APEX E-News Volume 4 Issue 7

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APEX E-NEWS ARCHIVE: Volume IV, Issue 10 – October 2005

News You Can Use from the Accepted Practices Exchange

=============================================
CONTENTS
I. APEX Meeting and Events Toolbox by OfficeReady
II. What’s In It For Me? …For Facilites
III. Upcoming Presentations @ Industry Events
=============================================

I. APEX Meeting and Events Toolbox by OfficeReady
Taking the hassles out of planning events of all kinds.

The Convention Industry Council (CIC) has developed APEX Meeting and Events Toolbox by OfficeReady - a user-friendly toolset containing a collection of more than 200 event management and business templates, as well as name badge and table card templates. It also includes templates developed through APEX (Accepted Practices Exchange) as the industry standard. It is designed to interface with the Microsoft Office suite of software programs, specifically Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

Some of the tools currently included in the APEX Toolbox are:
• APEX Industry Glossary – Over 3,900 industry-approved terms, acronyms and abbreviations and their respective definitions.
• APEX ESG (Event Specifications Guide) – Driven by wizard technology, this is the industry’s format to use in preparing and sharing complete instructions and details for events.
• APEX Rooming List – The critical elements that are necessary for clear communication.
• APEX Housing Form – A standard version that captures the necessary information on a consistent basis.
• All hard-copy APEX templates developed in the panels’ final reports, filled in as samples.
• All checklists from the Convention Industry Council Manual, 7th Edition.
• Adobe-compatible PDF capability to create a PDF file so that users can distribute secure files via email or post them to a website.
• Over 200 meeting templates, such as tent cards, badges, invitations, agendas, newsletters, and more.
• Automatic profile feature that inserts the users name, address, and event-related relevant information into new documents automatically, saving valuable time.
• Photos from your digital camera can be included and sent within your ESG or PER.

With over 500 individual copies sold since its release, planners are putting this exciting new toolbox to use. Get your copy of APEX Toolbox for only $99.95. Volume licenses and customized versions of The Toolbox are also available. Visit this direct link to purchase today: http://www.conventionindustry.org/shop/cic_pub_and_comm.htm.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

II. WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME? … FOR FACILITES
This feature of the APEX E-News focuses on a different sector of the industry each month, addressing the important benefits that APEX accepted practices bring to that sector’s members. This month the focus is on the facilities sector of the industry including: convention centers, auditoriums, stadiums, etc. along with Food & Beverage Partners.

Benefits that Facilities will see from APEX accepted practices include:
• Ability to be more competitive for future business based on:
- More accurate and detailed event profile information.
- Consideration of the total economic impact of an event.
- Level playing field with facility/city specs.
• Be better salespeople by developing relationships with potential customers and understanding their needs in order to help them achieve their goals.
• More efficient booking and maximization of space based on more accurate post-event information and trends.
• Simplify review of facility contracts by customers’ attorneys.
• Better validate legal positions with customers and local governments on risk, insurance, and indemnity.
• Ability to schedule labor and equipment more efficiently.
• Simplify event planning preparation phase to provide more direct service and response to customers.
• Better utilization of personnel, application of technology, and measurement of performance.
Facilities Practical Applications
• Better promote facility and city through accurate site profiles which level the playing field.
• Include all APEX information and tools as enhancements to facility websites.
• Apply terminology to all forms, planning tools, contracts.
• Be more competitive on proposals based on more accurate information.
• Get access to more RFPs because it will be easier for planners to distribute RFPs and receive more proposals.
• Significantly reduce time currently expended in receiving event information from customers, processing event info into facility work orders, processing changes from customers, and coordinating set-up operations with event partners.
• Better benchmarking against competitors which can influence future business plans, rate structures, organizational structures, etc.

How are accepted practices benefiting you? Let us know and we may feature you in a future edition of the APEX E-News. Send your ideas to ahawthorne@conventionindustry.org.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

III. UPCOMING PRESENTATIONS @ INDUSTRY EVENTS

Watch for APEX-related sessions at the following upcoming industry events:

November 13, 2005
International Hotel/Motel Restaurant Show
New York, NY, USA
www.ihmrs.com/

November 17, 2005
The MEET: Meeting and Event Planners Education Forum/Tradeshow
Somerset, NJ, USA
http://www.emcvenues.com/calendar.cfm

November 22, 2005
HSMAI's Meetings Quest
Washington, DC, USA
www.meetingsquest.com/MeetingsQuestHome.asp

November 30, 2005
IAEM Expo!Expo!
Atlanta, GA, USA
www.iaem.org

December 13, 2005
Technology Conference - NKU Mets Center for Corporate Learning
Erlanger, KY, USA
www.ohmpi.org

If you would like to have an APEX session on your event’s program, please contact Amy Hawthorne at ahawthorne@convetionindustry.org or (703) 610-0278.
===========================================
Please forward this newsletter to others in the meetings, conventions, & exhibitions industry.
The APEX E-News provides timely information and updates on the APEX (Accepted Practices Exchange) initiative to all volunteers, funders and general industry members. APEX is developing the best accepted practices for the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry with the goal of streamlining the way the industry does business.

To be added to this mailing list, send an email with “ADD” in the subject line to ahawthorne@conventionindustry.org. Please include your name, title, employer, and mailing address.

To be deleted from this mailing list, send an email with “REMOVE” in the subject line to ahawthorne@conventionindustry.org.

