leader sets a good example or a bad one, many are apt to follow. So whether you’re a leader or a follower, pay attention to your actions, reactions and set a good example. If you’re a role model for even one person, you’ve led someone down a better life path.\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"http://planyourmeetings.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-7743 size-full\" title=\"Plan Your Meetings Logo\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/plan-your-meetings_250.jpg\" alt=\"Plan Your Meetings Logo\" width=\"250\" height=\"81\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Boss vs. leader: Each has a purpose, which one are you?','','inherit','closed','closed','','7742-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 22:34:26','2018-02-13 22:34:26','',7742,'https://strategic.events/7742-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10258,3,'2018-02-13 22:37:22','2018-02-13 22:37:22','<h2>The Right Answers Come from Asking the Right Questions</h2>\r\n<h3>By Christy Lamagna, CMP, CMM, CTSM</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-7574\" title=\"While there is no magic wand that will transform your work world overnight, if you start thinking strategically, many of the challenges you currently face\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide2-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"While there is no magic wand that will transform your work world overnight, if you start thinking strategically, many of the challenges you currently face will significantly decrease if not disappear altogether. The Right Answers Come from Asking the Right Questions\" width=\"424\" height=\"239\" />While there is no magic wand that will transform your work world overnight, if you start thinking strategically, many of the challenges you currently face will significantly decrease if not disappear altogether. If you wonder if your particular situation fits into my theory, take the quiz below and find out for yourself.\r\n\r\n<strong>The phrase that best describes my work day is:</strong>\r\n\r\nA. Hang on and hope for the best\r\nB. It’s pointless to question the decisions I’m being asked to follow. Nothing changes\r\nC. Even if I had a clone I’d be a week behind in my work\r\nD. If I just keep moving I will avoid realizing how exhausted I am\r\nE. All of the above\r\n\r\n<strong>You return from a grueling program and hear:</strong>\r\n\r\nA. You’re so lucky, you get to travel!\r\nB. Nice of you to come back. I don’t get to go anywhere\r\nC. Did you have any of those giveaways left? I’d like one\r\nD. It must be fun to plan parties for a living\r\nE. All of the above\r\n\r\n<strong>You ask for more help as your workload is crushing. The reply is:</strong>\r\n\r\nA. You can use Tom from the mailroom. He has a few hours free\r\nB. This is the same amount of work you’ve always done, what’s the problem?\r\nC. My daughter wants to plan events for a living. I’ll have her intern for you\r\nD. You stopped asking a long time ago.\r\nE. All of the above\r\n\r\nThe above questions, while tongue in cheek, may resonate with you on some level. If that’s the case, it’s a sign that you are planning logistically not strategically. The good news is we can change that. First let’s decode the questions and identify some of the core problems we face as an industry:\r\n\r\nQuestion one speaks to the frenetic speed of our workdays. This pace is a result of reacting to situations rather than being an integral part of a strategic decision-making process, thereby reducing fire drills and pop up issues that knock your day off course.\r\n\r\nQuestion two speaks to the misperception of what we do. How often have you heard an iteration of the sample responses above? The challenge is that all too often, when people misconstrue what we do for a living we don’t take the opportunity to educate them and set the record straight. For as long as our friends, colleagues, bosses and the public think of us in the terms described above without being corrected, the misconception thrives.\r\n\r\nQuestion three speaks to the perceived value of meetings and the work required to plan them. Until you can clearly articulate the value of meetings to your executives, and demonstrate their worth to the organization’s bottom line, your staffing budget as well as your events budgets are likely to be underfunded.\r\n\r\n[vc_row][vc_column][vc_masonry_grid post_type=\"post\" max_items=\"4\" element_width=\"6\" item=\"masonryGrid_OverlayWithRotation\" grid_id=\"vc_gid:1508951654253-50328689-be81-4\" taxonomies=\"3854\"][/vc_column][/vc_row]','The Right Answers Come from Asking the Right Questions','','inherit','closed','closed','','7573-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 22:37:22','2018-02-13 22:37:22','',7573,'https://strategic.events/7573-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10259,3,'2018-02-13 22:56:09','2018-02-13 22:56:09','[vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1509043427859{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2>You are asked to plan a meeting for a VP of another department. What is the first question you ask?</h2>\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_image_switch src_first=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide3-1.png\" src_second=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide1.png\" hover_animation=\"fading\" crop=\"false\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1508768270831{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]The word “strategic” is a bit overused these days, which is unfortunate, since the most important aspect of planning a meeting is establishing its goal. Without a clear direction, you have no basis by which to measure success or, as my father used to say, “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there.”\r\n\r\nYears ago, I was planning a sales meeting for 300 people. We were six weeks out from the five-day sales conference. The finish line was in sight.\r\n\r\nWe were a San Francisco-based company and the dot-com bubble was still shiny and whole. My CEO had no defined goal for the meeting, but he was a billionaire writing the checks, and things ran as he wished. He wanted a “gold rush” theme because he liked the geographic tie-in.\r\n\r\nAll was going well until two weeks before the meeting. The CEO changed the theme to a movie he’d seen. Everything had to be scrapped and redone. We spent more in rush charges than the cost of the items. Yep, I’m serious.\r\n\r\nAfter the smoke cleared, I sat with my CEO and explained the cost of his capriciousness. I wish I could tell you that the next year things were different, but I can’t. We went out of business six months later. He had no plan for that either.\r\n\r\nThis story is proof that setting and reaching goals is crucial to staying in business. Setting goals — creating excitement for a new product launch or helping the sales force deal with change, for example — should be what drives you. Your theme and message should support the goal. Continue to ask yourself how each aspect of the process reinforces the goal. Then you can plan and design the marketing, collateral, gifts and even meals to reflect your theme and goal.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-7679\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/slide13-1024x576.png\" alt=\"The word “strategic” is a bit overused these days, which is unfortunate, since the most important aspect of planning a meeting is establishing its goal. You are asked to plan a meeting for a VP of another department. What is the first question you ask?\" width=\"438\" height=\"246\" />\r\n\r\nStart by answering this question: What is the one thing people should remember and take action on as a result of this meeting? Focus on that one issue and build your agenda — theme, stage design, interactions, breaks and meals and entertainment.\r\n\r\nLook for a theme that will bring your points to action. Themes give people a common point of reference. A public speaker may help reinforce your message. (Looking for a speaker? Try a speaker’s bureau or ask around for recommendations.)\r\n\r\nStage design is key; remember this will be a focal point for attendees for a great deal of the meeting. Consider using multi-screens, shifts in lighting and moving parts that will keep viewers engaged and stimulated.\r\n\r\nPlan extended break times for networking and snacks that boost mental awareness. Snacks such as “make your own trail mix” or “design your own yogurt parfait” are healthy and interactive. Food presentations should support the theme and look inviting. Remember we eat with our eyes, too.\r\n\r\nInteraction among participants also is important. This is the perfect opportunity to encourage and recognize top performers. Doing so will take the energy through the roof, which is important. And with innovations like audience response polling, making your general session interactive is easy. These systems let you collect and summarize thousands of live-voting responses instantly. Data can even be automatically displayed.\r\n\r\nWhen entertaining the group at meal functions, design the room to foster networking and interaction. Lighting sets the tone. Keep florals low or above sight lines so attendees can make eye contact.\r\n\r\nAn example: At a recent outdoor event in Scottsdale, I was challenged to create the perfect setting for the final night dinner. The client chose an outdoor space, a terraced lawn. This location offered me just enough space for my needs and several layout options. I was working with a limited budget, so I chose to make the layout work as my “wow” factor. I ran one long table set for 42 guests down the length of the lawn. With no ceiling height restrictions, eight tall candelabras were used down the center of the table. Each candelabrum featured lush florals in the saturated sunset tones of the Arizona sky. Additional low florals, decorative charger plates and a multitude of pillar candles in staggered heights, completed the tablescape.\r\n\r\nI put the band at the far end of the table on one of the terraced areas, which worked perfectly as a stage and focal point. Everyone could look down the center of the table, watch people dance and enjoy the entertainment.\r\n\r\nMy <a href=\"https://strategic.events/short-decor-money-let-light/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">lighting design</a> was simple and cost-effective. I washed the entire area using a soft gel tone — up-light bastard amber — to warm up the skin tones of our guests and up-lit the various foliage in the same tones as the flowers. In a well-choreographed and synchronized system, the wait staff served guests beautifully plated courses from opposite sides of the table, so that guests could begin eating as soon as they were served. The evening was hailed as a total success and all it took was seeing the big picture first and paying attention to the important details that pull it all together. So you see, with so many elements supporting your goal, it’s an easy thing to accomplish. Start at the end and you will end up on top.\r\n\r\nAlways remember, smart is beautiful!\r\n<h2><strong>For more information on goal setting check out these articles:</strong></h2>\r\n[mk_blog_showcase excerpt_length=\"0\" orderby=\"none\" posts=\"699, 527, 548\"]','You are asked to plan a meeting for a VP of another department. What is the first question you ask?','','inherit','closed','closed','','7702-revision-v1','','','2018-02-13 22:56:09','2018-02-13 22:56:09','',7702,'https://strategic.events/7702-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10260,3,'2018-02-14 15:08:03','2018-02-14 15:08:03','<!-- OP_SEARCH_GENERATED --><div style=\'background-image:url(https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/strategic-planning-movement-cover-image.png);background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:cover;background-attachment:fixed;background-position:50% 0;padding-bottom:20px;border-top-width:px;border-top-style:solid;border-top-color:;border-bottom-width:px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:;\'  class=\"row one-column cf ui-sortable section  bg-parallax-5a297e5f1570f  bg-parallax-5a29b0e92d44f  bg-parallax-5a2ea743989b8  bg-parallax-5a2ee9ddecd41  bg-parallax-5a317f06a99d3  bg-parallax-5a354d6ad2ad3  bg-parallax-5a4d4f214acac  bg-parallax-5a4d57fe13e4a  bg-parallax-5a4d623dbd124  bg-parallax-5a4e41eddbb94  bg-parallax-5a4e44baaf58b  bg-parallax-5a4fbdabc2f6e  bg-parallax-5a4fdfd5b5cce  bg-parallax-5a53bdb1610fc  bg-parallax-5a54ccf50afd3  bg-parallax-5a5cecb8337bd  bg-parallax-5a5cf4314bf33  bg-parallax-5a5e1a19d1b61  bg-parallax-5a5f95e427621  bg-parallax-5a5f962686a47  bg-parallax-5a5f9c76d7528  bg-parallax-5a65fd2c11e02  bg-parallax-5a65fde174613  bg-parallax-5a7b1d7d7a27b bgposition  bg-parallax-5a7b341d64f82  bg-parallax-5a7b3c62c8fe3  bg-parallax-5a7b5fa70b5ee  bg-parallax-5a7e0ad75f65d  bg-parallax-5a7e0ca974d11  bg-parallax-5a7e298af0127  bg-parallax-5a8450ad5cd8a  bg-parallax-5a8450d3aabac \" id=\"le_body_row_1\"data-stellar-background-ratio=\"0.3\" data-style=\"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\"><div style=\'opacity:0.0;background:;\'  class=\"op-row-image-color-overlay\"></div><div class=\"fixed-width\"><div class=\"op-row-links\">\n                        <div class=\"op-row-links-content\">\n                            <a title=\"Copy Row\" href=\"#copy-row\" class=\"copy-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Edit Row Options\" href=\"#options\" class=\"edit-row\" id=\"row_options\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Clone Row\" href=\"#clone-row\" class=\"clone-row\"></a>\n                            <a href=\"#add-new-row\" class=\"add-new-row\"><span>Add New Row</span></a>\n                            <a title=\"Move Row\" href=\"#move\" class=\"move-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Paste Row\" href=\"#paste-row\" class=\"paste-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Delete Row\" href=\"#delete-row\" class=\"delete-row\"></a>\n                        </div>\n                    </div><div class=\"one-column column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_1_col_1\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_1_col_1_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <div style=\"height:750px\"> -- SPACER -- </div> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[vertical_spacing height=&quot;750&quot;]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div></div></div><div style=\'border-top-width:px;border-top-style:solid;border-top-color:;border-bottom-width:px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:;\'  class=\"row two-columns cf ui-sortable section   \" id=\"le_body_row_2\" data-style=\"eyJlbGVtZW50SWQiOiJsZV9ib2R5X3Jvd18yIiwiYm9yZGVyVG9wV2lkdGgiOiIiLCJib3JkZXJUb3BDb2xvciI6IiIsImJvcmRlckJvdHRvbVdpZHRoIjoiIiwiYm9yZGVyQm90dG9tQ29sb3IiOiIiLCJzZWN0aW9uU2VwYXJhdG9yVHlwZSI6Im5vbmUiLCJzZWN0aW9uU2VwYXJhdG9yU3R5bGUiOiIiLCJleHRyYXMiOnsiYW5pbWF0aW9uRWZmZWN0IjoiIiwiYW5pbWF0aW9uRGVsYXkiOiIifSwicm93U2Nyb2xsRml4ZWRQb3NpdGlvbiI6Im5vbmUiLCJyb3dTY3JvbGxGaXhlZE1vYmlsZSI6ZmFsc2UsImFkZG9uIjp7fX0=\"><div class=\"fixed-width\"><div class=\"op-row-links\">\n                        <div class=\"op-row-links-content\">\n                            <a title=\"Copy Row\" href=\"#copy-row\" class=\"copy-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Edit Row Options\" href=\"#options\" class=\"edit-row\" id=\"row_options\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Clone Row\" href=\"#clone-row\" class=\"clone-row\"></a>\n                            <a href=\"#add-new-row\" class=\"add-new-row\"><span>Add New Row</span></a>\n                            <a title=\"Move Row\" href=\"#move\" class=\"move-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Paste Row\" href=\"#paste-row\" class=\"paste-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Delete Row\" href=\"#delete-row\" class=\"delete-row\"></a>\n                        </div>\n                    </div><div class=\"one-half column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <div style=\"height:60px\"> -- SPACER -- </div> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[vertical_spacing height=&quot;60&quot;]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1_el_2\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <div class=\"video-plugin-new-syntax video-plugin-new\" style=\"width:560px; height:315px; max-width:100%;margin:0 auto; margin-bottom: 20px; border: 0px solid #fff; padding-top:0; padding-bottom:0;\"><div style=\"height:0; padding-bottom:56.25%; padding-top:0;\"></div></div> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[video_player type=&quot;youtube&quot; youtube_remove_logo=&quot;Y&quot; style=&quot;1&quot; dimensions=&quot;560x315&quot; width=&quot;560&quot; height=&quot;315&quot; align=&quot;center&quot; margin_top=&quot;0&quot; margin_bottom=&quot;20&quot; ipad_color=&quot;black&quot;]aHR0cHM6Ly95b3V0dS5iZS9tWnpVTEVfX29BZw==[/video_player]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1_el_3\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <h2 style=\'font-size:40px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#000080;text-align:center;\'>Our Mission</h2> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[headline style=&quot;1&quot; font_size=&quot;40&quot; font_style=&quot;normal&quot; font_color=&quot;%23000080&quot; font_shadow=&quot;none&quot; align=&quot;center&quot; headline_tag=&quot;h2&quot;]Our Mission[/headline]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1_el_4\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> [text_block style=\"style_1.png\" align=\"left\"]<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #1d1848;\">The Strategic Planning Movement\'s goal is to help the event industry and its dedicated professionals to evolve into a more sophisticated form of planner; specifically, strategic planners. </span></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #1d1848;\">Without this change, we will continue to exist in the darkness of the misconceptions around what we do, why events are held and our perceived value. By banding together and becoming strategic in our professional vision, brand and goals, we create the pathway to a brighter future, elevating the way we are perceived, illuminating the power of strategic events and the critical\nrole we play in their creation.</span></p>[/text_block] </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[text_block style=&quot;style_1.png&quot; align=&quot;left&quot;]&lt;p style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #1d1848;&quot;&gt;The Strategic Planning Movement&#039;s goal is to help the event industry and its dedicated professionals to evolve into a more sophisticated form of planner; specifically, strategic planners. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;\n&lt;p style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #1d1848;&quot;&gt;Without this change, we will continue to exist in the darkness of the misconceptions around what we do, why events are held and our perceived value. By banding together and becoming strategic in our professional vision, brand and goals, we create the pathway to a brighter future, elevating the way we are perceived, illuminating the power of strategic events and the critical\nrole we play in their creation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;[/text_block]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#one-half\" class=\"split-column\"></a><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div><div class=\"one-half column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <h2 style=\'font-size:16px;color:#000080;text-align:center;margin-bottom:20px;\'><h2><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Sign up now to help drive the Strategic Planning Movement</span></h2></h2> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[headline style=&quot;1&quot; font_size=&quot;16&quot; font_color=&quot;%23000080&quot; align=&quot;center&quot; bottom_margin=&quot;20&quot;]&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #000080;&quot;&gt;Sign up now to help drive the Strategic Planning Movement&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;[/headline]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2_el_2\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> \n<div id=\"5a8450ad8c489\" class=\"optin-box optin-box-24\" style=\" margin-top: 5px;margin-right: auto;margin-left: auto;\">\n    <form action=\"https://strategic.events/process-optin-form/\" method=\"post\" class=\"cf op-optin-validation\"><div style=\"display:none\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"provider\" value=\"mailchimp\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"redirect_url\" value=\"https://strategic.events/success-strategic-meetings-events/\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"list\" value=\"c19bb892bd\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"double_optin\" value=\"N\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"welcome_email\" value=\"N\" /></div><input type=\"email\" name=\"email\" placeholder=\"Enter your email address\" value=\"\" /><input type=\"text\" name=\"MERGE1\" placeholder=\"Enter your first name\" value=\"\" /><div class=\"text-box\"><input type=\"text\" name=\"MERGE2\" placeholder=\"Enter your last name\" value=\"\" /></div><div class=\"text-box\"><input type=\"text\" name=\"MERGE3\" placeholder=\"What is your biggest obstacle in planning?\" value=\"\" /></div><div style=\"text-align:center\"><style type=\"text/css\">#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .text {font-size:32px;font-family:\"Myriad Pro\", Myriad, sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-shadow:#000000 0px 2px 0px;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .subtext {text-shadow:#000000 0px 2px 0px;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 {padding:30px 40px;border-color:#132971;border-width:1px;-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;background:#132971;box-shadow:none;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .gradient {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .shine {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .active {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .hover {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}</style><button type=\"submit\" id=\"btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626\" class=\"css-button style-1 location_optin_box_style_24\"><span class=\"text\">Get Strategic</span><span class=\"hover\"></span><span class=\"active\"></span></button></div>    <input type=\"hidden\" id=\"op_optin_nonce\" name=\"op_optin_nonce\" value=\"cae99e7b66\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wp_http_referer\" value=\"/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php\" /></form>\n    </div>\n </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[optin_box style=&quot;24&quot; margin_top=&quot;5&quot; alignment=&quot;center&quot; email_field=&quot;email&quot; email_default=&quot;Enter your email address&quot; email_order=&quot;0&quot; integration_type=&quot;mailchimp&quot; thank_you_page=&quot;https://strategic.events/success-strategic-meetings-events/&quot; list=&quot;c19bb892bd&quot; name_field=&quot;MERGE1&quot; name_default=&quot;Enter your first name&quot; name_order=&quot;1&quot; name_required=&quot;N&quot; extra_field_1_name=&quot;MERGE2&quot; extra_field_1_order=&quot;2&quot; extra_field_1_required=&quot;Y&quot; extra_field_1_hidden=&quot;N&quot; extra_field_1_title=&quot;Enter your last name&quot; extra_field_2_name=&quot;MERGE3&quot; extra_field_2_order=&quot;3&quot; extra_field_2_required=&quot;N&quot; extra_field_2_hidden=&quot;N&quot; extra_field_2_title=&quot;What is your biggest obstacle in planning?&quot; opm_packages=&quot;&quot;][optin_box_field name=&quot;headline&quot;][/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=&quot;paragraph&quot;]LsKK3poqbMK6Z2jClsKK7IuWwqZ61ajCnsecwrXqrq3Cp2LCpiscwop4HsKWK0PConfCnMK96Ke6dyfConlacumuunfCp2rYrHLCicKmwqHDmg==[/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=&quot;privacy&quot;][/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=&quot;top_color&quot;]undefined[/optin_box_field][optin_box_button type=&quot;1&quot; text=&quot;Get Strategic&quot; text_size=&quot;32&quot; text_font=&quot;Myriad Pro;default&quot; text_bold=&quot;Y&quot; text_letter_spacing=&quot;0&quot; text_shadow_panel=&quot;Y&quot; text_shadow_vertical=&quot;2&quot; text_shadow_horizontal=&quot;0&quot; text_shadow_color=&quot;#000000&quot; text_shadow_blur=&quot;0&quot; styling_width=&quot;40&quot; styling_height=&quot;30&quot; styling_border_color=&quot;#132971&quot; styling_border_size=&quot;1&quot; styling_border_radius=&quot;6&quot; styling_border_opacity=&quot;100&quot; styling_gradient_start_color=&quot;#132971&quot; drop_shadow_panel=&quot;N&quot; inset_shadow_panel=&quot;N&quot; location=&quot;optin_box_style_24&quot; button_below=&quot;Y&quot;]Get Strategic[/optin_box_button] [/optin_box]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2_el_3\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <div style=\"height:20px\"> -- SPACER -- </div> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[vertical_spacing height=&quot;20&quot;]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2_el_4\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <ul class=\"bullet-list size-16\"  style=\"width:400px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;\"><li style=\'background-image:url(\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png\");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:16px 16px;\'>Receive free planning tools, guides, and resources </li><li style=\'background-image:url(\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png\");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:16px 16px;\'>Stay updated on latest strategic planning insights</li><li style=\'background-image:url(\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png\");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:16px 16px;\'>Learn about upcoming webinars and events</li><li style=\'background-image:url(\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png\");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:16px 16px;\'>Contribute your voice, ideas, and expertise</li><li style=\'background-image:url(\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png\");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:16px 16px;\'>Elevate your career and the event profession</li></ul> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[bullet_block upload_icon=&quot;https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png&quot; style=&quot;size-16&quot; small_icon=&quot;1.png&quot; width=&quot;400&quot; alignment=&quot;center&quot;]&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Receive free planning tools, guides, and resources &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Stay updated on latest strategic planning insights&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Learn about upcoming webinars and events&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Contribute your voice, ideas, and expertise&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Elevate your career and the event profession&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;[/bullet_block]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#one-half\" class=\"split-column\"></a><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div></div></div><div style=\'background-image:url(https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/get-strategic-spm.png);background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:cover;background-attachment:fixed;background-position:50% 0;padding-bottom:20px;border-top-width:px;border-top-style:solid;border-top-color:;border-bottom-width:px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:;\'  class=\"row one-column cf ui-sortable section  bg-parallax-5a297e5f1754d  bg-parallax-5a29b0e92eb9c  bg-parallax-5a2ea743d6447  bg-parallax-5a2ee9ddee7c2  bg-parallax-5a317f06e541f  bg-parallax-5a354d6b19ff7  bg-parallax-5a4d4f2190677  bg-parallax-5a4d57fe15673  bg-parallax-5a4d623dbf5f5  bg-parallax-5a4e41eddd8ef  bg-parallax-5a4e44bab1007  bg-parallax-5a4fbdabc49ec  bg-parallax-5a4fdfd5b791d  bg-parallax-5a53bdb1a0562  bg-parallax-5a54ccf50cb45  bg-parallax-5a5cecb86f252  bg-parallax-5a5cf4314e434  bg-parallax-5a5e1a19d37f2  bg-parallax-5a5f95e46316d  bg-parallax-5a5f96268867e  bg-parallax-5a5f9c76d9111  bg-parallax-5a65fd2c4d64d  bg-parallax-5a65fde17614c  bg-parallax-5a7b1d7d7c698  bg-parallax-5a7b341d66623  bg-parallax-5a7b3c62ca751  bg-parallax-5a7b5fa70cced  bg-parallax-5a7e0ad79c9f1  bg-parallax-5a7e0ca977856  bg-parallax-5a7e298af1c46  bg-parallax-5a8450ad9869c  bg-parallax-5a8450d3ace73 \" id=\"le_body_row_3\"data-stellar-background-ratio=\"0.3\" data-style=\"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\"><div style=\'opacity:0.0;background:;\'  class=\"op-row-image-color-overlay\"></div><div class=\"fixed-width\"><div class=\"op-row-links\">\n                        <div class=\"op-row-links-content\">\n                            <a title=\"Copy Row\" href=\"#copy-row\" class=\"copy-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Edit Row Options\" href=\"#options\" class=\"edit-row\" id=\"row_options\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Clone Row\" href=\"#clone-row\" class=\"clone-row\"></a>\n                            <a href=\"#add-new-row\" class=\"add-new-row\"><span>Add New Row</span></a>\n                            <a title=\"Move Row\" href=\"#move\" class=\"move-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Paste Row\" href=\"#paste-row\" class=\"paste-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Delete Row\" href=\"#delete-row\" class=\"delete-row\"></a>\n                        </div>\n                    </div><div class=\"one-column column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_3_col_1\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_3_col_1_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <div style=\"height:750px\"> -- SPACER -- </div> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[vertical_spacing height=&quot;750&quot;]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div></div></div><div style=\'border-top-width:px;border-top-style:solid;border-top-color:;border-bottom-width:px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:;\'  class=\"row one-column cf ui-sortable   \" id=\"le_body_row_4\" data-style=\"eyJlbGVtZW50SWQiOiJsZV9ib2R5X3Jvd180IiwiYm9yZGVyVG9wV2lkdGgiOiIiLCJib3JkZXJUb3BDb2xvciI6IiIsImJvcmRlckJvdHRvbVdpZHRoIjoiIiwiYm9yZGVyQm90dG9tQ29sb3IiOiIiLCJzZWN0aW9uU2VwYXJhdG9yVHlwZSI6Im5vbmUiLCJzZWN0aW9uU2VwYXJhdG9yU3R5bGUiOiIiLCJleHRyYXMiOnsiYW5pbWF0aW9uRWZmZWN0IjoiIiwiYW5pbWF0aW9uRGVsYXkiOiIifSwicm93U2Nyb2xsRml4ZWRQb3NpdGlvbiI6Im5vbmUiLCJyb3dTY3JvbGxGaXhlZE1vYmlsZSI6ZmFsc2UsImFkZG9uIjp7fX0=\"><div class=\"fixed-width\"><div class=\"op-row-links\">\n                        <div class=\"op-row-links-content\">\n                            <a title=\"Copy Row\" href=\"#copy-row\" class=\"copy-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Edit Row Options\" href=\"#options\" class=\"edit-row\" id=\"row_options\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Clone Row\" href=\"#clone-row\" class=\"clone-row\"></a>\n                            <a href=\"#add-new-row\" class=\"add-new-row\"><span>Add New Row</span></a>\n                            <a title=\"Move Row\" href=\"#move\" class=\"move-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Paste Row\" href=\"#paste-row\" class=\"paste-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Delete Row\" href=\"#delete-row\" class=\"delete-row\"></a>\n                        </div>\n                    </div><div class=\"one-column column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_4_col_1\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"e30=\" id=\"le_body_row_4_col_1_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\">\n                        <table class=\"headline-style-16\" style=\'font-size:50px;font-family:\"Myriad Pro\", Myriad, sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-align:center;margin-bottom:20px;\'>\n                            <tr>\n                                <td class=\"stroke\">\n                                    <div></div>\n                                </td>\n                                <td class=\"headline\">\n                                    <h2><h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\"> It’s time for the event industry to<br />\n#GetStrategic<br />\n</span></h3><h2>\n                                </td>\n                                <td class=\"stroke\">\n                                    <div></div>\n                                </td>\n                            </tr>\n                        </table>\n                    </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[headline style=&quot;17&quot; font_size=&quot;50&quot; font_font=&quot;Myriad%20Pro&quot; font_style=&quot;bold&quot; align=&quot;center&quot; headline_tag=&quot;h3&quot; bottom_margin=&quot;20&quot;]&lt;h3 style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #000080;&quot;&gt; It’s time for the event industry to\n#GetStrategic\n&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;[/headline]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_4_col_1_el_2\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <ul class=\"feature-block feature-block-style-2 feature-block-three-col cf\">\n                    <li><a class=\"feature-block-link\" href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8652469\" style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'><div>\n                                <span class=\"feature-block-2-img-container\"><img class=\"feature-block-2\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/linkedin-256-1.png\"  /></span><h2 style=\'font-size:31px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;letter-spacing:1px;\'>LinkedIn Group</h2><p style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'>Join the Strategic Planning Movement group on LinkedIn.