Some reading material for your holiday weekend (at least, for folks who celebrate July 4 as a holiday): - I've seen a lot of discussion about groups and crowds lately. Ben Martin has an interesting post on self-forming groups (and... Lisa Junker

One of the biggest challenges in beginning a new job as a manager is getting to know your new team. Sometimes your management style is very different from what they're used to--and sometimes their work styles are very different than... Lisa Junker

Over at the Principled Innovation blog (as well as a post on the Beyond Certification blog), there's a great discussion going on about what makes a conference "insanely cool." Based on the comments so far, "insanely cool" is being defined... Lisa Junker

There's a lot of discussion at association events (and on association blogs) about social media and its impact on membership organizations. If you've been wondering how those discussions are being reflected in actual practice, there are two studies going on... Lisa Junker

A few links for your Tuesday afternoon reading: - The Association Marketing Springboard blog has been on fire lately--if you don't subscribe, you should! My favorite quote this week: "But in a realm where member evangelism is our highest goal,... Lisa Junker

Feng shui, the ancient Chinese art of creating harmony and balance in an environment through the careful arrangement of objects, has been quietly making its way into the meeting room. Now, the Westin New York at Times Square is offering a feng shui-inspired meetings menu.

Feng shui, the ancient Chinese art of creating harmony and balance in an environment through the careful arrangement of objects, has been quietly making its way into the meeting room. Now, the Westin New York at Times Square is offering a feng shui-inspired meetings menu.

Feng shui, the ancient Chinese art of creating harmony and balance in an environment through the careful arrangement of objects, has been quietly making its way into the meeting room. Now, the Westin New York at Times Square is offering a feng shui-inspired meetings menu.

Planners save on greenbacks by going to e-communications

Planners save on greenbacks by going to e-communications

Planners save on greenbacks by going to e-communications

Catch ASAE & The Center's new vodcast: This Week in Associations. This is the first of three segments on The Decision to Volunteer, a new study and book to be released at this Annual Meeting & Exposition in San Diego.... Scott Briscoe

Meeting planning means stress, whether you're on the road, on a fam trip, or back at the office trying to catch up. But taking an ergonomic approach can help protect your health—and the health of your delegates—at the office and at meetings.

Ed Shartar, president and CEO of event management firm Experient since 2004, left the company on June 6.

I've been seeing a lot of "un" things lately (and so has David Patt, who writes about it here). Unconferences are becoming more common, unsessions are in, and now KDPaine & Partners are proposing an "unstandard" for measuring success in... Lisa Junker

Kelly Broz makes big things happen in Omaha for the Berkshire Hathaway annual shareholders' meeting.

Democratic National Convention to make Mile High history

Keep your wine secure and your shipped meeting materials under complete surveillance with these unique products.

The Charlotte Convention Center is expected to be a big beneficiary of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, when the ode to American stock car racing opens directly across the street in the first quarter of 2010.

Meeting and incentive businesses can utilize barter to boost sales production. It's easy, it's smart, and it works like a charm.