I have spent numerous Friday nights at our front desk to watch groups check-in, one of the first concerns of arriving guests is where am I going to sleep? where to I take my stuff? who's going to be my roommate? I have watched several processes, some are very organized and work well. Others create massive problems that distract people from the purpose of the event...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

Fall may seem like a  long way off, especially considering that we have barley entered May but time flies when you're having fun... Fall events present some unique challenges for planners because of summer break. As different members of your planning team are on vacation that can limit the opportunities you have for team meetings. And often your ministries take a break in the summer time so getting the word out to your potential attendees may take a hit. All of these challenges are easy to overcome, the approach simply needs to be adjusted for the situation. You can create some great ministry opportunities for your church...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

Being an Apple enthusiast that I am... I have been playing with my new iPad since it arrived in the mail last Friday, and love it. The device captivated me all weekend long. It was fun to play and get it all set up, but my brain had turned to mush after a few hours. Physical activity is one of the best ways to refresh my mind and renew my ability to focus. I go crazy if I just sit around all day. In the chair in the office, in the chair at the dinner table, on coach watching tv... If you go by this track record when someone asks me what do I like to do, I ought to answer "sit around"...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

Somewhere along the line it seems a decision was made that adults go to meetings to be serious and busy. All I know is... I was not invited to cast a vote at that meeting because my age has not limited my fun quota. Retreats and conferences are really a collection of meetings with a collective message. It can be easy to get wrapped up in making everything purposeful and productive thereby, trying to input too much into our attendees. That is more likely to leave them feeling overwhelmed and confused than it is feeling like the event was value packed. Activities, especially a little recreation, can aid development of interpersonal relationships that are essential for productivity in those meetings...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

In a recent blog, Zach offered some excellent suggestions for planners preparing for Day of Arrival emphasizing the importance of first impressions. But remember, last impressions can also leave lasting impressions on guests. Preparing your guests to return home and their everyday lives requires you to create a smooth check-out process. The memory you want your guests to keep is the time they had connecting with God, the spiritual energy and excitement, not a frustration over something trivial...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

Taking the show on the road can be a difficult balancing act. Between creating a unique worship/learning environment and what is feasible for your team to pull off... between space and time limitations... between selecting a set-up that is engaging but not distracting. The list could continue...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

Last week I shared in my Bolivia post that one of the things I was looking forward to most was a meal with the Kittleson's. During these meals that work and things to do are forgotten for a time and we can just share stories, laugh until we cry, and the come away from the table a stronger community. I think the same can be said for meals shared at events and your church...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

This time of year as we transition to close one chapter and start a new one its natural to begin to think about goals and what you'd like to see accomplished in the coming year. Often people start with the big picture then zoom in on specific areas. This works great, I do the same thing. However I have noticed that as the year goes on and I get into pinch points there are some areas that I never zoom-in on I only do the quick fly-by...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

I can tell you exactly how the church service I attend most Sundays will go. Worship, message, 1 more song, offering, then a video, and a few announcements. I can even predict how Pastor Tim start his message... "Open your Bibles with me to..." The predictable nature of the service makes it really difficult for me to pay attention, let alone learn...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

Ok, so maybe the title isn't completely correct. Most of us don't really forget winter. How can we with the cold temperatures and the snow! For me, winter is a season that I would just like to skip. I like the warmer temperatures! That is why so many people flood to the south for the winter months! But of course, living in the Midwest, we will never escape the winter months. So why not take advantage of the situation. A winter retreat can benefit a group in so many ways...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

Where did October go? It is already November! That means 2012 is almost here! Have you started promoting your event yet? If you haven't, what are you waiting for? It is never too early to start promoting! In order for you to have good attendance at your event, you must start putting your event in front of your target audience now...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment

Have you ever filled out a survey knowing that the person on the other end would probably never read what you're writing? I know I have, in fact when I get the impression that the survey is only being done as a formality and the person receiving my feedback isn't really interested in any criticism I generally don't bother putting the effort forth to fill out the evaluation...     Continue Reading | Leave Comment