Shifts in the Meeting Industry ~ Are You Prepared!

In the ever evolving meeting world, you always have to stay abreast of the latest and greatest in order to give your clients the best options for memorable and cost effective events. During the recession, meeting planners had to cope with limited resources and demanding stakeholder expectations.

I will explore the shifts in the industry and how we as event and project managers can still to create memorable events for our clients and their stakeholders!

So with that said the question of the day is: What are the shifts in the meeting industry?

Planners and project managers are facing tighter budgets, having to navigate the social media world and become more savvy and efficient in social media, and overall a tougher job for the planner as a whole in getting stakeholder buy in. Here are three items that will be critical to the industry as a whole.

Budgets

Even though there has been some substantial growth in some sectors, budgets will continue to stay tight in 2013, due to these restrictions planners will have to become more knowledgeable and efficient in Strategic Meetings Management Program (SMMP) development and implementation, having procurement department engagement in the meeting planning process (this can be a good overall; as we educate these departments the relationships can be less volatile and more proactive and productive.), shorter lead times, continued emphasis on cutting costs, possibly more local/regional meetings, unique venues.

Social Media Development

Social Media is here to stay, so it’s best to get onboard and provide your client which the best, not just promote their events/meetings, but also to engage participants before, during, and after an event.

Hotel & Airfare

Hotel and air rates are rising and they do not look like the y are slowing up, and we can expect both to find new and creative things to charge a fee for. Planners will have to work harder than ever to provide compelling reasons to pay increasing costs to attend. Hopefully leading to cutting edge and unique meetings and events that will compel the stakeholder to invest in the event and continue to attend for years to come.


This is the time to show; what we are made of! We have the skill, drive and the resources to do what we do best; PLAN! Remember no one ever plans to fail, but the fail to plan. You want to network and gain knowledge in the areas you may be struggling in then, AIBTM Chicago being held June 11-13 is for you to connect with many of the DMC’s and international suppliers to take you meetings and events to the next level. Visit their Website at www.aibtm.com for more details.


For additional tips and trends on creating impactful and profitable events, please connect with Ellegant Affairs by Juanita online on twitter @EllegantAffairs, LinkedIn, Facebook, and of course on I-Meet.

Blog post sponsored in part by:

*AIBTM Chicago - June 11-13, 2013*

Join i-Meet at AIBTM as a Hosted Buyer in Chicago (June 11-13). Start your application today: http://www.i-meet.info/aibtm

Get your passports ready!

The business travel, meetings and events industry continues to evolve, and 2013 will likely reflect some significant shifts that will influence where, when and how we meet in the future.

Even though the economy has been sluggish for the industry 2013 looks promising.  Overall spending on business trips is predicted to grow 5.1% in 2013 and Group travel also on increase by as much as 6%, as more will be attending conventions and industry events.

So where are the up and coming locations for business events?  London, Shanghai and the Riviera Maya (Mexico) are likely to be top destinations for business meetings in their regions, according to the 2013 Global Meetings Forecast by American Express Meetings & Events. London should gain greater longer-term visibility by leveraging its Olympics legacy status to attract other major events and programs, starting this fall when Olympic Park will become available for private events. Other destinations that made the list include Las Vegas, Barcelona, Singapore and San Juan (Puerto Rico). Barcelona’s moderate winter climate and dedication to hospitality will always attract business travelers. And Singapore consistently appears as one of the top cities for international meetings, having a reputation for a high concentration of business and leisure activities. Other destinations on Business Travel Destinations’ watch list include (but are not limited to) Berlin, Madrid, Mexico City, New York City and Thailand.

Destination management companies (DMC) have grown from the ranks of ground transportation into their reputations today for serving as destination event experts, known for their ability to create unique experiences at unique venues. With the volume of destination information today, many meeting planners expect this, but are also requiring greater involvement from the DMCs they hire.

Business meetings and events will contribute to the growth of travel industry jobs.
Travel and tourism is one of the world’s largest industries, supporting 255 million jobs and generating 9% of the world’s GDP, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Travel will to continue to expand annually between now and 2021.

Business travelers and meeting professionals will play a key role in that growth. In doing so the industry will gain greater recognition for its favorable economic impact on local communities and countries around the world.

AIBTM Chicago being held June 11-13 is for you to connect with many of the DMC’s and international suppliers to take you meetings and events to the next level. Visit their Website at www.aibtm.com for more details.

Join me next month as we discuss ~ What are the shifts in the Meetings Industry!

