Dan Sherman

Washington, DC – May 9th, 2013 – GEP Destination Management is pleased to welcome Dan Sherman to the company.  Sherman will oversee the sales and marketing efforts for GEP Destination Management in the Atlanta, The Bahamas, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Savannah, South Florida, Utah, and Washington DC offices.

Sherman’s experience runs deep within the meeting, event, travel and hospitality marketplace. Recently named one of Connect Magazines 2012 40 Under 40, Sherman has successfully supported event operations for over 200+ tradeshows, conventions, meetings and sporting events throughout the country. Sherman is also Founder of the HIP Network (Hospitality Industry Professionals Network), one of the nation’s fastest-growing network of meeting, event, travel and hospitality professionals within the United States. Most recently, Sherman Founded and served as President of LEGACY Sustainability Management which was acquired by Greenview Sustainability in November 2012. The merger combined services capabilities with the vision of creating the foremost provider of sustainability measurement and reporting services within the hospitality, meeting and event sectors.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dan Sherman to the GEP Destination Management family.  As an organization that prides itself on bringing new ideas and fresh perspective to the meeting and event industry, Dan’s addition couldn’t come at a better time,” said Marty Mackay, President of GEP Destination Management. “His reputation, entrepreneurial spirit and expertise within the corporate, association and government marketplace coupled with GEP’s core event services offering is an exciting proposition.”

Dan can be reached at 202-777-8402 or by email dsherman@gepdmc.com

GEP Destination Management is a professional services company with offices in Atlanta, The Bahamas, Baltimore, 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 serve 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.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Marty MacKay
President, GEP Destination Management
(202) 419-3410
mmackay@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.

Earlier this month, GEP went lakeside to create an incredible welcome reception for one of our premier clients. The beautiful Reynolds Plantation at Lake Oconee in Greensboro, GA was the perfect backdrop to a perfect event on a perfect day. High 60’s and not a cloud in the sky, this lakeside/ fire-side reception featured wooden farm tables, woven chargers, mini cast iron skillet bread and butter plates, fishing lure napkin rings, tin cans filled with wildflowers, wheatgrass-filled cast iron skillets, a southern style buffet and s’mores by the campfire. Keep in mind, just because we are GEP “Atlanta” doesn’t mean we don’t see the outside of the perimeter. Having done several events in Madison, Augusta, Savannah and Greensboro, GEP can make your Southern event a success.