</p>\n\n                            </div></a></li>\n                 \n                    <li><a class=\"feature-block-link\" href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/strategic-event-planning-resources/\" style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'><div>\n                                <span class=\"feature-block-2-img-container\"><img class=\"feature-block-2\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-4-300x300.png\"  /></span><h2 style=\'font-size:31px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;letter-spacing:1px;\'>Strategic Planning Resources</h2><p style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'>View our strategic planning resources page to access articles, videos, podcasts, and more to learn how to become an Event Strategist.</p>\n\n                            </div></a></li>\n                 \n                    <li><a class=\"feature-block-link\" href=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/740077079531864/\" style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'><div>\n                                <span class=\"feature-block-2-img-container\"><img class=\"feature-block-2\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/facebook-256-1.png\"  /></span><h2 style=\'font-size:31px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;letter-spacing:1px;\'>Facebook Group</h2><p style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'>Join the Strategic Planning Movement group on Facebook.</p>\n\n                            </div></a></li>\n                 </ul> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[feature_block style=&quot;icon&quot;  overall_style=&quot;image&quot; columns=&quot;3&quot; icon_style=&quot;2&quot; font_size=&quot;31&quot; font_font=&quot;Georgia&quot; font_style=&quot;normal&quot; font_color=&quot;#1d1848&quot; font_spacing=&quot;1&quot; font_shadow=&quot;none&quot; content_font_size=&quot;18&quot; content_font_font=&quot;Georgia&quot; content_font_style=&quot;normal&quot; content_font_color=&quot;#1d1848&quot; content_font_shadow=&quot;none&quot;][feature title=&quot;LinkedIn%20Group&quot; icon=&quot;359.png&quot; upload_icon=&quot;https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/linkedin-256-1.png&quot; bg_color=&quot;&quot; href=&quot;https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fgroups%2F8652469&quot;]&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #1d1848;&quot;&gt;Join the Strategic Planning Movement group on LinkedIn.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;[/feature] [feature title=&quot;Strategic%20Planning%20Resources&quot; icon=&quot;398.png&quot; upload_icon=&quot;https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-4-300x300.png&quot; bg_color=&quot;&quot; href=&quot;https%3A%2F%2Fstrategic.events%2Fstrategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management%2Fstrategic-event-planning-resources%2F&quot;]&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #1d1848;&quot;&gt;View our strategic planning resources page to access articles, videos, podcasts, and more to learn how to become an Event Strategist.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;[/feature] [feature title=&quot;Facebook%20Group&quot; icon=&quot;440.png&quot; upload_icon=&quot;https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/facebook-256-1.png&quot; bg_color=&quot;&quot; href=&quot;https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fgroups%2F740077079531864%2F&quot;]&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #1d1848;&quot;&gt;Join the Strategic Planning Movement group on Facebook.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;[/feature] [/feature_block]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div></div></div>','Strategic Planning Movement','','inherit','closed','closed','','8435-revision-v1','','','2018-02-14 15:08:03','2018-02-14 15:08:03','',8435,'https://strategic.events/8435-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10261,3,'2018-02-14 15:22:43','2018-02-14 15:22:43','<!-- OP_SEARCH_GENERATED --><div style=\'background-image:url(https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/strategic-planning-movement-cover-image.png);background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:cover;background-attachment:fixed;background-position:50% 0;padding-bottom:20px;border-top-width:px;border-top-style:solid;border-top-color:;border-bottom-width:px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:;\'  class=\"row one-column cf ui-sortable section  bg-parallax-5a297e5f1570f  bg-parallax-5a29b0e92d44f  bg-parallax-5a2ea743989b8  bg-parallax-5a2ee9ddecd41  bg-parallax-5a317f06a99d3  bg-parallax-5a354d6ad2ad3  bg-parallax-5a4d4f214acac  bg-parallax-5a4d57fe13e4a  bg-parallax-5a4d623dbd124  bg-parallax-5a4e41eddbb94  bg-parallax-5a4e44baaf58b  bg-parallax-5a4fbdabc2f6e  bg-parallax-5a4fdfd5b5cce  bg-parallax-5a53bdb1610fc  bg-parallax-5a54ccf50afd3  bg-parallax-5a5cecb8337bd  bg-parallax-5a5cf4314bf33  bg-parallax-5a5e1a19d1b61  bg-parallax-5a5f95e427621  bg-parallax-5a5f962686a47  bg-parallax-5a5f9c76d7528  bg-parallax-5a65fd2c11e02  bg-parallax-5a65fde174613  bg-parallax-5a7b1d7d7a27b bgposition  bg-parallax-5a7b341d64f82  bg-parallax-5a7b3c62c8fe3  bg-parallax-5a7b5fa70b5ee  bg-parallax-5a7e0ad75f65d  bg-parallax-5a7e0ca974d11  bg-parallax-5a7e298af0127  bg-parallax-5a8450ad5cd8a  bg-parallax-5a8453146e673  bg-parallax-5a8454438dc1a \" id=\"le_body_row_1\"data-stellar-background-ratio=\"0.3\" data-style=\"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\"><div style=\'opacity:0.0;background:;\'  class=\"op-row-image-color-overlay\"></div><div class=\"fixed-width\"><div class=\"op-row-links\">\n                        <div class=\"op-row-links-content\">\n                            <a title=\"Copy Row\" href=\"#copy-row\" class=\"copy-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Edit Row Options\" href=\"#options\" class=\"edit-row\" id=\"row_options\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Clone Row\" href=\"#clone-row\" class=\"clone-row\"></a>\n                            <a href=\"#add-new-row\" class=\"add-new-row\"><span>Add New Row</span></a>\n                            <a title=\"Move Row\" href=\"#move\" class=\"move-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Paste Row\" href=\"#paste-row\" class=\"paste-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Delete Row\" href=\"#delete-row\" class=\"delete-row\"></a>\n                        </div>\n                    </div><div class=\"one-column column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_1_col_1\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_1_col_1_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <div style=\"height:750px\"> -- SPACER -- </div> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[vertical_spacing height=&quot;750&quot;]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div></div></div><div style=\'border-top-width:px;border-top-style:solid;border-top-color:;border-bottom-width:px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:;\'  class=\"row two-columns cf ui-sortable section   \" id=\"le_body_row_2\" data-style=\"eyJlbGVtZW50SWQiOiJsZV9ib2R5X3Jvd18yIiwiYm9yZGVyVG9wV2lkdGgiOiIiLCJib3JkZXJUb3BDb2xvciI6IiIsImJvcmRlckJvdHRvbVdpZHRoIjoiIiwiYm9yZGVyQm90dG9tQ29sb3IiOiIiLCJzZWN0aW9uU2VwYXJhdG9yVHlwZSI6Im5vbmUiLCJzZWN0aW9uU2VwYXJhdG9yU3R5bGUiOiIiLCJleHRyYXMiOnsiYW5pbWF0aW9uRWZmZWN0IjoiIiwiYW5pbWF0aW9uRGVsYXkiOiIifSwicm93U2Nyb2xsRml4ZWRQb3NpdGlvbiI6Im5vbmUiLCJyb3dTY3JvbGxGaXhlZE1vYmlsZSI6ZmFsc2UsImFkZG9uIjp7fX0=\"><div class=\"fixed-width\"><div class=\"op-row-links\">\n                        <div class=\"op-row-links-content\">\n                            <a title=\"Copy Row\" href=\"#copy-row\" class=\"copy-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Edit Row Options\" href=\"#options\" class=\"edit-row\" id=\"row_options\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Clone Row\" href=\"#clone-row\" class=\"clone-row\"></a>\n                            <a href=\"#add-new-row\" class=\"add-new-row\"><span>Add New Row</span></a>\n                            <a title=\"Move Row\" href=\"#move\" class=\"move-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Paste Row\" href=\"#paste-row\" class=\"paste-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Delete Row\" href=\"#delete-row\" class=\"delete-row\"></a>\n                        </div>\n                    </div><div class=\"one-half column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <div style=\"height:60px\"> -- SPACER -- </div> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[vertical_spacing height=&quot;60&quot;]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1_el_2\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <div class=\"video-plugin-new-syntax video-plugin-new\" style=\"width:560px; height:315px; max-width:100%;margin:0 auto; margin-bottom: 20px; border: 0px solid #fff; padding-top:0; padding-bottom:0;\"><div style=\"height:0; padding-bottom:56.25%; padding-top:0;\"></div></div> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[video_player type=&quot;youtube&quot; youtube_remove_logo=&quot;Y&quot; style=&quot;1&quot; dimensions=&quot;560x315&quot; width=&quot;560&quot; height=&quot;315&quot; align=&quot;center&quot; margin_top=&quot;0&quot; margin_bottom=&quot;20&quot; ipad_color=&quot;black&quot;]aHR0cHM6Ly95b3V0dS5iZS9tWnpVTEVfX29BZw==[/video_player]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1_el_3\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <h2 style=\'font-size:40px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#000080;text-align:center;\'>Our Mission</h2> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[headline style=&quot;1&quot; font_size=&quot;40&quot; font_style=&quot;normal&quot; font_color=&quot;%23000080&quot; font_shadow=&quot;none&quot; align=&quot;center&quot; headline_tag=&quot;h2&quot;]Our Mission[/headline]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1_el_4\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> [text_block style=\"style_1.png\" align=\"left\"]<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #1d1848;\">The Strategic Planning Movement\'s goal is to help the event industry and its dedicated professionals to evolve into a more sophisticated form of planner; specifically, strategic planners. </span></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #1d1848;\">Without this change, we will continue to exist in the darkness of the misconceptions around what we do, why events are held and our perceived value. By banding together and becoming strategic in our professional vision, brand and goals, we create the pathway to a brighter future, elevating the way we are perceived, illuminating the power of strategic events and the critical\nrole we play in their creation.</span></p>[/text_block] </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[text_block style=&quot;style_1.png&quot; align=&quot;left&quot;]&lt;p style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #1d1848;&quot;&gt;The Strategic Planning Movement&#039;s goal is to help the event industry and its dedicated professionals to evolve into a more sophisticated form of planner; specifically, strategic planners. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;\n&lt;p style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #1d1848;&quot;&gt;Without this change, we will continue to exist in the darkness of the misconceptions around what we do, why events are held and our perceived value. By banding together and becoming strategic in our professional vision, brand and goals, we create the pathway to a brighter future, elevating the way we are perceived, illuminating the power of strategic events and the critical\nrole we play in their creation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;[/text_block]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#one-half\" class=\"split-column\"></a><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div><div class=\"one-half column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <h2 style=\'font-size:16px;color:#000080;text-align:center;margin-bottom:20px;\'><h2><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Sign up now to help drive the Strategic Planning Movement</span></h2></h2> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[headline style=&quot;1&quot; font_size=&quot;16&quot; font_color=&quot;%23000080&quot; align=&quot;center&quot; bottom_margin=&quot;20&quot;]&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #000080;&quot;&gt;Sign up now to help drive the Strategic Planning Movement&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;[/headline]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2_el_2\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> \n<div id=\"5a8450ad8c489\" class=\"optin-box optin-box-24\" style=\" margin-top: 5px;margin-right: auto;margin-left: auto;\">\n    <form action=\"https://strategic.events/process-optin-form/\" method=\"post\" class=\"cf op-optin-validation\"><div style=\"display:none\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"provider\" value=\"mailchimp\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"redirect_url\" value=\"https://strategic.events/success-strategic-meetings-events/\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"list\" value=\"c19bb892bd\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"double_optin\" value=\"N\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"welcome_email\" value=\"N\" /></div><input type=\"email\" name=\"email\" placeholder=\"Enter your email address\" value=\"\" /><input type=\"text\" name=\"MERGE1\" placeholder=\"Enter your first name\" value=\"\" /><div class=\"text-box\"><input type=\"text\" name=\"MERGE2\" placeholder=\"Enter your last name\" value=\"\" /></div><div class=\"text-box\"><input type=\"text\" name=\"MERGE3\" placeholder=\"What is your biggest obstacle in planning?\" value=\"\" /></div><div style=\"text-align:center\"><style type=\"text/css\">#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .text {font-size:32px;font-family:\"Myriad Pro\", Myriad, sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-shadow:#000000 0px 2px 0px;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .subtext {text-shadow:#000000 0px 2px 0px;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 {padding:30px 40px;border-color:#132971;border-width:1px;-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;background:#132971;box-shadow:none;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .gradient {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .shine {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .active {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .hover {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}</style><button type=\"submit\" id=\"btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626\" class=\"css-button style-1 location_optin_box_style_24\"><span class=\"text\">Get Strategic</span><span class=\"hover\"></span><span class=\"active\"></span></button></div>    <input type=\"hidden\" id=\"op_optin_nonce\" name=\"op_optin_nonce\" value=\"cae99e7b66\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wp_http_referer\" value=\"/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php\" /></form>\n    </div>\n </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[optin_box style=&quot;24&quot; margin_top=&quot;5&quot; alignment=&quot;center&quot; email_field=&quot;email&quot; email_default=&quot;Enter your email address&quot; email_order=&quot;0&quot; integration_type=&quot;mailchimp&quot; thank_you_page=&quot;https://strategic.events/success-strategic-meetings-events/&quot; list=&quot;c19bb892bd&quot; name_field=&quot;MERGE1&quot; name_default=&quot;Enter your first name&quot; name_order=&quot;1&quot; name_required=&quot;N&quot; extra_field_1_name=&quot;MERGE2&quot; extra_field_1_order=&quot;2&quot; extra_field_1_required=&quot;Y&quot; extra_field_1_hidden=&quot;N&quot; extra_field_1_title=&quot;Enter your last name&quot; extra_field_2_name=&quot;MERGE3&quot; extra_field_2_order=&quot;3&quot; extra_field_2_required=&quot;N&quot; extra_field_2_hidden=&quot;N&quot; extra_field_2_title=&quot;What is your biggest obstacle in planning?&quot; opm_packages=&quot;&quot;][optin_box_field name=&quot;headline&quot;][/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=&quot;paragraph&quot;]LsKK3poqbMK6Z2jClsKK7IuWwqZ61ajCnsecwrXqrq3Cp2LCpiscwop4HsKWK0PConfCnMK96Ke6dyfConlacumuunfCp2rYrHLCicKmwqHDmg==[/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=&quot;privacy&quot;][/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=&quot;top_color&quot;]undefined[/optin_box_field][optin_box_button type=&quot;1&quot; text=&quot;Get Strategic&quot; text_size=&quot;32&quot; text_font=&quot;Myriad Pro;default&quot; text_bold=&quot;Y&quot; text_letter_spacing=&quot;0&quot; text_shadow_panel=&quot;Y&quot; text_shadow_vertical=&quot;2&quot; text_shadow_horizontal=&quot;0&quot; text_shadow_color=&quot;#000000&quot; text_shadow_blur=&quot;0&quot; styling_width=&quot;40&quot; styling_height=&quot;30&quot; styling_border_color=&quot;#132971&quot; styling_border_size=&quot;1&quot; styling_border_radius=&quot;6&quot; styling_border_opacity=&quot;100&quot; styling_gradient_start_color=&quot;#132971&quot; drop_shadow_panel=&quot;N&quot; inset_shadow_panel=&quot;N&quot; location=&quot;optin_box_style_24&quot; button_below=&quot;Y&quot;]Get Strategic[/optin_box_button] [/optin_box]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2_el_3\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <div style=\"height:20px\"> -- SPACER -- </div> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[vertical_spacing height=&quot;20&quot;]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2_el_4\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <ul class=\"bullet-list size-16\"  style=\"width:400px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;\"><li style=\'background-image:url(\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png\");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:16px 16px;\'>Receive free planning tools, guides, and resources </li><li style=\'background-image:url(\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png\");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:16px 16px;\'>Stay updated on latest strategic planning insights</li><li style=\'background-image:url(\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png\");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:16px 16px;\'>Learn about upcoming webinars and events</li><li style=\'background-image:url(\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png\");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:16px 16px;\'>Contribute your voice, ideas, and expertise</li><li style=\'background-image:url(\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png\");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:16px 16px;\'>Elevate your career and the event profession</li></ul> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[bullet_block upload_icon=&quot;https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png&quot; style=&quot;size-16&quot; small_icon=&quot;1.png&quot; width=&quot;400&quot; alignment=&quot;center&quot;]&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Receive free planning tools, guides, and resources &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Stay updated on latest strategic planning insights&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Learn about upcoming webinars and events&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Contribute your voice, ideas, and expertise&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Elevate your career and the event profession&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;[/bullet_block]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#one-half\" class=\"split-column\"></a><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div></div></div><div style=\'background-image:url(https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/get-strategic-spm.png);background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:cover;background-attachment:fixed;background-position:50% 0;padding-bottom:20px;border-top-width:px;border-top-style:solid;border-top-color:;border-bottom-width:px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:;\'  class=\"row one-column cf ui-sortable section  bg-parallax-5a297e5f1754d  bg-parallax-5a29b0e92eb9c  bg-parallax-5a2ea743d6447  bg-parallax-5a2ee9ddee7c2  bg-parallax-5a317f06e541f  bg-parallax-5a354d6b19ff7  bg-parallax-5a4d4f2190677  bg-parallax-5a4d57fe15673  bg-parallax-5a4d623dbf5f5  bg-parallax-5a4e41eddd8ef  bg-parallax-5a4e44bab1007  bg-parallax-5a4fbdabc49ec  bg-parallax-5a4fdfd5b791d  bg-parallax-5a53bdb1a0562  bg-parallax-5a54ccf50cb45  bg-parallax-5a5cecb86f252  bg-parallax-5a5cf4314e434  bg-parallax-5a5e1a19d37f2  bg-parallax-5a5f95e46316d  bg-parallax-5a5f96268867e  bg-parallax-5a5f9c76d9111  bg-parallax-5a65fd2c4d64d  bg-parallax-5a65fde17614c  bg-parallax-5a7b1d7d7c698  bg-parallax-5a7b341d66623  bg-parallax-5a7b3c62ca751  bg-parallax-5a7b5fa70cced  bg-parallax-5a7e0ad79c9f1  bg-parallax-5a7e0ca977856  bg-parallax-5a7e298af1c46  bg-parallax-5a8450ad9869c  bg-parallax-5a84531470d0f  bg-parallax-5a84544391997 \" id=\"le_body_row_3\"data-stellar-background-ratio=\"0.3\" data-style=\"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\"><div style=\'opacity:0.0;background:;\'  class=\"op-row-image-color-overlay\"></div><div class=\"fixed-width\"><div class=\"op-row-links\">\n                        <div class=\"op-row-links-content\">\n                            <a title=\"Copy Row\" href=\"#copy-row\" class=\"copy-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Edit Row Options\" href=\"#options\" class=\"edit-row\" id=\"row_options\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Clone Row\" href=\"#clone-row\" class=\"clone-row\"></a>\n                            <a href=\"#add-new-row\" class=\"add-new-row\"><span>Add New Row</span></a>\n                            <a title=\"Move Row\" href=\"#move\" class=\"move-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Paste Row\" href=\"#paste-row\" class=\"paste-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Delete Row\" href=\"#delete-row\" class=\"delete-row\"></a>\n                        </div>\n                    </div><div class=\"one-column column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_3_col_1\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_3_col_1_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <div style=\"height:750px\"> -- SPACER -- </div> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[vertical_spacing height=&quot;750&quot;]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div></div></div><div style=\'border-top-width:px;border-top-style:solid;border-top-color:;border-bottom-width:px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:;\'  class=\"row one-column cf ui-sortable   \" id=\"le_body_row_4\" data-style=\"eyJlbGVtZW50SWQiOiJsZV9ib2R5X3Jvd180IiwiYm9yZGVyVG9wV2lkdGgiOiIiLCJib3JkZXJUb3BDb2xvciI6IiIsImJvcmRlckJvdHRvbVdpZHRoIjoiIiwiYm9yZGVyQm90dG9tQ29sb3IiOiIiLCJzZWN0aW9uU2VwYXJhdG9yVHlwZSI6Im5vbmUiLCJzZWN0aW9uU2VwYXJhdG9yU3R5bGUiOiIiLCJleHRyYXMiOnsiYW5pbWF0aW9uRWZmZWN0IjoiIiwiYW5pbWF0aW9uRGVsYXkiOiIifSwicm93U2Nyb2xsRml4ZWRQb3NpdGlvbiI6Im5vbmUiLCJyb3dTY3JvbGxGaXhlZE1vYmlsZSI6ZmFsc2UsImFkZG9uIjp7fX0=\"><div class=\"fixed-width\"><div class=\"op-row-links\">\n                        <div class=\"op-row-links-content\">\n                            <a title=\"Copy Row\" href=\"#copy-row\" class=\"copy-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Edit Row Options\" href=\"#options\" class=\"edit-row\" id=\"row_options\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Clone Row\" href=\"#clone-row\" class=\"clone-row\"></a>\n                            <a href=\"#add-new-row\" class=\"add-new-row\"><span>Add New Row</span></a>\n                            <a title=\"Move Row\" href=\"#move\" class=\"move-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Paste Row\" href=\"#paste-row\" class=\"paste-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Delete Row\" href=\"#delete-row\" class=\"delete-row\"></a>\n                        </div>\n                    </div><div class=\"one-column column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_4_col_1\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"e30=\" id=\"le_body_row_4_col_1_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\">\n                        <table class=\"headline-style-16\" style=\'font-size:50px;font-family:\"Myriad Pro\", Myriad, sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-align:center;margin-bottom:20px;\'>\n                            <tr>\n                                <td class=\"stroke\">\n                                    <div></div>\n                                </td>\n                                <td class=\"headline\">\n                                    <h2><h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\"> It’s time for the event industry to<br />\n#GetStrategic<br />\n</span></h3><h2>\n                                </td>\n                                <td class=\"stroke\">\n                                    <div></div>\n                                </td>\n                            </tr>\n                        </table>\n                    </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[headline style=&quot;17&quot; font_size=&quot;50&quot; font_font=&quot;Myriad%20Pro&quot; font_style=&quot;bold&quot; align=&quot;center&quot; headline_tag=&quot;h3&quot; bottom_margin=&quot;20&quot;]&lt;h3 style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #000080;&quot;&gt; It’s time for the event industry to\n#GetStrategic\n&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;[/headline]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_4_col_1_el_2\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <ul class=\"feature-block feature-block-style-2 feature-block-three-col cf\">\n                    <li><a class=\"feature-block-link\" href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8652469\" style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'><div>\n                                <span class=\"feature-block-2-img-container\"><img class=\"feature-block-2\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/linkedin-256-1.png\"  /></span><h2 style=\'font-size:31px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;letter-spacing:1px;\'>LinkedIn Group</h2><p style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'>Join the Strategic Planning Movement group on LinkedIn.