• The "Greenhouse" becomes Estates second exclusively private corporate retreat
• How the Estates Shapes Meetings
• A new Exercise in Corporate Communications
• 10 Do's and Don'ts for Planning Meetings
• Maximizing Meeting's ROI

• With over 15 rooms to choose from between McLean House and Vaughan Estate, each room offers its own unique sense of ambience and color that suites everything from company reward dinners to power meetings.
• All rooms are conducive to shaping good meetings - everything from board meetings for 10 guests to larger corporate gatherings or incentive meetings of 160.
• For corporate meetings, the Estates ensures that all their conference rooms are fully equipped with supplies, up-to-date computer equipment, and high speed Internet connections.
• Located in one of the more serene parkland areas of old Bayview with distinct "country" feel renders meetings peaceful and helps participants concentrate on the business at hand.
• The renowned chefs of Sunnybrook prepare excellent food. A sumptuous buffet luncheon is served for corporate functions. Conference breaks may be arranged throughout the day.

It is a proven fact that we learn best by doing rather than listening or reading. More and more corporations are realizing this and look for new and exciting programs to build employee trust and confidence. The question is where does an organization go to experience both a dynamic adventure and a learning exercise that focuses on employee teambuilding and cohesion? Look no further.

• Half-Day Motivational Teambuilding
• Full-Day Team Development Program
• New Team Formation

According to Scott Kress, president of Summit, "Our sessions use the most powerful learning tool in the world, experience, and focus on the company's most important resource - people. A Summit teambuilding program is an effective way of improving productivity and corporate strength."

1. Know your budget and plan well in advance;
2. Physically inspect the venue. If you cannot do this yourself appoint someone whom you trust and whose opinion you respect to visit the site;
3. Determine the type of meeting you want. Are you looking for formal, high-powered corporate, experiential, relaxed casual or something in between;
4. Compile a short list of venues suited to the type of meeting you want. Avoid window-shopping. By dealing with a fewer number of potential venues, the venue staff will become familiar with you and develop a greater understanding of your particular meeting needs;
5. Don't under-book! If you are unsure as to the number of meeting attendees consult with your meeting planner. It is usually prudent to settle upon a meeting room slightly bigger than you initially anticipated;
6. Remember the needs of a facilitator, a third party consultant who may lead your meeting. They also have very specific and demanding needs. Consult with them;
7. Keep in mind parking requirements, proximity to the airport, and accessibility via public transport;
8. Anticipate needs well in advance. For instance, will breakout rooms be required? There's a good chance these facilities will not be available at the last minute and could prove embarrassing for both yourself and venue hosts;
9. Avoid venues that claim "state-of-the-art" audio-visual facilities but cannot answer simple, basic questions over the phone;
10. Keep a journal. After the meeting write down the pros and cons of the venue. Valuable time can be saved when planning future meetings.

• Calculate the amount of total costs invested into the meeting. Add up the costs involved, from speaker fees to the cost of travel and facilities. Notice the total amount of investment.
• Ask yourself what the investment is for and relate it to the company. Is it efficient? Is it beneficial? Will it increase profits and reduce costs?
• Consider if the return on investment (ROI) is substantial. Look at ways to stretch your dollar to maximize the return.
• Look at the allotted time set for the meeting. Budget time for each agenda item based on ROI. Make sure important items receive precedence above minor issues. In most meetings, a majority of time is spent discussing issues that have no relevance to the discussion. Break this habit.
• Focus on necessary topics. If a proposed agenda item is not suitable for the meeting at hand, postpone or decline it. If it does not provide adequate value to the meeting and must be addressed, allocate a small portion of time - possibly towards the end after important issues.
• Structure the meeting to maximize your return. Focus on key issues that relate directly to the company's vision and mandate; avoid small issues. The essence should be on real issues at hand.
• Remember that time is money. Set time limits and ensure everyone gets equal time to speak. Planning efficiently greatly increases the return on the meeting.
• Alert guests to the focus and issue discussed during the meeting. Maximize meeting time by informing beforehand various details, such as how long each presenter has to speak and what specific presentations should provide.
• Throughout the meeting, monitor progress. Ask yourself - is this the focus? Are we tackling important issues? Are we spending time wisely? If the answer is no, steer the discussion in the proper direction.