World Class Meeting and Event Management

Winterfest Coming to Downtown Milwaukee in 2011!

2010-12-03T08:48:00.003-06:00

Premium content from The Business Journal - by Stacy Vogel Davis

Date: Friday, December 3, 2010, 5:00am CST

The Frontier Airlines Center will play host to a new event with a familiar name in December 2011 in the hopes of drawing thousands of people to downtown Milwaukee.

The Wisconsin Center District has tapped Professional Events & Consulting to plan a new event called Winterfest for Dec. 8 to 11 and Dec. 15 to 18, 2011, at the Frontier Airlines Center.

Organizers are promising a family-friendly event with activities for all age groups, from an indoor ice skating rink to live music to a gift market.

"It's going to be a tremendous event for the city of Milwaukee and the surrounding areas." said Cheryl McShane, president of Professional Events & Consulting The firm is based in Menomonee Falls, but is moving to Milwaukee.

Organizers are hoping for attendance of 3,000 to 4,000 for each of the eight days of the festival in its first year, McShane said. It started soliciting sponsors this week and has already seen strong interest, she said.

Milwaukee World Festival Inc., the parent company of Summerfest, organized a Winterfest in downtown Milwaukee for several years in the 1990s, but it didn't gain the popularity organizers envisioned.

A key difference for the new Winterfest is it will be indoors, a fact organizers hope will lure more families, McShane said. Admission will be free and access to many of the children's activities, such as the skating rink, bounce houses and a rock-climbing wall, will be unlimited with the purchase of a wristband.

"It's not something where you have to pull out your wallet every corner you turn," she said.

Trace Goudreau, director of sales and marketing at the Wisconsin Center District, came up with the idea after taking his family to Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier in Chicago, McShane said.

The district operates the Frontier Airlines Center along with the Milwaukee Theatre and the U.S. Cellular Arena downtown.

Richard Freiberg, director of business development at the district, said the district suggested the idea, but Professional Events & Consulting is running the show. He referred the questions to McShane.

Organizers haven't finalized a budget yet, McShane said. They're hoping to pay for the entire event through sponsorships and have scheduled half a dozen meetings in the first week of soliciting sponsors.

"Our phones and e-mail have been buzzing," she said. "There's been a huge excitement."

Organizers hope to donate a portion f proceeds from the event to a nonprofit involving children's literacy and are a planning a mass poetry reading for the festival that they hope can break a Guinness World Record, McShane said.

Online Registration

2010-10-21T10:42:00.001-05:00

PEC introduces Fully Customizable Online Registration

Designed Specifically for YOUR Organization

Customized Fonts, Colors and Logos

Book Hotel Nights

Arrange Air and Ground Transportation

Select Break-Out Sessions

Register for Tours and Events

Multiple Payment Options Available

Reports Delivered Automatically to Your Inbox

Affordable Registration for 1 to 1,000,000

Take a few moments and review our sample site:

www.pecregister.com

Press Release

2010-05-21T11:52:00.003-05:00

Professional Events and Consulting Plans Premier Event at Pier Wisconsin

Milwaukee, WI - May 21, 2010 - Wisconsin-based meeting planning company Professional Events and Consulting is working with lia sophia to plan their White Party at Pier Wisconsin on June 29. Nearly 4,000 lia sophia Advisors and guests will attend the White Party, which will be held the last night of the lia sophia annual Conference.

Billed as one of the largest conventions in Milwaukee in recent years, lia sophia, a fashion jewelry company, will bring close to 4,000 independent Advisors to Milwaukee for three days of education, networking and fun. "With their headquarters just outside of Chicago, and representatives from all across the country, lia sophia could choose to host their convention anywhere, but they choose Milwaukee. That says a lot about our beautiful city, friendly people and our tremendous value, " says Mia Nardi, Director of Sales for Visit Milwaukee.

The convention concludes with the White Party of Pier Wisconsin. The entire Pier campus has been reserved exclusively for lia sophia, and in addition to all things white, activities include dancing to the sounds of one of New York City's hottest DJs at the outdoor amphitheater, spectacular interactive festivities, and a private fireworks display uniquely crafted just for lia sophia.

