SEPTEMBER 17, 2013

 SHEENA VOLLMER JOINS GEP ATLANTA/SAVANNAH

ATLANTA, GA – GEP Destination Management, the nation’s premier Destination Management Company is delighted to welcome Sheena Vollmer to the Atlanta/Savannah office.  Sheena will excel in her role on the GEP Atlanta/Savannah sales team as an Account Executive.

She brings over six years of experience in sales, marketing and hospitality.  Over the past eleven years, Sheena successfully submerged herself into the events industry and the city of Atlanta taking full steps into everything it has to offer! Prior to joining GEP Atlanta, she was the Business Development Manger for Quest Drape Atlanta, where she sensibly and carefully guided every client in reaching his or her desired design vision.  She serves on the board for NACE, the event committee for ISES and an active member of the ACVB.   Her love for life and work is carried out with heart, soul and passion.

General Manger for GEP Atlanta/Savannah, Anna Williams, was quoted “We are thrilled to welcome Sheena to the team.  Her experience, knowledge and skills from years in the hospitality and local community will enhance the future capabilities of this destination.  I am positive clients and hoteliers will love her sweet Southern charm with proven industry chops to back it up for many years to come!”

GEP Destination Management is a professional services company with offices in Atlanta, the Bahamas, Baltimore, Orlando, Philadelphia, Savannah, South Florida, Utah, and Washington, DC. As Destination Management Companies, each office possesses endless local knowledge, expertise and resources; specializing in the design and implementation of events, activities, tours, transportation and program logistics. Each office serves as a destination advisor, concierge and coordinator to efficiently handle the “moving pieces” of event preparation with the goal of flawless coordination and ultimately making successful client experiences.

GEP Destination Management is a member of Global Events Partners (GEP), the industry’s foremost partnership of destination management companies, which includes a portfolio of 65 leading DMCs in over 90 destinations worldwide. For more information on Global Events Partners, visit www.globaleventspartners.com.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Derek Friday / 202.777.8408 / mailto:dfriday@gepdmc.com

 AUGUST 12, 2013

GEP DESTINATION MANAGEMENT TAKES A FRESH

APPROACH TO BUSINESS

“Delivering creative success through innovation.”

WASHINGTON, DC – GEP Destination Management, the nation’s premier Destination Management Company is continuing our commitment to elevate the customer experience and are thrilled to announce the we have refreshed our approach to how we do business.

In response to the needs of our clients and recent expansion, to include GEP’s newest destination Orlando: GEP Destination Management has restructured our organization to embrace a customer team environment.  In this new structure each member is a part of a Client Services Team, also known as PODs.  All members are engaged throughout the business cycle from the beginning to full execution allowing a seamless experience, truly delivering each client faster responses, innovative designs and stronger connections on the local DMC level.

As part of this restructure, we have formed a talented Executive Leadership Team covering each discipline of the destination management process from the development of relationships during the sales and creative approach to a detailed evaluation of the operational process.  “We know business has changed over the past few years leading us to proactively restructure to further our focus on delivering excellence.  We believe this will offer us a more competitive edge in the market place.  Our clients are happy and we can not wait to continue the quest of serving them better,” shared Jim Schultenover, President of Global Events Partners and Krisam Group.

GEP Destination Management is a professional services company with offices in Atlanta, the Bahamas, Baltimore, Orlando, Philadelphia, Savannah, South Florida, Utah, and Washington, DC. As Destination Management Companies, each office possesses endless local knowledge, expertise and resources; specializing in the design and implementation of events, activities, tours, transportation and program logistics. Each office serves as a destination advisor, concierge and coordinator to efficiently handle the “moving pieces” of event preparation with the goal of flawless coordination and ultimately making successful client experiences.

GEP Destination Management is a member of Global Events Partners (GEP), the industry’s foremost partnership of destination management companies, which includes a portfolio of 65 leading DMCs in over 90 destinations worldwide. For more information on Global Events Partners, visit www.globaleventspartners.com.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Derek Friday / 202.777.8408 / mailto:dfriday@gepdmc.com

We all know reception in convention centers can be challenging, but apps don’t need it (or expensive WiFi). You can keep connected to your attendees with interactive maps, scheduling information and push notifications for special events and reminders! You can also keep your exhibitors happy with GPS enabled deals (if an attendee is near booth #435, that exhibitor’s discount would push out to their device).

Simple app companies can  produce a basic version for free, or with limited up grades, cost as low as $2,000. If you incorporate vendors/exhibitors (or even sell ads) you can really get creative with features and it won’t impact very much of your bottom line!

