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Skift
15-07-2025
- Business
- Skift
Time for Plan B: 5 Situations Where You'll Need a Backup Plan
Flight delays. Unexpected weather. Renovation snags. The list of things that can go wrong at a meeting is a long and winding one. Plan B's are not just about the weather — so many other things can go wrong. Following are 5 of the most common potential problems planners face, and how to plan for the worst. 1. Speaker Delays Just like everyone else, speakers' flights can be canceled or delayed. As a rule of thumb, it's always smart to bring in a speaker the evening before the event — but some refuse to travel an additional day. To make the trip easier, remind speakers in advance of any requirements for getting through security and consider paying for priority tickets and TSA PreCheck (if they don't already have it). Put aside money in the budget for transportation costs, in the event that the speaker needs to take an alternate flight. A typical figure for contingency costs for a meeting is 10% of the total budget. There are also unforeseen circumstances, such as illness or personal emergencies, that can cause a speaker to cancel. The time to protect yourself is at the contracting stage. The contract should outline the cancellation policy, as well as penalties for non-performance. If you are working with a speakers bureau, will they be responsible for a replacement? If not, Plan B would be to vet a group of local backup speakers who live locally or nearby to fill in on short notice. Worst case, you might have to livestream the speaker. Speak with the AV representative in advance of the meeting to discuss their streaming capabilities and requirements. If you are going to use Zoom, make sure to use a paid subscription; the unpaid version has a 40-minute time limit. They also should be able to arrange for cameras in the room to allow for a live Q&A. 2. Bad Weather It's important to do your research and speak with your local CVB to understand the weather risks specific to the destination. Beware that seasonality is also changing, with shoulder seasons — a popular choice for meetings — now at risk of less-than-optimal weather. Ask for examples of other meetings faced with bad weather, and what actions they took. Make sure you have a strong force majeure clause if you are forced to cancel because of inclement weather, such as hurricanes. If your cancellation clause includes a fee that increases incrementally the closer it gets to the meeting, you could face a high penalty if you are forced to cancel close to the date. Outdoor events, like a beachfront cocktail reception, that are meant to be highlights of a program, can be ruined by rain and wind. It's important to consider whether the backup space in the hotel will be sufficient. DMCs can be a helpful resource for making your event a wow, with decor, entertainment, and experiences — even if it ends up indoors. 3. Staffing Shortfalls The hospitality industry has struggled with a labor shortage since the Covid pandemic. Now, immigration enforcement and an anti-immigrant sentiment are adding a new layer of complexity. An exclusive Skift Meetings survey of U.S. planners shows that they expect to grapple with the effects of Trump-era immigration policies, with growing concern about hotel staffing across the board. More than two-thirds of respondents (72%) said they expect hotel staffing to be affected in 2025–2026 because of immigration policies. It's essential to set guarantees that the hotel will have sufficient staff based on a ratio — for example, one waiter for every x-number of attendees at a banquet and one waiter for every x-number of guests at a buffet. Housekeeping is no longer a given, so you need to spell out for attendees whether the hotel offers daily housekeeping, if they need to call a number to get their room serviced, or if they have a standard schedule, such as every other day. All of these details need to be outlined in the contract, which should cover performance on-site. As a Plan B, some planners report bringing in their own service teams to back up hotel banquet staff. But in most cases, the main strategy is strong communication, so attendees are clear up front about service expectations. There's also no guarantee that hotel food outlets or room service will be open during late-night hours. If so, communicate with attendees about backup food delivery options. If there is an issue, let the attendee know you have reported it to management and send an amenity to their room to make up for the inconvenience. 4. Hotel Renovations It's exciting as being among the first groups to witness a newly renovated hotel. However, few renovations stay on schedule, due to price fluctuations, supply chain issues, brand requirements, and labor shortages. So it's important to build protections into your contract, and to discuss contingencies with the hotel in advance. Ask to see the general contractor's report, which includes project due dates, to make sure the renovation is on schedule. If not, sometimes, there's an easy solution, as was the case with one planner whose small group meeting was going to be the first one to use a newly renovated Chicago loop property. When the date grew close, the meeting and guest rooms were completed, but the kitchen was still under construction. She worked with the hotel, which was part of an upscale chain, to bring in catered meals from its other Chicago properties, and guests never noticed. For hotels under renovation, it's important to include specific clauses outlining the consequences of delays, including potential compensation for costs incurred or liquidated damages for non-performance. Set a cutoff date after which time you may terminate the contract without liability, and require that the hotel assist in finding alternate arrangements. 5. Change of Management Changes in ownership or management can be disruptive and lead to staff turnover and confusion. For Evya Richards, meeting manager for The Energy Council, a changeover from a corporate hotel to a franchise turned into a nightmare. The hotel did not inform her of the change until less than 30 days before the meeting, and every one of her contacts — the GM, the salesperson, the CSM, the banquet captain, and the food and beverage director — left. Communication was nonexistent. 'No BEOs, no room diagrams, nothing,' she said. Fortunately, the meeting came together at the last minute. It's important to ask if a hotel is franchised or corporate-owned or -managed. There can be differences in flexibility, brand standards, and contracting. The other benefit in working with a corporate-owned or -managed property is that you can move to a Plan B hotel in the same chain if the trouble persists.