</p>\n\n                            </div></a></li>\n                 \n                    <li><a class=\"feature-block-link\" href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/strategic-event-planning-resources/\" style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'><div>\n                                <span class=\"feature-block-2-img-container\"><img class=\"feature-block-2\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-4-300x300.png\"  /></span><h2 style=\'font-size:31px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;letter-spacing:1px;\'>Strategic Planning Resources</h2><p style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'>View our strategic planning resources page to access articles, videos, podcasts, and more to learn how to become an Event Strategist.</p>\n\n                            </div></a></li>\n                 \n                    <li><a class=\"feature-block-link\" href=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/740077079531864/\" style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'><div>\n                                <span class=\"feature-block-2-img-container\"><img class=\"feature-block-2\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/facebook-256-1.png\"  /></span><h2 style=\'font-size:31px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;letter-spacing:1px;\'>Facebook Group</h2><p style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'>Join the Strategic Planning Movement group on Facebook.</p>\n\n                            </div></a></li>\n                 </ul> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[feature_block style=&quot;icon&quot;  overall_style=&quot;image&quot; columns=&quot;3&quot; icon_style=&quot;2&quot; font_size=&quot;31&quot; font_font=&quot;Georgia&quot; font_style=&quot;normal&quot; font_color=&quot;#1d1848&quot; font_spacing=&quot;1&quot; font_shadow=&quot;none&quot; content_font_size=&quot;18&quot; content_font_font=&quot;Georgia&quot; content_font_style=&quot;normal&quot; content_font_color=&quot;#1d1848&quot; content_font_shadow=&quot;none&quot;][feature title=&quot;LinkedIn%20Group&quot; icon=&quot;359.png&quot; upload_icon=&quot;https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/linkedin-256-1.png&quot; bg_color=&quot;&quot; href=&quot;https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fgroups%2F8652469&quot;]&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #1d1848;&quot;&gt;Join the Strategic Planning Movement group on LinkedIn.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;[/feature] [feature title=&quot;Strategic%20Planning%20Resources&quot; icon=&quot;398.png&quot; upload_icon=&quot;https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-4-300x300.png&quot; bg_color=&quot;&quot; href=&quot;https%3A%2F%2Fstrategic.events%2Fstrategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management%2Fstrategic-event-planning-resources%2F&quot;]&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #1d1848;&quot;&gt;View our strategic planning resources page to access articles, videos, podcasts, and more to learn how to become an Event Strategist.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;[/feature] [feature title=&quot;Facebook%20Group&quot; icon=&quot;440.png&quot; upload_icon=&quot;https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/facebook-256-1.png&quot; bg_color=&quot;&quot; href=&quot;https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fgroups%2F740077079531864%2F&quot;]&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #1d1848;&quot;&gt;Join the Strategic Planning Movement group on Facebook.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;[/feature] [/feature_block]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div></div></div>','Strategic Planning Movement','','inherit','closed','closed','','8435-revision-v1','','','2018-02-14 15:22:43','2018-02-14 15:22:43','',8435,'https://strategic.events/8435-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10262,3,'2018-02-14 15:53:02','2018-02-14 15:53:02','<!-- OP_SEARCH_GENERATED --><div style=\'background-image:url(https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/strategic-planning-movement-cover-image.png);background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:cover;background-attachment:fixed;background-position:50% 0;padding-bottom:20px;border-top-width:px;border-top-style:solid;border-top-color:;border-bottom-width:px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:;\'  class=\"row one-column cf ui-sortable section  bg-parallax-5a297e5f1570f  bg-parallax-5a29b0e92d44f  bg-parallax-5a2ea743989b8  bg-parallax-5a2ee9ddecd41  bg-parallax-5a317f06a99d3  bg-parallax-5a354d6ad2ad3  bg-parallax-5a4d4f214acac  bg-parallax-5a4d57fe13e4a  bg-parallax-5a4d623dbd124  bg-parallax-5a4e41eddbb94  bg-parallax-5a4e44baaf58b  bg-parallax-5a4fbdabc2f6e  bg-parallax-5a4fdfd5b5cce  bg-parallax-5a53bdb1610fc  bg-parallax-5a54ccf50afd3  bg-parallax-5a5cecb8337bd  bg-parallax-5a5cf4314bf33  bg-parallax-5a5e1a19d1b61  bg-parallax-5a5f95e427621  bg-parallax-5a5f962686a47  bg-parallax-5a5f9c76d7528  bg-parallax-5a65fd2c11e02  bg-parallax-5a65fde174613  bg-parallax-5a7b1d7d7a27b bgposition  bg-parallax-5a7b341d64f82  bg-parallax-5a7b3c62c8fe3  bg-parallax-5a7b5fa70b5ee  bg-parallax-5a7e0ad75f65d  bg-parallax-5a7e0ca974d11  bg-parallax-5a7e298af0127  bg-parallax-5a8450ad5cd8a  bg-parallax-5a8453146e673  bg-parallax-5a845ac47e3d7  bg-parallax-5a845b5ea6956 \" id=\"le_body_row_1\"data-stellar-background-ratio=\"0.3\" data-style=\"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\"><div style=\'opacity:0.0;background:;\'  class=\"op-row-image-color-overlay\"></div><div class=\"fixed-width\"><div class=\"op-row-links\">\n                        <div class=\"op-row-links-content\">\n                            <a title=\"Copy Row\" href=\"#copy-row\" class=\"copy-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Edit Row Options\" href=\"#options\" class=\"edit-row\" id=\"row_options\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Clone Row\" href=\"#clone-row\" class=\"clone-row\"></a>\n                            <a href=\"#add-new-row\" class=\"add-new-row\"><span>Add New Row</span></a>\n                            <a title=\"Move Row\" href=\"#move\" class=\"move-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Paste Row\" href=\"#paste-row\" class=\"paste-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Delete Row\" href=\"#delete-row\" class=\"delete-row\"></a>\n                        </div>\n                    </div><div class=\"one-column column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_1_col_1\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_1_col_1_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <div style=\"height:750px\"> -- SPACER -- </div> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[vertical_spacing height=&quot;750&quot;]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div></div></div><div style=\'border-top-width:px;border-top-style:solid;border-top-color:;border-bottom-width:px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:;\'  class=\"row two-columns cf ui-sortable section   \" id=\"le_body_row_2\" data-style=\"eyJlbGVtZW50SWQiOiJsZV9ib2R5X3Jvd18yIiwiYm9yZGVyVG9wV2lkdGgiOiIiLCJib3JkZXJUb3BDb2xvciI6IiIsImJvcmRlckJvdHRvbVdpZHRoIjoiIiwiYm9yZGVyQm90dG9tQ29sb3IiOiIiLCJzZWN0aW9uU2VwYXJhdG9yVHlwZSI6Im5vbmUiLCJzZWN0aW9uU2VwYXJhdG9yU3R5bGUiOiIiLCJleHRyYXMiOnsiYW5pbWF0aW9uRWZmZWN0IjoiIiwiYW5pbWF0aW9uRGVsYXkiOiIifSwicm93U2Nyb2xsRml4ZWRQb3NpdGlvbiI6Im5vbmUiLCJyb3dTY3JvbGxGaXhlZE1vYmlsZSI6ZmFsc2UsImFkZG9uIjp7fX0=\"><div class=\"fixed-width\"><div class=\"op-row-links\">\n                        <div class=\"op-row-links-content\">\n                            <a title=\"Copy Row\" href=\"#copy-row\" class=\"copy-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Edit Row Options\" href=\"#options\" class=\"edit-row\" id=\"row_options\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Clone Row\" href=\"#clone-row\" class=\"clone-row\"></a>\n                            <a href=\"#add-new-row\" class=\"add-new-row\"><span>Add New Row</span></a>\n                            <a title=\"Move Row\" href=\"#move\" class=\"move-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Paste Row\" href=\"#paste-row\" class=\"paste-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Delete Row\" href=\"#delete-row\" class=\"delete-row\"></a>\n                        </div>\n                    </div><div class=\"one-half column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <div style=\"height:60px\"> -- SPACER -- </div> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[vertical_spacing height=&quot;60&quot;]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1_el_2\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <div class=\"video-plugin-new-syntax video-plugin-new\" style=\"width:560px; height:315px; max-width:100%;margin:0 auto; margin-bottom: 20px; border: 0px solid #fff; padding-top:0; padding-bottom:0;\"><div style=\"height:0; padding-bottom:56.25%; padding-top:0;\"></div></div> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[video_player type=&quot;youtube&quot; youtube_remove_logo=&quot;Y&quot; style=&quot;1&quot; dimensions=&quot;560x315&quot; width=&quot;560&quot; height=&quot;315&quot; align=&quot;center&quot; margin_top=&quot;0&quot; margin_bottom=&quot;20&quot; ipad_color=&quot;black&quot;]aHR0cHM6Ly95b3V0dS5iZS9tWnpVTEVfX29BZw==[/video_player]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1_el_3\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <h2 style=\'font-size:40px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#000080;text-align:center;\'>Our Mission</h2> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[headline style=&quot;1&quot; font_size=&quot;40&quot; font_style=&quot;normal&quot; font_color=&quot;%23000080&quot; font_shadow=&quot;none&quot; align=&quot;center&quot; headline_tag=&quot;h2&quot;]Our Mission[/headline]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1_el_4\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> [text_block style=\"style_1.png\" align=\"left\"]<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #1d1848;\">The Strategic Planning Movement\'s goal is to help the event industry and its dedicated professionals to evolve into a more sophisticated form of planner; specifically, strategic planners. </span></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #1d1848;\">Without this change, we will continue to exist in the darkness of the misconceptions around what we do, why events are held and our perceived value. By banding together and becoming strategic in our professional vision, brand and goals, we create the pathway to a brighter future, elevating the way we are perceived, illuminating the power of strategic events and the critical\nrole we play in their creation.</span></p>[/text_block] </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[text_block style=&quot;style_1.png&quot; align=&quot;left&quot;]&lt;p style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #1d1848;&quot;&gt;The Strategic Planning Movement&#039;s goal is to help the event industry and its dedicated professionals to evolve into a more sophisticated form of planner; specifically, strategic planners. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;\n&lt;p style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #1d1848;&quot;&gt;Without this change, we will continue to exist in the darkness of the misconceptions around what we do, why events are held and our perceived value. By banding together and becoming strategic in our professional vision, brand and goals, we create the pathway to a brighter future, elevating the way we are perceived, illuminating the power of strategic events and the critical\nrole we play in their creation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;[/text_block]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#one-half\" class=\"split-column\"></a><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div><div class=\"one-half column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <h2 style=\'font-size:16px;color:#000080;text-align:center;margin-bottom:20px;\'><h2><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Sign up now to help drive the Strategic Planning Movement</span></h2></h2> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[headline style=&quot;1&quot; font_size=&quot;16&quot; font_color=&quot;%23000080&quot; align=&quot;center&quot; bottom_margin=&quot;20&quot;]&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #000080;&quot;&gt;Sign up now to help drive the Strategic Planning Movement&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;[/headline]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2_el_2\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> \n<div id=\"5a845b5bb1925\" class=\"optin-box optin-box-24\" style=\" margin-top: 5px;margin-right: auto;margin-left: auto;\">\n    <form action=\"https://strategic.events/process-optin-form/\" method=\"post\" class=\"cf op-optin-validation\"><div style=\"display:none\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"provider\" value=\"mailchimp\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"redirect_url\" value=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups/\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"list\" value=\"c19bb892bd\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"double_optin\" value=\"N\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"welcome_email\" value=\"N\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"already_subscribed_url\" value=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups/\" /></div><input type=\"email\" name=\"email\" placeholder=\"Enter your email address\" value=\"\" /><div class=\"text-box\"><input type=\"text\" name=\"MERGE2\" placeholder=\"Enter your last name\" value=\"\" /></div><div class=\"text-box\"><input type=\"text\" name=\"MERGE3\" placeholder=\"What is your biggest obstacle in planning?\" value=\"\" /></div><div style=\"text-align:center\"><style type=\"text/css\">#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .text {font-size:32px;font-family:\"Myriad Pro\", Myriad, sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-shadow:#000000 0px 2px 0px;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .subtext {text-shadow:#000000 0px 2px 0px;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 {padding:30px 40px;border-color:#132971;border-width:1px;-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;background:#132971;box-shadow:none;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .gradient {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .shine {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .active {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .hover {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}</style><button type=\"submit\" id=\"btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626\" class=\"css-button style-1 location_optin_box_style_24\"><span class=\"text\">Get Strategic</span><span class=\"hover\"></span><span class=\"active\"></span></button></div>    <input type=\"hidden\" id=\"op_optin_nonce\" name=\"op_optin_nonce\" value=\"cae99e7b66\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wp_http_referer\" value=\"/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php\" /></form>\n    </div>\n </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[optin_box style=&quot;24&quot; margin_top=&quot;5&quot; alignment=&quot;center&quot; disable_name=&quot;Y&quot; email_field=&quot;email&quot; email_default=&quot;Enter your email address&quot; email_order=&quot;0&quot; integration_type=&quot;mailchimp&quot; thank_you_page=&quot;https://strategic.events/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups/&quot; already_subscribed_url=&quot;https://strategic.events/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups/&quot; list=&quot;c19bb892bd&quot; name_default=&quot;Enter your first name&quot; name_order=&quot;1&quot; name_required=&quot;N&quot; extra_field_1_name=&quot;MERGE2&quot; extra_field_1_order=&quot;2&quot; extra_field_1_required=&quot;Y&quot; extra_field_1_hidden=&quot;N&quot; extra_field_1_title=&quot;Enter your last name&quot; extra_field_2_name=&quot;MERGE3&quot; extra_field_2_order=&quot;3&quot; extra_field_2_required=&quot;N&quot; extra_field_2_hidden=&quot;N&quot; extra_field_2_title=&quot;What is your biggest obstacle in planning?&quot; opm_packages=&quot;&quot;][optin_box_field name=&quot;headline&quot;][/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=&quot;paragraph&quot;]LsKK3poqbMK6Z2jClsKK7IuWwqZ61ajCnsecwrXqrq3Cp2LCpiscwop4HsKWK0PConfCnMK96Ke6dyfConlacumuunfCp2rYrHLCicKmwqHDmg==[/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=&quot;privacy&quot;][/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=&quot;top_color&quot;]undefined[/optin_box_field][optin_box_button type=&quot;1&quot; text=&quot;Get Strategic&quot; text_size=&quot;32&quot; text_font=&quot;Myriad Pro;default&quot; text_bold=&quot;Y&quot; text_letter_spacing=&quot;0&quot; text_shadow_panel=&quot;Y&quot; text_shadow_vertical=&quot;2&quot; text_shadow_horizontal=&quot;0&quot; text_shadow_color=&quot;#000000&quot; text_shadow_blur=&quot;0&quot; styling_width=&quot;40&quot; styling_height=&quot;30&quot; styling_border_color=&quot;#132971&quot; styling_border_size=&quot;1&quot; styling_border_radius=&quot;6&quot; styling_border_opacity=&quot;100&quot; styling_gradient_start_color=&quot;#132971&quot; drop_shadow_panel=&quot;N&quot; inset_shadow_panel=&quot;N&quot; location=&quot;optin_box_style_24&quot; button_below=&quot;Y&quot;]Get Strategic[/optin_box_button] [/optin_box]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2_el_3\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <div style=\"height:20px\"> -- SPACER -- </div> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[vertical_spacing height=&quot;20&quot;]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2_el_4\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <ul class=\"bullet-list size-16\"  style=\"width:400px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;\"><li style=\'background-image:url(\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png\");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:16px 16px;\'>Receive free planning tools, guides, and resources </li><li style=\'background-image:url(\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png\");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:16px 16px;\'>Stay updated on latest strategic planning insights</li><li style=\'background-image:url(\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png\");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:16px 16px;\'>Learn about upcoming webinars and events</li><li style=\'background-image:url(\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png\");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:16px 16px;\'>Contribute your voice, ideas, and expertise</li><li style=\'background-image:url(\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png\");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:16px 16px;\'>Elevate your career and the event profession</li></ul> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[bullet_block upload_icon=&quot;https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png&quot; style=&quot;size-16&quot; small_icon=&quot;1.png&quot; width=&quot;400&quot; alignment=&quot;center&quot;]&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Receive free planning tools, guides, and resources &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Stay updated on latest strategic planning insights&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Learn about upcoming webinars and events&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Contribute your voice, ideas, and expertise&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Elevate your career and the event profession&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;[/bullet_block]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#one-half\" class=\"split-column\"></a><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div></div></div><div style=\'background-image:url(https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/get-strategic-spm.png);background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:cover;background-attachment:fixed;background-position:50% 0;padding-bottom:20px;border-top-width:px;border-top-style:solid;border-top-color:;border-bottom-width:px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:;\'  class=\"row one-column cf ui-sortable section  bg-parallax-5a297e5f1754d  bg-parallax-5a29b0e92eb9c  bg-parallax-5a2ea743d6447  bg-parallax-5a2ee9ddee7c2  bg-parallax-5a317f06e541f  bg-parallax-5a354d6b19ff7  bg-parallax-5a4d4f2190677  bg-parallax-5a4d57fe15673  bg-parallax-5a4d623dbf5f5  bg-parallax-5a4e41eddd8ef  bg-parallax-5a4e44bab1007  bg-parallax-5a4fbdabc49ec  bg-parallax-5a4fdfd5b791d  bg-parallax-5a53bdb1a0562  bg-parallax-5a54ccf50cb45  bg-parallax-5a5cecb86f252  bg-parallax-5a5cf4314e434  bg-parallax-5a5e1a19d37f2  bg-parallax-5a5f95e46316d  bg-parallax-5a5f96268867e  bg-parallax-5a5f9c76d9111  bg-parallax-5a65fd2c4d64d  bg-parallax-5a65fde17614c  bg-parallax-5a7b1d7d7c698  bg-parallax-5a7b341d66623  bg-parallax-5a7b3c62ca751  bg-parallax-5a7b5fa70cced  bg-parallax-5a7e0ad79c9f1  bg-parallax-5a7e0ca977856  bg-parallax-5a7e298af1c46  bg-parallax-5a8450ad9869c  bg-parallax-5a84531470d0f  bg-parallax-5a845ac480966  bg-parallax-5a845b5ea86de \" id=\"le_body_row_3\"data-stellar-background-ratio=\"0.3\" data-style=\"eyJlbGVtZW50SWQiOiJsZV9ib2R5X3Jvd18zIiwiYmFja2dyb3VuZEltYWdlIjoidXJsKGh0dHBzOi8vc3RyYXRlZ2ljLmV2ZW50cy93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAxOC8wMi9nZXQtc3RyYXRlZ2ljLXNwbS5wbmcpIiwiYmFja2dyb3VuZFBvc2l0aW9uIjoiY292ZXIiLCJiYWNrZ3JvdW5kSW1hZ2VDb2xvciI6IiIsImJhY2tncm91bmRJbWFnZUNvbG9yT3BhY2l0eSI6IjAiLCJiYWNrZ3JvdW5kUGFyYWxheCI6dHJ1ZSwicGFkZGluZ0JvdHRvbSI6IjIwIiwiYm9yZGVyVG9wV2lkdGgiOiIiLCJib3JkZXJUb3BDb2xvciI6IiIsImJvcmRlckJvdHRvbVdpZHRoIjoiIiwiYm9yZGVyQm90dG9tQ29sb3IiOiIiLCJzZWN0aW9uU2VwYXJhdG9yVHlwZSI6Im5vbmUiLCJzZWN0aW9uU2VwYXJhdG9yU3R5bGUiOiIiLCJleHRyYXMiOnsiYW5pbWF0aW9uRWZmZWN0IjoiIiwiYW5pbWF0aW9uRGVsYXkiOiIifSwicm93U2Nyb2xsRml4ZWRQb3NpdGlvbiI6Im5vbmUiLCJyb3dTY3JvbGxGaXhlZE1vYmlsZSI6dHJ1ZSwiYWRkb24iOnt9fQ==\"><div style=\'opacity:0.0;background:;\'  class=\"op-row-image-color-overlay\"></div><div class=\"fixed-width\"><div class=\"op-row-links\">\n                        <div class=\"op-row-links-content\">\n                            <a title=\"Copy Row\" href=\"#copy-row\" class=\"copy-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Edit Row Options\" href=\"#options\" class=\"edit-row\" id=\"row_options\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Clone Row\" href=\"#clone-row\" class=\"clone-row\"></a>\n                            <a href=\"#add-new-row\" class=\"add-new-row\"><span>Add New Row</span></a>\n                            <a title=\"Move Row\" href=\"#move\" class=\"move-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Paste Row\" href=\"#paste-row\" class=\"paste-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Delete Row\" href=\"#delete-row\" class=\"delete-row\"></a>\n                        </div>\n                    </div><div class=\"one-column column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_3_col_1\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_3_col_1_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <div style=\"height:750px\"> -- SPACER -- </div> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[vertical_spacing height=&quot;750&quot;]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div></div></div><div style=\'border-top-width:px;border-top-style:solid;border-top-color:;border-bottom-width:px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:;\'  class=\"row one-column cf ui-sortable   \" id=\"le_body_row_4\" data-style=\"eyJlbGVtZW50SWQiOiJsZV9ib2R5X3Jvd180IiwiYm9yZGVyVG9wV2lkdGgiOiIiLCJib3JkZXJUb3BDb2xvciI6IiIsImJvcmRlckJvdHRvbVdpZHRoIjoiIiwiYm9yZGVyQm90dG9tQ29sb3IiOiIiLCJzZWN0aW9uU2VwYXJhdG9yVHlwZSI6Im5vbmUiLCJzZWN0aW9uU2VwYXJhdG9yU3R5bGUiOiIiLCJleHRyYXMiOnsiYW5pbWF0aW9uRWZmZWN0IjoiIiwiYW5pbWF0aW9uRGVsYXkiOiIifSwicm93U2Nyb2xsRml4ZWRQb3NpdGlvbiI6Im5vbmUiLCJyb3dTY3JvbGxGaXhlZE1vYmlsZSI6ZmFsc2UsImFkZG9uIjp7fX0=\"><div class=\"fixed-width\"><div class=\"op-row-links\">\n                        <div class=\"op-row-links-content\">\n                            <a title=\"Copy Row\" href=\"#copy-row\" class=\"copy-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Edit Row Options\" href=\"#options\" class=\"edit-row\" id=\"row_options\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Clone Row\" href=\"#clone-row\" class=\"clone-row\"></a>\n                            <a href=\"#add-new-row\" class=\"add-new-row\"><span>Add New Row</span></a>\n                            <a title=\"Move Row\" href=\"#move\" class=\"move-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Paste Row\" href=\"#paste-row\" class=\"paste-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Delete Row\" href=\"#delete-row\" class=\"delete-row\"></a>\n                        </div>\n                    </div><div class=\"one-column column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_4_col_1\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"e30=\" id=\"le_body_row_4_col_1_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\">\n                        <table class=\"headline-style-16\" style=\'font-size:50px;font-family:\"Myriad Pro\", Myriad, sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-align:center;margin-bottom:20px;\'>\n                            <tr>\n                                <td class=\"stroke\">\n                                    <div></div>\n                                </td>\n                                <td class=\"headline\">\n                                    <h2><h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\"> It’s time for the event industry to<br />\n#GetStrategic<br />\n</span></h3><h2>\n                                </td>\n                                <td class=\"stroke\">\n                                    <div></div>\n                                </td>\n                            </tr>\n                        </table>\n                    </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[headline style=&quot;17&quot; font_size=&quot;50&quot; font_font=&quot;Myriad%20Pro&quot; font_style=&quot;bold&quot; align=&quot;center&quot; headline_tag=&quot;h3&quot; bottom_margin=&quot;20&quot;]&lt;h3 style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #000080;&quot;&gt; It’s time for the event industry to\n#GetStrategic\n&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;[/headline]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_4_col_1_el_2\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <ul class=\"feature-block feature-block-style-2 feature-block-three-col cf\">\n                    <li><a class=\"feature-block-link\" href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8652469\" style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'><div>\n                                <span class=\"feature-block-2-img-container\"><img class=\"feature-block-2\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/linkedin-256-1.png\"  /></span><h2 style=\'font-size:31px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;letter-spacing:1px;\'>LinkedIn Group</h2><p style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'>Join the Strategic Planning Movement group on LinkedIn.</p>\n\n                            </div></a></li>\n                 \n                    <li><a class=\"feature-block-link\" href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/strategic-event-planning-resources/\" style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'><div>\n                                <span class=\"feature-block-2-img-container\"><img class=\"feature-block-2\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-4-300x300.png\"  /></span><h2 style=\'font-size:31px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;letter-spacing:1px;\'>Strategic Planning Resources</h2><p style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'>View our strategic planning resources page to access articles, videos, podcasts, and more to learn how to become an Event Strategist.</p>\n\n                            </div></a></li>\n                 \n                    <li><a class=\"feature-block-link\" href=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/740077079531864/\" style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'><div>\n                                <span class=\"feature-block-2-img-container\"><img class=\"feature-block-2\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/facebook-256-1.png\"  /></span><h2 style=\'font-size:31px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;letter-spacing:1px;\'>Facebook Group</h2><p style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'>Join the Strategic Planning Movement group on Facebook.</p>\n\n                            </div></a></li>\n                 </ul> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[feature_block style=&quot;icon&quot;  overall_style=&quot;image&quot; columns=&quot;3&quot; icon_style=&quot;2&quot; font_size=&quot;31&quot; font_font=&quot;Georgia&quot; font_style=&quot;normal&quot; font_color=&quot;#1d1848&quot; font_spacing=&quot;1&quot; font_shadow=&quot;none&quot; content_font_size=&quot;18&quot; content_font_font=&quot;Georgia&quot; content_font_style=&quot;normal&quot; content_font_color=&quot;#1d1848&quot; content_font_shadow=&quot;none&quot;][feature title=&quot;LinkedIn%20Group&quot; icon=&quot;359.png&quot; upload_icon=&quot;https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/linkedin-256-1.png&quot; bg_color=&quot;&quot; href=&quot;https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fgroups%2F8652469&quot;]&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #1d1848;&quot;&gt;Join the Strategic Planning Movement group on LinkedIn.