Naturally, I’m a bit biased, but I think that sponsoring Spousetivities is a great way for companies to say “Thank You” and give something back to their employees and customers. When a company hosts a conference, they ultimately expect attendees to give up as much as a week of their time to come hear about their products and how these products or services can benefit them and their employers. Instead of asking attendees to come to a week-long conference and leave their families behind, a Spousetivities sponsor is telling attendees it’s OK to bring the family. While the attendee is learning about that sponsor’s products and innovations, the attendee’s family will be enjoying some great activities. And when the day is done, the attendee and his or her family can be together instead of spending that time apart. Most companies boast a family friendly attitude, and sponsoring Spousetivities is a way to show that attitude in action.

This is true not only for the sponsor companies–those companies that organized the conference–but for all companies. And the size of the company doesn’t matter; I’ve had companies both small and large decide to help sponsor Spousetivities.

In addition to supporting families, sponsoring Spousetivities offers companies a unique way to advertise. Given that their logo is put on T-shirts, menus, blogs, and other items, they have plenty of visibility in the community. Companies benefit not only from their pro-family support, but from the attention drawn to their company through these events. It’s a “win-win” situation for companies.

So, if you’re a company that wants to join in this exciting opportunity to support your employees and customers, and advertise in a unique way at the same time, simply contact me. Upcoming events include EMC World in Las Vegas, Dell Storage Forum in Boston, VMworld US, and VMworld EMEA. I’m still seeking additional sponsors for all of these events. I can also plan activities for other conferences, VMUG’s, or company-hosted events. For more information, please contact me for arrangements.

The spa was a huge hit last year so once again, Spousetivities participants will be able to enjoy Canyon Ranch Spa at discounted rates. There will also be a visit to do some wine tasting. And did I mention that you’ll be escorted to the wine tasting via limousine? If massages, manicures, wine, and limousines don’t get your interest, what about a day of horseback riding in Red Rock Canyon? These are the confirmed activities thus far, but check back often, because I hope to offer the traditional “Get to Know You” breakfast and possibly other activities as well.

All this sound like fun? Want to know how to register? Excellent! Registration is available here. Don’t wait, sign up today as some activities have very limited space.

See you in Las Vegas in May!

So what does this mean, exactly? Well, the answer to that depends on who you are:

Conference attendee: If you’re going to be attending DSF2012 as a conference attendee, this means you can bring your family and they will have some great activities in which to participate. You don’t have to worry about your family members being alone in the city, or being bored all day long while you’re at the conference. They’ll be out having fun with other Spousetivities participants, leaving you free to focus on the conference and getting the most out of your time.

Non-conference attending companion: If you’re going to be traveling with your conference-attending spouse, having Spousetivities at DSF2012 means that you’re going to have a great week! There are some delightful activities planned (more details below) where you can explore the Boston area, see some historical sights, and get to meet other people just like you.

Sounds good so far, right? Now, I’m sure you want to know what sort of activities will be available. Well, that’s the best part! There is something for everyone. Here’s a quick peek:

• The week will begin with a wonderful breakfast–I call it the “Getting to Know You” breakfast–where the Spousetivities participant will receive a gift bag and have the chance to win some cool prizes.
• After the breakfast, there will be opportunities for whale watching or a trolley/walking tour around MIT. Later in the day, you’ll have the opportunity to take a private trolley tour around the Boston area.
• The next day there are options for a wine tour and a chance to walk the Boston Freedom Trail.
• The third day of activities offers up a private lunch cruise or a private trolley/walking tour around Harvard. Both are great events!

Dell has sponsored Spousetivities to help reduce the costs for these activities, though there is still a fee associated with each. Each activity has been designed as a private event for our group–so you’ll be traveling only with other Spousetivities participants. Everything has been arranged for you!

If you’re ready to sign up, just click over to the DSF2012 Spousetivities registration page and register for whatever activities you’d like. (Please note that I can’t offer refunds for activities.) I’m excited about Spousetivities at Dell Storage Forum 2012 and I can’t wait to see you there!

Dell Events – As many of you also know, the conference host also has some evening activities planned for conference attendees. Dell has agreed to offer spouse/companion pricing for these events so that the attendee as well as guests can participate. These events include: Channel Partner Reception on Sunday, Solutions Expo Networking Reception on Monday, and Fenway Celebration Night on Tuesday. Tickets for Sunday and Monday are $50 per event per person and $75 for the Fenway event on Tuesday. Tickets can be purchased through the Dell Storage Forum Registration or by contact me via e-mail.

