Meetings: Minnesota's Hospitality Journal

Learning Styles Revisited

Last year, our winter feature story "Something for Everyone" looked at various types of attendees, their learning styles and how best to reach them. For the story we spoke with Sue Pelletier about tailoring meetings for different learning styles, based on some comments she had about Q&As on her blog. In the story, she had this to say about teaching to different types of learners: "It’s vitally important. Unfortunately, it’s also something that’s fairly rare, in my experience anyway."

Last week, on her Face2Face blog, Pelletier revisited the topic: "I’ve been to many sessions at industry conferences that teach about different learning styles (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, tactile), and I do believe that different people may learn best in different ways." However, as she points out, a recent story from NPR proposes a different view on the topic, stressing that we should look at similarities rather than differences in how we learn.

I'm a person who gets easily bored with speakers unless they add interaction or videos. They have to fight against my natural impatience/Gen X attention span. So I believe in the idea of teaching to different types of learners. But maybe this new research will also lead to strategies that can help. What do you think? Do you tailor your meetings toward different learning styles?

--Ellie M. Bayrd
Associate Editor

Weekly Roundup: Event Camp Twin Cities

In lieu of our usual Weekly Roundup, here's a hilarious video from Spoken Four that was dedicated to Event Camp Twin Cities to give you a laugh as you head toward Labor Day weekend. I'm saving my reflections about attending ECTC to coincide with an article I'm writing about hybrid events for our fall issue, which comes out right after our Vision Awards event on Oct. 6. But if you are interested in hearing more about ECTC now, Cameron Toth has compiled a roundup of Event Camp Twin Cities blog posts, photos, videos and more. You can also read our Q&A from the event here, our profile of last year's event here or check out the #eventprofs tweets on Twitter from yesterday, where attendees disceted the highs and lows of the event.

--Ellie M. Bayrd
Associate Editor

Editor InSites: Travel & Technology

In the spring issue, I shared a few ways technology has influenced the way I travel and the websites, blogs, apps, Twitter accounts and more that I rely on. Here are a few of the things that made my list:

• Consumer advocate Christopher Elliot's blog.
• Jaunted's map of airports with free Wifi.
• TripIt app for mobile devices (pictured)
• Twitter, like Delta Air Lines (@DeltaAssist).

What would you add to the list? What tech tools do you rely on when you travel? Share your tips/recommendations in the comments.

--Ellie M. Bayrd
Associate Editor

Weekly Roundup: Restaurant news, iPhone apps, museum news & more.

Here's the news. Have a great weekend everyone!

+ The Minnesota Zoo had its second-best attendance ever this past fiscal year. At more than 1.3 million people, it fell just below the year before, when the zoo opened that amazing exhibit, Russia's Grizzly Coast. With further expansions/renovations/improvements set for the next year, we imagine the zoo will keep bringing in the visitors. 

+ Restaurant news: We were surprised to hear of Azia's closing. The restaurant has been a mainstay on Eat Street for quite a while. Owner Thom Pham is moving his inspiration to downtown, opening Wanderers at the corner of 5th & Hennepin next month. The Food Network Magazine named Be'Wiched Deli as having the best breakfast in the state. 10 different locations of Capital Grille (including Minneapolis) took up 10 of the 50 spots on Open Table's 2010 Best American Cuisine Winners - Top 50 Restaurants List.

+ MinnPost offers a list of local media apps for your iPhone.

+ Mill City Museum offers a new exhibit, Imagine the Mississippi: 30 Ways to Transform the Riverfront. The exhibit is free, and only running through Aug. 8.

+ Both the American Swedish Institute and Orchestra Hall are getting prepared to expand. The ASI will expand by 34,000 square feet (to be completed by mid-2012). We've heard about Orchestra Hall's expansion aspirations, but with the funding finally in, thanks to a generous donation by Target (who will get naming rights as a thank you), the expansion could be complete by 2013.

+ Next Saturday, July 17, celebrate blues and soul with Rock the Cause at Saint Croix Vineyards.

-- The Editors

Live from D'Amico Kitchen at Chambers Hotel

Those interested in a little "culinary voyeurism" can now be a fly on the wall at the new D'Amico Kitchen at the Chambers Hotel in Minneapolis. The restaurant has installed three video cameras in its kitchen, and every evening from 7:30 to 10 interested parties can hop on the Web site and watch live, unedited footage of the chefs in action behind the scenes. The footage will also be broadcast on a large screen outside of the kitchen so diners and Hennepin Avenue passersby can be in on the action.

Starting next Wednesday, Oct. 28, Executive Chef John Occhiato will post weekly video blogs to share his own thoughts and inside experience on a range of delicious topics, including the transition from D'Amico Cucina to D'Amico Kitchen during six weeks this past summer, how he uses seasonal ingredients in his dishes and how he orders when he goes out to eat. 

This is a pretty unique idea and the first time a Twin Cities restaurant has offered the experience. So, if you can't make it to D'Amico Kitchen in person, check out the video instead. It may just make you get out of the house and go out to eat.