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;[/feature] [feature title=&quot;Strategic%20Planning%20Resources&quot; icon=&quot;398.png&quot; upload_icon=&quot;https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-4-300x300.png&quot; bg_color=&quot;&quot; href=&quot;https%3A%2F%2Fstrategic.events%2Fstrategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management%2Fstrategic-event-planning-resources%2F&quot;]&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #1d1848;&quot;&gt;View our strategic planning resources page to access articles, videos, podcasts, and more to learn how to become an Event Strategist.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;[/feature] [feature title=&quot;Facebook%20Group&quot; icon=&quot;440.png&quot; upload_icon=&quot;https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/facebook-256-1.png&quot; bg_color=&quot;&quot; href=&quot;https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fgroups%2F740077079531864%2F&quot;]&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #1d1848;&quot;&gt;Join the Strategic Planning Movement group on Facebook.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;[/feature] [/feature_block]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div></div></div>','Strategic Planning Movement','','inherit','closed','closed','','8435-revision-v1','','','2018-02-14 15:53:02','2018-02-14 15:53:02','',8435,'https://strategic.events/8435-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10263,3,'2018-02-14 15:54:35','2018-02-14 15:54:35','[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=\"10245\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1518623662279{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Strategic Planning Movement\r\nSocial Media Groups</h2>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">The Strategic Planning Movement\'s goal is to help the event industry and its dedicated professionals to evolve into a more sophisticated form of planner; specifically, strategic planners.</h3>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Without this change, we will continue to exist in the darkness of the misconceptions around what we do, why events are held and our perceived value. By banding together and becoming strategic in our professional vision, brand and goals, we create the pathway to a brighter future, elevating the way we are perceived, illuminating the power of strategic events and the critical role we play in their creation.</h3>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Add your voice to the Strategic Planning Movement groups on:</h3>\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_padding_divider size=\"20\"][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/2\"][vc_single_image image=\"10157\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" link=\"http://www.facebook.com/groups/740077079531864/\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/2\"][vc_single_image image=\"10156\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" link=\"https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8652469\"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]','Strategic Planning Movement Social Media Groups','','inherit','closed','closed','','10179-revision-v1','','','2018-02-14 15:54:35','2018-02-14 15:54:35','',10179,'https://strategic.events/10179-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10264,3,'2018-03-30 21:54:21','2018-03-30 21:54:21','[vc_row][vc_column][mk_padding_divider size=\"20\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1518624580670{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2><img class=\" wp-image-10245 alignright\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"563\" height=\"317\" />We’d like to extend a warm welcome and sincere, ‘thank you’ for joining the Strategic Planning Movement. We know your time is valuable.</h2>\r\n<h2>We appreciate you sharing yours with us and promise to use it wisely.</h2>\r\n<h2>Our commitment to you is that we will only share quality content, relevant templates, and tools designed to advance your career. If you have questions, comments, suggestions or ideas, please email us. We will respond to your inquiry promptly.</h2>\r\n<h2>In the meantime, we’d appreciate hearing about why you’ve joined the movement, and what you’re interested in learning about. Our goal is to give back, share, teach and inspire. The more you tell us what you need, the better we can serve you.</h2>\r\n<h2>If you need anything, please feel free to give us a shout at <a href=\"mailto:WeAreListening@strategic.events\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WeAreListening@strategic.events</a></h2>\r\n<h2>Again, welcome!</h2>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Add you voice to the Strategic Planning Movement groups on:</h2>\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_social_networks size=\"x-large\" style=\"simple-rounded\" border_color=\"#000050\" bg_color=\"#000050\" bg_hover_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_hover_color=\"#000050\" align=\"center\" facebook=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/740077079531864/\" linkedin=\"https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8652469\"][/vc_column][/vc_row]','Success... You\'ve Joined the Strategic Planning Movement','','inherit','closed','closed','','8494-autosave-v1','','','2018-03-30 21:54:21','2018-03-30 21:54:21','',8494,'https://strategic.events/8494-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10265,3,'2018-02-14 16:00:34','2018-02-14 16:00:34','<!-- OP_SEARCH_GENERATED --><div style=\'background-image:url(https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/strategic-planning-movement-cover-image.png);background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:cover;background-attachment:fixed;background-position:50% 0;padding-bottom:20px;border-top-width:px;border-top-style:solid;border-top-color:;border-bottom-width:px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:;\'  class=\"row one-column cf ui-sortable section  bg-parallax-5a297e5f1570f  bg-parallax-5a29b0e92d44f  bg-parallax-5a2ea743989b8  bg-parallax-5a2ee9ddecd41  bg-parallax-5a317f06a99d3  bg-parallax-5a354d6ad2ad3  bg-parallax-5a4d4f214acac  bg-parallax-5a4d57fe13e4a  bg-parallax-5a4d623dbd124  bg-parallax-5a4e41eddbb94  bg-parallax-5a4e44baaf58b  bg-parallax-5a4fbdabc2f6e  bg-parallax-5a4fdfd5b5cce  bg-parallax-5a53bdb1610fc  bg-parallax-5a54ccf50afd3  bg-parallax-5a5cecb8337bd  bg-parallax-5a5cf4314bf33  bg-parallax-5a5e1a19d1b61  bg-parallax-5a5f95e427621  bg-parallax-5a5f962686a47  bg-parallax-5a5f9c76d7528  bg-parallax-5a65fd2c11e02  bg-parallax-5a65fde174613  bg-parallax-5a7b1d7d7a27b bgposition  bg-parallax-5a7b341d64f82  bg-parallax-5a7b3c62c8fe3  bg-parallax-5a7b5fa70b5ee  bg-parallax-5a7e0ad75f65d  bg-parallax-5a7e0ca974d11  bg-parallax-5a7e298af0127  bg-parallax-5a8450ad5cd8a  bg-parallax-5a8453146e673  bg-parallax-5a845ac47e3d7  bg-parallax-5a845d2293ca0 \" id=\"le_body_row_1\"data-stellar-background-ratio=\"0.3\" data-style=\"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\"><div style=\'opacity:0.0;background:;\'  class=\"op-row-image-color-overlay\"></div><div class=\"fixed-width\"><div class=\"op-row-links\">\n                        <div class=\"op-row-links-content\">\n                            <a title=\"Copy Row\" href=\"#copy-row\" class=\"copy-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Edit Row Options\" href=\"#options\" class=\"edit-row\" id=\"row_options\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Clone Row\" href=\"#clone-row\" class=\"clone-row\"></a>\n                            <a href=\"#add-new-row\" class=\"add-new-row\"><span>Add New Row</span></a>\n                            <a title=\"Move Row\" href=\"#move\" class=\"move-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Paste Row\" href=\"#paste-row\" class=\"paste-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Delete Row\" href=\"#delete-row\" class=\"delete-row\"></a>\n                        </div>\n                    </div><div class=\"one-column column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_1_col_1\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_1_col_1_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <div style=\"height:750px\"> -- SPACER -- </div> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[vertical_spacing height=&quot;750&quot;]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div></div></div><div style=\'border-top-width:px;border-top-style:solid;border-top-color:;border-bottom-width:px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:;\'  class=\"row two-columns cf ui-sortable section   \" id=\"le_body_row_2\" data-style=\"eyJlbGVtZW50SWQiOiJsZV9ib2R5X3Jvd18yIiwiYm9yZGVyVG9wV2lkdGgiOiIiLCJib3JkZXJUb3BDb2xvciI6IiIsImJvcmRlckJvdHRvbVdpZHRoIjoiIiwiYm9yZGVyQm90dG9tQ29sb3IiOiIiLCJzZWN0aW9uU2VwYXJhdG9yVHlwZSI6Im5vbmUiLCJzZWN0aW9uU2VwYXJhdG9yU3R5bGUiOiIiLCJleHRyYXMiOnsiYW5pbWF0aW9uRWZmZWN0IjoiIiwiYW5pbWF0aW9uRGVsYXkiOiIifSwicm93U2Nyb2xsRml4ZWRQb3NpdGlvbiI6Im5vbmUiLCJyb3dTY3JvbGxGaXhlZE1vYmlsZSI6ZmFsc2UsImFkZG9uIjp7fX0=\"><div class=\"fixed-width\"><div class=\"op-row-links\">\n                        <div class=\"op-row-links-content\">\n                            <a title=\"Copy Row\" href=\"#copy-row\" class=\"copy-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Edit Row Options\" href=\"#options\" class=\"edit-row\" id=\"row_options\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Clone Row\" href=\"#clone-row\" class=\"clone-row\"></a>\n                            <a href=\"#add-new-row\" class=\"add-new-row\"><span>Add New Row</span></a>\n                            <a title=\"Move Row\" href=\"#move\" class=\"move-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Paste Row\" href=\"#paste-row\" class=\"paste-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Delete Row\" href=\"#delete-row\" class=\"delete-row\"></a>\n                        </div>\n                    </div><div class=\"one-half column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <div style=\"height:60px\"> -- SPACER -- </div> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[vertical_spacing height=&quot;60&quot;]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1_el_2\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <div class=\"video-plugin-new-syntax video-plugin-new\" style=\"width:560px; height:315px; max-width:100%;margin:0 auto; margin-bottom: 20px; border: 0px solid #fff; padding-top:0; padding-bottom:0;\"><div style=\"height:0; padding-bottom:56.25%; padding-top:0;\"></div></div> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[video_player type=&quot;youtube&quot; youtube_remove_logo=&quot;Y&quot; style=&quot;1&quot; dimensions=&quot;560x315&quot; width=&quot;560&quot; height=&quot;315&quot; align=&quot;center&quot; margin_top=&quot;0&quot; margin_bottom=&quot;20&quot; ipad_color=&quot;black&quot;]aHR0cHM6Ly95b3V0dS5iZS9tWnpVTEVfX29BZw==[/video_player]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1_el_3\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <h2 style=\'font-size:40px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#000080;text-align:center;\'>Our Mission</h2> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[headline style=&quot;1&quot; font_size=&quot;40&quot; font_style=&quot;normal&quot; font_color=&quot;%23000080&quot; font_shadow=&quot;none&quot; align=&quot;center&quot; headline_tag=&quot;h2&quot;]Our Mission[/headline]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1_el_4\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> [text_block style=\"style_1.png\" align=\"left\"]<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #1d1848;\">The Strategic Planning Movement\'s goal is to help the event industry and its dedicated professionals to evolve into a more sophisticated form of planner; specifically, strategic planners. </span></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #1d1848;\">Without this change, we will continue to exist in the darkness of the misconceptions around what we do, why events are held and our perceived value. By banding together and becoming strategic in our professional vision, brand and goals, we create the pathway to a brighter future, elevating the way we are perceived, illuminating the power of strategic events and the critical\nrole we play in their creation.</span></p>[/text_block] </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[text_block style=&quot;style_1.png&quot; align=&quot;left&quot;]&lt;p style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #1d1848;&quot;&gt;The Strategic Planning Movement&#039;s goal is to help the event industry and its dedicated professionals to evolve into a more sophisticated form of planner; specifically, strategic planners. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;\n&lt;p style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #1d1848;&quot;&gt;Without this change, we will continue to exist in the darkness of the misconceptions around what we do, why events are held and our perceived value. By banding together and becoming strategic in our professional vision, brand and goals, we create the pathway to a brighter future, elevating the way we are perceived, illuminating the power of strategic events and the critical\nrole we play in their creation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;[/text_block]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#one-half\" class=\"split-column\"></a><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div><div class=\"one-half column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <h2 style=\'font-size:16px;color:#000080;text-align:center;margin-bottom:20px;\'><h2><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Sign up now to help drive the Strategic Planning Movement</span></h2></h2> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[headline style=&quot;1&quot; font_size=&quot;16&quot; font_color=&quot;%23000080&quot; align=&quot;center&quot; bottom_margin=&quot;20&quot;]&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #000080;&quot;&gt;Sign up now to help drive the Strategic Planning Movement&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;[/headline]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2_el_2\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> \n<div id=\"5a845b5bb1925\" class=\"optin-box optin-box-24\" style=\" margin-top: 5px;margin-right: auto;margin-left: auto;\">\n    <form action=\"https://strategic.events/process-optin-form/\" method=\"post\" class=\"cf op-optin-validation\"><div style=\"display:none\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"provider\" value=\"mailchimp\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"redirect_url\" value=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups/\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"list\" value=\"c19bb892bd\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"double_optin\" value=\"N\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"welcome_email\" value=\"N\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"already_subscribed_url\" value=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups/\" /></div><input type=\"email\" name=\"email\" placeholder=\"Enter your email address\" value=\"\" /><div class=\"text-box\"><input type=\"text\" name=\"MERGE2\" placeholder=\"Enter your last name\" value=\"\" /></div><div class=\"text-box\"><input type=\"text\" name=\"MERGE3\" placeholder=\"What is your biggest obstacle in planning?\" value=\"\" /></div><div style=\"text-align:center\"><style type=\"text/css\">#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .text {font-size:32px;font-family:\"Myriad Pro\", Myriad, sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-shadow:#000000 0px 2px 0px;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .subtext {text-shadow:#000000 0px 2px 0px;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 {padding:30px 40px;border-color:#132971;border-width:1px;-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;background:#132971;box-shadow:none;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .gradient {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .shine {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .active {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .hover {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}</style><button type=\"submit\" id=\"btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626\" class=\"css-button style-1 location_optin_box_style_24\"><span class=\"text\">Get Strategic</span><span class=\"hover\"></span><span class=\"active\"></span></button></div>    <input type=\"hidden\" id=\"op_optin_nonce\" name=\"op_optin_nonce\" value=\"cae99e7b66\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wp_http_referer\" value=\"/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php\" /></form>\n    </div>\n </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[optin_box style=&quot;24&quot; margin_top=&quot;5&quot; alignment=&quot;center&quot; disable_name=&quot;Y&quot; email_field=&quot;email&quot; email_default=&quot;Enter your email address&quot; email_order=&quot;0&quot; integration_type=&quot;mailchimp&quot; thank_you_page=&quot;https://strategic.events/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups/&quot; already_subscribed_url=&quot;https://strategic.events/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups/&quot; list=&quot;c19bb892bd&quot; name_default=&quot;Enter your first name&quot; name_order=&quot;1&quot; name_required=&quot;N&quot; extra_field_1_name=&quot;MERGE2&quot; extra_field_1_order=&quot;2&quot; extra_field_1_required=&quot;Y&quot; extra_field_1_hidden=&quot;N&quot; extra_field_1_title=&quot;Enter your last name&quot; extra_field_2_name=&quot;MERGE3&quot; extra_field_2_order=&quot;3&quot; extra_field_2_required=&quot;N&quot; extra_field_2_hidden=&quot;N&quot; extra_field_2_title=&quot;What is your biggest obstacle in planning?&quot; opm_packages=&quot;&quot;][optin_box_field name=&quot;headline&quot;][/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=&quot;paragraph&quot;]LsKK3poqbMK6Z2jClsKK7IuWwqZ61ajCnsecwrXqrq3Cp2LCpiscwop4HsKWK0PConfCnMK96Ke6dyfConlacumuunfCp2rYrHLCicKmwqHDmg==[/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=&quot;privacy&quot;][/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=&quot;top_color&quot;]undefined[/optin_box_field][optin_box_button type=&quot;1&quot; text=&quot;Get Strategic&quot; text_size=&quot;32&quot; text_font=&quot;Myriad Pro;default&quot; text_bold=&quot;Y&quot; text_letter_spacing=&quot;0&quot; text_shadow_panel=&quot;Y&quot; text_shadow_vertical=&quot;2&quot; text_shadow_horizontal=&quot;0&quot; text_shadow_color=&quot;#000000&quot; text_shadow_blur=&quot;0&quot; styling_width=&quot;40&quot; styling_height=&quot;30&quot; styling_border_color=&quot;#132971&quot; styling_border_size=&quot;1&quot; styling_border_radius=&quot;6&quot; styling_border_opacity=&quot;100&quot; styling_gradient_start_color=&quot;#132971&quot; drop_shadow_panel=&quot;N&quot; inset_shadow_panel=&quot;N&quot; location=&quot;optin_box_style_24&quot; button_below=&quot;Y&quot;]Get Strategic[/optin_box_button] [/optin_box]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2_el_3\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <div style=\"height:20px\"> -- SPACER -- </div> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[vertical_spacing height=&quot;20&quot;]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2_el_4\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <ul class=\"bullet-list size-16\"  style=\"width:400px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;\"><li style=\'background-image:url(\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png\");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:16px 16px;\'>Receive free planning tools, guides, and resources </li><li style=\'background-image:url(\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png\");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:16px 16px;\'>Stay updated on latest strategic planning insights</li><li style=\'background-image:url(\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png\");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:16px 16px;\'>Learn about upcoming webinars and events</li><li style=\'background-image:url(\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png\");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:16px 16px;\'>Contribute your voice, ideas, and expertise</li><li style=\'background-image:url(\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png\");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:16px 16px;\'>Elevate your career and the event profession</li></ul> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[bullet_block upload_icon=&quot;https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png&quot; style=&quot;size-16&quot; small_icon=&quot;1.png&quot; width=&quot;400&quot; alignment=&quot;center&quot;]&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Receive free planning tools, guides, and resources &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Stay updated on latest strategic planning insights&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Learn about upcoming webinars and events&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Contribute your voice, ideas, and expertise&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Elevate your career and the event profession&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;[/bullet_block]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#one-half\" class=\"split-column\"></a><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div></div></div><div style=\'background-image:url(https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/get-strategic-spm.png);background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:cover;background-attachment:fixed;background-position:50% 0;padding-bottom:20px;border-top-width:px;border-top-style:solid;border-top-color:;border-bottom-width:px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:;\'  class=\"row one-column cf ui-sortable section  bg-parallax-5a297e5f1754d  bg-parallax-5a29b0e92eb9c  bg-parallax-5a2ea743d6447  bg-parallax-5a2ee9ddee7c2  bg-parallax-5a317f06e541f  bg-parallax-5a354d6b19ff7  bg-parallax-5a4d4f2190677  bg-parallax-5a4d57fe15673  bg-parallax-5a4d623dbf5f5  bg-parallax-5a4e41eddd8ef  bg-parallax-5a4e44bab1007  bg-parallax-5a4fbdabc49ec  bg-parallax-5a4fdfd5b791d  bg-parallax-5a53bdb1a0562  bg-parallax-5a54ccf50cb45  bg-parallax-5a5cecb86f252  bg-parallax-5a5cf4314e434  bg-parallax-5a5e1a19d37f2  bg-parallax-5a5f95e46316d  bg-parallax-5a5f96268867e  bg-parallax-5a5f9c76d9111  bg-parallax-5a65fd2c4d64d  bg-parallax-5a65fde17614c  bg-parallax-5a7b1d7d7c698  bg-parallax-5a7b341d66623  bg-parallax-5a7b3c62ca751  bg-parallax-5a7b5fa70cced  bg-parallax-5a7e0ad79c9f1  bg-parallax-5a7e0ca977856  bg-parallax-5a7e298af1c46  bg-parallax-5a8450ad9869c  bg-parallax-5a84531470d0f  bg-parallax-5a845ac480966  bg-parallax-5a845d2295af5 \" id=\"le_body_row_3\"data-stellar-background-ratio=\"0.3\" data-style=\"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\"><div style=\'opacity:0.0;background:;\'  class=\"op-row-image-color-overlay\"></div><div class=\"fixed-width\"><div class=\"op-row-links\">\n                        <div class=\"op-row-links-content\">\n                            <a title=\"Copy Row\" href=\"#copy-row\" class=\"copy-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Edit Row Options\" href=\"#options\" class=\"edit-row\" id=\"row_options\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Clone Row\" href=\"#clone-row\" class=\"clone-row\"></a>\n                            <a href=\"#add-new-row\" class=\"add-new-row\"><span>Add New Row</span></a>\n                            <a title=\"Move Row\" href=\"#move\" class=\"move-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Paste Row\" href=\"#paste-row\" class=\"paste-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Delete Row\" href=\"#delete-row\" class=\"delete-row\"></a>\n                        </div>\n                    </div><div class=\"one-column column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_3_col_1\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_3_col_1_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <div style=\"height:750px\"> -- SPACER -- </div> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[vertical_spacing height=&quot;750&quot;]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div></div></div><div style=\'border-top-width:px;border-top-style:solid;border-top-color:;border-bottom-width:px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:;\'  class=\"row one-column cf ui-sortable   \" id=\"le_body_row_4\" data-style=\"eyJlbGVtZW50SWQiOiJsZV9ib2R5X3Jvd180IiwiYm9yZGVyVG9wV2lkdGgiOiIiLCJib3JkZXJUb3BDb2xvciI6IiIsImJvcmRlckJvdHRvbVdpZHRoIjoiIiwiYm9yZGVyQm90dG9tQ29sb3IiOiIiLCJzZWN0aW9uU2VwYXJhdG9yVHlwZSI6Im5vbmUiLCJzZWN0aW9uU2VwYXJhdG9yU3R5bGUiOiIiLCJleHRyYXMiOnsiYW5pbWF0aW9uRWZmZWN0IjoiIiwiYW5pbWF0aW9uRGVsYXkiOiIifSwicm93U2Nyb2xsRml4ZWRQb3NpdGlvbiI6Im5vbmUiLCJyb3dTY3JvbGxGaXhlZE1vYmlsZSI6ZmFsc2UsImFkZG9uIjp7fX0=\"><div class=\"fixed-width\"><div class=\"op-row-links\">\n                        <div class=\"op-row-links-content\">\n                            <a title=\"Copy Row\" href=\"#copy-row\" class=\"copy-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Edit Row Options\" href=\"#options\" class=\"edit-row\" id=\"row_options\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Clone Row\" href=\"#clone-row\" class=\"clone-row\"></a>\n                            <a href=\"#add-new-row\" class=\"add-new-row\"><span>Add New Row</span></a>\n                            <a title=\"Move Row\" href=\"#move\" class=\"move-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Paste Row\" href=\"#paste-row\" class=\"paste-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Delete Row\" href=\"#delete-row\" class=\"delete-row\"></a>\n                        </div>\n                    </div><div class=\"one-column column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_4_col_1\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"e30=\" id=\"le_body_row_4_col_1_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\">\n                        <table class=\"headline-style-16\" style=\'font-size:50px;font-family:\"Myriad Pro\", Myriad, sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-align:center;margin-bottom:20px;\'>\n                            <tr>\n                                <td class=\"stroke\">\n                                    <div></div>\n                                </td>\n                                <td class=\"headline\">\n                                    <h2><h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\"> It’s time for the event industry to<br />\n#GetStrategic<br />\n</span></h3><h2>\n                                </td>\n                                <td class=\"stroke\">\n                                    <div></div>\n                                </td>\n                            </tr>\n                        </table>\n                    </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[headline style=&quot;17&quot; font_size=&quot;50&quot; font_font=&quot;Myriad%20Pro&quot; font_style=&quot;bold&quot; align=&quot;center&quot; headline_tag=&quot;h3&quot; bottom_margin=&quot;20&quot;]&lt;h3 style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #000080;&quot;&gt; It’s time for the event industry to\n#GetStrategic\n&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;[/headline]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_4_col_1_el_2\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <ul class=\"feature-block feature-block-style-2 feature-block-three-col cf\">\n                    <li><a class=\"feature-block-link\" href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8652469\" style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'><div>\n                                <span class=\"feature-block-2-img-container\"><img class=\"feature-block-2\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/linkedin-256-1.png\"  /></span><h2 style=\'font-size:31px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;letter-spacing:1px;\'>LinkedIn Group</h2><p style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'>Join the Strategic Planning Movement group on LinkedIn.</p>\n\n                            </div></a></li>\n                 \n                    <li><a class=\"feature-block-link\" href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/strategic-event-planning-resources/\" style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'><div>\n                                <span class=\"feature-block-2-img-container\"><img class=\"feature-block-2\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-4-300x300.png\"  /></span><h2 style=\'font-size:31px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;letter-spacing:1px;\'>Strategic Planning Resources</h2><p style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'>View our strategic planning resources page to access articles, videos, podcasts, and more to learn how to become an Event Strategist.</p>\n\n                            </div></a></li>\n                 \n                    <li><a class=\"feature-block-link\" href=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/740077079531864/\" style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'><div>\n                                <span class=\"feature-block-2-img-container\"><img class=\"feature-block-2\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/facebook-256-1.png\"  /></span><h2 style=\'font-size:31px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;letter-spacing:1px;\'>Facebook Group</h2><p style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'>Join the Strategic Planning Movement group on Facebook.