| By R.L. Fielding | | | | suit travelers. |
| Long gone are the days when a person stayed at one | | | | Some conference centers also offer a variety of |
| job for the majority of his or her life. Today, recent | | | | amenities to the traveling business person. On-site gift |
| studies suggest that the average American worker will | | | | shops, hair salons, dry cleaning services, free cyber |
| have up to 10 different jobs throughout the course of | | | | cafes, shoeshine and repair, automated teller machines, |
| a career. | | | | mail services and much more can make guests feel |
| With so many new faces beginning different jobs | | | | right at home. |
| each year, and with more than 25 percent of the | | | | Comprehensive Dining & Catering Options |
| current working U.S. population reaching retirement age | | | | For those business men or women who enjoy a quick |
| by 2010, companies are hiring and most importantly, | | | | breakfast or for those who prefer large, four course |
| looking to train new staff quickly and efficiently. | | | | dinners, conference center dining can cater to all kinds |
| In order to ensure that companies retain the level of | | | | of tastes. |
| productivity they need to succeed in business, many | | | | Conference center catering teams are experienced in |
| are educating their new hires, and even current | | | | serving a variety of meals, such as a buffet to allow |
| employees, via high-tech corporate training programs. | | | | teams to mingle or a family-style dinner, which gives |
| The conference planning industry is booming as many | | | | smaller groups the opportunity to get to know one |
| businesses are saying good-bye to standard, in-office | | | | another over a more intimate setting. |
| training sessions and taking their teams to full service, | | | | Café-like dining, most commonly open late-night, |
| amenity-filled conference centers. | | | | accommodates those in search of a snack. Some |
| There are many different reasons why managers and | | | | centers even offer on-site pubs where guests can |
| businesses are choosing to take their group to | | | | catch a baseball or football game on television while |
| full-service conference centers, including: | | | | enjoying a quick hamburger. |
| Versatile Meeting Facilities | | | | Recreational Options |
| Conference centers offer services that can't be | | | | What better way to unwind after a long day of |
| matched by companies trying to train their employees | | | | meetings than a hike or a shopping excursion? |
| in-house. | | | | Conference centers offer a variety of amenities for |
| Corporate conference centers pride themselves on | | | | those in search of a break from business, including |
| their flexibility and wide range of options, as well as | | | | 24-hour fitness centers, outdoor sports facilities for golf |
| their commitment to a superior training experience. | | | | or biking, and game rooms. For those not into sports, |
| Some options might include meeting spaces that can | | | | other weekend activities may be available, such as a |
| accommodate both small and large groups, many | | | | shopping shuttle that brings guests to local area malls |
| different rooms and room configurations, indoor and | | | | and movie theatres. |
| outdoor recreation and fitness facilities, IT/AV support, | | | | Customized Meeting Solutions |
| on-site conference planning managers, high-class | | | | Managers looking to add a little extra flair to their |
| lodging arrangements for out-of-town business people | | | | training program will be glad to learn that some |
| and even customized meeting plans. | | | | conference centers have an events and media team |
| In addition, many conference centers cater only to | | | | that can turn any meeting into a unique experience. By |
| businesses rather than splitting their time and resources | | | | utilizing set design and staging, lighting and special |
| between businesses and leisure only guests. By | | | | effects, video projection, audio support and music, |
| catering strictly to business clientele, these conference | | | | graphic design and animation, live Webcasts, vendor |
| centers are further able to provide groups with a | | | | fairs, video editing, duplication and much more, they can |
| distraction-free environment that fosters concentration | | | | help transform a standard program into a memorable |
| and productivity during meetings. | | | | affair. |
| Professional Meeting Planners | | | | For example, the Chicago area chapter of Meeting |
| Most of the larger conference centers offer | | | | Professionals International (MPI-CAC) partnered with Q |
| assistance from professional, on-site conference | | | | Center in St. Charles, Illinois to create a customized |
| planning managers to help produce a highly productive | | | | program for the group's annual educational conference. |
| training session. | | | | Under the general theme of "Learn, Share, Lead," the |
| On-site conference planning managers consult with | | | | Q Center team designed an exciting and educational |
| clients to discuss their group's needs, including: meeting | | | | experience for the conference attendees. |
| spaces, room setups, technology and media needs, | | | | Throughout the conference, Q Center encouraged |
| food and catering options, transportation options and | | | | audience participation by incorporating live web-casting, |
| even team building activities. These experienced | | | | electronic voting and other advanced meeting |
| professionals work with groups to ensure they have | | | | technology. Highlights of the MPI-CAC conference |
| adequate supplies and support services. On-site | | | | included a "video wall" created with windows and 14 |
| conference planning managers can also help identify | | | | projectors, scenic elements customized with the MPI |
| key speakers, as well as help draft meeting agendas. | | | | logo, a breakfast inspired by the film Breakfast at |
| Productivity-Enhancing Technology | | | | Tiffany's and gift boxes of signature cookies at |
| Conference centers can also boost productivity by | | | | departure. |
| providing the latest technology. By offering trainers and | | | | Make a Conference Center Your Campus |
| trainees easy access to high speed Internet, they can | | | | It's clear that for corporations looking to deliver an |
| open up a world of possibilities, such as super high | | | | effective, efficient and memorable training program, |
| speed T3 lines that can handle full-motion, real-time | | | | hosting it at a conference center is an ideal solution. |
| video, and very large databases that can be | | | | Through their comprehensive services and facilities, |
| manipulated over a busy network. | | | | they not only make the process easier for the |
| Many high-tech meeting rooms will also supply a | | | | company holding the training, but also help to create a |
| variety of audio/visual equipment, including wireless | | | | more productive, engaging experience for those |
| laptops for each participant, shareware, voice and | | | | participating. |
| keyboard chat, online quizzes, polls and more. | | | | About Q Center |
| Conference facilities may also offer live online demos | | | | This article was provided by Q Center, which is |
| and "webinars," a type of live web seminar, that's | | | | dedicated to providing premier learning and conference |
| interactive between the presenter and audience. | | | | facilities equipped for total productivity and supported |
| Most of the larger conference centers also retain | | | | by a quality-focused conference planning team. Q |
| expert technical support personnel for on-the-spot | | | | Center has the facilities and technology to create |
| dilemmas. Anyone who has ever tried to fix a faulty | | | | virtually unlimited meeting scenarios. More than ordinary |
| overhead projector during a meeting will appreciate a | | | | conference facilities, Q Center is a conference |
| conference center that can handle tech issues quickly | | | | complex. Located in the western suburbs of Chicago, |
| and efficiently. | | | | Q Center is conveniently accessible to both of |
| Convenient Accommodations & Amenities | | | | Chicago's major airports and to the many |
| Larger conference centers offer full lodging | | | | organizations with headquarters and major offices in |
| accommodations to make their guests feel at home | | | | Chicago. Visit for more information. |
| and comfortable after a long day of meetings. Many | | | | This article is copyrighted by Q Center. |
| offer standard, executive and suite guest quarters to | | | | |