For additional tips and trends on creating impactful and profitable events, please connect with Ellegant Affairs by Juanita online on twitter @EllegantAffairs,  LinkedIn, Facebook, and of course on I-Meet.

Blog post sponsored in part by:

*AIBTM Chicago - June 11-13, 2013*

Join i-Meet at AIBTM as a Hosted Buyer in Chicago (June 11-13). Start your application today: http://www.i-meet.info/aibtm

Holiday Party Planning Tips

It's that time of year again…the holidays…Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.

Planning your own party can be stressful. You want your party to be the best and you want all of your guests to have a great time and talk about your party for months to come.

How do you plan a great party?  We've listed a few useful tips to help you plan the best holiday party ever.

1. Start You Planning Now!

Give yourself plenty of time to plan and organize. You need time to research (vendors, venues, etc.) It’s important when planning your party to start the planning process early so you can book the vendors you want when you need them.

2. Visualize your party

What do you want your party to look like? Is it formal or informal? What's the décor?

3. Prepare a Budget

Take what you've visualized and begin to create a realistic plan. Your budget may not allow you to have everything so you may have to prioritize. Make a list of what you feel you absolutely have to have for your party, then based your budget eliminate those things you can do without.

4. Hire an Event Planner

If your budget allows enlist the help of a party planner. Planners can help you with all those tiresome little details that are so easy to overlook. Planners can help you find reputable vendors, great venues, help you establish and maintain your budget and help you get the most for your money.

5. Send Your Invitations

Once you've finalized your guest list get your invitations out ASAP. You need to give your guests ample time to RSVP so you can get an accurate guest count. Providing accurate head counts to your vendors is vital to help you stay within your budget.

6. Create an Event Timeline

When does the caterer arrive? What time do you want the band to begin playing? What time do those extra tables and chairs arrive so they'll be set up when the guests arrive?

These are just a few guidelines on how you can start your holiday planning process.

Remember to have some fun with the planning process, after all it is a party you're planning and parties are supposed to be fun!

So best of luck and happy holiday party planning

Meeting Planners Tip Sheet: Steps To Successful Site Selection

Here’s the fourth in a series of five quick tip sheets for meeting and event professionals regarding food and beverage, site selections and handling professional speakers. It’s also a great resource sheet for those who must handle meeting logistics for their organization’s meetings and need some insight.


While a journey is a road, not a destination, most meetings are about the destination not the road. Choosing the right destination is critical to a meetings’ success.

Effective event and meeting professionals focus on two key factors in the site selection process:
·   Foretelling an organization’s meeting and/or event requirements
·   Evaluating a potential site’s ability to meet those requirements

The needs of an event must be identified first and then aligned with sites that can properly accommodate them. Here are several steps to a successful site selection.

1.   Identify the meeting objectives

What is the purpose of the meeting or event? Is it to deliver education? To discuss business? To provide an exhibition of products and services? To network? Most meetings serve several purposes.

2.   Gather historical data.

Collect past records of this meeting including attendance, amount of meeting and exhibit space used, financials, food and beverage requirements, room block pick-up and schedules. A review and comparison of the past three years of history serves best. If it is a first-time meeting, assemble historical data from similar meetings you conduct. Customer surveys may serve you better than historical data.

3.   Establish the physical requirements

The meeting format and objectives will dictate most of the physical requirements.

4.   Date of meeting

What are the preferred dates for the meeting? Are those dates flexible? What is the preferred day pattern? What ethnic, federal, religious and state holidays should be avoided? What other conferences or meeting dates should be avoided? Are there any seasonal or peak times that should be avoided?

5.   Attendance

What is anticipated attendance? What internal or external factors could impact attendance?

6.   Sleeping Rooms

What is the total number of sleeping rooms needed? What is the typical arrival and departure pattern? What is the number of sleeping rooms for the peak night? Do you need double beds or any special accommodations like suites? How will reservations be made with the hotel(s)? What has been the average room rate? Are room rates commissioned to a group or third party? Are rebates or housing fees included in the rate?