--Amanda Fretheim Gates
Managing Editor

Aw shucks, you shouldn't have... Blog nominated for an EventProfs Blog Award

Earlier this week we were alerted to the fact that we were recently nominated for an EventProfs Blog Award, in the (new) category "Industry Advancement Blog," which honors blogs affiliated with industry publications. We couldn't be more pleased that our blog was recognized by the exact people we try to keep informed (and perhaps entertained) with each post and each issue of the magazine.

We're humbled and truly grateful for the nomination and pleased to be in the good company of the other nominees (from all around the world!). Voting opens next week, and we'd love your support.

[UPDATE: VOTE FOR US! Thanks!]

--Amanda Fretheim Gates
Managing Editor

On the Roll

Recently, Sue Pelletier of Face2Face took a break from her regular blog posts to look through her blogroll, post new links and share a bit about each blog/blogger. I always enjoy checking out the blogrolls of sites. Those recommendations have directed me to some sites I visit daily.

If you look to the left of this page, you'll see we list our own recommendations. As you might guess, Face2Face is on there, and that's how I found the link that inspired this post (she's also among those we follow on Twitter). I also find that I enjoy checking in with Geri Wolf of Style Laboratory's Eventful Rambling blog often, whether for insights on event planning or for dining recommendations and to see beautiful photos of events she's organized. Often I start my day with a look at what's on the mind of HotelChatter, which features a mix of useful travel/hotel news and hilarious hotel dos and don'ts. Another great voice for the travel industry: Christopher Elliott, who seems to get to the heart of travel problems and solve issues for travelers. I found him through his articles on CNN.com. Jeff Hurt's Midcourse Corrections blog often draws me in; he recently started a spirited discussion about having to pay for virtual event attendance to MPI's WEC. For social media thoughts I often turn to Chris Brogan and Chris Lower, whose post yesterday about a PR mishap was quite interesting.

Which sites/blogs do you visit daily and who would you recommend to us or to your fellow hospitality professionals? Check out our updated blogroll for more suggestions.

--Ellie M. Bayrd, Associate Editor

Food and Dining News

Alrighty folks. I've been slacking over the Fourth of July holiday--and definitely hope you've all been doing the same. So here is my overdue monthly roundup of hospitality-related dining news.

IN THIS EDITION: D'Amico and Chambers: a match made in heaven? Plus, local chefs and restaurateurs get their bloggin’ on, while others hop on the composting train.

I’m sure by now you’ve all heard the hubbub about Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Chambers Kitchen leaving the  boutique art hotel to be replaced with a new D’Amico concept. It will be an Italian restaurant, but that’s all anyone seems to know at this point. The announcement came a few weeks after news that D’Amico Cucina would be closing near the end of June after a 22-year run in the Butler Square building. There are plenty of bloggers breaking this news faster than I can, with more details (Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl, Andrew Zimmern, for instance) but I would like to direct your attention to one thing. Two years ago when Cucina celebrated its 20th birthday, Rick Nelson at the Star Tribune ran this piece featuring comments from the many talented local chefs who got their start in the D’Amico restaurants. I bet there are more than you realize—including Josh Thoma and Tim McKee, who I profiled in our summer issue. The company has been so influential in the Twin Cities' restaurant scene, it will be exciting to see what D'Amico creates in partnering with Ralph Burnet at Chambers.

Evolution of Security

Face2Face alerted me to a new blog started by the TSA: Evolution of Security - Terrorists Evolve, Threats Evolve, Security Must Stay Ahead, You Play a Part. The blog is sponsored by the Transportation Security Administration to facilitate an ongoing dialogue on innovations in security, technology and the checkpoint screening process. The response has been unbelievable so far, with hundreds of comments on each post, whether discussing shoe bombs or inconsistencies in security. They want to hear from you, the traveler, and all your frustrations. Sounds like a great opportunity to me. Check it out.

--Amanda Fretheim Gates
Associate Editor

Social Media and the Convention

On Sunday, The New York Times printed an article by Katharine Seelye titled "Conventions Throw Doors Open to Bloggers." The article focuses primarily on the Democratic National Convention in Denver next year. Seelye writes, "Bloggers obviously bring a different take — less restrained, more granular, in real time — from that of the mainstream media, and that’s exactly what the Democrats want when they gather at Denver’s Pepsi Center from Aug. 25-28." My guess is that the RNC, taking place right here in the Twin Cities, will follow suit, passing out press credentials to many bloggers as well.

Another point Seelye made that I found very interesting was that because TV ratings for conventions have greatly decreased over the years (for many reasons I'm sure, but maybe one being that we the people have heard from these candidates for two years already come convention time?), convention planners are looking for other avenues in which they can gain publicity and coverage.

So, my question is: How has the influx of social media (YouTube, blogs, MySpace, etc.) changed the way we plan and publicize our events? Is it a must to have a video camera on-site now? Must you blog continuously throughout your week-long conference? Does this change how and to who you reach out when it comes to getting media coverage of your event?

(Hat tip to The Ethical Blogger for pointing me in the direction of Seelye's article)

--Amanda Fretheim Gates
Associate Editor