Daily Mirror
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
JoJo Siwa drops hint over future with Chris Hughes as she marks career milestone
JoJo Siwa grew close to Chris Hughes whilst both housemates on Celebrity Big Brother last month and their relationship has continued to attract attention since the final Former housemate JoJo Siwa has teased over her relationship with Chris Hughes following their time on Celebrity Big Brother together. She's expressed hope about the future whilst addressing fan reaction to a post this weekend. JoJo, 21, and Chris, 32, met on the ITV show last month. The pair spent three weeks together in the Big Brother house and grew close whilst housemates on the reality TV show before both evicted in the final just over a week ago. Since then, JoJo - who split from her partner Kath Ebbs at a wrap party for the show - has faced questions over her relationship with Chris. She said on This Morning this week that it is "platonic" between them and in the same interview Chris suggested that they have a "soulmate friendship". More recently, JoJo paid tribute to Chris this weekend at an event organised by Stanford University 's Speakers Bureau. Whilst at A Night with Jojo Siwa yesterday, the singer teased that he has become as a "vital part" of her life. Following the event at the university in the US, JoJo posted about the experience on TikTok this morning. She then responded to several reactions from fans who mentioned Chris in the comments section of her post on the platform. Teasing over the future, JoJo appeared to express hope that they get to work together on a spin-off TV show moving forward. JoJo first posted footage of herself dancing along to Natasha Bedingfield 's Unwritten earlier today. Over the video, she wrote in a message to fans on it: "Vibes because I just got home from giving a speech at STANFORD??????" She wrote in the caption: "Wowwwww thank you for having me Stanford! I don't know whose idea it was, but sure did make my night (and life) extra special!!… we had a great chat and talked about just about everything… I'm sure there's gonna be loads of videos posted from there. Let me know if you see them!!:)" One fan reacted in the comments: "You're glowing Joelle, so happy!!! Loved the speech you gave about Chris. We're all rooting for you both." It prompted a response from JoJo, who wrote beside an emoji depicting hearts: "Thank you." Someone else said: "The UK is rooting for you and Mr Hughes JoJo." JoJo responded to them with three heart emojis. JoJo also hinted that a TV spin-off could happen in the future. It came in response to a fan who commented on the post this weekend: "JOJO AND CHRIS SPIN OFF." JoJo replied with an emoji depicting two hands together, which can be used to represent praying. The post comes after JoJo attended the Stanford University event yesterday. The former Dance Moms star spoke about various topics, including her career and having opened up about her gender identity in the Big Brother house, which she has continued to discuss since leaving the show. Footage shared on social media has also shown JoJo paying tribute to Love Island finalist Chris at the occasion. Asked how she sees their relationship progressing, JoJo said whilst at the event: "We have the absolute most fun together. He is an absolute gem that has come into my life." She added: "Genuinely, one thing that I love so much about him, is he has zero ego. He's a really incredible sweet man." JoJo went on to share: "I told him this on the last night, maybe it wasn't the last night but [sometime]. I said 'you're a vital part of my life and I didn't realise I was missing, but I'm happy that I don't have to anymore'." Further speaking about Chris, she told the audence: "He's an awesome guy and I think he'll be around for a very long time [...] He's a keeper. We'll keep him around. We'll see."