What’s on tap for this event, you ask? Since Vegas isn’t terribly hot in February, it is perfect for a horseback riding tour. We will also be strolling the Strip and enjoying a nice ride in a stretch limo to do some wine tasting. Prefer to be pampered this Valentine’s season? How about a day (or two) at the luxurious Canyon Ranch Spa? Spousetivities has secured discounted pricing for many of the spa services offered by Canyon Ranch. Remember, every service includes access to Aquavana to take relaxation to the extreme.

Are you interested yet? Is your spouse or significant other? Great! More details and registration information is offered here. Spaces are very limited so don’t delay. Spousetivities tends to fill up prior to the event and additional activities cannot always be added. I look forward to seeing everyone in Las Vegas in a few weeks. Cheers!

The big news, however, is that on November 17th, you can get these activities for 50% off because of the wonderful support from HP. How does it work? Go to the registration page, select the activities you’d like to participate in, and as you check out, simply enter discount code LuvHP to get 50% off everything except the breakfast and Christmas markets. That’s it! You are registered and sure to have a great time.

See you in a couple weeks in Vienna!

We have finalized the agenda for Spousetivities in conjunction with HP Discover Vienna, November 29 – December 1, 2011!

As in the past, we have researched and planned the best activities each destination has to offer, and this event is no different. We have some fun things in store for you, and the fact that the conference is being held in Vienna offers Spousetivities the chance to offer activities that are not only fun but are also rich in history and heritage.

The first event of the week is the “Getting to Know You” Breakfast. This is a Spousetivities tradition! It gives the participants a chance to put faces with names, and to meet your travel companions for the week. We will enjoy food, fun, goody bags, and chances to win cool prizes before embarking on our first adventure.

And what is that first adventure? Our first tour will be a trip to Viennese wine country. Did you know that Vienna is the only metropolis in the world to cultivate an appreciable wine-growing industry within its city limits? You can imagine that the whole region is one big vineyard, and we will take a bus tour to visit the most famous wine growing area in Vienna, Grinzing. We will enjoy the beautiful scenery, lunch, and—if you choose—wine on this 5-hour excursion.

Our next offering is a trip to the world-famous Christmas Markets. No place in the world decks the halls at Christmastime quite like Vienna. These romantic street markets enjoy a long tradition, with a history in Austria (as well as the rest of German speaking Europe) dating back to the Middle Ages. We will not only enjoy the sights, but also shop for one-of-a-kind Christmas presents and enjoy local food and drink. Bring your camera and your appetite, because you will not want to miss a thing!

Another event you don’t want to miss out on is a trip to the Melk Abbey, one of the most famous monasteries in the world. It was founded in the year 1089, so if you are interested in historic monuments with rich heritages, this is a must-see. Even if you are not impressed with antiquity, the beauty of this place will blow you away. We will tour the interior and the gardens of the Abbey, so bring your camera as well as a coat. After the tour, we will enjoy lunch on the River Danube. Eating lunch on the River Danube is a “bucket list” item—not many people besides us will have that as part of their life story!

We are also offering the opportunity to visit Schönbrunn Palace, which I believe is on par with the splendor and spatial presence of Versailles. The history of the site dates back to the Middle Ages, and the grounds were used primarily for hunting excursions over many hundreds of years. It wasn’t until the 18^th century that the grounds became known as a hub of court and political life. The transformation from hunting lodge to grand palace was fascinating, and worth seeing first-hand.

Does this sound like something you don’t want to miss out on? Register now so you don’t get left out! We look forward to exploring Vienna with you.

***I’d like to thank Nikki Glasgow for being the main writer of this post.***

Note that lunch is not included in the tour price, but we are stopping for lunch as part of the tour schedule. Lunch options were e-mailed to everyone who registered. The restaurant where we are stopping accepts both credit cards and currency (Danish kroner only, please), so please be prepared to pay for your lunch. Again, the lunch is not included as part of your tour price; it’s separate.

I look forward to seeing everyone soon!

More information about HP Discover Vienna is available at these sites: www.facebook.com/HPDiscover, www.hp.com/go/discover, and/or www.hp.com/go/discoverblog. You can also get updates and information on Twitter by following @HPDiscover. While you’re there, don’t forget to follow @Spousetivities to stay informed on the latest events offering Spousetivities.

As we learned last year, it’s cold in Denmark in October! So, all the tours this year are via private bus (with heat) and include an English speaking guide. We will see castles this year, but we will also tour City Hall Square, take a canal tour, and visit Sweden. The best part is that you can participate in all of the activities for around $250 US. Which leads me conveniently into the next thought.

Please take time to thank EMC and The Virtualization Practice for making these events possible! Without great sponsors, we, the spouses and companions, would not be able to enjoy these events and time together.

All of this sounds great, but how in the world do I register, you ask? Well, just visit the registration site and sign up for any or all of the activities listed. Then all you have to do is show up and enjoy your time in Copenhagen, Denmark and Malmo, Sweden.

See you there!