Meeting Planners

When planning and executing an event, it is important to be efficient and keep things running as smoothly as possible. The following 10 tips from Sarah Hill, creative content writer at Group 7 Events Ltd., will save you from many headaches. Book your venue early! There are certain times of year when venues are especially busy: post […] Read More

The newly renovated and renamed Plano Event Center is an 86,400 square foot venue providing flexible function space accommodating as many as 5,000 people. The exhibition hall offers 21,600 square feet of column-free, completely carpeted space, a professional master stage, and high dock and street level move-in access. There are also 14 additional breakout rooms available. Amenities […] Read More

Plano was recently the focus of a study by the Trust for Public Land (TPL), an organization whose work is to identify the wide range of community benefits from local parkland and assign a humanitarian and dollar value. The TPL periodically conducts studies in an effort to measure economic benefit and fiscal impact of parkland […] Read More

Internationally renowned for the hit television series, “Dallas,” Southfork Ranch is known worldwide as America’s most famous ranch. Not only is the Ranch an international tourist destination, it plays host to over 1,400 events a year! With more than 63,000 square feet of indoor event space, Southfork Ranch features distinctive event options for groups of […] Read More

Updated: 3/12/2026 Plano, TX offers unique opportunities for teams to bond, grow, and have a blast. Whether you’re a local business looking to strengthen your team dynamics or a company planning a retreat, Plano offers a diverse range of activities that cater to all tastes and objectives. From puzzle-solving at intricate escape rooms to embracing […] Read More

Plano, Texas is one of the most attractive cities in the United States to host a sporting event! That is the finding of a national survey of readers of SportsEvents magazine. The publication’s 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards honored Plano’s exemplary status in providing superior sports facilities, event management, and hospitality. “Plano has long valued the importance […] Read More

I’ve noticed recently in working with conferences and events some organizers have embraced technology in new and remarkable ways. For example, electronic fobs can be given to attendees to scan at a vendor booth to trade contact information, e-brochures, and more without having to keep up with all the paper. A TweetWall or InstaWall is another great […] Read More

Mark Thompson Earns CDME Designation Mark Thompson, Director of Visit Plano, has earned the prestigious Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) designation. Thompson was recognized along with some 40 other graduates at the 2016 Annual Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) convention on August 3rd in Minneapolis, MN.  DMAI is recognized as a leader in the destination […] Read More

Updated: 6/23/2025 If you’re planning a small private event needing a private or semi-private dining space, we’ve come up with a list of options for you to explore. From fine dining to casual atmospheres, here are several great options in Plano to get you started. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone, hosting a business dinner, or […] Read More

When a well-known speaker makes a dismayed sound upon entering a meeting space, you recognize quickly that rows are not enough! On first glance, the room set up seemed standard and acceptable. A presentation screen was located at the front, tables and chairs facing. Perhaps not exciting, but considered the usual default setting. Because I […] Read More

Visit Plano offers many services to help your event operate more efficiently, save costs, and provide better value to your attendees. Many services such as providing registration assistance, printing name badges, and offering brochures and area maps are common offerings of most bureaus. When you work with Visit Plano, however, we strive to elevate our […] Read More

This article originally appeared in January 2016 on smartmeetings.com.  Business is not just conducted in the office…quite often it takes place over a dinner table in a restaurant or hotel. Whether dining with clients or co-workers, it behooves event professionals to bone up on their dining etiquette. Which is the salad fork? Should you order […] Read More

This article first appeared in a tweet and, as I was about to go on my next trip, it caught my interest from the security perspective and I thought you might like to read it, too. However, since I’m a fan of the electronic boarding pass, I did a quick electronic vs. paper, in-person survey […] Read More

The Meetings Mean Business Coalition (MMBC) and fellow meeting industry professionals will come together for a rally and press conference at the Capitol to showcase the real local impact that business meetings, conferences, conventions, incentive travel, trade shows and exhibitions have on people, business and communities. For the first time, the greater meetings and events […] Read More