Jan 21
Ashley SpitzerNews Haiti, meeting industry, non-profit
Victims of the earthquake in Haiti are still in desperate need of our assistance. While donating to the Red Cross directly is the the best advised method, it is possible to help in other ways.
There are several ways the meetings community can donate -
Jan 14
maureen-pickellTrade Shows economy, meeting attendance, meeting industry, pcma, upcoming meetings industry events
Well, the PCMA 2010 Annual Meeting wrapped up with another strong day of education beginning with a Plenary Session entitled “The State of the Meetings and Travel Industry.” The theme of “cautious optimism” that has run through the conference was reiterated once again – this time with hard numbers presented by Peter Yesawich of YPartnership.
His panel included Minaz Abij of Asset Management, Thomas C. Dolan, PhD., CAE, American College of Healthcare Executives, Brian Phillips of FedEx Office, Thomas W. Storey, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Frits van Paasschen of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. The consensus of this distinguished group is that business meetings are coming back slowly. The 2nd quarter will see the emergence of small and mid-sized events with large meetings surfacing in the 4th quarter. Association business will pick up with higher attendance at annual conferences because of the pent up demand for face to face encounters.
According to Thomas Dolan, “You still need to see to sell and convince.”
It appears that 2nd quarter will see a rush to get these meetings launched. To help our planners manage their “time poverty,” ConventionPlanit.com offers the RFP ValetTM service. Instead of spending time researching facilities and chasing properties for timely responses, we do the work for you. To learn more about this service, click here.
Your dedicated blogger was virtually overwhelmed by the wealth of information presented during PCMA 2010 – Convening Leaders. I’ve attempted to share some of the highlights with you over the past 4 days, but in order to comprehend the wide scope of the education that was offered, go to www.pcma2010.org and click on Video to view the PCMA-TV News Summary.
We’ll see you at PCMA 2011 in Las Vegas!
Jan 13
maureen-pickellTrade Shows economy, environmental-friendly, green meetings, Keep America Meeting, overseas meetings, pcma
Your intrepid blogger had another busy day. The sessions at the PCMA annual conference continue to be varied and interesting, beginning with “Beyond Borders: Advanced Solutions for International Meetings.” Roundtable discussion topics ranged from Risk Management and Attendance Building to Budgets and Cost Containment as well as Working with Partners. The goal was to help eliminate the trial and error of international planning by sharing information among participants. Specific issues were introduced and solutions discussed using the expertise of both planners and suppliers.
For those of you interested in the results, the notes will be posted on the PCMA website after the conference.
Then on to “Top Industry Leaders on the Future of Meetings.” The meetings industry version of “The Magnificent Seven” including Jonathan Tisch, Roger Dow, John Graham, Bruce MacMillan, Michael Gehrisch, Brenda Anderson and Deborah Sexton addressed the outlook for 2010 and beyond. A lively discussion about the power of collaboration revealed that the prognosis is basically optimistic but more work needs to be done to rebuild and renew our industry.
The standing room only audience seemed more than anxious to take on the challenge by furthering the grass roots movements begun this past year.
And lastly, how many of you know the difference between Free range poultry and Cage free birds? The session entitled “Green Guide: Sustainable Food and Beverage” presented tips on selecting sustainable food choices and staying within budget while implementing a program to manage food and beverage waste. Again, consult the PCMA website for a glossary of terms relating to this important topic.
Looking forward to Wednesday’s sessions and networking!
Jan 12
maureen-pickellTrade Shows air travel, airlines, non-profit, pcma
Your ConventionPlanit.com blogger has had a busy day at the PCMA “Convening Leaders” Annual Meeting!
The day began with the opening general session which could be titled – “A Tale of Two Sisters” presented by Ambassador Nancy Brinker. As a result of her sister’s battle with and loss of her life to breast cancer, the Susan G. Komen Foundation was launched by Nancy to provide grants for research and development to combat this global disease. As the largest grass roots movement of its kind, this collective effort began 30 years ago and depends on “the power of one” to help change the global culture as it relates to breast cancer and the apathy that has grown up around it. As a recent winner of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Nancy Brinker has fulfilled her promise to her sister, Susan, by diligently empowering activists of all ages and backgrounds to participate in this international health movement.
Next up was The PCMA Masters Series – Airlines and Meetings: A CEO Conversation where the audience was privy to a discussion between Gerard J. Arpey, Chairman, President and CEO, AMR Corp. and American Airlines, and Gary Kelly, Chairman, President and CEO, Southwest Airlines, moderated by Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert.
If you think that you have issues with the business model represented by most of the major airlines today, take a look at the unprecedented level of volatility that these CEO’s have dealt with during the past decade and most particularly in the last two years:
- Surge in the price of oil resulting in an ongoing fuel crisis
- 2009 economic downturn
- Growth opportunities restricted by operating costs and security concerns
- Future issues include:
- The need to modernize the Air Traffic Control System
- The necessity to develop commercially viable sustainable fuels
- The development and deployment of new aircraft technology
The good news is that group business is important to both American and Southwest who both have programs targeting the meeting and convention market. During the economic recovery, people will need to do business in places that they’ve never been before – and that will result in increased demand for air travel.