</p>\n\n                            </div></a></li>\n                 </ul> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[feature_block style=&quot;icon&quot;  overall_style=&quot;image&quot; columns=&quot;3&quot; icon_style=&quot;2&quot; font_size=&quot;31&quot; font_font=&quot;Georgia&quot; font_style=&quot;normal&quot; font_color=&quot;#1d1848&quot; font_spacing=&quot;1&quot; font_shadow=&quot;none&quot; content_font_size=&quot;18&quot; content_font_font=&quot;Georgia&quot; content_font_style=&quot;normal&quot; content_font_color=&quot;#1d1848&quot; content_font_shadow=&quot;none&quot;][feature title=&quot;LinkedIn%20Group&quot; icon=&quot;359.png&quot; upload_icon=&quot;https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/linkedin-256-1.png&quot; bg_color=&quot;&quot; href=&quot;https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fgroups%2F8652469&quot;]&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #1d1848;&quot;&gt;Join the Strategic Planning Movement group on LinkedIn.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;[/feature] [feature title=&quot;Strategic%20Planning%20Resources&quot; icon=&quot;398.png&quot; upload_icon=&quot;https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-4-300x300.png&quot; bg_color=&quot;&quot; href=&quot;https%3A%2F%2Fstrategic.events%2Fstrategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management%2Fstrategic-event-planning-resources%2F&quot;]&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #1d1848;&quot;&gt;View our strategic planning resources page to access articles, videos, podcasts, and more to learn how to become an Event Strategist.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;[/feature] [feature title=&quot;Facebook%20Group&quot; icon=&quot;440.png&quot; upload_icon=&quot;https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/facebook-256-1.png&quot; bg_color=&quot;&quot; href=&quot;https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fgroups%2F740077079531864%2F&quot;]&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #1d1848;&quot;&gt;Join the Strategic Planning Movement group on Facebook.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;[/feature] [/feature_block]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div></div></div>','Strategic Planning Movement','','inherit','closed','closed','','8435-revision-v1','','','2018-02-14 16:00:34','2018-02-14 16:00:34','',8435,'https://strategic.events/8435-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10266,3,'2018-02-14 16:03:31','2018-02-14 16:03:31','<p>[vc_row][vc_column][mk_padding_divider size=\"20\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1518624198074{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]<br />\r\n<h2><img class=\" wp-image-10245 alignright\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"593\" height=\"334\" />We’d like to extend a warm welcome and sincere, ‘thank you’ for joining the Strategic Planning Movement. We know your time is valuable.</h2>\r\n<h2>We appreciate you sharing yours with us and promise to use it wisely.</h2>\r\n<h2>Our commitment to you is that we will only share quality content, relevant templates, and tools designed to advance your career. If you have questions, comments, suggestions or ideas, please email us. We will respond to your inquiry promptly.</h2>\r\n<h2>In the meantime, we’d appreciate hearing about why you’ve joined the movement, and what you’re interested in learning about. Our goal is to give back, share, teach and inspire. The more you tell us what you need, the better we can serve you.</h2>\r\n<h2>If you need anything, please feel free to give us a shout at <a href=\"mailto:WeAreListening@Strategic.Events\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WeAreListening@Strategic.Events</a></h2>\r\n<h2>Again, welcome!</h2>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Add you voice to the Strategic Planning Movement groups on:</h2>\r\n<p>[/vc_column_text][mk_social_networks size=\"x-large\" style=\"simple-rounded\" border_color=\"#000050\" bg_color=\"#000050\" bg_hover_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_hover_color=\"#000050\" align=\"center\" facebook=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/740077079531864/\" linkedin=\"https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8652469\"][/vc_column][/vc_row]</p>\r\n','Success... You\'ve Joined the Strategic Planning Movement','','inherit','closed','closed','','8494-revision-v1','','','2018-02-14 16:03:31','2018-02-14 16:03:31','',8494,'https://strategic.events/8494-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10267,3,'2018-02-14 16:05:33','2018-02-14 16:05:33','<!-- OP_SEARCH_GENERATED --><div style=\'background-image:url(https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/strategic-planning-movement-cover-image.png);background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:cover;background-attachment:fixed;background-position:50% 0;padding-bottom:20px;border-top-width:px;border-top-style:solid;border-top-color:;border-bottom-width:px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:;\'  class=\"row one-column cf ui-sortable section  bg-parallax-5a297e5f1570f  bg-parallax-5a29b0e92d44f  bg-parallax-5a2ea743989b8  bg-parallax-5a2ee9ddecd41  bg-parallax-5a317f06a99d3  bg-parallax-5a354d6ad2ad3  bg-parallax-5a4d4f214acac  bg-parallax-5a4d57fe13e4a  bg-parallax-5a4d623dbd124  bg-parallax-5a4e41eddbb94  bg-parallax-5a4e44baaf58b  bg-parallax-5a4fbdabc2f6e  bg-parallax-5a4fdfd5b5cce  bg-parallax-5a53bdb1610fc  bg-parallax-5a54ccf50afd3  bg-parallax-5a5cecb8337bd  bg-parallax-5a5cf4314bf33  bg-parallax-5a5e1a19d1b61  bg-parallax-5a5f95e427621  bg-parallax-5a5f962686a47  bg-parallax-5a5f9c76d7528  bg-parallax-5a65fd2c11e02  bg-parallax-5a65fde174613  bg-parallax-5a7b1d7d7a27b bgposition  bg-parallax-5a7b341d64f82  bg-parallax-5a7b3c62c8fe3  bg-parallax-5a7b5fa70b5ee  bg-parallax-5a7e0ad75f65d  bg-parallax-5a7e0ca974d11  bg-parallax-5a7e298af0127  bg-parallax-5a8450ad5cd8a  bg-parallax-5a8453146e673  bg-parallax-5a845ac47e3d7  bg-parallax-5a845e4d9cb3f \" id=\"le_body_row_1\"data-stellar-background-ratio=\"0.3\" data-style=\"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\"><div style=\'opacity:0.0;background:;\'  class=\"op-row-image-color-overlay\"></div><div class=\"fixed-width\"><div class=\"op-row-links\">\n                        <div class=\"op-row-links-content\">\n                            <a title=\"Copy Row\" href=\"#copy-row\" class=\"copy-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Edit Row Options\" href=\"#options\" class=\"edit-row\" id=\"row_options\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Clone Row\" href=\"#clone-row\" class=\"clone-row\"></a>\n                            <a href=\"#add-new-row\" class=\"add-new-row\"><span>Add New Row</span></a>\n                            <a title=\"Move Row\" href=\"#move\" class=\"move-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Paste Row\" href=\"#paste-row\" class=\"paste-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Delete Row\" href=\"#delete-row\" class=\"delete-row\"></a>\n                        </div>\n                    </div><div class=\"one-column column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_1_col_1\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_1_col_1_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <div style=\"height:750px\"> -- SPACER -- </div> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[vertical_spacing height=&quot;750&quot;]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div></div></div><div style=\'border-top-width:px;border-top-style:solid;border-top-color:;border-bottom-width:px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:;\'  class=\"row two-columns cf ui-sortable section   \" id=\"le_body_row_2\" data-style=\"eyJlbGVtZW50SWQiOiJsZV9ib2R5X3Jvd18yIiwiYm9yZGVyVG9wV2lkdGgiOiIiLCJib3JkZXJUb3BDb2xvciI6IiIsImJvcmRlckJvdHRvbVdpZHRoIjoiIiwiYm9yZGVyQm90dG9tQ29sb3IiOiIiLCJzZWN0aW9uU2VwYXJhdG9yVHlwZSI6Im5vbmUiLCJzZWN0aW9uU2VwYXJhdG9yU3R5bGUiOiIiLCJleHRyYXMiOnsiYW5pbWF0aW9uRWZmZWN0IjoiIiwiYW5pbWF0aW9uRGVsYXkiOiIifSwicm93U2Nyb2xsRml4ZWRQb3NpdGlvbiI6Im5vbmUiLCJyb3dTY3JvbGxGaXhlZE1vYmlsZSI6ZmFsc2UsImFkZG9uIjp7fX0=\"><div class=\"fixed-width\"><div class=\"op-row-links\">\n                        <div class=\"op-row-links-content\">\n                            <a title=\"Copy Row\" href=\"#copy-row\" class=\"copy-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Edit Row Options\" href=\"#options\" class=\"edit-row\" id=\"row_options\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Clone Row\" href=\"#clone-row\" class=\"clone-row\"></a>\n                            <a href=\"#add-new-row\" class=\"add-new-row\"><span>Add New Row</span></a>\n                            <a title=\"Move Row\" href=\"#move\" class=\"move-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Paste Row\" href=\"#paste-row\" class=\"paste-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Delete Row\" href=\"#delete-row\" class=\"delete-row\"></a>\n                        </div>\n                    </div><div class=\"one-half column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <div style=\"height:60px\"> -- SPACER -- </div> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[vertical_spacing height=&quot;60&quot;]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1_el_2\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <div class=\"video-plugin-new-syntax video-plugin-new\" style=\"width:560px; height:315px; max-width:100%;margin:0 auto; margin-bottom: 20px; border: 0px solid #fff; padding-top:0; padding-bottom:0;\"><div style=\"height:0; padding-bottom:56.25%; padding-top:0;\"></div></div> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[video_player type=&quot;youtube&quot; youtube_remove_logo=&quot;Y&quot; style=&quot;1&quot; dimensions=&quot;560x315&quot; width=&quot;560&quot; height=&quot;315&quot; align=&quot;center&quot; margin_top=&quot;0&quot; margin_bottom=&quot;20&quot; ipad_color=&quot;black&quot;]aHR0cHM6Ly95b3V0dS5iZS9tWnpVTEVfX29BZw==[/video_player]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1_el_3\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <h2 style=\'font-size:40px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#000080;text-align:center;\'>Our Mission</h2> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[headline style=&quot;1&quot; font_size=&quot;40&quot; font_style=&quot;normal&quot; font_color=&quot;%23000080&quot; font_shadow=&quot;none&quot; align=&quot;center&quot; headline_tag=&quot;h2&quot;]Our Mission[/headline]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1_el_4\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> [text_block style=\"style_1.png\" align=\"left\"]<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #1d1848;\">The Strategic Planning Movement\'s goal is to help the event industry and its dedicated professionals to evolve into a more sophisticated form of planner; specifically, strategic planners. </span></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #1d1848;\">Without this change, we will continue to exist in the darkness of the misconceptions around what we do, why events are held and our perceived value. By banding together and becoming strategic in our professional vision, brand and goals, we create the pathway to a brighter future, elevating the way we are perceived, illuminating the power of strategic events and the critical\nrole we play in their creation.</span></p>[/text_block] </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[text_block style=&quot;style_1.png&quot; align=&quot;left&quot;]&lt;p style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #1d1848;&quot;&gt;The Strategic Planning Movement&#039;s goal is to help the event industry and its dedicated professionals to evolve into a more sophisticated form of planner; specifically, strategic planners. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;\n&lt;p style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #1d1848;&quot;&gt;Without this change, we will continue to exist in the darkness of the misconceptions around what we do, why events are held and our perceived value. By banding together and becoming strategic in our professional vision, brand and goals, we create the pathway to a brighter future, elevating the way we are perceived, illuminating the power of strategic events and the critical\nrole we play in their creation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;[/text_block]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#one-half\" class=\"split-column\"></a><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div><div class=\"one-half column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <h2 style=\'font-size:16px;color:#000080;text-align:center;margin-bottom:20px;\'><h2><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Sign up now to help drive the Strategic Planning Movement</span></h2></h2> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[headline style=&quot;1&quot; font_size=&quot;16&quot; font_color=&quot;%23000080&quot; align=&quot;center&quot; bottom_margin=&quot;20&quot;]&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #000080;&quot;&gt;Sign up now to help drive the Strategic Planning Movement&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;[/headline]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2_el_2\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> \n<div id=\"5a845b5bb1925\" class=\"optin-box optin-box-24\" style=\" margin-top: 5px;margin-right: auto;margin-left: auto;\">\n    <form action=\"https://strategic.events/process-optin-form/\" method=\"post\" class=\"cf op-optin-validation\"><div style=\"display:none\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"provider\" value=\"mailchimp\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"redirect_url\" value=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups/\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"list\" value=\"c19bb892bd\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"double_optin\" value=\"N\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"welcome_email\" value=\"N\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"already_subscribed_url\" value=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups/\" /></div><input type=\"email\" name=\"email\" placeholder=\"Enter your email address\" value=\"\" /><div class=\"text-box\"><input type=\"text\" name=\"MERGE2\" placeholder=\"Enter your last name\" value=\"\" /></div><div class=\"text-box\"><input type=\"text\" name=\"MERGE3\" placeholder=\"What is your biggest obstacle in planning?\" value=\"\" /></div><div style=\"text-align:center\"><style type=\"text/css\">#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .text {font-size:32px;font-family:\"Myriad Pro\", Myriad, sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-shadow:#000000 0px 2px 0px;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .subtext {text-shadow:#000000 0px 2px 0px;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 {padding:30px 40px;border-color:#132971;border-width:1px;-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;background:#132971;box-shadow:none;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .gradient {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .shine {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .active {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .hover {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}</style><button type=\"submit\" id=\"btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626\" class=\"css-button style-1 location_optin_box_style_24\"><span class=\"text\">Get Strategic</span><span class=\"hover\"></span><span class=\"active\"></span></button></div>    <input type=\"hidden\" id=\"op_optin_nonce\" name=\"op_optin_nonce\" value=\"cae99e7b66\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wp_http_referer\" value=\"/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php\" /></form>\n    </div>\n </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[optin_box style=&quot;24&quot; margin_top=&quot;5&quot; alignment=&quot;center&quot; disable_name=&quot;Y&quot; email_field=&quot;email&quot; email_default=&quot;Enter your email address&quot; email_order=&quot;0&quot; integration_type=&quot;mailchimp&quot; thank_you_page=&quot;https://strategic.events/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups/&quot; already_subscribed_url=&quot;https://strategic.events/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups/&quot; list=&quot;c19bb892bd&quot; name_default=&quot;Enter your first name&quot; name_order=&quot;1&quot; name_required=&quot;N&quot; extra_field_1_name=&quot;MERGE2&quot; extra_field_1_order=&quot;2&quot; extra_field_1_required=&quot;Y&quot; extra_field_1_hidden=&quot;N&quot; extra_field_1_title=&quot;Enter your last name&quot; extra_field_2_name=&quot;MERGE3&quot; extra_field_2_order=&quot;3&quot; extra_field_2_required=&quot;N&quot; extra_field_2_hidden=&quot;N&quot; extra_field_2_title=&quot;What is your biggest obstacle in planning?&quot; opm_packages=&quot;&quot;][optin_box_field name=&quot;headline&quot;][/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=&quot;paragraph&quot;]LsKK3poqbMK6Z2jClsKK7IuWwqZ61ajCnsecwrXqrq3Cp2LCpiscwop4HsKWK0PConfCnMK96Ke6dyfConlacumuunfCp2rYrHLCicKmwqHDmg==[/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=&quot;privacy&quot;][/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=&quot;top_color&quot;]undefined[/optin_box_field][optin_box_button type=&quot;1&quot; text=&quot;Get Strategic&quot; text_size=&quot;32&quot; text_font=&quot;Myriad Pro;default&quot; text_bold=&quot;Y&quot; text_letter_spacing=&quot;0&quot; text_shadow_panel=&quot;Y&quot; text_shadow_vertical=&quot;2&quot; text_shadow_horizontal=&quot;0&quot; text_shadow_color=&quot;#000000&quot; text_shadow_blur=&quot;0&quot; styling_width=&quot;40&quot; styling_height=&quot;30&quot; styling_border_color=&quot;#132971&quot; styling_border_size=&quot;1&quot; styling_border_radius=&quot;6&quot; styling_border_opacity=&quot;100&quot; styling_gradient_start_color=&quot;#132971&quot; drop_shadow_panel=&quot;N&quot; inset_shadow_panel=&quot;N&quot; location=&quot;optin_box_style_24&quot; button_below=&quot;Y&quot;]Get Strategic[/optin_box_button] [/optin_box]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2_el_3\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <div style=\"height:20px\"> -- SPACER -- </div> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[vertical_spacing height=&quot;20&quot;]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2_el_4\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <ul class=\"bullet-list size-16\"  style=\"width:400px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;\"><li style=\'background-image:url(\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png\");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:16px 16px;\'>Receive free planning tools, guides, and resources </li><li style=\'background-image:url(\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png\");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:16px 16px;\'>Stay updated on latest strategic planning insights</li><li style=\'background-image:url(\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png\");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:16px 16px;\'>Learn about upcoming webinars and events</li><li style=\'background-image:url(\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png\");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:16px 16px;\'>Contribute your voice, ideas, and expertise</li><li style=\'background-image:url(\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png\");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:16px 16px;\'>Elevate your career and the event profession</li></ul> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[bullet_block upload_icon=&quot;https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png&quot; style=&quot;size-16&quot; small_icon=&quot;1.png&quot; width=&quot;400&quot; alignment=&quot;center&quot;]&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Receive free planning tools, guides, and resources &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Stay updated on latest strategic planning insights&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Learn about upcoming webinars and events&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Contribute your voice, ideas, and expertise&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Elevate your career and the event profession&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;[/bullet_block]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#one-half\" class=\"split-column\"></a><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div></div></div><div style=\'background-image:url(https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/get-strategic-spm.png);background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:cover;background-attachment:fixed;background-position:50% 0;padding-bottom:20px;border-top-width:px;border-top-style:solid;border-top-color:;border-bottom-width:px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:;\'  class=\"row one-column cf ui-sortable section  bg-parallax-5a297e5f1754d  bg-parallax-5a29b0e92eb9c  bg-parallax-5a2ea743d6447  bg-parallax-5a2ee9ddee7c2  bg-parallax-5a317f06e541f  bg-parallax-5a354d6b19ff7  bg-parallax-5a4d4f2190677  bg-parallax-5a4d57fe15673  bg-parallax-5a4d623dbf5f5  bg-parallax-5a4e41eddd8ef  bg-parallax-5a4e44bab1007  bg-parallax-5a4fbdabc49ec  bg-parallax-5a4fdfd5b791d  bg-parallax-5a53bdb1a0562  bg-parallax-5a54ccf50cb45  bg-parallax-5a5cecb86f252  bg-parallax-5a5cf4314e434  bg-parallax-5a5e1a19d37f2  bg-parallax-5a5f95e46316d  bg-parallax-5a5f96268867e  bg-parallax-5a5f9c76d9111  bg-parallax-5a65fd2c4d64d  bg-parallax-5a65fde17614c  bg-parallax-5a7b1d7d7c698  bg-parallax-5a7b341d66623  bg-parallax-5a7b3c62ca751  bg-parallax-5a7b5fa70cced  bg-parallax-5a7e0ad79c9f1  bg-parallax-5a7e0ca977856  bg-parallax-5a7e298af1c46  bg-parallax-5a8450ad9869c  bg-parallax-5a84531470d0f  bg-parallax-5a845ac480966  bg-parallax-5a845e4d9f179 \" id=\"le_body_row_3\"data-stellar-background-ratio=\"0.3\" data-style=\"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\"><div style=\'opacity:0.0;background:;\'  class=\"op-row-image-color-overlay\"></div><div class=\"fixed-width\"><div class=\"op-row-links\">\n                        <div class=\"op-row-links-content\">\n                            <a title=\"Copy Row\" href=\"#copy-row\" class=\"copy-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Edit Row Options\" href=\"#options\" class=\"edit-row\" id=\"row_options\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Clone Row\" href=\"#clone-row\" class=\"clone-row\"></a>\n                            <a href=\"#add-new-row\" class=\"add-new-row\"><span>Add New Row</span></a>\n                            <a title=\"Move Row\" href=\"#move\" class=\"move-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Paste Row\" href=\"#paste-row\" class=\"paste-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Delete Row\" href=\"#delete-row\" class=\"delete-row\"></a>\n                        </div>\n                    </div><div class=\"one-column column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_3_col_1\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_3_col_1_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <div style=\"height:750px\"> -- SPACER -- </div> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[vertical_spacing height=&quot;750&quot;]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div></div></div><div style=\'border-top-width:px;border-top-style:solid;border-top-color:;border-bottom-width:px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:;\'  class=\"row one-column cf ui-sortable   \" id=\"le_body_row_4\" data-style=\"eyJlbGVtZW50SWQiOiJsZV9ib2R5X3Jvd180IiwiYm9yZGVyVG9wV2lkdGgiOiIiLCJib3JkZXJUb3BDb2xvciI6IiIsImJvcmRlckJvdHRvbVdpZHRoIjoiIiwiYm9yZGVyQm90dG9tQ29sb3IiOiIiLCJzZWN0aW9uU2VwYXJhdG9yVHlwZSI6Im5vbmUiLCJzZWN0aW9uU2VwYXJhdG9yU3R5bGUiOiIiLCJleHRyYXMiOnsiYW5pbWF0aW9uRWZmZWN0IjoiIiwiYW5pbWF0aW9uRGVsYXkiOiIifSwicm93U2Nyb2xsRml4ZWRQb3NpdGlvbiI6Im5vbmUiLCJyb3dTY3JvbGxGaXhlZE1vYmlsZSI6ZmFsc2UsImFkZG9uIjp7fX0=\"><div class=\"fixed-width\"><div class=\"op-row-links\">\n                        <div class=\"op-row-links-content\">\n                            <a title=\"Copy Row\" href=\"#copy-row\" class=\"copy-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Edit Row Options\" href=\"#options\" class=\"edit-row\" id=\"row_options\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Clone Row\" href=\"#clone-row\" class=\"clone-row\"></a>\n                            <a href=\"#add-new-row\" class=\"add-new-row\"><span>Add New Row</span></a>\n                            <a title=\"Move Row\" href=\"#move\" class=\"move-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Paste Row\" href=\"#paste-row\" class=\"paste-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Delete Row\" href=\"#delete-row\" class=\"delete-row\"></a>\n                        </div>\n                    </div><div class=\"one-column column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_4_col_1\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"e30=\" id=\"le_body_row_4_col_1_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\">\n                        <table class=\"headline-style-16\" style=\'font-size:50px;font-family:\"Myriad Pro\", Myriad, sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-align:center;margin-bottom:20px;\'>\n                            <tr>\n                                <td class=\"stroke\">\n                                    <div></div>\n                                </td>\n                                <td class=\"headline\">\n                                    <h2><h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\"> It’s time for the event industry to<br />\n#GetStrategic<br />\n</span></h3><h2>\n                                </td>\n                                <td class=\"stroke\">\n                                    <div></div>\n                                </td>\n                            </tr>\n                        </table>\n                    </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[headline style=&quot;17&quot; font_size=&quot;50&quot; font_font=&quot;Myriad%20Pro&quot; font_style=&quot;bold&quot; align=&quot;center&quot; headline_tag=&quot;h3&quot; bottom_margin=&quot;20&quot;]&lt;h3 style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #000080;&quot;&gt; It’s time for the event industry to\n#GetStrategic\n&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;[/headline]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_4_col_1_el_2\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <ul class=\"feature-block feature-block-style-2 feature-block-three-col cf\">\n                    <li><a class=\"feature-block-link\" href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8652469\" style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'><div>\n                                <span class=\"feature-block-2-img-container\"><img class=\"feature-block-2\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/linkedin-256-1.png\"  /></span><h2 style=\'font-size:31px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;letter-spacing:1px;\'>LinkedIn Group</h2><p style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'>Join the Strategic Planning Movement group on LinkedIn.</p>\n\n                            </div></a></li>\n                 \n                    <li><a class=\"feature-block-link\" href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/strategic-event-planning-resources/\" style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'><div>\n                                <span class=\"feature-block-2-img-container\"><img class=\"feature-block-2\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-4-300x300.png\"  /></span><h2 style=\'font-size:31px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;letter-spacing:1px;\'>Strategic Planning Resources</h2><p style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'>View our strategic planning resources page to access articles, videos, podcasts, and more to learn how to become an Event Strategist.</p>\n\n                            </div></a></li>\n                 \n                    <li><a class=\"feature-block-link\" href=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/740077079531864/\" style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'><div>\n                                <span class=\"feature-block-2-img-container\"><img class=\"feature-block-2\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/facebook-256-1.png\"  /></span><h2 style=\'font-size:31px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;letter-spacing:1px;\'>Facebook Group</h2><p style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'>Join the Strategic Planning Movement group on Facebook.</p>\n\n                            </div></a></li>\n                 </ul> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[feature_block style=&quot;icon&quot;  overall_style=&quot;image&quot; columns=&quot;3&quot; icon_style=&quot;2&quot; font_size=&quot;31&quot; font_font=&quot;Georgia&quot; font_style=&quot;normal&quot; font_color=&quot;#1d1848&quot; font_spacing=&quot;1&quot; font_shadow=&quot;none&quot; content_font_size=&quot;18&quot; content_font_font=&quot;Georgia&quot; content_font_style=&quot;normal&quot; content_font_color=&quot;#1d1848&quot; content_font_shadow=&quot;none&quot;][feature title=&quot;LinkedIn%20Group&quot; icon=&quot;359.png&quot; upload_icon=&quot;https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/linkedin-256-1.png&quot; bg_color=&quot;&quot; href=&quot;https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fgroups%2F8652469&quot;]&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #1d1848;&quot;&gt;Join the Strategic Planning Movement group on LinkedIn.