Soundings Connect to launch Soundings Thrive™, the first of its kind membership-based platform for freelance professionals in the meeting and event industry

REVIVE + INNOVATE BLOG || Like their hotels and venue partners, meeting and event industry organizations have also been rolling out initiatives to tackle health and safety concerns. As new information regarding COVID-19 becomes available, meeting and event industry professionals can access these resources as they navigate evolving government guidelines and establish new health and safety best practices. What’s more, these resources can be used to inform, educate and increase communication between stakeholders.

Virtual will never replace face-to-face events, but hybrid events are definitely here to stay. While we’re unable to travel, we’re turning to virtual events as a short-term solution for suspended live events. When it’s safe to travel again, we predict hybrid events will be the norm.

We are excited to announce the launch of Soundings Connect’s new virtual event series, Revive + Innovate. We believe the only way forward is together. Let’s leverage our collective wealth of leadership and event knowledge to solve current challenges and create opportunities for the future.

CVENT // Join Soundings Connect Founder + Chief Connector, Tracy Judge, and Cvent Lead Corporate Recruiter, Matt Syme, for a conversation on how to enhance your skills and beef up your resume. Matt and Tracy share what employers are looking for in a candidate and share tips such as how best to position your LinkedIn account as well as how to "brand" yourself.

Hospitality and Event Industry coalitions create a strategic partnership to reignite industries as COVID-19 continues to change the landscape for events and travel

Due to over anticipation of demand and under-delivery in terms of customer engagement, we’re still learning how to leverage virtual events to best serve everyone. At Soundings Connect, we’re highly impressed by Intrado’s increasingly sophisticated and interactive suite of cloud-based webcasting and virtual event solutions.

THE MEETING PROFESSIONAL // The coronavirus. Is it possible to talk about anything else right now? Yes, because the meeting industry is critical for human connectivity and economies around the world, and we must prepare for what happens next. Here, a cross section of MPI members discuss wellness, F&B trends, diversity and inclusion, staying passionate and, of course, life during a pandemic.

CONNECT MEETINGS // The Hospitality + Events Fight Back Coalition plans hackathon to convert closed hotels into rehab centers for COVID-19 patients.

PRESS RELEASE// San Diego, CA (April 27, 2020) Tracy Judge, MS, CMP, founder and chief connector at Soundings Connect, was recognized as a member of Connect Corporate magazine’s “40 Under 40.” The honor highlights the top young professionals in the events industry. Connect Corporate is a national, B2B magazine that provides resources and ideas to professionals and planners in the meetings and events industry.

Chelsea and the newly coined NoMad neighborhood are some of today’s most highly sought-after Manhattan destinations for meetings and events. With close proximity to iconic New York landmarks and a convenient central location, event planners often recommend Chelsea and NoMad as ideal destinations for business trips, incentive meetings and corporate retreats. Read more on our recommended sites!

Like most of the events world, Soundings Connect has been leaning on digital platforms that are designed to bring people together virtually. While we’re unable to meet in person, online tools give us the opportunity to create web-based experiences that help us build and maintain professional relationships and communities, especially as we pivot in response to rapid changes in business.

PRESS RELEASE// San Diego, CA (April 23, 2020) The Hospitality + Events Fight Back coalition (HEFB-20) today announces their latest initiative, a Virtual Hackathon bringing together thought leaders from various industries impacted by the COVID-19 global health crisis. New partners to join the coalition with Syzygy Cities and Soundings Connect include Cvent, Access Destination Services, Hello! Destination Management, Bishop-McCann and The Center for Health Design.

Great news! Meeting Professionals International is offering a complimentary 3 month membership to the hospitality + events community!

MPI Blog // The COVID-19 global health crisis has forced businesses to pivot faster than ever, especially in the hospitality and event industries. We went from industries of abundance to industries of drought, almost overnight.

PRESS RELEASE// San Diego, CA (April 8, 2020) In response to the COVID-19 public health crisis, Syzygy Cities and Soundings Connect today announced the launch of the Hospitality + Events Fight Back Initiative (HEFB-20) made possible by a grant from an anonymous donor. The HEFB-20 initiative is a plan to aid victims of COVID-19, help save lives, and create jobs and business opportunities in the meetings and events industry through the cultivation of Public-Private partnerships and brand diplomacy.

SMART MEETINGS // Soundings Connect Founder & Chief Connector, Tracy Judge, honored with Smart Women Entrepreneur award. The quest to be our highest and best selves is never an escalator ride straight to the top. As women work to elevate their careers, their peers and the industry as a whole, the path often requires detours, taking a step back, evaluating obstacles in the way and calling on others to help chart a new course.

We highly recommend that you put Lower Manhattan on the top of your list of NYC neighborhoods to consider for your next meeting or incentive trip. The changes happening downtown between the Hudson River and the East River make Lower Manhattan the perfect destination to create thought-provoking and innovative meetings and events. Read more on our recommended sites!

One of the easiest ways to ensure that you’re getting the best price is to understand the different pricing models used for meeting and event services. As you know, pricing is not one size fits all. In fact, savvy companies often use multiple pricing models to meet their clients’ needs. Our Founder & Chief Connector, Tracy Judge, analyzes the pros and cons of the various pricing models used for event services to help customers and their service providers build trust and, of course, profitability. Read all about it here.

SUCCESSFUL MEETINGS // It’s one thing to get enough people to register for a conference but enticing them to stay for the duration of the event is another. At conferences, the attention of our attendees is often pulled in many directions and some might be tempted to duck out of a multi-day event early. With a little extra effort, we can revamp our agendas and work wonders that will keep participants on site until the very end!