APEX is an initiative of the Convention Industry Council
www.conventionindustry.org
8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300
McLean, VA 22102

APEX E-NEWS ARCHIVE: Volume IV, Issue 10 – October 2005

News You Can Use from the Accepted Practices Exchange

=============================================
CONTENTS
I. APEX Meeting and Events Toolbox by OfficeReady
II. What’s In It For Me? …For Facilites
III. Upcoming Presentations @ Industry Events
=============================================

I. APEX Meeting and Events Toolbox by OfficeReady
Taking the hassles out of planning events of all kinds.

The Convention Industry Council (CIC) has developed APEX Meeting and Events Toolbox by OfficeReady - a user-friendly toolset containing a collection of more than 200 event management and business templates, as well as name badge and table card templates. It also includes templates developed through APEX (Accepted Practices Exchange) as the industry standard. It is designed to interface with the Microsoft Office suite of software programs, specifically Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

Some of the tools currently included in the APEX Toolbox are:
• APEX Industry Glossary – Over 3,900 industry-approved terms, acronyms and abbreviations and their respective definitions.
• APEX ESG (Event Specifications Guide) – Driven by wizard technology, this is the industry’s format to use in preparing and sharing complete instructions and details for events.
• APEX Rooming List – The critical elements that are necessary for clear communication.
• APEX Housing Form – A standard version that captures the necessary information on a consistent basis.
• All hard-copy APEX templates developed in the panels’ final reports, filled in as samples.
• All checklists from the Convention Industry Council Manual, 7th Edition.
• Adobe-compatible PDF capability to create a PDF file so that users can distribute secure files via email or post them to a website.
• Over 200 meeting templates, such as tent cards, badges, invitations, agendas, newsletters, and more.
• Automatic profile feature that inserts the users name, address, and event-related relevant information into new documents automatically, saving valuable time.
• Photos from your digital camera can be included and sent within your ESG or PER.

With over 500 individual copies sold since its release, planners are putting this exciting new toolbox to use. Get your copy of APEX Toolbox for only $99.95. Volume licenses and customized versions of The Toolbox are also available. Visit this direct link to purchase today: http://www.conventionindustry.org/shop/cic_pub_and_comm.htm.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

II. WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME? … FOR FACILITES
This feature of the APEX E-News focuses on a different sector of the industry each month, addressing the important benefits that APEX accepted practices bring to that sector’s members. This month the focus is on the facilities sector of the industry including: convention centers, auditoriums, stadiums, etc. along with Food & Beverage Partners.

Benefits that Facilities will see from APEX accepted practices include:
• Ability to be more competitive for future business based on:
- More accurate and detailed event profile information.
- Consideration of the total economic impact of an event.
- Level playing field with facility/city specs.
• Be better salespeople by developing relationships with potential customers and understanding their needs in order to help them achieve their goals.
• More efficient booking and maximization of space based on more accurate post-event information and trends.
• Simplify review of facility contracts by customers’ attorneys.
• Better validate legal positions with customers and local governments on risk, insurance, and indemnity.
• Ability to schedule labor and equipment more efficiently.
• Simplify event planning preparation phase to provide more direct service and response to customers.
• Better utilization of personnel, application of technology, and measurement of performance.
Facilities Practical Applications
• Better promote facility and city through accurate site profiles which level the playing field.
• Include all APEX information and tools as enhancements to facility websites.
• Apply terminology to all forms, planning tools, contracts.
• Be more competitive on proposals based on more accurate information.
• Get access to more RFPs because it will be easier for planners to distribute RFPs and receive more proposals.
• Significantly reduce time currently expended in receiving event information from customers, processing event info into facility work orders, processing changes from customers, and coordinating set-up operations with event partners.
• Better benchmarking against competitors which can influence future business plans, rate structures, organizational structures, etc.

How are accepted practices benefiting you? Let us know and we may feature you in a future edition of the APEX E-News. Send your ideas to ahawthorne@conventionindustry.org.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

III. UPCOMING PRESENTATIONS @ INDUSTRY EVENTS

Watch for APEX-related sessions at the following upcoming industry events:

November 13, 2005
International Hotel/Motel Restaurant Show
New York, NY, USA
www.ihmrs.com/

November 17, 2005
The MEET: Meeting and Event Planners Education Forum/Tradeshow
Somerset, NJ, USA
http://www.emcvenues.com/calendar.cfm

November 22, 2005
HSMAI's Meetings Quest
Washington, DC, USA
www.meetingsquest.com/MeetingsQuestHome.asp

November 30, 2005
IAEM Expo!Expo!
Atlanta, GA, USA
www.iaem.org

December 13, 2005
Technology Conference - NKU Mets Center for Corporate Learning
Erlanger, KY, USA
www.ohmpi.org

If you would like to have an APEX session on your event’s program, please contact Amy Hawthorne at ahawthorne@convetionindustry.org or (703) 610-0278.
===========================================
Please forward this newsletter to others in the meetings, conventions, & exhibitions industry.
The APEX E-News provides timely information and updates on the APEX (Accepted Practices Exchange) initiative to all volunteers, funders and general industry members. APEX is developing the best accepted practices for the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry with the goal of streamlining the way the industry does business.

To be added to this mailing list, send an email with “ADD” in the subject line to ahawthorne@conventionindustry.org. Please include your name, title, employer, and mailing address.

To be deleted from this mailing list, send an email with “REMOVE” in the subject line to ahawthorne@conventionindustry.org.

APEX is an initiative of the Convention Industry Council
www.conventionindustry.org
8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300
McLean, VA 22102