The Bartolotta family plays an integral role in this year's gala, as The Bartolotta Catering Company will provide the meal for nearly 4,000 attendees, and The Bartolotta Fireworks Company will provide the fireworks display at evening's end. "Milwaukee is a fabulous destination city, but it takes the right planning firm to highlight the venue that best fits each client's needs, create the atmosphere that will excite the attendees and establish proper protocol so that everything runs smoothly. This is no small task when you are working with close to 4,000 people, but PEC has systems in place and expertise to ensure a flawless and memorable event," says Denice Waldhuetter, Vice President of Professional Events & Consulting.

In addition, the city of Milwaukee will benefit greatly from the attendance of lia sophia Advisors, who have two nights of unscheduled events in the city. Professional Events and Consulting is hosting a number of tours and excursions to showcase various Milwaukee locale during Conference downtown, including the Historic Third Ward, Brady Street and other downtown venues. "We have a fabulous city and we plan to show it off!" states Waldhuetter.

Located in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, Professional Events and Consulting provides expert management services for a wide range of specialized events, including site selection, contract negotiating, meetings conventions, and expos. Contact Cheryl McShane at 262.345.1274 for more information.

New Logo...

2010-05-07T10:59:00.003-05:00

Professional Events and Consulting has a NEW logo we are excited to share with you...

Did you know...

2010-04-16T11:56:00.002-05:00

Professional Events and Consulting offers personal concierge services?

We understand that your time is a precious commodity, and that it's difficult to accomplish everything you have to do on your daily tast list. At PEC, we realize you time is better spent growing our business than trying to locate the perfect restaurant for your client meeting.

Whether you're in need of hard to get PGA tickets to impress a client, or you need to make last minute airline reservations for an important meeting, your personal concierge at Professional Events and Consulting will get it done with ease.

Below is a small sampling of just some of the personal concierge services that we provide:

Transportation
Business Travel - commercial flights and private charters
Airport meet and greets
Hotel and resort arrangements
Dining and reservations
Nightlight, entertainment, and sporting arrangements
Special event, concert and theater tickets
Personal assistance
Scheduling and appointments
Personal shopping
Local tour arrangements
Catering
Spa and beauty treatments
VIP services

Give us a call today!

Are Business Cards on the Way Out?

2010-04-05T14:28:00.004-05:00

Are some of you wondering if business cards are being replaced by Pokens?
Or are most of you wondering just what exactly are Pokens?

The Poken is a new social networking tool, used to share information from person to person in the blink of an eye.

I don't want another networking application where I need to "update my status."

This is not an application that shows your status, or something that needs to be updated weekly to keep people interested.

A Poken will simply tie into any one of your social networking accounts and make it easier for you to connect with new people, by letting you connect immediately when you are physically in their presence. It saves you the hassle of having to search for new friends later. Your time is better spent socializing in the real world, or using great tools online to improve your social life.

Well, now that I have a Poken, how do I use it?

Pokening with someone, (exchanging your social business card data with another person) is very easy. Both of you should hold onto the body of the poken so that the other half of the poken (its hand) is free. Put the two poken hands together for about 2 seconds without moving and you will have exchanged contacts! If there is a green light glowing in both poken hands, you have pokened!

Now that I've got information on my "Poken", how do I get on my computer so I can use the information?

The USB connector of your poken lets you easily upload your new contacts to your poken account. It is recognized by all computers as a standard USB memory stick with a few files on it and you do not need to install any software on your computer. You only need to plug your poken into a computer that is connected to the web, and it will automatically start to load.

Can I customized my Poken?

There currently are 18 designs out of the core collection of the poken. If you are a company who is interested in possibilities of a bigger corporate partnership, a corporate logo can certainly be added to the Poken!

Don't delay - get your Poken today so the first time you are "Poked", you'll be prepared!

Branding Your Meeting

2010-03-19T13:00:00.001-05:00

Whether your meeting is a sales meeting, an awards gala or a fundraising event, it is important to aim to brand every element of your meeting.