You can also include twitter feeds, or easy access to social media to share the conference experience and provide invaluable marketing opportunities. It’s also easy to leverage the app as a quick customer service tool for up-to-the-minute feed back on meeting information like break room temperatures or broken tech equipment. The options are limitless (with a limitless budget). It’s important to do your research and manage expectations, especially if this is your first go-round.

For more information, or for a customized consultation, contact info@gepdmc.com today!

The joy of successful improv comes from the fact that it is based on the ideas of support, non-judgement, agreement, and “Yes, and!” it encourages people to work together. You might think improv sounds terrifying – it’s not! In this supportive, guided workshop, you and your team can bond in ways you may not have thought possible.

Create unity as a group while playing games like:

Knife Throwing – to stress the importance of being aware of your surroundings and paying attention to the people around you (don’t worry – not with real knives!).

Word at a time story (in a circle) – to teach support and active listening. Tell a story just one word at a time, and see what sort of mischief you can create as a group!

“Yes, Let’s” – a group game that shows the power of agreement and puts people into wacky situations that you have to figure out have to get out of.

MacGuyver – using the other person’s tools to fix their problems.

Spelling Bee – working together, playing with accents and accepting each other (mistakes and all!)

It’s astonishing what you can accomplish as a team when egos are dropped, and everyone comes from a place of agreement and support. Whether your team just wants to have some fun and get some laughs, or if your group needs some solid work on communication – improv is an excellent change from the same old team building event.

For more information, contact info@gepdmc.com for a troupe in your area.

The Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau wants to say “thank you” to everyone who made this dream possible. They utilized #ATLthanks over a four-day social media celebration in an effort to spread the good word.

Utilizing their Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ social media channels with #ATLthanks, the city attempted to reach at least the 40 million visitors (if not more).

Check out the happy memories people share by searching #ATLthanks, or by visiting the Discover Atlanta Facebook page. And thank you for making this celebration possible!

The theme played off the 2006 and 2009 movies of the same name and was evident throughout the transformed exhibit hall.  Guests entered by taking a stroll along the “National Mall” of green grass, park benches, picnic tables and street lamps.  As they walked through each museum’s entrance way, guests had the ability to observe the featured exhibits in each museum without leaving the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.

Each museum area came alive with two renowned exhibits, coordinating themed linens and interactive elements.  Guests were in awe of the 14’ Tyrannosaurus Rex and the 45.52 carat Hope Diamond at the Natural History museum.  The American History museum displayed the iconic Julia Child’s kitchen and Ryan Newman’s actual NASCAR racecar.  Green screens with animals and Americana themes further enhanced these areas.  The detail and artistry of the Berlin Wall created a moment of somber and reflection while its paired exhibit of the Comic Wall provided comedic relief at the Newseum.  Guests could take a turn “Being a TV Reporter” and report on their choice of the Night at the Museum red carpet premiere, Cherry Blossoms or Marine Corps Marathon.  While flying over to the Air & Space Museum and practicing their skills at the airplane simulators, a 18’ Wright Brothers plane and an Astronaut uniform were on display.  A playful take on the Spy Museum allowed guests to reminisce of the many villains from spy movies while exploring the British Spies of James Bond to Austin Powers and saving the world as they played the 3D James Bond Xbox game.  The Smithsonian Castle inspired arched structure at the end of the “National Mall” featured a DJ who ensured guests danced this memorable night away.

For more information on hosting a Night at the Museum, contact washingtoninfo@gepdmc.com today!

Commanding rectangular tables were draped in opulent custom black and white linens detailed with delicate vines. While black chiavari chairs accented in corresponding white chair backs embellished with black leafs and black sheer fabric surrounded each table.  Two stunning 3’ tall pearl Manzanita branch orchid trees, accessorized with hanging crystals and candles, encircled by white floral and crystal candlesticks adorned each table to create the ornate tablescape.   As a final detail, the lush garden hedges were up lit with royal fuchsia and purple tones to complete this one of a kind garden soirée.

For more information on this Couture Garden Party, contact GEP Bahamas at bahamasinfo@gepdmc.com today!

The volunteer vets led a medical team to an astonishing 2315 spay/neutering procedures over the 10 day campaign. This more than surpassed their goal of 2000!! A big thank you to Lissa & Kirk, who are part of our GEP Bahamas family, for being leaders in this cause!

GEP Bahamas just concluded a program that wa
s held in Nassau for former and current football players. These players ran football drills and donated signed autographs, posters, and football trading cards for all of the kids at the Charles W. Saunders School. The players also gave motivational speeches to all the children and encouraged them to study hard and continue to follow their dreams.