Tag: chicago

Enhancing Virtual Meetings and Incentive Trips

Planners are getting creative when it comes to presenting exciting entertainment for virtual destination meetings and incentive trips. After all, what can compare to actually spending a week in Costa Rica or Italy? How about tasting wines from around the world or a hands-on cooking class with a celebrity chef in your own home? Enjoy front-row seats to a sought-after concert or amazing magician. At CEI, we team up with planners to offer interactive team events to enhance the virtual travel experience. Check out two of our newest programs!

Virtual Holiday Team Experiences

Hello Everyone, It’s hard to believe we’re already midway through October, and quickly transitioning into the Holiday season. Our celebrations will certainly be different this year as companies and families gather virtually or in small groups. And, though we may not be able to break bread in person, we can still enjoy the season and be grateful for what we have.   At CEI, we’ve developed a series of virtual team experiences that add joy to the festivities. We would love to partner with you to help spread cheer at your holiday party!

Celebrate the season with your team in a new way!

Introducing iQuiz/iQuest CVB

Hello Everyone,
Suddenly it’s September! Is it much different than April? Students are logging in to remote classes, trade shows have simulated exhibits, conferences choose from a variety of platforms to best present their educational sessions, corporate groups search for new experiences and the virtual craze continues.
With an eye on 2021, we are helping our industry partners stay connected with their clients in an entertaining and fun way. Using our innovative technology, we are developing programs that give DMCs (Destination Management Companies) and CVBs (Convention and Visitor Bureaus) a new means to show off their city I’m very excited to introduce iQuest CVB and iQuiz CVB – two virtual interactive alternatives to showcase your destination.

See your city and its possibilities come to life in a new and exciting way!

Introducing Chicago Association Management

Hello Everyone,
This month, I’d like to introduce you to CEI’s sister company, Chicago Association Management. CAM was founded in 2010 as a natural extension of Corporate Event Enterprises and offers a full range of professional management services to small and mid-sized professional and trade organizations.
Ed Graziano (my business partner for 25 years and husband for 23 years) and his team of talented administrators manage the day-to-day operations and strategic planning for more than a dozen organizations. We are grateful to have our CAM partnership as we navigate these uncertain times.

The CAM Difference: You Call The Shots, We Sweat The Details!

Corporate Groups Earnestly Embrace Change

Hello Everyone,
For most corporate groups, it appears that we may be interacting remotely for a bit longer. Kudos to planners who are finding new platforms, programs, and partners to produce their virtual experiences. Who knew we would all become tech experts overnight? Check out the  BizBash Virtual Event Guide – an excellent source of information!
Our CEI team is navigating the trend — creating more innovative activities to help keep your remote employees and attendees engaged. Whether you are looking for an energizing break in your virtual conference, an exciting activity to help boost morale or an inspiring way to give back to the community, our programs are completely customizable to your company and message that you would like to convey.

From the Expert

Summer! Undoubtedly the favorite season for Chicagoans as everyone gets outside to play. Even with social distancing in place, being outside is a great stress-reliever and can provide mental clarity after being shut in place for so long.  
Innovative activities and programs are popping up all over – yoga in the (virtual) park, online concerts, farmers markets, drive-in movies! Even summer camps and festivals are being reimagined to help us come alive in the summer.  
Another favorite summer experience is Adventure Hunts. Whether remote, in-person with small groups, or a hybrid – these engaging and enlightening activities continue to be popular options for corporate groups and new student orientation.  
It is exciting to see how organizations are adapting to create innovative events to free our summer spirit! How will you spend your summer this year?
Let’s connect

From the Expert

Hello Everyone!
For many of us, our new daily routine includes video conference meetings, schooling our kids, sharing photos from our WFH offices and ordering take-out. Now is the time to think about next steps!
How will you navigate through this?
What are your professional goals and objectives?
What are your biggest challenges?
Who can you depend on for support and information?
Each day I work to answer these questions for myself and I am grateful to be part of a progressive and compassionate industry with a vision! Our community is coming together to discuss what really matters, best practices and how to navigate our now reality.
Would you like to join us?
Let’s connect

Corporate Social Responsibility: Why & How to Give Back

Practicing Corporate Social Responsibility is essential for today’s business owners. When companies are aware of the way their business practices affect both their stakeholders and the general public, this practice is valued as corporate citizenship. Here is the Why: In today’s media climate, customers, clients and employees are paying more attention to a company’s integrity and culture.Providing CSR opportunities at your event helps to foster a positive corporate image and promotes loyalty both internally, between employees and the company, and externally, between the company and its patronage.

Here is the How: The following should considered to determine the ideal way to give back at your event.Amount of time you’d like to spend on your eventNumber of participants you’d like to involveDesired location for your eventSpecified budget for your eventSelected cause, corporate alignment, or local need Facilitate anything from cleaning up a beach or park toparticipating in a combination team-building, care-package event!

Here Is How Your Company Can Execute a Rewarding CSR Event: Send out pre-event info to your employees to garner excitement. Engage employees physically and mentally with contests that foster friendly competition.Invite a representative from the benefiting charity to speak.End with a photo opp of the team showcasing what they accomplished.Hire a team building company to bring your event to life!

Team Building 2020: More Than Just Fun & Games

It is no secret that we are more globally connected than ever. We can thank social media for keeping us in touch with friends and family around the world and smart phones for being our pocket-sized personal assistants. Because of this, it is even more important to capitalize on the time people spend together. Team building is the perfect approach to meaningful engagement. Stepping up the fun & games game! Team Building 2020 is relationship building. In-person gatherings are invaluable! Use this time to allow attendees to foster relationships with authentic well-planned activities. This is especially important for companies with remote employees, or who have recently merged or reorganized — and essential for established teams at an annual meeting. Give people an opportunity to connect and discover someone or something new.