[mk_page_section full_width=”true” padding_top=”0″ padding_bottom=”0″ section_id=”hero” el_class=”difd_slider-active” sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1646143640952{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_vulcanHeroSlider images=”82178″][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][mk_page_section padding_top=”128″ padding_bottom=”40″ section_id=”welcome” el_class=”difFullHeight difd_add-triangle-top-left-orange” sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column width=”1/12″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_custom_heading source=”post_title” font_container=”tag:h1|text_align:center”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”Blog Ideas for Meeting Planners”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1645551196948{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Whatever experience you’re looking for, chances are we have a blog for you and your attendees.  Here’s a great example:

Planning the Perfect Meeting in Western Mass

You know what’s fun? Being on vacation.

Actually, you know what’s even more fun? Add vacation time at the end of your meeting!

Is it even possible there could be something more enjoyable than that? Seeing a new place, learning something new, and doing it with friends/colleagues/people who share common interests is pretty hard to beat.

If you’re thinking about planning a conference or large-scale event, Western Mass has some great options available for meetings as well as pre and post-conference activities.  We’ve put together a list of the ingredients we think add up to a conference experience that’s unbeatable:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1645551244050{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]1. Having A Top-Notch Event Space.
When you’re planning an event, you want to make sure you’re allocating enough room for people to explore freely, to visit trade booths and exhibits without being cramped, and to be comfortable during the sessions they attend.The MassMutual Convention Center offers a wide variety of spaces that can be customized to your event needs. Options include an 8,000 person arena or a 40,000 square foot exhibition hall, or can be scaled to a collection of meeting rooms.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1645551256060{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]2. Bring In Vendors/Partners That Attract Attention (In A Good Way).
Allowing vendors and sponsors to host booths and connect with prospects can be a great way to offset event costs and help your guests feel like they’re making worthwhile connections.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1645551275923{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]3. Make Sure The Schedule Allows For Some Exploration And Networking.
You don’t want your event to be all work and no play. One big reason people choose to participate in conferences and events is because of the relationships they can create.
Consider planning wrap-around events that include partnerships with popular local restaurants and attractions.
Wouldn’t it be fun to offer a tour of the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum, then partner up with a local restaurant to create a cocktail inspired by Horton or Thing 1 and Thing 2?
Give basketball fans a chance to indulge in their own hoop dreams by planning a reception at the newly renovated and extremely interactive Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Include excursions that allow plenty of time for shopping and chatting, like a visit to the Yankee Candle Village. As a bonus, you could include an interactive activity like candle making to give your attendees a chance to create relationships and have bonding moments.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1645551292589{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]4. Host Your Event In An Area That’s Suitable For Your Attendees.
If you can create an event that is tailor-made for your audience, you’ll have ongoing success if you try to replicate it over several years.For example, is your event’s target demographic people between ages 25 and 44? Guess what a lot of them have, besides too much on their plate and a chronic case of sleep deprivation? Kids! If you’re marketing a meeting or convention to them, highlight the amazing children’s museums in our area (Dr. Seuss and Eric Carle – we love them both!).Aiming for an audience of adrenaline junkies, maybe an entrepreneurs’ event? Six Flags New England and white water rafting should do the trick, with maybe a follow up round of fun at MGM Springfield.

5. Provide Plenty Of Transportation Options.
You’re probably asking yourself, “Is transportation a big issue in this era of Uber and Lyft?” The answer is yes. You want to make getting to you a seamless experience, so travel is the least of their worries.In Western Mass, we’ve got you covered, whether you’re thinking planes, trains or automobiles; it’s easy to get to us via Bradley International Airport, Peter Pan Bus Lines or Amtrak, and easy to get around once you’re here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][mk_page_section bg_color=”#004f6b” padding_top=”128″ padding_bottom=”128″ section_id=”HousingBureau” sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”BONUS TIP: Great Food Is Always Appreciated, As Is A Great Place To Stay.” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff”][vc_column_text el_class=”white” css=”.vc_custom_1645550687132{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Make sure your attendees have plenty of places to choose from when they’re planning where to stay. Fun fact: there are more than 1,300 hotel rooms in downtown Springfield. There are also more than 5,800 hotel room options in the Western Mass area.

Exceptional dining choices abound, whether you want to go surf and turf at Latitude or go farm to table at… well, The Farm Table.