Associated Press
25-02-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Lady Charmaine Day Expands Mental Health Advocacy with New Audiobooks, Ministry Initiatives, and Black Ivy Brand
Lady Charmaine Day, a highly respected mental health advocate, speaker, and author, is amplifying her impact by equipping companies, churches, universities, schools, and community groups with effective mental health coping strategies. United States, February 24, 2025 -- With extensive experience in counseling, leadership, and motivational speaking, she provides insightful guidance to help individuals navigate mental wellness in today's demanding world. In addition to her speaking engagements, Lady Charmaine Day is set to release two new audiobooks on Friday: Do I Look Bipolar? and MINDF.U.C.C., co-authored with Mike Troy, also known as Brooklyn Mike. These works contribute to her mission of increasing mental health awareness and helping individuals develop resilience. As she continues to grow her influence, she is seeking recognition for the 2025 Evergreen Award and actively pursuing speaking opportunities through her Speakers Bureau page. Addressing Mental Health Challenges in High-Stress Environments Through her engaging and thought-provoking presentations, Lady Charmaine Day highlights the common challenges individuals face in maintaining mental well-being. Her discussions emphasize the importance of self-care, resilience, and mindfulness as foundational elements for a balanced life. By integrating practical techniques with motivational storytelling, she empowers audiences to take proactive steps in managing stress and emotional well-being. Her new audiobooks serve as additional tools for individuals looking to gain deeper insights into mental health. Do I Look Bipolar? explores her personal journey with mental wellness, offering an honest perspective on living with and overcoming challenges. MINDF.U.C.C., written with Mike Troy, provides innovative approaches to self-improvement and navigating life's obstacles. Promoting Mentally Healthy Workplaces Organizations aiming to foster a supportive and mentally healthy culture have greatly benefited from Lady Charmaine Day's expertise. In corporate settings, her talks focus on key topics such as stress management, work-life balance, and mental resilience. Employees and leadership teams gain practical tools to enhance workplace wellness, improve productivity, and cultivate a positive work environment. Companies that prioritize mental health in their corporate strategy recognize the long-term benefits of her guidance in employee engagement and retention. Equipping Students and Educators with Mental Wellness Tools Educational institutions also leverage Lady Charmaine Day's expertise, as she customizes her approach to meet the needs of students, faculty, and staff. Students benefit from her strategies to manage academic stress, anxiety, and personal challenges, while faculty and staff learn how to support students effectively while maintaining their own mental well-being. Her ability to connect with diverse audiences ensures that schools and universities receive actionable strategies to promote emotional stability and success. Bridging Faith and Mental Wellness in Religious Communities Faith-based organizations play a vital role in mental health advocacy, and Lady Charmaine Day bridges the gap between spirituality and psychological well-being in her discussions. Her speaking engagements within religious communities focus on faith as a source of strength and healing while addressing the stigma often associated with mental health struggles. By fostering open and supportive conversations, she helps congregations adopt a holistic approach to mental wellness. She also encourages individuals to join her ministry and explore the total mind, body, and spirit wellness solutions available on her website: Supporters can make a donation or purchase from her official store as a way to give back and help sustain her ministry. Supporting Community Groups and Nonprofits in Mental Health Advocacy Community groups and nonprofit organizations also benefit from Lady Charmaine Day's expertise, particularly those serving vulnerable populations. Whether speaking to youth programs, recovery groups, or wellness initiatives, she tailors her message to meet the specific needs of each audience. Her compassionate approach ensures that individuals walk away with practical tools to enhance their mental and emotional resilience. Increasing Brand Awareness for Black Ivy Products Beyond her mental health advocacy, Lady Charmaine Day is expanding the reach of Black Ivy, her lifestyle brand featuring footwear, clothing, music, and accessories. Black Ivy embodies her passion for creativity, empowerment, and self-expression, offering unique products that align with her holistic wellness mission. By raising awareness of Black Ivy, she aims to connect with individuals who value authenticity, style, and purpose-driven brands. Those interested in supporting her work can explore her Black Ivy collection alongside her wellness initiatives on Personal Journey and Professional Impact Lady Charmaine Day's advocacy is rooted in both her personal experiences and professional accomplishments. As a passionate champion for mental wellness, she shares her journey to inspire and educate others, reinforcing the importance of prioritizing mental health as a fundamental aspect of overall well-being. Her work continues to resonate with organizations and individuals seeking to integrate mental health awareness into their communities. For those looking to book her as a speaker, support her ministry, or explore her Black Ivy products, more information can be found at About Lady Charmaine Day Lady Charmaine Day is a mental health advocate, speaker, author, and entrepreneur dedicated to promoting emotional resilience, self-care, and holistic wellness. Through her writing, speaking engagements, and ministry, she empowers individuals and organizations to prioritize mental health and overall well-being. She is also the creator of Black Ivy, a brand offering footwear, clothing, music, and accessories designed for self-expression and empowerment. Media Contact Organization: Lady Charmaine Day Contact Person: Lady Charmaine Day For those interested in inviting Lady Charmaine Day to their organization, school, or community, more details are available on her Speakers Bureau page. Contact Info: Name: Lady Charmaine Day Email: Send Email Organization: Lady Charmaine Day Release ID: 89152829