Airlines will continue to be our partners in combating the misguided perceptions regarding meeting and incentive travel.
Jan 11
maureen-pickellTrade Shows attendee interaction, Event Industry Networking, meeting experiences, pcma
The PCMA 2010 Annual Meeting “Convening Leaders” opened in Dallas this weekend with organization members giving back to the city. Five Dallas based charities benefited from the hard work, talents, donations and fundraising efforts of convention participants attending PCMA’s 5th annual meeting, Jan.10-13, 2010.
Attendees also enjoyed the Opening Welcome Reception sponsored by the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau. The event provided glimpses of the North Texas culinary scene, arts district, sports, hair and make-up professionals, shopping opportunities and carnival fun. Interactive entertainment, Texas food specialties and two-steppin’ music rounded out the evening.
Over the course of the four days, the annual meeting will offer <u>200 plus speakers and more than 60 education sessions</u> along with ample opportunity to network with colleagues. Attendees will learn new skills, share goals, solve problems and generally expand their horizons while reinforcing the position that “Face to Face” encounters are still the best example of “social networking.”
What is your favorite session so far?
If you’re currently at the show, be sure to say hello to Maureen Pickell. She’s been busy blogging about her experiences in between networking and attending sessions!
Jan 06
Ashley SpitzerTips for Meeting Planners, Trade Shows cvbs, environmental-friendly, green meetings, meeting ideas, pcma
Are you attending the PCMA Annual Conference in Dallas later this month? If so, here’s the inside scoop on how the conference is working hard to go green:
Getting Started: Choosing a Green Location
Make a difference from every aspect of your conference by choosing a green city. For example, 40% of the energy used in Dallas is renewable. Dallas was also one of the first cities to implement green building guidelines, and is committed to city-wide green programs including park construction.
Green-friendly destinations are eager to work with you to meet your green requirements and implement your ideas at the convention center. PCMA Vice President of Meetings & Events Kelly Peacy said she worked closely with the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau to infuse green elements into all areas of the conference, including area, including the destination, accommodations, food and beverage, communications, and operations.
Implementation: Make a Difference
This year’s conference supports local organically grown food as much as possible – quite a feat with the thousands of expected attendees! Leftover food will be donated to a local food bank and other unused food will be composted.
PCMA partnered with green hotels for conference housing, like the Hyatt Regency Dallas, who donates leftover soap to a recycling effort to provide people in developing nations with soap.
Words of Encouragement:
“You don’t just go out and suddenly become a green organization,” Peacy said. “You have to build on it. You need to decide how high green ranks on your list of organizational strategic objectives. We asked that question and determined that it was very important, so we put significant resources toward it. At PCMA it is half of one person’s job. Every year we build new objectives. If PCMA can be recognized as an industry leader to educate our members about green that would be a success.”
If you’re attending the conference, be sure to tell us what you think of the green efforts!
Dec 21
Damion RutherfordTips for Meeting Planners meeting experiences, meeting ideas, meeting industry, meeting planner help
Meeting professionals know that the best ideas often come from their peers, who are usually more than willing to share them with people who show an interest. In 2010, planners are talking about adding value to their meetings to attract attendees.
Maureen Thompson of ASBO International taps the knowledge of the hotel staff by hiring some of them to put in extra hours staffing the meeting registration desk instead of hiring temps to do this. “The person’s knowledge of the venue, location and even access to the ‘behind the scenes’ places of the hotel is invaluable,” she says.
For more great meeting ideas, check out the Stellar Tip Archive, and search through a variety of tips and advice submitted by other meeting professionals.
What are some ideas you will be implementing? Let us know, and share the information with your peers. It’s the most effective way to learn!
Dec 11
Damion RutherfordTips for Meeting Planners, Trade Shows MACE, meeting ideas, meeting industry, MPI, Tips for Meeting Planners
Yesterday I attended the Potomac Chapter of Meeting Professionals International’s (PMPI) Mid-Atlantic Conference & Exposition (MACE!2009). Instead of a traditional trade show, the event organizers introduced a ‘flipped marketplace’.
The flipped marketplace gave each planner and supplier the opportunity to schedule up to 10 one on one 15 minute-long appointments – with the planners seated at booths and the suppliers moving throughout the room.
Like many attendees, I was skeptical of the marketplace before experiencing it, but found it to be an absolutely brilliant concept.
Why PMPI’s Flipped Marketplace worked:
1. Mutual Interest - suppliers requested appointments with planners (suppliers had access to organization names, planner’s role in the decision making process, location of meetings, budget, average peak room night, and next available planning year…but NOT the planner’s name). The planners could approve or decline the appointment request via email, or propose a new meeting time. Giving both planners and suppliers the ability to choose to meet with one another gave value and meaning to the conversations before they actually even occurred.
example: When I arrived for the morning introduction session, I took my cup of coffee and introduced myself to the colleague seated next to me at the table. The planner turned out to be one of my appointments for the marketplace! This realization that we had selected one another for the appointment gave us a connection for the rest of the day when our paths crossed.
