This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.

Planning a corporate event can be stressful. However, with help from Michelle Thompson and her company Peacock Events, it doesn't have to be quite as hectic.

Michelle spent many years planning events for hotels, destination management companies, non-profits and incentive programs. One day she decided that with all of her experience, it was time to start her own business. In 2004, she launched Peacock Events.

Peacock Events is a full-service event planning company with clients in the corporate, medical, non-profit and social sectors. Michelle says her company provides all types of services that relate to a meeting or a special event, from researching venues to working with vendors, caterers and floral designers. The business can also supply promotional materials, hand-outs and on-site registration services, as well as coordinate VIP accommodations and transportation.

Two things set her company apart, Michelle says. The first is the strategic method used to plan events beginning with asking the client a series of questions to determine the exact purpose of the event and the expected results. Michelle then plans the event based upon the client's desired outcome.

The other difference is that Peacock Events is one of the only green meeting planners in the state. Michelle told me that to make a meeting more sustainable you can eliminate handouts, choose a caterer that uses local produce, provide public transportation to and from the event, eliminate water bottles or select a facility that has a recycling or composting program. Oftentimes the greener route even saves clients money.

Michelle hopes to continue growing her business. She would like to see green meetings become more mainstream and hopes Peacock Events can become a well-known and respected name both statewide and nationally.

For Zions Bank, I'm Fred Ball. I'm speaking on business.

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