And there you have it: your recipe for creating a meeting/conference/event that guests will love, and that they’ll be ready to come back and attend again next year. Western Mass offers all the ingredients you need to cook up a meeting or event that’s truly extraordinary – the rest is up to you![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][mk_page_section padding_top=”128″ padding_bottom=”128″ section_id=”HousingBureau” el_class=”difFullHeight difd_add-triangle-top-left-orange” sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Finding Your First In Western Mass” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1645548030497{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Western Mass is known as a land of firsts and for good reason. Springfield, one of at least 36 in the US, but it was the first. We’re also home to the first armory commissioned in the country, the first home of beloved author and illustrator Theodor ‘Seuss’ Geisel, where the American-made automobile was manufactured, the first board game and so much more. Here’s where you can find your first in Western Mass:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Lyman & Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1645548127573{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Located on the campus of the Springfield Museums, you’ll find many of the cities ‘firsts’ documented and paid homage to here. From Hasbro Gameland to the largest collection of Indian Motocycles (yep, made in Springfield) and a collection of Rolls Royce’s (yep, these were made here too) this is a great place to start finding your firsts in our region.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1645548140250{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Also located on the Springfield Museums campus, this museum honors Springfield’s most famous son, Theodor Geisel. Ted was born in Springfield and found inspiration from throughout the region as he wrote and illustrated his popular collection of children’s books. This museum is filled with familiar colorful characters and interactive displays but it’s also the home to the most comprehensive collection of Ted’s personal family photographs and letters in addition to artwork that has never been publicly displayed.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1645548155161{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Dr. James Naismith invented the game while teaching at Springfield College and this shrine preserves and celebrates the game at every level. Fresh from a $20 million renovation, the Hall features interactive exhibits, personal artifacts from players & coaches and a chance to practice swooshing on the Court of Dreams.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Volleyball Hall of Fame” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1645548174904{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Volleyball was also invented here and the sport’s Hall of Fame in Holyoke celebrates the sport. The museum was recently redesigned to show more memorabilia than ever before.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Springfield Armory National Historic Site” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1645548191186{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]This was the first armory in the nation, commissioned by George Washington and was the primary center for the manufacture of United States military firearms from 1777 until its closing in 1968. The museum commemorates the critical role of the nation’s first armory by preserving and interpreting the world’s largest historic US military small arms collection, along with historic archives, buildings, and landscapes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Yankee Candle Village” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1645548201219{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Western Mass was also the birthplace of the most famous candle in the world – the Yankee Candle. From humble beginnings melting crayons in the basement of his South Hadley home, Michael Kittredge grew the company into an empire but remained loyal to his roots and headquartered the business in South Deerfield. Now the Yankee Candle Village store is one of the most popular attractions in the northeast with over 90,000 square feet of fragrance, décor and interactive exhibits.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][mk_page_section padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”200″ section_id=”HousingBureau” el_class=”difFullHeight difd_add-triangle-invert-middle-right-cyan-offset_200px_” sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Social Post Ideas for Meeting Planners:” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center”][mk_padding_divider][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1645550257390{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Social Post #1- Welcome

We are so excited to welcome you to Western Mass. Check out difhosting1.com to see all of the fun waiting for you!

Picture: Valley Shot of CT River

Hashtags: #explorewestenmass #meetwesternmass[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1645550229720{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Social Post #2 – Request a Visitor’s Guide

Starting to plan your time in Western Massachusetts. Click here to request the Guide to Western Mass.

Picture: 2021-2022 Guide cover

Hashtags: #explorewestenmass #meetwesternmass[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1645550205668{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Social Post #3- Dining Options

We know you will work up an appetite while at your convention. Click here to check out exciting dining options, beer trails, food trails and places to feed a crowd!

Picture: Food and Drink

Hashtags: #explorewestenmass #meetwesternmass[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1645550170117{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Social Post #4 – Hall of Fame

Do you love interactive experiences? Are you a history buff? Does a little exercise keep you energized while at your conference? If you answered yes to any of these you will love visiting the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame while you are in Springfield

Picture: Basketball HOF

Hashtags: #explorewestenmass #meetwesternmass[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1645550154000{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Social post #5 – Springfield Museums

Did you know that Dr. Seuss was born in Springfield? Take time to learn about Theodor Gisele when you visit the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum located on the campus of the Springfield Museums, a short walk from downtown.

Picture: Cat in the Hat

Hashtags: #explorewestenmass #meetwesternmass[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1645550135670{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Social Post #6  – Outdoor Adventure

Enjoy the beauty of New England during your stay. Western Mass offers scenic nature trails, zip lining, river cruises, and white watering rafting.  Which will you choose?

Picture: Ziplining

Hashtags: #explorewestenmass #meetwesternmass[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][mk_page_section bg_image=”https://difhosting1.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/holyoke-overview.jpg” bg_position=”center center” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” bg_stretch=”true” enable_3d=”true” speed_factor=”0.5″ video_color_mask=”#004f6b” video_opacity=”0.8″ js_vertical_centered=”true” padding_top=”96″ padding_bottom=”96″ section_id=”subscribe” el_class=”difFullHeight” sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”Plan Your Meeting” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1626804447734{padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”Connect With Us” style=”flat” shape=”square” color=”primary” size=”lg” align=”right” link=”url:mailto%3Aaszenda%40difhosting1.com”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”Submit an RFP” style=”flat” shape=”square” color=”primary” size=”lg” align=”left” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fdifhosting1.com%2Fmeeting-planners%2Frequest-for-proposal%2F|title:Request%20For%20Proposal”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/mk_page_section]