Georgia Institute of Technology

Throughout the past few months, we’ve focused a lot of attention on event management and planning. However, I don’t want to forget about the second piece to our name – protocol. I’ve recently joined a great organization named Protocol and Diplomacy International – Protocol Officers Association, who released a weekly message regarding tipping etiquette last March. Since we are entering vacation season, I thought this topic is very timely for event planners and travel aficionados alike.

Albeit a few days after Mother’s Day, I thought this post might be a great opportunity to honor my mom for something she does best – making others feel special. My mom never misses an opportunity to ensure we feel loved. I’m inspired by my mom’s actions to see what I can do within our events to make others feel special and leave them with memories they won’t soon forget.

Or, at least it’s supposed to be, right? But, if your department is like ours, you anxiously await the summer as a time to get ahead, only to realize it’s August 20 all over again. In an effort to help us combat this epidemic, we’ve created a summer project list that we hope will keep us on track and prepared for whatever the 2012-2013 academic calendar holds.

Who could forget Humphrey Bogart’s famous last line in Casablanca? Bogart’s character Rick Blaine gave us so many memorable quotes within the 1942 romantic classic, but his final one resonates most with me in reference to both my personal and professional life. While planning events here at Georgia Tech, I am continually inspired by how the development of “beautiful friendships” can significantly impact the outcome of my events and the guests’ experiences.