http://blog.uniquevenues.com Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:07:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 en Hopes Dashed to Host the Tie Guys! http://blog.uniquevenues.com/hopes-dashed-to-host-the-tie-guys/ http://blog.uniquevenues.com/hopes-dashed-to-host-the-tie-guys/#comments Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:07:21 +0000 chuck http://blog.uniquevenues.com/hopes-dashed-to-host-the-tie-guys/ What’s this world coming to?  Another critical association has bit the dust!  Yesterday it was announced that the Men’s Dress Furnishings Association (MDFA for all of you that are familiar with it) is dissolving.  It’s true.  The tie makers just aren’t doing the biz anymore.  They say it’s because men aren’t wearing ties on a regular basis any longer…but I think it’s because the ties designed are just so damn ugly!

Here’s to perpetual dress down days!

]]> http://blog.uniquevenues.com/hopes-dashed-to-host-the-tie-guys/feed/ Thankful for Trains! http://blog.uniquevenues.com/thankful-for-trains/ http://blog.uniquevenues.com/thankful-for-trains/#comments Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:41:15 +0000 chuck http://blog.uniquevenues.com/thankful-for-trains/ I’m a bit of a travel snob. I do it almost every week…plane after plane after plane! I have always avoided trains in the USA. When I travel in the UK, I consider them a necessary evil, but always a reliable way to get from city to city.

Last weekend I was to be in London, but due to the ever-increasing pain that air travel has become, I instead spent 72 hours trying to get back to my home in Pennsylvania. Cancellations, mechanical difficulties, you name it…I could NOT get to London. When it came time to travel from Newark to Johnstown, I weighed all my options. Do I pay $419 to fly to Pittsburgh and then train to Johnstown? No…instead I paid a total of $102 and took the train straight home. What a delight! I traveled regular coach class, but the seats were more comfortable than first class airplane seats. I had a wonderful gourmet cheese and cracker tray for only $4! I had two electrical outlets at my seat which allowed me to work all 7 hours on the train (well..I did watch some Law and Order episodes). The coach was clean, quiet and the staff on the train seemed to want to do their job! How refreshing!

When you are selling your venue, think bout developing a strategic alliance with AMTRAK. They can literally connect you to tons of possible business.

]]> http://blog.uniquevenues.com/thankful-for-trains/feed/ Empty Skies? http://blog.uniquevenues.com/empty-skies/ http://blog.uniquevenues.com/empty-skies/#comments Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:00:02 +0000 chuck http://blog.uniquevenues.com/empty-skies/ I was just reading a June 9 article in the online Business Travel News (www.btnmag.com) and I began to wonder what the latest airline woes mean for the meetings and conference industry as it pertains to Unique Venues members. The article discusses the latest rash of capacity slashing by the major carriers. American, United, Continental, Delta, Northwest and US Airways have all announced reductions in flight capacities, some by as much as 18%. Now I don’t know about you, but I had a hard time finding an empty seat on a plane before this latest wave of cuts. Air travel for business is becoming more and more tedious and expensive. What does this mean for us? I feel like again, we have an opportunity. When life gives you lemons…make lemonade. Following 9/11, many of our members reported that business held strong for them. It is possible that if we can survive that terrible tragedy, as an industry, we can survive this one as well. How can you attract more local and regional business? What type of new incentives can you offer potential customers to entice them to travel to you. Share some thoughts with your colleagues. What are you doing to combat this latest industry setback?

]]> http://blog.uniquevenues.com/empty-skies/feed/ It’s True…I HAD Hair! http://blog.uniquevenues.com/its-truei-had-hair/ http://blog.uniquevenues.com/its-truei-had-hair/#comments Fri, 06 Jun 2008 20:37:17 +0000 chuck http://blog.uniquevenues.com/its-truei-had-hair/ I received a response to my blog asking when I had hair. Believe it or not, I still have hair (except a small patch up front). I choose to remove it. But, for those who still don’t believe me, check out my Juan Epstein (Welcome Back Kotter) lookalike image. Chuck with Hair!