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;[/feature] [feature title=&quot;Strategic%20Planning%20Resources&quot; icon=&quot;398.png&quot; upload_icon=&quot;https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-4-300x300.png&quot; bg_color=&quot;&quot; href=&quot;https%3A%2F%2Fstrategic.events%2Fstrategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management%2Fstrategic-event-planning-resources%2F&quot;]&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #1d1848;&quot;&gt;View our strategic planning resources page to access articles, videos, podcasts, and more to learn how to become an Event Strategist.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;[/feature] [feature title=&quot;Facebook%20Group&quot; icon=&quot;440.png&quot; upload_icon=&quot;https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/facebook-256-1.png&quot; bg_color=&quot;&quot; href=&quot;https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fgroups%2F740077079531864%2F&quot;]&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #1d1848;&quot;&gt;Join the Strategic Planning Movement group on Facebook.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;[/feature] [/feature_block]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div></div></div>','Strategic Planning Movement','','inherit','closed','closed','','8435-revision-v1','','','2018-02-14 16:05:33','2018-02-14 16:05:33','',8435,'https://strategic.events/8435-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10268,3,'2018-02-14 16:07:01','2018-02-14 16:07:01','[vc_row][vc_column][mk_padding_divider size=\"20\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1518624418166{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2><img class=\" wp-image-10245 alignright\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"593\" height=\"334\" />We’d like to extend a warm welcome and sincere, ‘thank you’ for joining the Strategic Planning Movement. We know your time is valuable.</h2>\r\n<h2>We appreciate you sharing yours with us and promise to use it wisely.</h2>\r\n<h2>Our commitment to you is that we will only share quality content, relevant templates, and tools designed to advance your career. If you have questions, comments, suggestions or ideas, please email us. We will respond to your inquiry promptly.</h2>\r\n<h2>In the meantime, we’d appreciate hearing about why you’ve joined the movement, and what you’re interested in learning about. Our goal is to give back, share, teach and inspire. The more you tell us what you need, the better we can serve you.</h2>\r\n<h2>If you need anything, please feel free to give us a shout at <a href=\"mailto:WeAreListening@strategic.events\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WeAreListening@strategic.events</a></h2>\r\n<h2>Again, welcome!</h2>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Add you voice to the Strategic Planning Movement groups on:</h2>\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_social_networks size=\"x-large\" style=\"simple-rounded\" border_color=\"#000050\" bg_color=\"#000050\" bg_hover_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_hover_color=\"#000050\" align=\"center\" facebook=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/740077079531864/\" linkedin=\"https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8652469\"][/vc_column][/vc_row]','Success... You\'ve Joined the Strategic Planning Movement','','inherit','closed','closed','','8494-revision-v1','','','2018-02-14 16:07:01','2018-02-14 16:07:01','',8494,'https://strategic.events/8494-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10269,3,'2018-02-14 16:07:25','2018-02-14 16:07:25','<!-- OP_SEARCH_GENERATED --><div style=\'background-image:url(https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/strategic-planning-movement-cover-image.png);background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:cover;background-attachment:fixed;background-position:50% 0;padding-bottom:20px;border-top-width:px;border-top-style:solid;border-top-color:;border-bottom-width:px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:;\'  class=\"row one-column cf ui-sortable section  bg-parallax-5a297e5f1570f  bg-parallax-5a29b0e92d44f  bg-parallax-5a2ea743989b8  bg-parallax-5a2ee9ddecd41  bg-parallax-5a317f06a99d3  bg-parallax-5a354d6ad2ad3  bg-parallax-5a4d4f214acac  bg-parallax-5a4d57fe13e4a  bg-parallax-5a4d623dbd124  bg-parallax-5a4e41eddbb94  bg-parallax-5a4e44baaf58b  bg-parallax-5a4fbdabc2f6e  bg-parallax-5a4fdfd5b5cce  bg-parallax-5a53bdb1610fc  bg-parallax-5a54ccf50afd3  bg-parallax-5a5cecb8337bd  bg-parallax-5a5cf4314bf33  bg-parallax-5a5e1a19d1b61  bg-parallax-5a5f95e427621  bg-parallax-5a5f962686a47  bg-parallax-5a5f9c76d7528  bg-parallax-5a65fd2c11e02  bg-parallax-5a65fde174613  bg-parallax-5a7b1d7d7a27b bgposition  bg-parallax-5a7b341d64f82  bg-parallax-5a7b3c62c8fe3  bg-parallax-5a7b5fa70b5ee  bg-parallax-5a7e0ad75f65d  bg-parallax-5a7e0ca974d11  bg-parallax-5a7e298af0127  bg-parallax-5a8450ad5cd8a  bg-parallax-5a8453146e673  bg-parallax-5a845ac47e3d7  bg-parallax-5a845ebdb8711 \" id=\"le_body_row_1\"data-stellar-background-ratio=\"0.3\" data-style=\"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\"><div style=\'opacity:0.0;background:;\'  class=\"op-row-image-color-overlay\"></div><div class=\"fixed-width\"><div class=\"op-row-links\">\n                        <div class=\"op-row-links-content\">\n                            <a title=\"Copy Row\" href=\"#copy-row\" class=\"copy-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Edit Row Options\" href=\"#options\" class=\"edit-row\" id=\"row_options\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Clone Row\" href=\"#clone-row\" class=\"clone-row\"></a>\n                            <a href=\"#add-new-row\" class=\"add-new-row\"><span>Add New Row</span></a>\n                            <a title=\"Move Row\" href=\"#move\" class=\"move-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Paste Row\" href=\"#paste-row\" class=\"paste-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Delete Row\" href=\"#delete-row\" class=\"delete-row\"></a>\n                        </div>\n                    </div><div class=\"one-column column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_1_col_1\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_1_col_1_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <div style=\"height:750px\"> -- SPACER -- </div> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[vertical_spacing height=&quot;750&quot;]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div></div></div><div style=\'border-top-width:px;border-top-style:solid;border-top-color:;border-bottom-width:px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:;\'  class=\"row two-columns cf ui-sortable section   \" id=\"le_body_row_2\" data-style=\"eyJlbGVtZW50SWQiOiJsZV9ib2R5X3Jvd18yIiwiYm9yZGVyVG9wV2lkdGgiOiIiLCJib3JkZXJUb3BDb2xvciI6IiIsImJvcmRlckJvdHRvbVdpZHRoIjoiIiwiYm9yZGVyQm90dG9tQ29sb3IiOiIiLCJzZWN0aW9uU2VwYXJhdG9yVHlwZSI6Im5vbmUiLCJzZWN0aW9uU2VwYXJhdG9yU3R5bGUiOiIiLCJleHRyYXMiOnsiYW5pbWF0aW9uRWZmZWN0IjoiIiwiYW5pbWF0aW9uRGVsYXkiOiIifSwicm93U2Nyb2xsRml4ZWRQb3NpdGlvbiI6Im5vbmUiLCJyb3dTY3JvbGxGaXhlZE1vYmlsZSI6ZmFsc2UsImFkZG9uIjp7fX0=\"><div class=\"fixed-width\"><div class=\"op-row-links\">\n                        <div class=\"op-row-links-content\">\n                            <a title=\"Copy Row\" href=\"#copy-row\" class=\"copy-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Edit Row Options\" href=\"#options\" class=\"edit-row\" id=\"row_options\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Clone Row\" href=\"#clone-row\" class=\"clone-row\"></a>\n                            <a href=\"#add-new-row\" class=\"add-new-row\"><span>Add New Row</span></a>\n                            <a title=\"Move Row\" href=\"#move\" class=\"move-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Paste Row\" href=\"#paste-row\" class=\"paste-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Delete Row\" href=\"#delete-row\" class=\"delete-row\"></a>\n                        </div>\n                    </div><div class=\"one-half column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <div style=\"height:60px\"> -- SPACER -- </div> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[vertical_spacing height=&quot;60&quot;]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1_el_2\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <div class=\"video-plugin-new-syntax video-plugin-new\" style=\"width:560px; height:315px; max-width:100%;margin:0 auto; margin-bottom: 20px; border: 0px solid #fff; padding-top:0; padding-bottom:0;\"><div style=\"height:0; padding-bottom:56.25%; padding-top:0;\"></div></div> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[video_player type=&quot;youtube&quot; youtube_remove_logo=&quot;Y&quot; style=&quot;1&quot; dimensions=&quot;560x315&quot; width=&quot;560&quot; height=&quot;315&quot; align=&quot;center&quot; margin_top=&quot;0&quot; margin_bottom=&quot;20&quot; ipad_color=&quot;black&quot;]aHR0cHM6Ly95b3V0dS5iZS9tWnpVTEVfX29BZw==[/video_player]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1_el_3\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <h2 style=\'font-size:40px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#000080;text-align:center;\'>Our Mission</h2> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[headline style=&quot;1&quot; font_size=&quot;40&quot; font_style=&quot;normal&quot; font_color=&quot;%23000080&quot; font_shadow=&quot;none&quot; align=&quot;center&quot; headline_tag=&quot;h2&quot;]Our Mission[/headline]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_1_el_4\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> [text_block style=\"style_1.png\" align=\"left\"]<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #1d1848;\">The Strategic Planning Movement\'s goal is to help the event industry and its dedicated professionals to evolve into a more sophisticated form of planner; specifically, strategic planners. </span></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #1d1848;\">Without this change, we will continue to exist in the darkness of the misconceptions around what we do, why events are held and our perceived value. By banding together and becoming strategic in our professional vision, brand and goals, we create the pathway to a brighter future, elevating the way we are perceived, illuminating the power of strategic events and the critical\nrole we play in their creation.</span></p>[/text_block] </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[text_block style=&quot;style_1.png&quot; align=&quot;left&quot;]&lt;p style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #1d1848;&quot;&gt;The Strategic Planning Movement&#039;s goal is to help the event industry and its dedicated professionals to evolve into a more sophisticated form of planner; specifically, strategic planners. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;\n&lt;p style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #1d1848;&quot;&gt;Without this change, we will continue to exist in the darkness of the misconceptions around what we do, why events are held and our perceived value. By banding together and becoming strategic in our professional vision, brand and goals, we create the pathway to a brighter future, elevating the way we are perceived, illuminating the power of strategic events and the critical\nrole we play in their creation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;[/text_block]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#one-half\" class=\"split-column\"></a><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div><div class=\"one-half column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <h2 style=\'font-size:16px;color:#000080;text-align:center;margin-bottom:20px;\'><h2><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Sign up now to help drive the Strategic Planning Movement</span></h2></h2> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[headline style=&quot;1&quot; font_size=&quot;16&quot; font_color=&quot;%23000080&quot; align=&quot;center&quot; bottom_margin=&quot;20&quot;]&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #000080;&quot;&gt;Sign up now to help drive the Strategic Planning Movement&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;[/headline]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2_el_2\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> \n<div id=\"5a845ebc68126\" class=\"optin-box optin-box-24\" style=\" margin-top: 5px;margin-right: auto;margin-left: auto;\">\n    <form action=\"https://strategic.events/process-optin-form/\" method=\"post\" class=\"cf op-optin-validation\"><div style=\"display:none\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"provider\" value=\"mailchimp\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"redirect_url\" value=\"https://strategic.events/success-strategic-planning-movement/\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"list\" value=\"c19bb892bd\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"double_optin\" value=\"N\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"welcome_email\" value=\"N\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"already_subscribed_url\" value=\"https://strategic.events/success-strategic-planning-movement/\" /></div><input type=\"email\" name=\"email\" placeholder=\"Enter your email address\" value=\"\" /><input type=\"text\" name=\"FNAME\" placeholder=\"Enter your first name\" value=\"\" /><div class=\"text-box\"><input type=\"text\" name=\"LNAME\" placeholder=\"Enter your last name\" value=\"\" /></div><div class=\"text-box\"><input type=\"text\" name=\"MMERGE5\" placeholder=\"What is your biggest obstacle in planning?\" value=\"\" /></div><div style=\"text-align:center\"><style type=\"text/css\">#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .text {font-size:32px;font-family:\"Myriad Pro\", Myriad, sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-shadow:#000000 0px 2px 0px;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .subtext {text-shadow:#000000 0px 2px 0px;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 {padding:30px 40px;border-color:#132971;border-width:1px;-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;background:#132971;box-shadow:none;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .gradient {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .shine {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .active {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}#btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626 .hover {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}</style><button type=\"submit\" id=\"btn_1_422d39a8d05d97321043f0fb826a0626\" class=\"css-button style-1 location_optin_box_style_24\"><span class=\"text\">Get Strategic</span><span class=\"hover\"></span><span class=\"active\"></span></button></div>    <input type=\"hidden\" id=\"op_optin_nonce\" name=\"op_optin_nonce\" value=\"cae99e7b66\" /><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wp_http_referer\" value=\"/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php\" /></form>\n    </div>\n </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[optin_box style=&quot;24&quot; margin_top=&quot;5&quot; alignment=&quot;center&quot; email_field=&quot;email&quot; email_default=&quot;Enter your email address&quot; email_order=&quot;0&quot; integration_type=&quot;mailchimp&quot; thank_you_page=&quot;https://strategic.events/success-strategic-planning-movement/&quot; already_subscribed_url=&quot;https://strategic.events/success-strategic-planning-movement/&quot; list=&quot;c19bb892bd&quot; name_field=&quot;FNAME&quot; name_default=&quot;Enter your first name&quot; name_order=&quot;1&quot; name_required=&quot;Y&quot; extra_field_1_name=&quot;LNAME&quot; extra_field_1_order=&quot;2&quot; extra_field_1_required=&quot;Y&quot; extra_field_1_hidden=&quot;N&quot; extra_field_1_title=&quot;Enter your last name&quot; extra_field_2_name=&quot;MMERGE5&quot; extra_field_2_order=&quot;3&quot; extra_field_2_required=&quot;N&quot; extra_field_2_hidden=&quot;N&quot; extra_field_2_title=&quot;What is your biggest obstacle in planning?&quot; opm_packages=&quot;&quot;][optin_box_field name=&quot;headline&quot;][/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=&quot;paragraph&quot;]LsKK3poqbMK6Z2jClsKK7IuWwqZ61ajCnsecwrXqrq3Cp2LCpiscwop4HsKWK0PConfCnMK96Ke6dyfConlacumuunfCp2rYrHLCicKmwqHDmg==[/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=&quot;privacy&quot;][/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=&quot;top_color&quot;]undefined[/optin_box_field][optin_box_button type=&quot;1&quot; text=&quot;Get Strategic&quot; text_size=&quot;32&quot; text_font=&quot;Myriad Pro;default&quot; text_bold=&quot;Y&quot; text_letter_spacing=&quot;0&quot; text_shadow_panel=&quot;Y&quot; text_shadow_vertical=&quot;2&quot; text_shadow_horizontal=&quot;0&quot; text_shadow_color=&quot;#000000&quot; text_shadow_blur=&quot;0&quot; styling_width=&quot;40&quot; styling_height=&quot;30&quot; styling_border_color=&quot;#132971&quot; styling_border_size=&quot;1&quot; styling_border_radius=&quot;6&quot; styling_border_opacity=&quot;100&quot; styling_gradient_start_color=&quot;#132971&quot; drop_shadow_panel=&quot;N&quot; inset_shadow_panel=&quot;N&quot; location=&quot;optin_box_style_24&quot; button_below=&quot;Y&quot;]Get Strategic[/optin_box_button] [/optin_box]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2_el_3\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <div style=\"height:20px\"> -- SPACER -- </div> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[vertical_spacing height=&quot;20&quot;]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_2_col_2_el_4\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <ul class=\"bullet-list size-16\"  style=\"width:400px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;\"><li style=\'background-image:url(\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png\");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:16px 16px;\'>Receive free planning tools, guides, and resources </li><li style=\'background-image:url(\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png\");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:16px 16px;\'>Stay updated on latest strategic planning insights</li><li style=\'background-image:url(\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png\");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:16px 16px;\'>Learn about upcoming webinars and events</li><li style=\'background-image:url(\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png\");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:16px 16px;\'>Contribute your voice, ideas, and expertise</li><li style=\'background-image:url(\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png\");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:16px 16px;\'>Elevate your career and the event profession</li></ul> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[bullet_block upload_icon=&quot;https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-3-150x150.png&quot; style=&quot;size-16&quot; small_icon=&quot;1.png&quot; width=&quot;400&quot; alignment=&quot;center&quot;]&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Receive free planning tools, guides, and resources &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Stay updated on latest strategic planning insights&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Learn about upcoming webinars and events&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Contribute your voice, ideas, and expertise&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Elevate your career and the event profession&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;[/bullet_block]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#one-half\" class=\"split-column\"></a><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div></div></div><div style=\'background-image:url(https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/get-strategic-spm.png);background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:cover;background-attachment:fixed;background-position:50% 0;padding-bottom:20px;border-top-width:px;border-top-style:solid;border-top-color:;border-bottom-width:px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:;\'  class=\"row one-column cf ui-sortable section  bg-parallax-5a297e5f1754d  bg-parallax-5a29b0e92eb9c  bg-parallax-5a2ea743d6447  bg-parallax-5a2ee9ddee7c2  bg-parallax-5a317f06e541f  bg-parallax-5a354d6b19ff7  bg-parallax-5a4d4f2190677  bg-parallax-5a4d57fe15673  bg-parallax-5a4d623dbf5f5  bg-parallax-5a4e41eddd8ef  bg-parallax-5a4e44bab1007  bg-parallax-5a4fbdabc49ec  bg-parallax-5a4fdfd5b791d  bg-parallax-5a53bdb1a0562  bg-parallax-5a54ccf50cb45  bg-parallax-5a5cecb86f252  bg-parallax-5a5cf4314e434  bg-parallax-5a5e1a19d37f2  bg-parallax-5a5f95e46316d  bg-parallax-5a5f96268867e  bg-parallax-5a5f9c76d9111  bg-parallax-5a65fd2c4d64d  bg-parallax-5a65fde17614c  bg-parallax-5a7b1d7d7c698  bg-parallax-5a7b341d66623  bg-parallax-5a7b3c62ca751  bg-parallax-5a7b5fa70cced  bg-parallax-5a7e0ad79c9f1  bg-parallax-5a7e0ca977856  bg-parallax-5a7e298af1c46  bg-parallax-5a8450ad9869c  bg-parallax-5a84531470d0f  bg-parallax-5a845ac480966  bg-parallax-5a845ebdba9f9 \" id=\"le_body_row_3\"data-stellar-background-ratio=\"0.3\" data-style=\"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\"><div style=\'opacity:0.0;background:;\'  class=\"op-row-image-color-overlay\"></div><div class=\"fixed-width\"><div class=\"op-row-links\">\n                        <div class=\"op-row-links-content\">\n                            <a title=\"Copy Row\" href=\"#copy-row\" class=\"copy-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Edit Row Options\" href=\"#options\" class=\"edit-row\" id=\"row_options\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Clone Row\" href=\"#clone-row\" class=\"clone-row\"></a>\n                            <a href=\"#add-new-row\" class=\"add-new-row\"><span>Add New Row</span></a>\n                            <a title=\"Move Row\" href=\"#move\" class=\"move-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Paste Row\" href=\"#paste-row\" class=\"paste-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Delete Row\" href=\"#delete-row\" class=\"delete-row\"></a>\n                        </div>\n                    </div><div class=\"one-column column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_3_col_1\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_3_col_1_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <div style=\"height:750px\"> -- SPACER -- </div> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[vertical_spacing height=&quot;750&quot;]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div></div></div><div style=\'border-top-width:px;border-top-style:solid;border-top-color:;border-bottom-width:px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:;\'  class=\"row one-column cf ui-sortable   \" id=\"le_body_row_4\" data-style=\"eyJlbGVtZW50SWQiOiJsZV9ib2R5X3Jvd180IiwiYm9yZGVyVG9wV2lkdGgiOiIiLCJib3JkZXJUb3BDb2xvciI6IiIsImJvcmRlckJvdHRvbVdpZHRoIjoiIiwiYm9yZGVyQm90dG9tQ29sb3IiOiIiLCJzZWN0aW9uU2VwYXJhdG9yVHlwZSI6Im5vbmUiLCJzZWN0aW9uU2VwYXJhdG9yU3R5bGUiOiIiLCJleHRyYXMiOnsiYW5pbWF0aW9uRWZmZWN0IjoiIiwiYW5pbWF0aW9uRGVsYXkiOiIifSwicm93U2Nyb2xsRml4ZWRQb3NpdGlvbiI6Im5vbmUiLCJyb3dTY3JvbGxGaXhlZE1vYmlsZSI6ZmFsc2UsImFkZG9uIjp7fX0=\"><div class=\"fixed-width\"><div class=\"op-row-links\">\n                        <div class=\"op-row-links-content\">\n                            <a title=\"Copy Row\" href=\"#copy-row\" class=\"copy-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Edit Row Options\" href=\"#options\" class=\"edit-row\" id=\"row_options\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Clone Row\" href=\"#clone-row\" class=\"clone-row\"></a>\n                            <a href=\"#add-new-row\" class=\"add-new-row\"><span>Add New Row</span></a>\n                            <a title=\"Move Row\" href=\"#move\" class=\"move-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Paste Row\" href=\"#paste-row\" class=\"paste-row\"></a>\n                            <a title=\"Delete Row\" href=\"#delete-row\" class=\"delete-row\"></a>\n                        </div>\n                    </div><div class=\"one-column column cols\" id=\"le_body_row_4_col_1\"><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"e30=\" id=\"le_body_row_4_col_1_el_1\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\">\n                        <table class=\"headline-style-16\" style=\'font-size:50px;font-family:\"Myriad Pro\", Myriad, sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-align:center;margin-bottom:20px;\'>\n                            <tr>\n                                <td class=\"stroke\">\n                                    <div></div>\n                                </td>\n                                <td class=\"headline\">\n                                    <h2><h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\"> It’s time for the event industry to<br />\n#GetStrategic<br />\n</span></h3><h2>\n                                </td>\n                                <td class=\"stroke\">\n                                    <div></div>\n                                </td>\n                            </tr>\n                        </table>\n                    </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[headline style=&quot;17&quot; font_size=&quot;50&quot; font_font=&quot;Myriad%20Pro&quot; font_style=&quot;bold&quot; align=&quot;center&quot; headline_tag=&quot;h3&quot; bottom_margin=&quot;20&quot;]&lt;h3 style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #000080;&quot;&gt; It’s time for the event industry to\n#GetStrategic\n&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;[/headline]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container cf\" data-style=\"\" id=\"le_body_row_4_col_1_el_2\"><div class=\"op-element-links\"><a class=\"element-settings\" href=\"#settings\">Edit Element</a><a class=\"element-clone\" href=\"#clone-element\">Clone Element</a><a class=\"element-advanced\" href=\"#op-le-advanced\">Advanced Element Options</a><a class=\"element-move\" href=\"#move\">Move</a><a class=\"element-delete\" href=\"#delete\">Remove Element</a></div>\n                <div class=\"op-hidden op-waiting\">\n                    <img class=\"op-bsw-waiting op-show-waiting\" alt=\"\" src=\"images/wpspin_light.gif\" />\n                </div><div class=\"element\"> <ul class=\"feature-block feature-block-style-2 feature-block-three-col cf\">\n                    <li><a class=\"feature-block-link\" href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8652469\" style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'><div>\n                                <span class=\"feature-block-2-img-container\"><img class=\"feature-block-2\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/linkedin-256-1.png\"  /></span><h2 style=\'font-size:31px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;letter-spacing:1px;\'>LinkedIn Group</h2><p style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'>Join the Strategic Planning Movement group on LinkedIn.</p>\n\n                            </div></a></li>\n                 \n                    <li><a class=\"feature-block-link\" href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/strategic-event-planning-resources/\" style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'><div>\n                                <span class=\"feature-block-2-img-container\"><img class=\"feature-block-2\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-4-300x300.png\"  /></span><h2 style=\'font-size:31px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;letter-spacing:1px;\'>Strategic Planning Resources</h2><p style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'>View our strategic planning resources page to access articles, videos, podcasts, and more to learn how to become an Event Strategist.</p>\n\n                            </div></a></li>\n                 \n                    <li><a class=\"feature-block-link\" href=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/740077079531864/\" style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'><div>\n                                <span class=\"feature-block-2-img-container\"><img class=\"feature-block-2\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/facebook-256-1.png\"  /></span><h2 style=\'font-size:31px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;letter-spacing:1px;\'>Facebook Group</h2><p style=\'font-size:18px;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:#1d1848;\'>Join the Strategic Planning Movement group on Facebook.</p>\n\n                            </div></a></li>\n                 </ul> </div><div class=\"op-hidden\"><textarea class=\"op-le-shortcode\" name=\"shortcode[]\">[feature_block style=&quot;icon&quot;  overall_style=&quot;image&quot; columns=&quot;3&quot; icon_style=&quot;2&quot; font_size=&quot;31&quot; font_font=&quot;Georgia&quot; font_style=&quot;normal&quot; font_color=&quot;#1d1848&quot; font_spacing=&quot;1&quot; font_shadow=&quot;none&quot; content_font_size=&quot;18&quot; content_font_font=&quot;Georgia&quot; content_font_style=&quot;normal&quot; content_font_color=&quot;#1d1848&quot; content_font_shadow=&quot;none&quot;][feature title=&quot;LinkedIn%20Group&quot; icon=&quot;359.png&quot; upload_icon=&quot;https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/linkedin-256-1.png&quot; bg_color=&quot;&quot; href=&quot;https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fgroups%2F8652469&quot;]&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #1d1848;&quot;&gt;Join the Strategic Planning Movement group on LinkedIn.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;[/feature] [feature title=&quot;Strategic%20Planning%20Resources&quot; icon=&quot;398.png&quot; upload_icon=&quot;https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/sme-Symbol-4-300x300.png&quot; bg_color=&quot;&quot; href=&quot;https%3A%2F%2Fstrategic.events%2Fstrategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management%2Fstrategic-event-planning-resources%2F&quot;]&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #1d1848;&quot;&gt;View our strategic planning resources page to access articles, videos, podcasts, and more to learn how to become an Event Strategist.