7.   Meeting space

What is the total square footage of meeting space needed for your event? How many meeting rooms are required on a daily basis? How many are needed simultaneously on a daily basis? Are additional meeting rooms needed for breakout groups? How are the rooms traditionally set up? What are the AV requirements? Do you need a minimum ceiling height to accommodate AV? Do you need time for set-up or tear down? Does the meeting space need Internet access or Wi-Fi? Do the rooms need to be in close proximity to each other?

a.    Food and beverage events

·      How many food and beverage events are held? What types: breaks, breakfasts, lunch, dinner, receptions? What is the estimated attendance at each? What price range do you have for each food and beverage event?

b.    Exhibits

·      Will the meeting have a tradeshow? What is the square footage required for the exhibit hall? Do you need column free space? How close are the loading docks? What utilities do your exhibitors require? Are the facility’s workers union employees? How much time do you need for set-up or tear down?

c.    Registration and Offices

·      What is the square footage needed for registration? Is the designated area in a high-traffic space or away from the general public? Do you need nearby office space? Are adequate utilities available? What additional services such as local entertainment option, restaurant reservations, tours, etc., are needed in the registration area? Do you need this space early for set-up?

d.   Special needs

·      What special needs does the meeting have such as people with disabilities? Are there any potential language barriers? Does the facility have ample space for loading and unloading buses? 

8.  Select a destination city and facility type

Many organizations establish a rotational pattern for future meeting sites, moving from one region to another. Consider travel convenience and cost for the maximum number of potential attendees. Then investigate major airline availability, total number of seats, etc. Once a general area is identified, determine the type of facility: airport hotel, conference center, convention center, downtown, resort or suburban?

a.   Prepare a meeting request for proposal (RFP)

·      There are numerous options to release RFPs to CVBs, hotel chains and multiple sites. Hotels are most aggressive when they know that they are one of a handful of hotels being considered.

b.   Review and evaluate sites

·      Site inspections are invaluable to judge the appropriateness and condition of the property. For larger programs, CVB’s and hotels may be willing to pick up your air after confirmation. Online features allow for virtual site inspections as well.

c.     Select site

·      Site Selection Success

Each of these steps plays a key role in selecting a meeting site. How well the meetings needs are aligned with the facility will determine the success of the meeting.

Meeting Planners Tip Sheet: Site Selection – “What Your Attendees Want”

Here’s the third in a series of five quick tip sheets for meeting and event professionals regarding food and beverage, site selections and handling professional speakers. It’s also a great resource sheet for those who must handle meeting logistics for their organization’s meetings and need some insight.

Location, Location, Location.  Three of the most important words in a meeting and event professional’s repertoire.

The selection of a city and venue is a very critical factor in the success of any meeting or event. Choose the wrong city and your potential attendees may not register. Choose the wrong venue location (airport, downtown, resort or suburb) and your attendees will complain that it doesn’t meet their needs and you will never hear the end of it. Also choosing the wrong venue can give you major challenges with logistics, service and possibly perceptions.

Through the eyes of your Attendee’s

Ultimately, the meeting or event you’re planning is for and about the attendee. Choosing a location that delivers a lot of value to them is crucial.

Usually,  meeting and event professionals choose a city and venue that meets the logistical needs and delivers a great deal. However, If you don’t focus on what the attendees want and need first, you are likely to choose a site that can derail the meeting before it’s ever started.

Five Things that Drive Attendee’s

 

1.  Attractiveness of Location

Is it a city that your attendees want to visit? How attractive is that city to your regular attendees? Would it attract a new audience or larger group of your regular customers?

2.  Affordability

How affordable is it to travel to your location? What is the proposed hotel rate? Many business employees have a budget to attend one conference a year. And the amount they can spend is typically decided before you announce your fees and hotel rates. Keeping the cost as economical as possible without decreasing any value is important.

3.   Accessibility

How accessible is your venue and city? If most of your attendees fly to your event, is it a major airlines hub? What are the total number of daily seats into the airport? Is it easy and affordable to travel to that destination? What is the commute time and cost from the airport to the hotel? If the majority of your attendees drive to the event, is your site within a two- or three-hour radius of a large density of your customers? Is there ample and affordable parking once they get there?

 

4.  Entertainment Options

Is the venue near a major entertainment district? Is it within walking distance of restaurants, retail and nightlife? Is golf nearby?

5.   Networking Friendly

Does the meeting facility or hotel offer welcoming areas that help stimulate networking? Are there seating areas or outlets that are good for meet-ups or collaboration? Is there WiFi in those public areas?

Meeting Success Dependent Upon These Drivers

If the conference is in a city that is not attractive, affordable, easily accessible, near entertainment and stimulates networking, the potential registrant will look for a different option at another event.

Remember, a potential attendee’s interest in visiting an area can contribute to significant increase in attendance and revenue.

What are some questions meeting and event professionals should ask when considering attendee’s interests and expectations for site selection?