]]> http://blog.uniquevenues.com/its-truei-had-hair/feed/ Can Using Your Unique Venue be a Status Symbol? http://blog.uniquevenues.com/can-using-your-unique-venue-be-a-status-symbol/ http://blog.uniquevenues.com/can-using-your-unique-venue-be-a-status-symbol/#comments Tue, 29 Apr 2008 21:27:22 +0000 chuck http://blog.uniquevenues.com/can-using-your-unique-venue-be-a-status-symbol/ I just read a great article in trendwatching.com that suggest that uniqueness is now a status symbol for consumers…including meeting and event planners! The days of consuming products that the masses are consuming are passing. Instead, people are looking for “status stories” to tell. Imagine a planner saying…”I had a fantastic meeting at a really unique site! We met on a ranch, etc.” as opposed to saying…”Yes, we met in a hotel ballroom”….BORING! So, think about how you can help your customers tell a “status story” about their meeting or event at your venue. To read the article, visit http://trendwatching.com/briefing/.

BE UNIQUE!

]]> http://blog.uniquevenues.com/can-using-your-unique-venue-be-a-status-symbol/feed/ Utah Rocks Unique Venues at ACCED-I 2008 http://blog.uniquevenues.com/utah-rocks-unique-venues-at-acced-i-2008/ http://blog.uniquevenues.com/utah-rocks-unique-venues-at-acced-i-2008/#comments Sun, 13 Apr 2008 02:33:59 +0000 chuck http://blog.uniquevenues.com/utah-rocks-unique-venues-at-acced-i-2008/ The University of Utah Guest House prevailed as the winning venue in the Unique Venues/ACCED-I Rock Band Competition at the Annual ACCED-I conference held in Las Vegas. Several venues participated but no one could match the extraordinary performance by this very talented group. Could it be because they have Rock Band in their break room? Check them out.

]]> http://blog.uniquevenues.com/utah-rocks-unique-venues-at-acced-i-2008/feed/ Typical Day of a Unique Venues Member http://blog.uniquevenues.com/the-recession-or-are-we-in-one-and-effects-on-our-industry/ http://blog.uniquevenues.com/the-recession-or-are-we-in-one-and-effects-on-our-industry/#comments Tue, 08 Apr 2008 02:29:55 +0000 chuck http://blog.uniquevenues.com/the-recession-or-are-we-in-one-and-effects-on-our-industry/ Less time, more work, demanding customers, slashed budgets. Is this you? Take a look…if Lucy and Ethel can do it so can you! Check it out. I’m sure you have all felt this way? I know I do from time to time!

]]> http://blog.uniquevenues.com/the-recession-or-are-we-in-one-and-effects-on-our-industry/feed/ Welcome-Marketing to the Masses, VARK http://blog.uniquevenues.com/welcome-marketing-to-the-masses-vark/ http://blog.uniquevenues.com/welcome-marketing-to-the-masses-vark/#comments Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:03:57 +0000 David http://blog.uniquevenues.com/welcome-marketing-to-the-masses-vark/ staff_chuck.jpgIt’s time to BLOG!

We’re onto this Web 2.0 thing…so hold on tight, we’re beginning a BLOG!

I’m new to this, and I’m sure many of you are too…but don’t hesitate! I will be sharing my thoughts along the way, and asking you for yours. Insights, tips, perplexing questions, trends are all in store for you. So join me for the ride. It might be bumpy at first, but I promise….it will be worthwhile! BLOG AWAY!

Marketing to the Masses

Ever think about how you REACH your customers and potential customers? Are you flexible and versatile in your approach to marketing and selling? I just heard Joan Eisenstodt speak at the ACCED-I conference and she shared with us the VARK approach. What is VARK? Check it out at www.vark-learn.com Basically, VARK stands for visual, aural, read/write, and kinesthetic which are the four different learning styles used by most consumers. On this site, you can take a quick inventory that will help you understand your preferred learning style.

Check it out. I am a kinesthetic learner, meaning I prefer to learn experientially. It struck me that most often when we market, we unintentionally tend to think one dimensionally, and typically that one dimension is the one we most personally prefer. Don’t get stuck in YOUR rut. Diversify your marketing and sales approaches!

Chuck Salem, President

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