Meetings of all sizes can branded with logoed pens and paper. A great meeting “giveaway” idea is a branded jump drive with all of your company information included.

For a larger meeting, the use of Gobos projecting your brand logo is extremely effective. A rotating Gobo on the floor of the pre-function area or dance floor sparks interest.

Never let a screen appear blank. It’s easy to project your company or sponsors logo onto the screen.

Spandex table covers can be designed with your company logo imprinted. While the spandex may seem expensive at first - you can use these over and over, creating a great ROI.

Stay tuned next week to learn about the newest craze, and yet another great way to brand a meeting - Pokens!

It's Easy to be "Green"

2010-03-12T15:11:00.002-06:00

As the snow melts away, we know green grass is just a few weeks away!

With Spring just around the corner... we take a look at a few easy ways to "Go Green."

1. Use Paperless Technology - Create a conference website, offer electronic registration and confirmation, advertise using the web and/or email, and give away jump drives with your meeting information - instead of printing out all your meeting agendas

2. Meet Close - Choose a venue and hotel that are close to the airport and within walking distance of each other

3. Practice the 3-Rs - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle paper, metal, plastic, and glass

4. Close the Recycling Loop - For materials that must be printed, use recycled paper and on both sides of the page

5. Save Energy - Coordinate with the venue to ensure that lights and air conditioning will be turned off when the rooms are not in use.

Visit Milwaukee Showcase 2010

2010-03-03T15:39:00.005-06:00

Professional Events and Consulting enjoyed another successful year at the Annual Visit Milwaukee Special Event Showcase.

We had great attendance at our educational sessions. Our session brought in great panelists and focused on Social Media and Contract Negotiating.

We were excited to debut our new logo and company colors! The booth was a hit and was visited by many.

Take a look at some of our pictures below...

Special Event Showcase - NEXT WEEK!

2010-02-24T12:01:00.003-06:00

Professional Events and Consulting is one of the event sponsors for the 2010 Special Event Showcase, put on by Visit Milwaukee on March 3, 2010.

Be sure to visit our booth - and learn more about what PEC can do for you!

Also, be sure not to miss out on the exciting mini sessions facilitated by PEC:

11:30am - Longitudes and Legalities ~ Contract Negotiations and What to Know Before You Sign: Whether you do the negotiating for your company or work with a meeting planner, we'll explore tips to help ensure that you negotiate a contract that achieves your goals and stays within your budget.

12:15pm - Embracing Social Media: Social Media is not the wave of the future. It's here, it's now, and it's powerful! Our expert panel will answer all your questions about social media and how to best utilize it. If you have a question you would like answered, please submit in advance to info@pecpros.com.

Professional Events and Consulting - Going International!

2010-02-19T09:44:00.001-06:00

Professional Events and Consulting is close to securing a contract with a client to take our expertise international for the first time. The agreement should be completed within the next few months, when additional details will be posted!

Stay tuned!

Networking...Part 2!

2010-02-16T14:13:00.000-06:00

Now that you’ve earned a new client’s business (and trust!), here are your next steps to success:

Encourage openness and communication – open communication puts you botho nt he same page and makes both parties’ expectations known.
Demonstrate service excellence – clients expect you to be easygoing, so show htem you’ll do whatever it takes to meet their needs.
Produce results – find a way to give your clients more than they expect or need and you’ll have a client that will come back again and a again.

The next time you encounter a networking opportunity, try building the relationship first and the business is sure to follow.

Tips and Tools for Networking!

2010-02-08T11:20:00.000-06:00

Most people believe networking is important for their business – and this is especially true to small businesses.

David Nour, Managing Partner of the Nour Group and one of the countries most prolific networking experts, believes that networking does not work.

Do you find yourself shuffling business cards back and forth without thinking twice about it? At each encounter, we have the ability to build and nurture a relationship, yet most of us are focused on furthering our own business agenda that we lose sight of the person behind the handshake.