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;[/feature] [feature title=&quot;Facebook%20Group&quot; icon=&quot;440.png&quot; upload_icon=&quot;https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/facebook-256-1.png&quot; bg_color=&quot;&quot; href=&quot;https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fgroups%2F740077079531864%2F&quot;]&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #1d1848;&quot;&gt;Join the Strategic Planning Movement group on Facebook.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;[/feature] [/feature_block]</textarea></div></div><div class=\"element-container sort-disabled\"></div>\n                            <div class=\"add-element-container\"><a href=\"#add_element\" class=\"add-new-element\"><span>Add Element</span></a>\n                            </div></div></div></div>','Strategic Planning Movement','','inherit','closed','closed','','8435-revision-v1','','','2018-02-14 16:07:25','2018-02-14 16:07:25','',8435,'https://strategic.events/8435-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10270,3,'2018-02-14 16:09:58','2018-02-14 16:09:58','[vc_row][vc_column][mk_padding_divider size=\"20\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1518624580670{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2><img class=\" wp-image-10245 alignright\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"563\" height=\"317\" />We’d like to extend a warm welcome and sincere, ‘thank you’ for joining the Strategic Planning Movement. We know your time is valuable.</h2>\r\n<h2>We appreciate you sharing yours with us and promise to use it wisely.</h2>\r\n<h2>Our commitment to you is that we will only share quality content, relevant templates, and tools designed to advance your career. If you have questions, comments, suggestions or ideas, please email us. We will respond to your inquiry promptly.</h2>\r\n<h2>In the meantime, we’d appreciate hearing about why you’ve joined the movement, and what you’re interested in learning about. Our goal is to give back, share, teach and inspire. The more you tell us what you need, the better we can serve you.</h2>\r\n<h2>If you need anything, please feel free to give us a shout at <a href=\"mailto:WeAreListening@strategic.events\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WeAreListening@strategic.events</a></h2>\r\n<h2>Again, welcome!</h2>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Add you voice to the Strategic Planning Movement groups on:</h2>\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_social_networks size=\"x-large\" style=\"simple-rounded\" border_color=\"#000050\" bg_color=\"#000050\" bg_hover_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_hover_color=\"#000050\" align=\"center\" facebook=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/740077079531864/\" linkedin=\"https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8652469\"][/vc_column][/vc_row]','Success... You\'ve Joined the Strategic Planning Movement','','inherit','closed','closed','','8494-revision-v1','','','2018-02-14 16:09:58','2018-02-14 16:09:58','',8494,'https://strategic.events/8494-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10271,3,'2018-02-14 19:41:15','2018-02-14 19:41:15','[mk_page_section bg_color=\"#ffffff\" border_color=\"#ffffff\" full_width=\"true\" padding_top=\"0\" padding_bottom=\"0\" top_shape_color=\"#ffffff\" bottom_shape_color=\"#ffffff\" sidebar=\"sidebar-1\"][vc_column border_color=\"#ffffff\" css=\".vc_custom_1473177697729{margin: 10px !important;}\"][mk_layerslider id=\"7\"][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][mk_page_section bg_color=\"#ffffff\" sidebar=\"sidebar-1\"][vc_column width=\"2/3\"][mk_fancy_title tag_name=\"h1\" color=\"#d6a461\" size=\"30\" line_height=\"97\" font_weight=\"bold\" txt_transform=\"none\" margin_top=\"30\" margin_bottom=\"6\" font_family=\"Palatino Linotype, Book Antiqua, Palatino, serif\" font_type=\"safefont\"]MAKE YOUR VISION A REALITY[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1516503168238{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]Strategic Meetings &amp; Events produces goal driven, corporate events that integrate your company\'s sales and marketing message into every aspect of the program. We create experiences that leave your target audience thinking, feeling and remembering the information that is most important to you. With a worldwide scope and an infinite amount of talent, creativity and energy, SME is a global corporate event management company that redefines excellence in everything we do.\r\n\r\nSupporting your sales goals with corporate events is so much more than executing logistics or hosting the same sales meeting or incentive trip year after year. Our strategic planning experts will take your vision and build a comprehensive plan to achieve your goals, drive your sales cycle and make your programs more cost efficient. And we’re told that we are delightful to work with. How great is that?[/vc_column_text][mk_padding_divider size=\"10\"][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=\"true\" color=\"#211551\" size=\"25\" font_weight=\"bold\" margin_top=\"30\" margin_bottom=\"6\" font_family=\"none\"]\r\n<h2>Discover Strategic Meetings &amp; Events</h2>\r\n[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1517941052491{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n\r\n[gallery size=\"full\" mobx_row_height=\"600\" link=\"file\" ids=\"10100\"]\r\n\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=\"true\" color=\"#211551\" size=\"25\" font_weight=\"bold\" margin_top=\"30\" margin_bottom=\"6\" font_family=\"none\"]\r\n<h2>Comprehensive Corporate Event Management</h2>\r\n[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text]Strategic Meetings &amp; Events professional planning experts become your extended team. Our sole focus is your success, specifically as you define it. The process is often filled with long hours, a myriad of changes and tons of pressure. Why not work with a team who thinks of everything, tracks the details, manages your spend and keeps you smiling even when you’re exhausted?[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text align=\"center\" animation=\"fade-in\"]\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://strategic.events/category/news-flash\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">News Flash</a></h2>\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_blog style=\"grid\" column=\"1\" image_size=\"full\" post_count=\"2\" disable_meta=\"false\" pagination=\"false\" cat=\"493\"][/vc_column][vc_column width=\"1/3\"][mk_padding_divider size=\"30\"][mk_social_networks size=\"medium\" style=\"simple-rounded\" border_color=\"#000050\" bg_color=\"#000050\" bg_hover_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_hover_color=\"#000050\" align=\"center\" facebook=\"https://www.facebook.com/StrategicMeetingsEvents\" twitter=\"https://twitter.com/SME_Events\" pinterest=\"https://www.pinterest.com/strategicmeetingsevents/\" instagram=\"https://www.instagram.com/strategic.events/\" linkedin=\"https://www.linkedin.com/company/strategic-meetings-&amp;-events\" youtube=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsuJ-F1Ot1zSc1ccpj_DzXA\"][vc_wp_search][vc_separator][mk_padding_divider size=\"15\"][vc_single_image image=\"1125\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" css_animation=\"appear\" link=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/tastebuzz/\"][mk_blog style=\"grid\" column=\"1\" image_size=\"medium\" post_count=\"1\" excerpt_length=\"0\" pagination=\"false\" cat=\"40\"][vc_single_image image=\"10091\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" link=\"https://strategic.events/sme-social-media-connect/\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1518218071438{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n\r\n[gallery link=\"file\" size=\"full\" mobx_row_height=\"400\" ids=\"10130\"]\r\n\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_padding_divider size=\"60\"][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner css=\".vc_custom_1518027141126{background-color: #211551 !important;}\"][mk_fancy_title color=\"#ffffff\" size=\"28\" margin_bottom=\"0\" font_family=\"none\" align=\"center\"]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><a style=\"color: #ffffff;\" href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/strategic-event-planning-resources/strategic-planning-movement/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Strategic Planning</a></span>\r\n<a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Movement</span></a></p>\r\n[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text align=\"center\" css=\".vc_custom_1518637267100{margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;}\"]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">The Strategic Planning Movement\'s goal is to help the event industry and its dedicated professionals to evolve into a more sophisticated form of planner; specifically, strategic planners.</span></a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/strategic-event-planning-resources/strategic-planning-movement/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Without this change, we will continue\r\nto exist in the darkness of the misconceptions around what we do, why events are held and our perceived value. By banding together and becoming strategic in our professional vision, brand and goals, we create the pathway to a brighter future, elevating the way we are perceived, illuminating the power of strategic events and the critical role\r\nwe play in their creation.</span></a></p>\r\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/2\" css=\".vc_custom_1518027164805{background-color: #211551 !important;}\"][vc_single_image image=\"10157\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" link=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/740077079531864/\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/2\" css=\".vc_custom_1518027173263{background-color: #211551 !important;}\"][vc_single_image image=\"10156\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" link=\"https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8652469\"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][vc_row fullwidth=\"true\" css=\".vc_custom_1469113826042{background-color: #211551 !important;}\"][vc_column][vc_raw_js]JTNDc2NyaXB0JTNFJTBBZmJxJTI4JTI3dHJhY2slMjclMkMlMjAlMjdWaWV3Q29udGVudCUyNyUyQyUyMCU3QiUwQXZhbHVlJTNBJTIwMy41MCUyQyUwQWN1cnJlbmN5JTNBJTIwJTI3VVNEJTI3JTBBJTdEJTI5JTNCJTBBJTNDJTJGc2NyaXB0JTNF[/vc_raw_js][mk_button dimension=\"flat\" size=\"large\" url=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/contact-strategic-meetings-events/\" target=\"_blank\" align=\"center\" fullwidth=\"true\" margin_bottom=\"6\" margin_right=\"0\" bg_color=\"#211551\" btn_hover_bg=\"#d6a461\" btn_hover_txt_color=\"#211551\" action=\"``mailto:Christy.Lamagna@strategic.events``\" type=\"``submit``\" value=\"``Send\"]Contact us to discover the perfect fit for your company’s event goals.[/mk_button][/vc_column][/vc_row]','Strategic Meetings & Events | Global Corporate Event Management','','inherit','closed','closed','','7-revision-v1','','','2018-02-14 19:41:15','2018-02-14 19:41:15','',7,'https://strategic.events/7-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10272,3,'2018-02-14 20:18:57','2018-02-14 20:18:57','[mk_page_section bg_color=\"#ffffff\" border_color=\"#ffffff\" full_width=\"true\" padding_top=\"0\" padding_bottom=\"0\" top_shape_color=\"#ffffff\" bottom_shape_color=\"#ffffff\" sidebar=\"sidebar-1\"][vc_column border_color=\"#ffffff\" css=\".vc_custom_1473177697729{margin: 10px !important;}\"][mk_layerslider id=\"7\"][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][mk_page_section bg_color=\"#ffffff\" sidebar=\"sidebar-1\"][vc_column width=\"2/3\"][mk_fancy_title tag_name=\"h1\" color=\"#d6a461\" size=\"30\" line_height=\"97\" font_weight=\"bold\" txt_transform=\"none\" margin_top=\"30\" margin_bottom=\"6\" font_family=\"Palatino Linotype, Book Antiqua, Palatino, serif\" font_type=\"safefont\"]MAKE YOUR VISION A REALITY[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1516503168238{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]Strategic Meetings &amp; Events produces goal driven, corporate events that integrate your company\'s sales and marketing message into every aspect of the program. We create experiences that leave your target audience thinking, feeling and remembering the information that is most important to you. With a worldwide scope and an infinite amount of talent, creativity and energy, SME is a global corporate event management company that redefines excellence in everything we do.\r\n\r\nSupporting your sales goals with corporate events is so much more than executing logistics or hosting the same sales meeting or incentive trip year after year. Our strategic planning experts will take your vision and build a comprehensive plan to achieve your goals, drive your sales cycle and make your programs more cost efficient. And we’re told that we are delightful to work with. How great is that?[/vc_column_text][mk_padding_divider size=\"10\"][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=\"true\" color=\"#211551\" size=\"25\" font_weight=\"bold\" margin_top=\"30\" margin_bottom=\"6\" font_family=\"none\"]\r\n<h2>Discover Strategic Meetings &amp; Events</h2>\r\n[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1517941052491{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n\r\n[gallery size=\"full\" mobx_row_height=\"600\" link=\"file\" ids=\"10100\"]\r\n\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=\"true\" color=\"#211551\" size=\"25\" font_weight=\"bold\" margin_top=\"30\" margin_bottom=\"6\" font_family=\"none\"]\r\n<h2>Comprehensive Corporate Event Management</h2>\r\n[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text]Strategic Meetings &amp; Events professional planning experts become your extended team. Our sole focus is your success, specifically as you define it. The process is often filled with long hours, a myriad of changes and tons of pressure. Why not work with a team who thinks of everything, tracks the details, manages your spend and keeps you smiling even when you’re exhausted?[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text align=\"center\" animation=\"fade-in\"]\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://strategic.events/category/news-flash\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">News Flash</a></h2>\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_blog style=\"grid\" column=\"1\" image_size=\"full\" post_count=\"2\" disable_meta=\"false\" pagination=\"false\" cat=\"493\"][/vc_column][vc_column width=\"1/3\"][mk_padding_divider size=\"30\"][mk_social_networks size=\"medium\" style=\"simple-rounded\" border_color=\"#000050\" bg_color=\"#000050\" bg_hover_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_hover_color=\"#000050\" align=\"center\" facebook=\"https://www.facebook.com/StrategicMeetingsEvents\" twitter=\"https://twitter.com/SME_Events\" pinterest=\"https://www.pinterest.com/strategicmeetingsevents/\" instagram=\"https://www.instagram.com/strategic.events/\" linkedin=\"https://www.linkedin.com/company/strategic-meetings-&amp;-events\" youtube=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsuJ-F1Ot1zSc1ccpj_DzXA\"][vc_wp_search][vc_separator][mk_padding_divider size=\"15\"][vc_single_image image=\"1125\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" css_animation=\"appear\" link=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/tastebuzz/\"][mk_blog style=\"grid\" column=\"1\" image_size=\"medium\" post_count=\"1\" excerpt_length=\"0\" pagination=\"false\" cat=\"40\"][vc_single_image image=\"10091\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" link=\"https://strategic.events/sme-social-media-connect/\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1518218071438{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n\r\n[gallery link=\"file\" size=\"full\" mobx_row_height=\"400\" ids=\"10130\"]\r\n\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_padding_divider size=\"60\"][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner css=\".vc_custom_1518027141126{background-color: #211551 !important;}\"][mk_fancy_title color=\"#ffffff\" size=\"28\" margin_bottom=\"0\" font_family=\"none\" align=\"center\"]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><a style=\"color: #ffffff;\" href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/strategic-event-planning-resources/strategic-planning-movement/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Strategic Planning</a></span>\r\n<a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Movement</span></a></p>\r\n[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text align=\"center\" css=\".vc_custom_1518639531951{margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;}\"]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">The Strategic Planning Movement\'s goal is to help the event industry and its dedicated professionals to evolve into a more sophisticated form of planner; specifically, strategic planners.</span></a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Without this change, we will continue\r\nto exist in the darkness of the misconceptions around what we do, why events are held and our perceived value. By banding together and becoming strategic in our professional vision, brand and goals, we create the pathway to a brighter future, elevating the way we are perceived, illuminating the power of strategic events and the critical role\r\nwe play in their creation.</span></a></p>\r\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/2\" css=\".vc_custom_1518027164805{background-color: #211551 !important;}\"][vc_single_image image=\"10157\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" link=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/740077079531864/\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/2\" css=\".vc_custom_1518027173263{background-color: #211551 !important;}\"][vc_single_image image=\"10156\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" link=\"https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8652469\"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][vc_row fullwidth=\"true\" css=\".vc_custom_1469113826042{background-color: #211551 !important;}\"][vc_column][vc_raw_js]JTNDc2NyaXB0JTNFJTBBZmJxJTI4JTI3dHJhY2slMjclMkMlMjAlMjdWaWV3Q29udGVudCUyNyUyQyUyMCU3QiUwQXZhbHVlJTNBJTIwMy41MCUyQyUwQWN1cnJlbmN5JTNBJTIwJTI3VVNEJTI3JTBBJTdEJTI5JTNCJTBBJTNDJTJGc2NyaXB0JTNF[/vc_raw_js][mk_button dimension=\"flat\" size=\"large\" url=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/contact-strategic-meetings-events/\" target=\"_blank\" align=\"center\" fullwidth=\"true\" margin_bottom=\"6\" margin_right=\"0\" bg_color=\"#211551\" btn_hover_bg=\"#d6a461\" btn_hover_txt_color=\"#211551\" action=\"``mailto:Christy.Lamagna@strategic.events``\" type=\"``submit``\" value=\"``Send\"]Contact us to discover the perfect fit for your company’s event goals.[/mk_button][/vc_column][/vc_row]','Strategic Meetings & Events | Global Corporate Event Management','','inherit','closed','closed','','7-revision-v1','','','2018-02-14 20:18:57','2018-02-14 20:18:57','',7,'https://strategic.events/7-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10273,3,'2018-02-14 20:26:31','2018-02-14 20:26:31','[mk_page_section bg_color=\"#ffffff\" border_color=\"#ffffff\" full_width=\"true\" padding_top=\"0\" padding_bottom=\"0\" top_shape_color=\"#ffffff\" bottom_shape_color=\"#ffffff\" sidebar=\"sidebar-1\"][vc_column border_color=\"#ffffff\" css=\".vc_custom_1473177697729{margin: 10px !important;}\"][mk_layerslider id=\"7\"][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][mk_page_section bg_color=\"#ffffff\" sidebar=\"sidebar-1\"][vc_column width=\"2/3\"][mk_fancy_title tag_name=\"h1\" color=\"#d6a461\" size=\"30\" line_height=\"97\" font_weight=\"bold\" txt_transform=\"none\" margin_top=\"30\" margin_bottom=\"6\" font_family=\"Palatino Linotype, Book Antiqua, Palatino, serif\" font_type=\"safefont\"]MAKE YOUR VISION A REALITY[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1516503168238{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]Strategic Meetings &amp; Events produces goal driven, corporate events that integrate your company\'s sales and marketing message into every aspect of the program. We create experiences that leave your target audience thinking, feeling and remembering the information that is most important to you. With a worldwide scope and an infinite amount of talent, creativity and energy, SME is a global corporate event management company that redefines excellence in everything we do.\r\n\r\nSupporting your sales goals with corporate events is so much more than executing logistics or hosting the same sales meeting or incentive trip year after year. Our strategic planning experts will take your vision and build a comprehensive plan to achieve your goals, drive your sales cycle and make your programs more cost efficient. And we’re told that we are delightful to work with. How great is that?[/vc_column_text][mk_padding_divider size=\"10\"][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=\"true\" color=\"#211551\" size=\"25\" font_weight=\"bold\" margin_top=\"30\" margin_bottom=\"6\" font_family=\"none\"]\r\n<h2>Discover Strategic Meetings &amp; Events</h2>\r\n[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1517941052491{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n\r\n[gallery size=\"full\" mobx_row_height=\"600\" link=\"file\" ids=\"10100\"]\r\n\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=\"true\" color=\"#211551\" size=\"25\" font_weight=\"bold\" margin_top=\"30\" margin_bottom=\"6\" font_family=\"none\"]\r\n<h2>Comprehensive Corporate Event Management</h2>\r\n[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text]Strategic Meetings &amp; Events professional planning experts become your extended team. Our sole focus is your success, specifically as you define it. The process is often filled with long hours, a myriad of changes and tons of pressure. Why not work with a team who thinks of everything, tracks the details, manages your spend and keeps you smiling even when you’re exhausted?[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text align=\"center\" animation=\"fade-in\"]\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://strategic.events/category/news-flash\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">News Flash</a></h2>\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_blog style=\"grid\" column=\"1\" image_size=\"full\" post_count=\"2\" disable_meta=\"false\" pagination=\"false\" cat=\"493\"][/vc_column][vc_column width=\"1/3\"][mk_padding_divider size=\"30\"][mk_social_networks size=\"medium\" style=\"simple-rounded\" border_color=\"#000050\" bg_color=\"#000050\" bg_hover_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_color=\"#ffffff\" icon_hover_color=\"#000050\" align=\"center\" facebook=\"https://www.facebook.com/StrategicMeetingsEvents\" twitter=\"https://twitter.com/SME_Events\" pinterest=\"https://www.pinterest.com/strategicmeetingsevents/\" instagram=\"https://www.instagram.com/strategic.events/\" linkedin=\"https://www.linkedin.com/company/strategic-meetings-&amp;-events\" youtube=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsuJ-F1Ot1zSc1ccpj_DzXA\"][vc_wp_search][vc_separator][mk_padding_divider size=\"15\"][vc_single_image image=\"1125\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" css_animation=\"appear\" link=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/tastebuzz/\"][mk_blog style=\"grid\" column=\"1\" image_size=\"medium\" post_count=\"1\" excerpt_length=\"0\" pagination=\"false\" cat=\"40\"][vc_single_image image=\"10091\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" link=\"https://strategic.events/sme-social-media-connect/\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1518218071438{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n\r\n[gallery link=\"file\" size=\"full\" mobx_row_height=\"400\" ids=\"10130\"]\r\n\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_padding_divider size=\"60\"][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner css=\".vc_custom_1518027141126{background-color: #211551 !important;}\"][mk_fancy_title color=\"#ffffff\" size=\"28\" margin_bottom=\"0\" font_family=\"none\" align=\"center\"]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><a style=\"color: #ffffff;\" href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Strategic Planning</a></span>\r\n<a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Movement</span></a></p>\r\n[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text align=\"center\" css=\".vc_custom_1518639531951{margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;}\"]\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">The Strategic Planning Movement\'s goal is to help the event industry and its dedicated professionals to evolve into a more sophisticated form of planner; specifically, strategic planners.</span></a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-planning-movement-social-media-groups/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Without this change, we will continue\r\nto exist in the darkness of the misconceptions around what we do, why events are held and our perceived value. By banding together and becoming strategic in our professional vision, brand and goals, we create the pathway to a brighter future, elevating the way we are perceived, illuminating the power of strategic events and the critical role\r\nwe play in their creation.</span></a></p>\r\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/2\" css=\".vc_custom_1518027164805{background-color: #211551 !important;}\"][vc_single_image image=\"10157\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" link=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/740077079531864/\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/2\" css=\".vc_custom_1518027173263{background-color: #211551 !important;}\"][vc_single_image image=\"10156\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" link=\"https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8652469\"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][vc_row fullwidth=\"true\" css=\".vc_custom_1469113826042{background-color: #211551 !important;}\"][vc_column][vc_raw_js]JTNDc2NyaXB0JTNFJTBBZmJxJTI4JTI3dHJhY2slMjclMkMlMjAlMjdWaWV3Q29udGVudCUyNyUyQyUyMCU3QiUwQXZhbHVlJTNBJTIwMy41MCUyQyUwQWN1cnJlbmN5JTNBJTIwJTI3VVNEJTI3JTBBJTdEJTI5JTNCJTBBJTNDJTJGc2NyaXB0JTNF[/vc_raw_js][mk_button dimension=\"flat\" size=\"large\" url=\"https://strategic.events/strategic-meetings-events-global-corporate-event-management/contact-strategic-meetings-events/\" target=\"_blank\" align=\"center\" fullwidth=\"true\" margin_bottom=\"6\" margin_right=\"0\" bg_color=\"#211551\" btn_hover_bg=\"#d6a461\" btn_hover_txt_color=\"#211551\" action=\"``mailto:Christy.Lamagna@strategic.events``\" type=\"``submit``\" value=\"``Send\"]Contact us to discover the perfect fit for your company’s event goals.[/mk_button][/vc_column][/vc_row]','Strategic Meetings & Events | Global Corporate Event Management','','inherit','closed','closed','','7-revision-v1','','','2018-02-14 20:26:31','2018-02-14 20:26:31','',7,'https://strategic.events/7-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10274,3,'2018-02-14 20:45:57','2018-02-14 20:45:57','[vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/6\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1518641153605{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n\r\n[gallery size=\"full\" mobx_row_height=\"600\" link=\"file\" ids=\"10245\"]\r\n\r\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/6\"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1518623662279{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Strategic Planning Movement\r\nSocial Media Groups</h2>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">The Strategic Planning Movement\'s goal is to help the event industry and its dedicated professionals to evolve into a more sophisticated form of planner; specifically, strategic planners.</h3>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Without this change, we will continue to exist in the darkness of the misconceptions around what we do, why events are held and our perceived value. By banding together and becoming strategic in our professional vision, brand and goals, we create the pathway to a brighter future, elevating the way we are perceived, illuminating the power of strategic events and the critical role we play in their creation.</h3>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Add your voice to the Strategic Planning Movement groups on:</h3>\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_padding_divider size=\"20\"][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/2\"][vc_single_image image=\"10157\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" link=\"http://www.facebook.com/groups/740077079531864/\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/2\"][vc_single_image image=\"10156\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" link=\"https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8652469\"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]','Strategic Planning Movement Social Media Groups','','inherit','closed','closed','','10179-revision-v1','','','2018-02-14 20:45:57','2018-02-14 20:45:57','',10179,'https://strategic.events/10179-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10275,3,'2018-02-14 20:46:57','2018-02-14 20:46:57','[vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/6\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"2/3\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1518641214479{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n\r\n[gallery size=\"full\" mobx_row_height=\"600\" link=\"file\" ids=\"10245\"]\r\n\r\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/6\"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1518623662279{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Strategic Planning Movement\r\nSocial Media Groups</h2>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">The Strategic Planning Movement\'s goal is to help the event industry and its dedicated professionals to evolve into a more sophisticated form of planner; specifically, strategic planners.