Feb 17
Ashley ChalmersNews economy, Face to Face Meetings, Keep America Meeting, meeting industry
Meetings Mean Business, along with the Convention Industry Council and PwC US, has just released a study:
The Economic Significance of Meetings to the U.S. Economy
The study reveals that the meetings industry directly supports:
- 1.7 million jobs
- $263 billion in spending
- a $106 billion contribution to GDP
- $60 billion in labor revenue
- $14.3 billion in federal tax revenue
- $11.3 billion in state and local tax revenue
This is the first study ever to truly measure the economic impact of meetings to help the industry tell the story about the value of meetings to policymakers, the business community, and the public.
Katherine Markham, CHME, our Co-Founder and Principal, attended the press conference today on the study.
She says:
“The best thing about the study is that it shows how critical meetings are at a time when our recovery depends on steadily increasing business activity.
“Fortunately, we are seeing a steady recovery in the meetings industry. The fact that this study measured data for 2009 – one of the toughest years for the meetings industry – shows that meetings are an even greater force in the economy than most people realize. The data for 2010 and beyond are no doubt even stronger.
“As meeting professionals move into the future, they are also depending even more on technology to help them plan meetings, and that’s where ConventionPlanit.com helps them with our online search directory. By connecting meeting planners to hotels and meeting venues as rapidly as possible, we hope we are doing our part to help speed the recovery and book more meetings for the future.”
To learn more, read the full study. What do you think the survey means for our industry?
Sep 14
Ashley ChalmersTips for Meeting Planners, Trade Shows Face to Face Meetings, hsmai affordable meeting, technology, virtual meetings
A virtual meeting component can be incorporated into your next meeting…and doesn’t require a significant budget. It is a great way to enrich a successful face-to-face meeting by attracting a larger audience.
These tips will help you develop a strategy that will help you get started and evaluate the cost:
1. Strategy
- Include virtual aspects into everything: it should be an extension of your online presence.
- All departments on board: a successful virtual meeting component requires the support and participation of your entire staff to generate involvement and usage – especially the technical team, who will be invaluable in making usability seamless for attendees.
2. Design
- Be realistic: make sure the features you are offering are what your users want, and know how to use – ask them.
3. Marketing
- Use social media to create a strong buzz: promote the virtual component on Twitter, an event blog, Facebook, or even create YouTube video clips to highlight speakers.
- Start early: engage the community several months prior to the event by offering how-to video tutorials and previews, and promote the virtual meeting on all online and hard copy show materials.
4. Production
- Work out the logistics: will you have onsite video? Will all or some of the sessions need to be broadcast? The amount of production equipment desired will factor into the overall cost. Keep in mind that each session broadcasting video should have a staff member to monitor live question streams from virtual participants.
5. Facilitation
- Assign specific roles: notify staff members of expectations, and be specific about the activities they are required to handle.
6. Support
- Create a virtual help desk: must be open during hours of virtual conference. If the conference is international, a 24-hour help desk may be helpful.
7. Administration
- Be thorough: if face-to-face sessions are counted for continuing education, be sure to receive approval for the online versions.
The above information was adapted from a presentation by Lance Simon, VP of Business Development with iCohere, Inc. at HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings National.
Apr 06
Ashley ChalmersNews, Places to Stay economy, Face to Face Meetings, Five Star, meeting industry
Last week I read an interesting article by David Wilkening of TravelMole. I’ve including some of the key points of the article for those who would prefer not to subscribe.
The AIG effect, which caused many luxury hotels to be hit financially with millions of dollars in cancellations, seems to have released its hold on the industry.
Smith Travel Research predicts in 2010, top tier hotels will be the most successful. In fact, STR reports that the luxury sector has experienced an 8% growth over the past few months.
The article quotes Greg Champion, CEO of Benchmark Hospitality:
“Everyone talks about the AIG effect, but there are a lot of planners out there who say ‘If I can stay at a five-star for the same price as a three-or-four star, why wouldn’t I do that?”
In 2009, many of the planners using ConventionPlanit.com told us they could not consider luxury properties for their meetings. In the past few months, we’ve seen a renewed interest in higher-end properties.
These brands have also been offering meeting planners extra amenities, discounts, and meeting space at no charge to secure their business. (Check out the Divine Deal section of CP for current offerings).
While many meetings were cancelled or postponed last year, things seem to be looking up. The mantra for 2010 seems to be meetings will be held – with a solid value and purpose.
Have you experienced this trend in your own planning? Where are you holding your meetings and why?
Luxury hoteliers – has your meetings business increased? What do you attribute it to?
May 27
Ashley ChalmersMember News, News, Trade Shows Face to Face Meetings, imex, Maison de la France, meeting industry, overseas meetings
Maureen Pickell & Julio Rodriguez are having some great “face to face” time at IMEX in Frankfurt, Germany this week.
This year’s IMEX is the most successful to date with 3,500 exhibitors from 157 countries!
The ConventionPlanit.com Hosted Buyer Group was entertained royally by the Maison de la France at a very creative venue (the top floor of a parking garage!) with champagne, wine and regional cuisine from France.
Are you at IMEX? Regale us with your most interesting face to face!
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