The fact of the matter is, people want to do business with others that they know, and most importantly – trust. Building sincere relationships is the key to long-term business success. Building relationships is a planned experience that takes a conscious effort. The next time you attend a conference, meeting, or luncheon – try the following steps:

· Maintain a positive attitude. Those who exude confidence, energy, and focus on a positive solution to problems often times have the attention of potential clients.
· Develop rapport and establish a bond – get to know them, ask questions, find common “personal” ground, and show a genuine interest in that person.
· Promote trust – trust is hard to earn and easy to lost. Developing trust comes after you have demonstrated credibility, dependability, and an emotional connection.
· Be upbeat and fun – when you’re passionate and love what you do, it shows! We all love being around happy people…so demonstrate your enthusiasm and excitement!

Stay tuned to learn about what you do after you’d earned their business…

Coming this fall...

2010-01-12T09:04:00.002-06:00

Professional Events and Consulting has been selected to assist the Menomonee Falls Chamber of Commerce in planning and managing the Big Pig Gig, a nationally sanctioned BBQ food competition. The event will take place on September 17th and 18th, 2010.

The State of Wisconsin and Governor Doyle have also designated this BBQ as the Wisconsin Station Championship competition.

In conjunction with the contest itself, this is a family oriented weekend. Activities and events throughout the weekend will include: magic shows, celebrity rib eating contests, strolling magicians, music and much more.

Follow us as we move through the planning process and we'll share the exciting inclusions as they develop!

Start 2010 Off Right!

2009-12-30T12:34:00.003-06:00

As you start off 2010, be sure to be one step ahead when it comes to negotiating contracts.

Let the experts at PEC negotiate a hotel contract to best suit your needs!

Here are some of our best tips when beginning your negotiations:

1. Don't be afraid to ask - good negotiators ask for everything they want and make sure they don't end up with something they don't want.
2. Get it in writing - this assures both parties live up the agreement
3. Never negotiate against yourself - once you make an offer, don't make another until you get a response.
4. Prepare - learn as much as possible about the needs of your group
5. Know your bottom line - this way, you won't agree to something that you do not like.
6. Know the other side - when negotiating with someone in authority, make sure that person agrees with your position and understands it.
7. Listen to the other side - good negotiators are both good talkers and listeners
8. Establish a back-up plan - know the next best option
9. You can't substitute communication - avoiding tough issues does not get you anywhere
10. Never sign anything you do not completely understand.

Merry Christmas from the staff at PEC!

2009-12-17T10:02:00.005-06:00

All of us at Professional Events and Consulting join in wishing you a Merry Christmas and a successful new year!

Cheryl, Katie, Denice, and Cassie

2009-12-01T13:01:00.003-06:00

Ideas falling flat?

It's not easy coming up with creative holiday ideas year after year.

We at Professional Events and Consulting can help you secure an exciting venue, spice up your decor, and put the excitement back into your company gathering.

Let us bring the fun back into your holiday party!

How to Avoid the Headaches of Traveling

2009-11-25T10:23:00.002-06:00

As the Holiday season comes upon us... Professional Events and Consulting (with help from Forbes!) offers a few helpful hints for the next time you travel...

Forbes Traveler recently came out with tips to avoid these mishaps and get the relaxation you really need out of your vacation.

1. Don’t only check the departure gate – Check the arrivals to see what’s coming in at your gate.

2. Take the bus or the train for regional trips – It’s proving do be faster and leaves you feeling less stressed

3. Don’t ever check your bags – Courier your larger luggage using FedEx or UPS. You will save time and this will give you the flexibility to fly with a different airline if yours encounters problems.

4. Ask for alternative airports or routes.

5. Before standing in line, ask your airline to ”protect” you – Call your airline and ask to be “protected,” or booked on another flight to the same destination. Not all airlines will book interlining flights with other carriers, but many of the major airlines will.

6. Travel with a confirmation code – Don’t just rely on your reservation. Make sure you get a PNR, which is airline code for “passenger name record.”

7. Text Google – Text 466453 and enter the airline’s two-letter code and flight number. Google will text you back with the flight status.

8. Always use a credit card – This allows for speedy flight-information retrieval, and if the flight is cancelled or your airline goes under, you are protected.