2. Length of Meeting Time - With a solid 15 minutes to converse, planners and suppliers were able to build solid connections and relationships with one another. This was a refreshing change from the traditional exhibit hall, in which booths often become crowded, making it difficult to have an in-depth conversation. The halls, in general, are constantly in a flow of motion; it is rare for a planner to spend 15 minutes of their time in the hall at one booth…and who can blame them. The 15 minute appointments allowed both planner and supplier to walk away with knowledge and understanding of one another that will not be forgotten as easily as tossing a business card into a drawing for a give-away while walking past a booth.
3. Supplier Cost - While suppliers did pay to participate in the Flipped Marketplace, the cost compared to that of booth space, decorations, furniture, internet, electric, carpet, popcorn machine, etc. was very reasonable; especially when the quality of interactions with attendees and ROI is factored in.
4. Scheduling - The time period for the marketplace did not coincide with any educational sessions. This allowed for the largest possible number of participants at the marketplace, and eliminated the possibility of distraction.
5. Spotme Devices -Spotme, a networking and data gathering handheld device company, provided every show attendee with a device for the day. These devices are far more valuable than electronic scanners. Spotme electronically transfers business cards by touching the devices to one another – no paper involved. Attendee’s appointment schedules were preloaded onto the devices, as well as a photo. The search component allowed users to search for individuals by company or name, and see the person’s photo. Setting the scan feature for an individual causes the device to vibrate when the individual enters the room. This is extremely helpful in a large conference area. Electronic surveys for sessions appeared on the devices at the end of each session. Maps of the Flipped Marketplace as well as the corridor of the conference center were also loaded onto the devices. The devices, overall, contributed to the ease and flow of the day.
For its first year, I believe the Flipped Marketplace at MACE was a huge success among both planners and suppliers. There are a few kinks that will most likely be ironed out for 2010, and the show organizers were very eager to hear feedback.
Kudos to PMPI for successfully implementing the Flipped Marketplace. The meetings industry should be experimenting and constantly pushing forth new ideas; I believe this concept has done just that!
Dec 08
Damion RutherfordNews air travel, Continental Airlines, travel tips
Between cold and flu season and swine flu, personal hygeine has become more important than ever. Grocery stores offer antibacterial wipes next to shopping carts, and the most popular hand out on the trade show floor has become travel-sized hand sanitizer.
The CDC’s latest healthy travel campaign urges ill travelers to stay home – but at what cost? Flying while ill to avoid significant cancellation and rescheduling fees certainly seems like a viable option…but what if you are the unlucky passenger stuck next to the passenger coughing and sneezing throughout your flight?
A recent MSNBC article outlines current airline policies on cancelling a reservation due to illness:
- JetBlue, Northwest and Delta – case-by-case basis
- American and US Airways – changes to non-refundable tickets cost $150, plus the difference between the old and new fares
- AirTran Airways – waives cancellation and rescheduling fees for any passenger with a doctor’s note documenting that they have H1N1 (but not seasonal flu or other illnesses)
- Virgin America, Continental and United – ongoing policies to waive change fees for customers who can provide documentation of illness from their doctor
- Southwest – no charge for changing or cancelling flights
How does illness impact your travel plans?
Dec 01
Damion RutherfordContests, Tips for Meeting Planners, Trade Shows ASAE & the Center, attendee interaction, meeting attendance
As conference attendees consider the events they will continue to attend, or are forced to justify attendance to their employers, the value of the conference must be high.
What better way to incorporate the needs and desires of your attendees than to value their feedback?
Karen Freeman, CMP with VSR Financial Services, Inc. says:
Incorporate feedback sheets for your conference as a way to gain insight on how your attendees feel. Collect them as they leave or ask them to fax or mail them to you. Put your address and fax number on the feedback sheet so they don’t have to hunt for the information later. Then read them and listen to what folks have to say.
The most important step is to incorporate some of the ideas into the next conference. When folks know you really listen they feel more like they are a part of the conference. And all meetings are created for the attendee…right?
I received an email yesterday about ASAE & the Center’s 2010 Annual Meeting & Expo. The message focused on the changes for 2010 based on attendee feedback, in a question answer type format. (First by identifying the problem followed by the solution.)
ASAE is utilizing attendee feedback to create a better experience for the attendee…and what better way to engage the audience than by taking their opinions to heart? An attendee whose input and ideas are implemented will be more likely to continue and increase involvement within the organization.
So let’s keep the feedback forms coming!
Karen Freeman’s advice won the November ConventionPlanit.com Stellar Tip Contest. If you have a meeting related tip to share, submit your thoughts for the December contest – and respond to this post, too!
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