Where in the World is KCA?
KCA travels worldwide for our clients. Each issue the KCA Connection highlights a photo of our team member(s) in action. If you correctly guess where the team is located in the photo, you will be entered into a drawing to win a cool prize. The winner will be announced in the next edition of the KCA Connection.
where DeAnn & Katie are located! (All correct responses will be included in the drawing. Deadline to enter is
March 5, 2010.) |
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Let KCA Pad Your Pockets
We value your referrals and want to show our appreciation. If a referral (for either KCA or Kate & Company) turns into business, then we will send the referrer a $50 gift card as a token of our appreciation. |
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KCA In The Community
Recently, Kate, Leslie and Kristen volunteered their time to take pledges for the Arizona local PBS Channel, KAET 8. Volunteers represented the Arizona Sunbelt Chapter of MPI and collectively raised almost $23,000 in donations. Click here to view a photo of the group in action.
KCA was out in the community again, this time supporting The Lukemia & Lymphoma Society at the "Light the Night Walk." Katie, Leslie, Nancy, and Kristen joined other family members and thousands of walkers to show their support. Each team member received a lighted balloon to carry with them during the 5 mile walk. Not only was this a wonderful charity event but it was also a bonding event for those involved. Click here to view a team photo. |
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Hey, Did You Know?
The acronym SMART can help create specific meeting objectives that can be measured. Use the information below to put together measurable meeting objectives to assist you in getting the meeting approved by upper management.
- Objectives need to be SPECIFIC
- Objectives need to be MEASURABLE
- Objectives need to be ATTAINABLE
- Objectives need to be RELEVANT
- Objectives need to be TIMELY
Just imagine how impressed your boss will be when you show him/her how SMART you are. |
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Rental of KCA Boardroom
Near Chandler, Arizona and looking for a space to hold your meeting without breaking the budget? Consider KCA's boardroom. For a small fee of $200 you will gain access to a quiet/private high-tech room that can accommodate up to 14 people comfortably, a kitchen with a coffee maker and microwave, space for catering to be brought in, use of a phone for teleconferences, wireless internet and last, but not least access to a copy machine. |
KCA, Inc.
107 S. Southgate Dr.
Chandler, AZ 85226 USA
P: (480) 893-6110
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Welcome 2010!
KCA's goal this year is to provide our readers with tips to help their business and/or personal lives thrive. |
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Managing Your Time Better
How do you find time to do everything that is on your plate? Being proactive and learning the best way to manage your time will not only make life easier for you, but your boss will notice as well. Here are some tips that KCA employee, Katie Elsberry recently shared with our team.
As companies move more into the electronic age, email has become a primary source of communication amongst co-workers, clients, vendors, sometimes even friends and family. Who isn't attached to their blackberry or cell phone these days?
Long ago when email was created it was not designed to be a primary source of communication, it was developed for people to communicate and read when it was convenient. Now when an email is sent the sender expects a response immediately. Well, Katie says, "If you need an immediate response, pick up the phone, don't send an email, or if you must send an email put URGENT in the subject line and use the high priority (!) status." Here are some additional email tips:
- Try to only check email 2-3 times a day, an hour after arrival, just before lunch and just before the end of the day.
- Turn off the auto receive notification to reduce distraction from projects each time a notification pops up.
- Once an email has been read, complete one of these steps, DO NOT leave it in the inbox.
- If the email does not need to be kept, delete it.
- If the email needs to be kept for reference, but no additional action needs to be taken then file it in an appropriate folder for later.
- If the email requires action or follow-up then either file it in a "TO DO/ACTION" folder or complete the action/follow-up right then and either delete it or file it in an appropriate folder.
The next edition of the KCA Connection will review Katie's ideas and suggestions about managing the loads of paper items we receive. |
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Four Ways to Boost your Meetings Bottom Line
In 2009 the meetings industry was scrutinized and companies stalled their meetings. The truth of the matter is meetings are a daily part of every company's activities from small staff meetings to large conferences, and incentive programs. One way to reduce scrutinization and get the meeting approved by upper management is to boost the meetings bottom line. Why would upper management say no to a meeting that has positive results for the company? Here are four areas to review and prepare for when presenting a meeting idea to upper management:
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Budget Requests - Examine all hard and soft costs, what can be eliminated or reduced? Communicate your budget to the Meeting Planner to help them understand your budgetary boundaries and provide you with some preliminary menus, room rental costs, décor, etc., to back up your budget request to upper management.
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Develop the Buyers Edge - This is not only important in real-estate these days. Create a detailed request for proposal and communicate the "value" of your business. Hotels, conference centers, restaurants, etc., want your business; help them provide the best rates possible by indicating how this meeting will help them thrive. The lower the costs, the more likely upper management will approve the event and budget.
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Food & Beverage - Work with the meeting manager to come up with creative food & beverage options for your group. If cost is the main issue, then find out if another group is meeting at the facility during the same time. If there is, consider copying their menu choices, if more of the same meals are ordered the facility will get them at a cheaper rate and may consider passing those savings onto your event. Also consider scheduling your meals before or after the other groups, if your meals are not at the same time, then the facility does not need to pay extra workers to do the same thing at the same time.
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Speakers - Solicit speakers from within the company or organization or search for local speakers in your meeting destination. Speakers outside the company may consider volunteering their time. In lieu of paying for a speaker, offer to pay part or all of their travel expenses, sometimes this can be less expensive than a speakers fee. Use your speakers for multiple tasks such as moderator, speaker, and Emcee. Be sure to thank your speakers with a small gift, especially if they are volunteering their time, they will appreciate the gesture.
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Employee Spotlight
Vice-President, Leslie Honaker's creative, passionate, organic style is an inspiration to everyone at KCA. She is the "rock" of our company  and can always cheer you up if you are blue. Manager, DeAnn Fedyski says, "Leslie is a guiding light for all that work with her. Her vision, commitment and expertise in all she does, makes her a shining star and she continually exceeds the expectations of KCA's clients. Interacting with Leslie is a joy and her positive attitude and optimistic outlook make all things possible. She's an outstanding woman and professional." Meeting Coordinator, Kristen Kerns added, it's comforting to know that I can go to Leslie with any issues, ideas, or concerns and she will take the time to help me with those issues and make me feel confident about the outcome. I could not do my job without her support."
Recently, Leslie had the opportunity to let her creative side out while creating the look of our new division Kate & Company, our Wedding and Social Event Planning group. She worked with a designer to create a fresh, elegant and stylish website and logo. The compliments on the design have been overwhelming and truly reflects Leslie's style. Take a peek at it on our website. |
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New Adventures for KCA
Kate, along with Leslie Honaker, Katie Elsberry, Alejandra (Alex) Trujillo and Kristen Kerns launched a new division of KCA called Kate & Company Events, Inc. This division focuses specifically on  Weddings, Destination Weddings, Social Events, Birthday/Anniversary and Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties.
Check out our website at www.kateandcompanyevents.com.
Look for future information on the latest trends in social events/weddings that our Personal Planners will be providing on our blog and twitter. |
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Established in 1991, KCA has the knowledge and creativity that comes from years of experience in the fields of Meeting/Special Event Planning, Public Relations, Tradeshows and Association Management. KCA provides comprehensive, customized services to each client. Every client is unique with different needs and specific desires. KCA works to understand, plan and deliver programs and projects to exceed every client's expectations and now even brides to be!
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