wayne@nonnamaker.com

The event doesn’t start when people walk into the room. It starts in their inbox. Clear, friendly pre-event emails help your guests know what to expect, show up on time, and actually feel excited about being there. Here are three simple templates you can copy, paste, and tweak for your next meeting or training. 1. … Read more

You can nail the agenda, the speaker, and the catering… and still frustrate your guests before they ever walk through the door. How? Bad parking and a confusing location. Here’s why “Where will people actually park?” is one of the most important questions you can ask when choosing a venue. 1. Parking is your first … Read more

Client workshops are one of the best ways to showcase your expertise. But the room you host them in can either amplify your impact or quietly undermine it. Here’s how to make your workshop space work as hard as you do. 1. Design the room for interaction, not just presentation Workshops are about doing, not … Read more

Venue pricing can feel like airplane tickets: the headline price looks fine… until you discover all the extras. To avoid surprises, here are the common “hidden” costs to watch for when budgeting your meeting or event — and the questions to ask every venue. 1. Service charges and fees Many venues add a percentage-based service … Read more

You found the right room. Now the big question: How should we set it up? Room layout has a huge impact on energy, participation, and comfort. Here’s a simple guide to the most common setups and when to use each. Theater style Rows of chairs facing the front. No tables. Best for: Pros: Cons: Classroom … Read more

Remote and hybrid work are here to stay — but so is the need for real, face-to-face connection. The question isn’t if you should gather your team in person. It’s how often. There’s no universal magic number, but here are some practical guidelines to help you decide what rhythm makes sense for your team. Start … Read more

Most conference rooms start as a blank canvas: neutral walls, neutral chairs, neutral tables. That’s great for flexibility — but if you’re hosting an important client event, training, or company kickoff, you want the space to feel like yours. Here are five simple ways to transform a standard meeting room into a branded experience without … Read more

You’re not just renting four walls and a projector. You’re choosing a team that can make your event easier… or harder. Here’s what to look for in a conference center partner beyond the basic room dimensions. 1. A single point of contact From your first inquiry to the last guest leaving, you should know exactly … Read more

A one-day off-site can be a turning point for a team… or just a longer, more expensive meeting in a different room. The difference usually isn’t the budget. It’s the intentionality. Here’s how to design a one-day off-site that feels like a reset and a retreat — without losing sight of actual decisions and action … Read more

All-day trainings have a bad reputation: long lectures, sleepy afternoons, and slides no one reads again. But a well-run training day can reset expectations, launch new initiatives, and create shared language your team uses for years. Here’s how to host a training day people actually remember. Start with a clear outcome Before you book a … Read more