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Test Time CERTIFICATION MADE POSSIBLE  “Site Selection,” a chapter from Professional Meeting Management, Fifth Edition (PMM5), available at the CMP Series link below.


To earn one hour of CEU credit, visitwww.pcma.org/convenecmp to answer questions about the information contained within this CMP Series article and the PMM5 chapter.


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in which a plannercan check off unvisited items on his orher list. Clements did this on her recent trip. “In the past I haven’t felt as comfortable breaking out — but with Pittsburgh I did,” she said. “In the end, I know it’s up to me to see what I need to see.” Ahaesy has shared Clements’ reticence. “When I first


went on fam trips, I just went with the flow, because I didn’t know any better,” she said. “Now, I explore on my own, to see what they don’t tell you—the trash behind


“I always go back around the property when the official tour is over, checking out everything from public restrooms on property to the way staff respond to questions and give directions. I actually flush toilets to listen for plumbing noises and observe reception areas to see how long someone has to stand in line when registering.”


“Check out the reservations desk at odd hours, leave wake-up calls, call room service and housekeeping to gauge their overall performance. If I can’tget an answer at the front desk because the phone just keeps ringing, or my wake-up call does not come, this is what my attendees will experience.”


58 pcma convene February 2011


the kitchen, what their load-in is like, if room-service trays are left outside the room for hours. No one wants to show you the ugly parts of a venue.”


Safety, Unfiltered Another on-site criteria that planners often must determine for themselves is safety. “I always think that you ought to look at things on your own,” Kraus said. “The city is always going to put their property in the best light—but I would


What do you make it a habit to do when on a site visit or fam trip?


“Talk to the cab drivers to learn about the area and the climate. A hotel once told me that September in Arizona was ‘okay.’ The cab driver said itwould still be 100 degrees— and I was planning an outdoor function.”


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