</h3>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Without this change, we will continue to exist in the darkness of the misconceptions around what we do, why events are held and our perceived value. By banding together and becoming strategic in our professional vision, brand and goals, we create the pathway to a brighter future, elevating the way we are perceived, illuminating the power of strategic events and the critical role we play in their creation.</h3>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Add your voice to the Strategic Planning Movement groups on:</h3>\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_padding_divider size=\"20\"][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/2\"][vc_single_image image=\"10157\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" link=\"http://www.facebook.com/groups/740077079531864/\"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=\"1/2\"][vc_single_image image=\"10156\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" onclick=\"custom_link\" img_link_target=\"_blank\" link=\"https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8652469\"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]','Strategic Planning Movement Social Media Groups','','inherit','closed','closed','','10179-revision-v1','','','2018-02-14 20:46:57','2018-02-14 20:46:57','',10179,'https://strategic.events/10179-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10276,3,'2018-02-14 20:58:48','2018-02-14 20:58:48','[vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1509043450153{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2>The holy trio of a company consists of?</h2>\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_image_switch src_first=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide9-1.png\" src_second=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide4-2.png\" hover_animation=\"fading\" crop=\"false\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1508769564119{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]I’d like you to imagine a three-legged tripod. Now picture one with two-legs. Now envision one with only one leg. Chances are, when picturing the two legged one, you paused a moment as it couldn’t stand up; it was close, but an essential piece was missing. Was trying to envision a tripod with one leg almost impossible? Did it strike you as a bit ridiculous?\r\n\r\nI consider a tripod a metaphor for events. Event Strategists represent one leg, marketing teams another, and sales the third. Events are the platform that sit atop the three legs. With all parts in place and equal, the tripod is solid, functioning, and stable. When one leg is off balance or missing, the integrity of the entire piece is affected.\r\n\r\nEvent planners are often operating in a silo, (one legged tripod) or work with only the sales or marketing team. There is no regular communication between the three departments, meaning no unified message or connection between the sales and marketing goals, initiatives, and the events being produced. So, at best, your tripod has two legs.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-7685\" title=\"I consider a tripod a metaphor for events. Event Strategists represent one leg, marketing teams another, and sales the third. Events are the platform that sit atop the three legs. With all parts in place and equal, the tripod is solid, functioning, and stable. The holy trio of a company consists of?\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/slide15-1024x576.png\" alt=\"The holy trio of a company consists of\" width=\"471\" height=\"265\" />\r\n\r\nIf your marketing team designs logos and collateral but isn’t contributing to the content and messaging, that’s not a partnership. That’s a parallel silo. Same thing if sales provides the guest list and dictates the size and scope of the event and isn’t seen again until the night of the event.\r\n\r\nStrategic planners create healthy, interactive relationships with their marketing and sales colleagues. They see themselves as peers, not less important than other executives; they own the value strategic meetings bring to organizations, act with confidence, and get things done. Their events are a reflection or picture of the company’s message and are built on a solid platform.\r\n\r\nTo create the relationships needed to do this, you must understand some basic principles of human nature and behavior. People’s compulsion to answer the question, ‘What’s in it for me?’ drives all their actions. Think about it; if you buy someone an extravagant gift, you’re doing it to fulfill YOUR wish to do so. The gift is no less generous, but the root of it comes from your desire. We do things based on choice; even when we feel as if we don’t have one, we are deciding that doing something we prefer not to do is preferable to facing the consequences of not doing it.\r\n\r\nProviding a compelling answer to the, ‘What’s in it for me?’ question, influences behavior. For planners working with external audiences, this translates to increased attendance. For internal audiences (and external) it means more engaged audiences. If you plan strategically, you can get people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it.\r\n\r\nYour first goal is to create a strategy, aligning events with the marketing and sales departments. There are often egos, politics, territorial battles, and invisible yet powerful lines between departments that create a vast divide. That means you need to genuinely believe in the power of strategic events as you have your work cut out for you.\r\n\r\n<strong>Let’s start with the sales team. Potential obstacles:</strong>\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>They have priorities above meeting with you.</li>\r\n 	<li>They don’t understand events beyond their current involvement.</li>\r\n 	<li>You fear they don’t see you as an equal.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<strong>Next: What gets a sales team’s attention?</strong>\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Making more money.</li>\r\n 	<li>Beating the competition.</li>\r\n 	<li>Being the best.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nNow let’s take what we know and use it advantageously:\r\n\r\nExcept for product launches, events don’t sell products. They create the motivation that sells them. When properly executed, they shorten, support, enhance, and advance the sales cycle. Partnering to create an event that supports the internal sales strategy means the event advances the message and can be designed around sales goals. Using the information gained from your discovery session (see in the Summer 2017 issue at MWMeet.com/Summer2017ds) you know what the audience needs, and what key stakeholders expect. Marry those two priceless pieces of information with the sales initiatives, and you have a powerful plan starting to take form.\r\n\r\nA better trained and motivated sales force translates to higher sales, which means less competition and more money. That should get their attention. Now we need to weave marketing into the plan.\r\n\r\n<strong>Potential obstacles:</strong>\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Territorial issues often prevent collaboration.</li>\r\n 	<li>Money is always an issue; who’s paying for this?</li>\r\n 	<li>They have other priorities.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<strong>What gets a marketing team’s attention?</strong>\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Effective campaigns.</li>\r\n 	<li>Increased sales.</li>\r\n 	<li>Proof that their efforts are influencing positive behavior.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nWith sales on board, you have a powerful ally to bring the marketing team on board. Here are potential talking points: marketing campaigns are created to support sales’ efforts, but how often are the people who are supposed to be using the materials given the opportunity to share input, have the pieces explained to them, and brainstorm on how to best use them? Events are the ideal forum to bring marketing messages to life, embody the essence of the campaign, utilize the concepts, and facilitate the sales process. By working together, the marketing team gains valuable feedback, shares insight on why campaigns were created, and best utilizes the tools they create. Sounds like things that motivate their behavior, doesn’t it?\r\n\r\nThe strategic planning team is the third in the trio; they architect and execute the plan. They are the visionaries who bring the messages together and create an environment that will deliver maximum learning, sharing, interaction; whatever the goal. When all sides are allowed to shine and are able to simultaneously focus on their goals while leveraging the talents of others in the organization, the results are exponentially rewarding.\r\n​\r\nWith all three pieces in place, having equal input, influence, and responsibility, our tripod has three solid, even legs on which to build our event. And with that sturdy tripod in place, get ready for your close up; you are on your way to becoming an Event Strategist.\r\n<h2><strong>For more information on strategic planning check out these articles:</strong></h2>\r\n[mk_blog_showcase excerpt_length=\"0\" orderby=\"rand\" cat=\"407\"]','The holy trio of a company consists of?','','inherit','closed','closed','','7628-revision-v1','','','2018-02-14 20:58:48','2018-02-14 20:58:48','',7628,'https://strategic.events/7628-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10277,3,'2018-02-14 21:08:01','2018-02-14 21:08:01','<h2>The first step in the planning process is?</h2>\r\n[mk_image_switch src_first=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide7-1.png\" src_second=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide3-2.png\" hover_animation=\"fading\" crop=\"false\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1508946462163{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]What if I told you that the most important meeting you could ever have, one your entire career hinges upon, is one you have not only never had, but one you may not even know exists? Not only that, but this meeting is the linchpin in the strategic plan that will completely reinvent and redefine the event profession.\r\n​\r\nMost events are legacy events, meaning they happen each year (think sales meetings and incentive trips). When the appropriate date arrives, we hold a meeting to discuss theme, budget, marketing, assign tasks, and get to work. If that’s the way you’re planning, you are making a HUGE mistake.\r\n\r\nThe result usually looks like this: as the planning progresses, we often struggle to get face time with key executives, watch deadlines we set pass, with little regard from those ignoring them, and have plans changed without our input. The result is wasted time, resources, and money. As the event draws closer, our workdays expand later into the night and further into weekends. Simultaneously, our frustration mounts as it appears as if no one respects our skills, or takes our work seriously. It’s kind of a miserable experience.\r\n\r\nIf we are going to survive as an industry, there needs to be a committed effort to learn how to plan events that truly drive business and deliver results. To do that, means being strategic in everything we do and making all our actions goal-centric. Nothing happens until a clear goal is articulated, defined, confirmed, and committed to. Those who embody this <a href=\"https://strategic.events/become-strategic-planner/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">strategic philosophy</a> will earn the title of, ‘strategic planner’ or ‘event strategist.’ Meeting or event planner titles will be extinct, but we’ll get to that down the road.\r\n​\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-7682\" title=\"The first step in the planning process is?\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/slide12-1024x576.png\" alt=\"The first step in the planning process is? What if I told you that the most important meeting you could ever have, one your entire career hinges upon, is one you have not only never had, but one you may not even know exists? Not only that, but this meeting is the linchpin in the strategic plan that will completely\" width=\"498\" height=\"280\" />There is a system to this, that while simple, is not easy. If we approach the planning process from this strategic perspective, everything changes. We start the planning process two months earlier than is customary with a discovery session. This is the single most important meeting you will have for the entire life cycle of the planning process.\r\n\r\nA discovery session is designed to establish the meetings’ goal. In order to do that attendees must:\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Articulate what each stakeholder thinks the goal of the meeting is.</li>\r\n 	<li>Define terms. This means establishing clear metrics for success, spend, attendance; whatever the variables are that connect with the goal and how it should be measured.</li>\r\n 	<li>Come to a unanimous consensus as a group on the goal and the metrics.</li>\r\n 	<li>Commit to both the goal and the metrics and agree that this plan is now set in stone or cannot be changed without the entire group present and agreeing to the change.</li>\r\n 	<li>Reiterate that in your role as a professional strategist, you are going to carry out the plan and are an integral part of the achievement of all stated goals.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nOnly key stakeholders should be invited. To define ‘stakeholder’ think in terms of whose budget underwrites the event or where the blame lands if it tanks. <a href=\"https://strategic.events/discovery-sessions-meeting/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Discovery sessions</a> are not brainstorming sessions or kickoffs. Their sole purpose is to get a consensus on a goal and how it will be measured. Without this critical, first step, we are destined to plan in an environment of frustration, confusion, indecision, and waste.\r\n\r\n<strong>Discovery sessions uncover a myriad of challenges that have always existed but have never been properly exposed and diagnosed.</strong> For instance, the group may not have the same goal in mind or the metrics are not easily agreed upon. This is why decisions are made and changed, deadlines missed, and money and time squandered. This is also why planners are not seen as an integral part of an organization. This one meeting creates a clear vision, gives the meeting a precise target to hit, and establishes the <a href=\"https://strategic.events/how-to-become-strategic-planner-change-future/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">strategic planner</a> as the key to a successful execution.\r\n\r\nIf you just had an ‘a-ha’ moment, please keep an eye out for my next column. If you can’t see a distinction between the two options, you may be part of the problem which means you need this info even more.\r\n\r\nIf you are ready to bring a strategic vision to your organization, here are three things you can do:\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Pay attention to your work environment. Are you reacting to changes or are you carrying out a clear plan? Noticing a challenge is the first step toward fixing it.</li>\r\n 	<li>Identify key stakeholders for the meetings you are planning. It may take some time to sort out those who have opinions from those who are paying and are ultimately responsible for the meeting’s success.</li>\r\n 	<li>Get your team to start thinking strategically; everyone needs to know not just what they are doing, but why. What’s the end goal? That drives focus.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nThere is much to be done, but we are just the people to <a href=\"https://strategic.events/meeting-pro-christy-lamagna/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tackle the challenge</a>. And we have so much to gain. Let’s keep the conversation going. Email me with your feedback, questions, ideas, and names of people who should be featured in future columns at: <a href=\"mailto:Christy.Lamagna@Strategic.Events\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Christy.Lamagna@Strategic.Events</a>, follow me: <a href=\"https://twitter.com/SMEChristy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@SMEChristy</a>. And please share this article. We need to start our own discussion about a goal and metrics as an industry.\r\n\r\nHere’s to our strategic success!\r\n<h2><strong>For more information on goal setting check out these articles:</strong></h2>\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_blog_showcase excerpt_length=\"0\" orderby=\"none\" posts=\"7288, 707, 6399\"]','The first step in the planning process is?','','inherit','closed','closed','','7585-revision-v1','','','2018-02-14 21:08:01','2018-02-14 21:08:01','',7585,'https://strategic.events/7585-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10278,3,'2018-02-14 21:10:32','2018-02-14 21:10:32','[vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1509043143186{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\n<h2>The reason to do a site visit online instead of traveling is?</h2>\n[/vc_column_text][mk_image_switch src_first=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide5-1.png\" src_second=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide2.png\" hover_animation=\"fading\" crop=\"false\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1508768360197{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\n\nYour boss announces that the next meeting you’re tasked with planning is to a place you’ve never been. The expectation is a budget and event storyboard will be delivered by this time next week. You’re expected to be an aficionado in a few short days so it’s time to get to work and do some research.\n\nThere are an abundance of options to choose from when sourcing locations and venues. The Internet is a quick and easy place to start, but reviews and photos can prove unreliable. Word-of-mouth is helpful but the information isn’t always current or applicable to your group. Ads in industry publications offer glimpses of insight, while your national or global sales rep is a reliable resource, but again, you’re not getting the full picture.\n\nIf it seems overwhelming, do not despair. There’s a one-stop shop that can offer you a full list of area attractions, hotels, restaurants, and more, with a team of people waiting for your call. And not only is the service free, you may get help to defray your site visit and meeting costs.\n\nConvention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs) are a planner’s best, but often overlooked, friend. The purpose of a CVB is to bring business to a particular region. To do that, they partner with planners considering the area, highlighting all their city has to offer in an effort to make theirs the destination of your choice. They are often funded through tourism taxes or city budget, so there is no cost to you to use them.\n\nCVBs are staffed by experts in the region, allowing them to paint you a <a href=\"https://strategic.events/asking-strategic-questions-cvb/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">complete picture</a> of the destination, not just the basics. Don’t know how many direct flights go into and out of their airport? They’ll email you the list. Not sure how to collect all the information about the location and present it to your attendees? They likely have a landing page you can add to your event site. Need to plan a site visit? Many CVBs have site visit packages that offer everything from detailed itineraries, behind the scenes info, a dedicated guide with whom you can tour the City, complimentary transportation to and from the airport, a list of area hot spots, and more.\n\nTheir help doesn’t end when you sign on the dotted line. CVBs will help you source area vendors, can update you on area festivals and fairs, help plan <a href=\"https://strategic.events/city-excursions-cvbs/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">city tours</a>, share insight on thematic giveaway items, provide trivia questions to work into your guest communications, and provide tips that only a local to the area would know.\n\nIf your event is large enough you may qualify for assistance to pay for your site visit airfare. Some cities offer promotions that translate into money back after hosting your event. All you have to do is ask if there are any city-wide promotions, meet the parameters, and fill out the paperwork. And, you guessed it, many CVBs will help you do that too.\n\nSo the next time you have to get up to speed on a new location, or even if you’re returning to one you know well, make sure you reach out to the CVB before you make any other calls. The sooner you loop them into the process the better. You can still use your global or national hotel rep when you book the business and you or your third party will still get the housing commissions. What you’ll also get is a knowledgeable, eager person to partner with you throughout all stages of the process. With help like that you can get those event storyboards done ahead of schedule!\n<h2><strong>For more information on site visits check out these articles:</strong></h2>\n[mk_blog_showcase excerpt_length=\"0\" orderby=\"none\" posts=\"598, 3807, 3800\"]','The reason to do a site visit online instead of traveling is?','','inherit','closed','closed','','7593-autosave-v1','','','2018-02-14 21:10:32','2018-02-14 21:10:32','',7593,'https://strategic.events/7593-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10279,3,'2018-02-14 21:14:30','2018-02-14 21:14:30','[vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1509043143186{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n<h2>The reason to do a site visit online instead of traveling is?</h2>\r\n[/vc_column_text][mk_image_switch src_first=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide5-1.png\" src_second=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Slide2.png\" hover_animation=\"fading\" crop=\"false\"][vc_column_text css=\".vc_custom_1508768360197{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}\"]\r\n\r\nYour boss announces that the next meeting you’re tasked with planning is to a place you’ve never been. The expectation is a budget and event storyboard will be delivered by this time next week. You’re expected to be an aficionado in a few short days so it’s time to get to work and do some research.\r\n\r\nThere are an abundance of options to choose from when sourcing locations and venues. The Internet is a quick and easy place to start, but reviews and photos can prove unreliable. Word-of-mouth is helpful but the information isn’t always current or applicable to your group. Ads in industry publications offer glimpses of insight, while your national or global sales rep is a reliable resource, but again, you’re not getting the full picture.\r\n\r\nIf it seems overwhelming, do not despair. There’s a one-stop shop that can offer you a full list of area attractions, hotels, restaurants, and more, with a team of people waiting for your call. And not only is the service free, you may get help to defray your site visit and meeting costs.\r\n\r\nConvention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs) are a planner’s best, but often overlooked, friend. The purpose of a CVB is to bring business to a particular region. To do that, they partner with planners considering the area, highlighting all their city has to offer in an effort to make theirs the destination of your choice. They are often funded through tourism taxes or city budget, so there is no cost to you to use them.\r\n\r\nCVBs are staffed by experts in the region, allowing them to paint you a <a href=\"https://strategic.events/asking-strategic-questions-cvb/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">complete picture</a> of the destination, not just the basics. Don’t know how many direct flights go into and out of their airport? They’ll email you the list. Not sure how to collect all the information about the location and present it to your attendees? They likely have a landing page you can add to your event site. Need to plan a site visit? Many CVBs have site visit packages that offer everything from detailed itineraries, behind the scenes info, a dedicated guide with whom you can tour the City, complimentary transportation to and from the airport, a list of area hot spots, and more.\r\n\r\nTheir help doesn’t end when you sign on the dotted line. CVBs will help you source area vendors, can update you on area festivals and fairs, help plan <a href=\"https://strategic.events/city-excursions-cvbs/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">city tours</a>, share insight on thematic giveaway items, provide trivia questions to work into your guest communications, and provide tips that only a local to the area would know.\r\n\r\nIf your event is large enough you may qualify for assistance to pay for your site visit airfare. Some cities offer promotions that translate into money back after hosting your event. All you have to do is ask if there are any city-wide promotions, meet the parameters, and fill out the paperwork. And, you guessed it, many CVBs will help you do that too.\r\n\r\nSo the next time you have to get up to speed on a new location, or even if you’re returning to one you know well, make sure you reach out to the CVB before you make any other calls. The sooner you loop them into the process the better. You can still use your global or national hotel rep when you book the business and you or your third party will still get the housing commissions. What you’ll also get is a knowledgeable, eager person to partner with you throughout all stages of the process. With help like that you can get those event storyboards done ahead of schedule!\r\n<h2><strong>For more information on site visits check out these articles:</strong></h2>\r\n[mk_blog_showcase excerpt_length=\"0\" orderby=\"none\" posts=\"598, 3807, 3800\"]','The reason to do a site visit online instead of traveling is?','','inherit','closed','closed','','7593-revision-v1','','','2018-02-14 21:14:30','2018-02-14 21:14:30','',7593,'https://strategic.events/7593-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10280,3,'2018-02-14 21:22:16','2018-02-14 21:22:16','<h2>Lessons from Smart Monday</h2>\r\n<h3>By Christy Lamagna, CMP, CMM, CTSM</h3>\r\n<h4>It felt like a reunion where you simply hadn’t met everyone yet.</h4>\r\nFor me, heading to Vegas is always a mixed bag. While it’s not exactly my style, when I’m there I can’t help but marvel at “all things Vegas.” From the indescribable array of people, to the excess of absolutely everything—food, sounds, lights, and activity—it’s impossible for me not to become a spectator of all that surrounds me. Leaving the circus of the casinos and entering the efficient, calm-yet-invigorating atmosphere surrounding Smart Monday at IMEX America 2017, held at the Sands Convention Center, was the sensory equivalent of stepping out of a blizzard and into a dessert.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-7548\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/smart_monday.jpg\" alt=\"Leaving the circus of the casinos and entering the efficient, calm-yet-invigorating atmosphere surrounding Smart Monday at IMEX America 2017, held at the Sands Convention Center, was the sensory equivalent of stepping out of a blizzard and into a dessert. Lessons from Smart Monday\" width=\"473\" height=\"246\" />The organizers really got it right this year. From the meditation room with its tranquil, soothing lighting and chair massages, coupled with guided meditation and comfortable seating, to the thought-provoking educational sessions, there was something for everyone. For those focused on business, free headshots were offered courtesy of the Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Visit Norfolk captured the hearts of many with its “Paws for a Break” mini dog park, where a variety of dogs played, rolled over for tummy rubs, and eagerly licked attendees who came to visit. Nothing recalibrates and brings a person back to center better than a wet nose and a face lick.\r\n\r\nSo many warm hugs and huge smiles were shared, squeals of delight and exclamations of, “I didn’t know you were going to be here!” filling the halls, it was hard not to feel buoyed by the energy and enthusiasm. People were talkative and friendly, made eye contact rather than looking down at their phones, and were eager to engage and connect. It felt like a reunion where you simply hadn’t met everyone yet.\r\n\r\nWith so many people in attendance, it’s also impossible not to run into someone who you’d rather not see. That jolt of uncomfortable is a fantastic reminder of how we want to be treated, how we treat others, the legacy we are creating, and that there is always an opportunity to right a wrong, repair a relationship, and be a bigger person. Challenge yourself to do the hard thing, as that’s almost always also the right thing.\r\n\r\nThere was a session for everyone. From back-of-the-house tours to learning how to play, offerings were smart, varied, and targeted to all the personalities in attendance. There was clearly some real thought put into the classes, the timing, and the structure of the day. That careful planning paid off as people genuinely took advantage of the abundance of offerings.\r\n\r\nAs an industry, we can be fragmented, frustrated, competitive, and too busy to make the time to connect with each other. Smart Monday was warm and inviting and energetic and happy and welcoming. For those who attended and made the day what it was, thank you for the wonderful experience. For those who were unable to attend, mark your calendars for next year. It’s worth the trip.\r\n\r\n[mk_mini_callout]<a href=\"http://www.meetingsnet.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-1342 size-full\" src=\"https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/MeetingsNet.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"33\" /></a>[/mk_mini_callout]','Lessons from Smart Monday','','inherit','closed','closed','','7547-revision-v1','','','2018-02-14 21:22:16','2018-02-14 21:22:16','',7547,'https://strategic.events/7547-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),