9. Take the first flight out of the day – Delays get worse as the day progresses, and the crew and plane are likely to already be on-site after their overnight flight into the airport.

10. Don’t settle for the minimum legal connection between flights – Because many flights are late, chances are you won’t make your connecting flight with less than two hours. If you miss this flight, your odds of getting on another are slim due to the decreased number of flights.

11. Ask the airlines the right questions – Don’t ask if your flight is scheduled to be on-time. Instead, ask for the aircraft number assigned to your flight, and then ask where that aircraft number is.

Follow these helpful tips and you’ll be relaxing at your vacation destination in no time!

*Tips from Forbes Traveler come from SmartMeetings.com, August 2009, Travel Faster.

They started it all...

2009-11-10T14:27:00.010-06:00

Meet Cheryl McShane and Denice Waldhuetter - President and Vice President of Professional Events and Consulting. With more the 20 years combined in the event industry, their knowledge is what makes PEC one of today's elite meeting and management companies, both locally - and nationwide.

Prior to starting Professional Events and Consulting, LLC in 2003, Cheryl McShane worked for Strong Mutual Funds and the Dan Jansen Foundation. During this time, Cheryl was instrumental in developing and implementing corporate events and fund-raising events; raising thousands of dollars for Leukemia patients and their families. Today, as president and co-owner of Professional Events and Consulting, LLC, a full-service meeting and event management firm, Cheryl travels the country assisting corporations, associations, non-profits and government clients with their meeting planning, site selection and convention needs.

Denice Waldhuetter is Vice President and co-owner of Professional Events and Consulting, LLC, a full-service meeting and event management company. Over the past 20 years, Denice worked in the hospitality industry with both Marriott and Hyatt Regency Corporation, before working as a corporate planner for a national health enhancement company. Currently, Denice and her team at Professional Events and Consulting have had a continuing presence in the hospitality and travel industry through management and coordination of corporate conferences and incentive programs all over the United States. Denice now shares her knowledge in the meeting and tourism industry by contributing meeting and event planning articles to business publications and through speaking engagements within the meetings industry.

A Look Back on PEC's 2009...

2009-11-10T14:06:00.014-06:00

Looking forward to another successful year in 2010!

Spandex Linens

2009-11-10T14:02:00.003-06:00

Something new and exciting from Professional Events and Consulting…

The hottest trend in event planning today!

Bring something new and exciting to your next event by dressing your banquet in affordable spandex linens!

Professional Events and Consulting understands that you need to make your dollar stretch farther, and yet maintain creativity. In an effort to assist in this economy and as a way to achieve a more sustainable environment, PEC is renting their spandex inventory out to interested parties.

Healthiest Meeting Hotels

2009-11-06T10:04:00.001-06:00

Health Magazine released a list of the nation’s 10 healthiest hotels. The list was generated after visiting hotels across the nation and judging their support of health and wellness of their guests.

Consider looking into one of these “healthy hotels” when booking your next convention.

Fairmont Hotels and Resorts
· Hand massage for BlackBerry addicts
· Adidas workout apparel in guest rooms
· Local running routes
· All Fairmont hotels use as much organic local cuisine as possible

Westin Hotels and Resorts
· Private workout rooms with treadmills and Pilates and Cycle DVDs
· Fitness library with Runner’s World maps and bottled water
· Guided runs
· Wii game set-ups
· “Superfoods Menu” – nutritious meal options that are rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
· Some locations offer paddle boarding, kayak tours, canoeing, hiking, and tennis
· Sleep Well program with specialized pillows, DVD with pre-sleep exercises, bedtime snacks and iPods with soothing music
· Eco-friendly cleaning products and recycling programs are incorporated throughout the brand

Hilton Hotels Corporation
· Specialized “Eat Right” Menu
· Precor USA strength and cardio equipment
· Breakfast Buffet is color-coded to let guests choose high-energy, high-fiber, low-calorie, low-cholesterol, and high-indulgence options

Hyatt Hotels and Resorts
· StayFit Hyatt Program – workout programs that cater to fitness-conscious guests
· In-room workout videos
· Fitness Concierges – provide workout attire, running maps, and GPS armbands
· StayFit Cuisine options (in-room and in restaurants)
· Water served from coolers, recycled notepads and pens, with recycling bins throughout all meeting rooms

The Ritz-Carlton
· Hypoallergenic bedding
· 100-percent smoke-free properties
· Outdoor activity offerings (differ depending on hotel location)
· Daily wellness classes for conference attendees

*Information taken from Smart Meetings, August 2009 – “Healthiest Meeting Hotels” authored by Julie Keller

Exciting news from PEC...

