Meeting and Event Planning Made Easy

It’s Monday and things don’t usually operate in a smooth manner. This is why the easy button was created, sick days are used, customer service departments are hired, and why we assembled the Tips and Tricks Manual for MeetingMatrix.

This valuable tool is sure to uncover at least one time saving technique that will make your day easier. Don’t take my word for it – ask Mark Delgado, Assistant Director of Operations and Head Webinar Instructor here at MeetingMatrix…. "The average user of Microsoft Excel uses only 10% of the available functionality. That’s because most people learn how to do basic functions and stop there. They know enough to get the job done. It’s been our experience that MeetingMatrix users likewise use only a portion of available functions.

Planners are busy. You learn the basics of room diagramming and find that sufficient. However, there is more. That “more” can make you more proficient and productive. That’s the purpose behind this e-book.

We’ve kept it short and graphics heavy – we don’t want to waste your time. But we do want to help you get the most out of MeetingMatrix. The tips included here can make your diagrams more accurate and your presentations more professional."

In addition to providing tools that ensure setup diagram success, our Customer Care Team is standing by to help you through every step of the MeetingMatrix user experience.
Still have a question that needs answered? Ask us on Facebook! We are always looking for a good conversation.

Scott Sanker
Graphic Designer

Scan It! Mobile Action Codes

Have you heard of Mobile Action Codes?

It might be time for an introduction.

These are the scannable codes -- once used solely for shipping purposes -- that have catapulted their way into western culture and have unleashed a large number of interactive uses.

Before the internet, 2D advertising suited the needs of marketing departments and publishers worldwide. Now mobile technology has taken over and paired with online capabilities. And 2D advertising has been scrambling to keep its audience.

Alan Moore in his white paper, “The Glittering Allure of the Mobile Society,” notes that in its short life, mobile technology has surpassed the 3 billion user mark. This beats the internet alone which is sitting at just fewer than 2 billion people. Why is this such a big deal? Mobile technologies combine all media found in previous mass communication mediums (radio, movies, print, sound, internet, and television).

These codes breathe new life into print advertising. Once scanned, users are directed to an interactive experience created by the publisher. Business cards can now be embedded with digital contact information. Magazines containing codes provide users with goodies such as supplemental data, coupons, or rich media - just to name a few. To check out one version of this technology and to see its uses, visit Microsoft’s Tag site here. Their implementation seems to suite almost any application.

They have even found themselves being used in the meeting and event industry.

Tradeshows have been affected by these “shortcuts to fun”. Applications can be seen on booth graphics, posters, and at the end of PowerPoint presentations which include product websites and presenter contact info.

They even seem to work in blog entries.

Scott Sanker
Graphic Designer

3D Virtual Reality for Meeting Planners

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could actually see what a room setup looked like as you planned an event? Instead of a flat two dimensional diagram you got to see what the room looked like – the spacing of table and chairs, were the sight lines adequate as you toured the room, was the stage big enough, how the dance floor fit. And then make changes and see it again.

Now you can.

MeetingMatrix recently added our 3D-VR (Virtual Reality) capability to our online room setup and diagramming application ActiveMatrix.NET (we’ve had it for awhile with our MeetingMatrix software).

ActiveMatrix.NET, a web-based application, gives event planners browser access to interactive room diagrams of a facility’s meeting spaces. Planners can design room setups, make changes with mouse clicks, and print, save, or email completed diagrams to clients or the venue sales team.

Now planners can also take a virtual 360 degree walk through their proposed setup. They can ensure clear sight lines, make spacing among tables adequate, and evaluate the overall layout of the room – and make changes to the room set up in 3DVR.

It’s an added dimension (pun intended) to the room diagramming world that should make it easier for planners and their clients to get a real feel for what their event will look like.

To see a live example of 3D-VR go to: http://www.meetingmatrix.com/swf/WestinCharlotte.asp

Select a room and a setup. Once you update the setup click on the 3D icon near the bottom of the window. Use your mouse to move through the room.

Don Basler
Senior Marketing Manager