2009-11-04T08:05:00.002-06:00

Professional Events and Consulting has undergone an exciting transformation - and it has officially launched today!

Implementation of a state-of-the-art event software package, along with a new image, website, and email addresses, all the experts at PEC to continue to provide the best quality service expected by a leader in the event industry.

As we turn this page in our history, we look to a new beginning with a renewed commitment to service excellence. All of us at PEC are committed to serving your needs with high quality, accurate and timely service.

Visit us on the web at our new site - www.pecpros.com

Did You know...

2009-10-26T13:16:00.001-05:00

• Milwaukee is the 22nd largest city in the United States

• One of Milwaukee’s most recognizable landmarks, the Allen Bradley Clock Tower, is the largest four-faced clock in the world

• The exhibit hall of the Midwest Airlines Center can hold 555 city buses, end-to-end and side-by-side

• The Milwaukee Art Museum’s Burke Brise Soleil wingspan spreads 217 feet as its widest point – wider than a Boeing 747

• The Milwaukee Public Museum is home to the world’s largest dinosaur skull

• The flame-shaped light on top of the Milwaukee Gas Company building changes color to forecast weather. Yellow is cold, red is warm, and blue means no change

• Usingers Sausage in Milwaukee is known as “The Tiffany of Sausagemakers”

• Milwaukee is the official national headquarters for bowling

• Milwaukee is the hometown of Harley-Davidson, the legendary motorcycle company

*Milwaukee facts obtained from Milwacky.com

Re-Branding and How to Chose the Right Meeting Planner

2009-10-20T13:19:00.004-05:00

Look for PEC's new logo, website, and marketing materials to be launched within the month.

In the meantime, find us on twitter http://twitter.com/PECPros and check out our fan page "Professional Events and Consulting" - with pictures of recent events - on facebook.

Continue to check back frequently as our blog will be updated with industry trends, event pictures, opinion columns, and unique and interesting facts.

Please leave us comments with your thoughts and suggestions. We look forward to hearing from you!

Choosing the Right Meeting Planner

Not all planners are created equal. You should be prepared to ask pointed questions with regard to your planner’s reputation and ability to service your group’s specific needs.

Tips for choosing the right Independent Meeting Planner:

Contact the local CVB and ask about the company's reputation
Contact all references provided by the planner
Contact the Better Business Bureau

Questions you should ask your planner:

How do you stand behind your commitment to service excellence?
Are you prices inclusive of: gratuity, taxes, administrative fees, and staffing?
What is your policy for changes, additions, and subtractions?
How will I be notified of possible charges not included in the proposal?
What is your policy on change notifications?
Are you a preferred supplier of the local convention bureau?
What pertinent trade organizations do you belong to? Are you an active member within that organization?
Can you provide me at least three client referrals?
Have you ever had a grievance filed against you?
How do you measure the quality of your service?

Essential Qualities of a Good Planner

Demonstrates honesty and integrity
Is respected in the industry among peers, clients and subcontractors
Saved you time and money
Provides service excellence and will stand behind their reputation
Flexible to your group's needs and requirements
Provides creative and unique venues, tours and event ideas
Customizes meetings and events to your needs, wants and objectives
Will be your liaison between you, the venue and all subcontractors
Troubleshoots
Maintains database records
Provides a complete report after your event
Offers a professionally staffed concierge desk specific to your group's needs
Accessible 24-7 during your event
Provides thorough communication
Provides impeccable listening skills
Sensitive to the individual needs of the group