23 Jun 10 Meeting Planners Are in High Demand
With the economy not being in the best of shapes, many people are looking for new jobs that are less disposable and/or difficult to outsource. Meeting planners are actually both. The two primary reasons for this are fairly simple: humans have a basic need to meet over business issues, and competition for lucrative business options continues to increase year after year regardless of the economic situation.
The best reason is arguably the fact that humans have a basic ability to measure honesty, intent, and integrity. That ability can only be used in person, and no technology has come up with a workaround for this. Even the latest video conferencing technology is simply no substitute for an in-person meeting. For this reason alone, meeting planners will always have a job in modern business culture until technology can manage pull off a modern-miracle.
As business continues to become increasingly competitive, meetings become increasingly important. This means more competitive meetings that do not skimp on the polish and niceties, and that in turn means that meeting planners will not only continue to be essential but also a valued part of the company. Since few companies can cut off their noses despite their faces, it would seem that meeting planners are likely to stick around and be valued parts of companies for the foreseeable future.
Tags: Business Culture, Business Issues, Business Options, Economic Situation, Economy, Faces, Foreseeable Future, Honesty, Integrity, Job, Lucrative Business, Many People, Meeting Planners, Miracle, New Jobs, Niceties, Noses, Shapes, Video Conferencing Technology, Workaround
17 May 10 Increase Productivity with an Incentive Cruise Event!
In this day and time when the economy is uncertain and resources are scarce, event planning can be difficult. However, it is important for organizations and corporations to offer their employees some incentive to motivate them and encourage them to continue to increase their productivity levels. An incentive cruise is a great way to do just that. An incentive cruise rewards top-notch employees and provides organizations with the opportunity to further increase their productivity and profitability. An incentive cruise is not just about fun-in-the-sun, but it is also about personal and professional growth.
While incentive cruises do provide employees with the chance to visit exotic destinations and enjoy various types of entertainment, cruise meetings are also an important component. Meetings at sea are an excellent way to encourage new ideas and fresh ways of thinking. Outside of the office and away from the pressures of the daily grind, employees may find the space to be more creative and think more clearly. Meetings at sea are low pressure as everything the organization needs will be provided. Meetings at sea may also cost less than traditional land meetings usually held in big cities at expensive locations. When event planning, organizations should seriously consider cruise meetings.
Tags: Corporations, Economy, Event Planning, Exotic Destinations, Fun In The Sun, Incentive Cruise, Incentive Cruises, Increase Productivity, Notch Employees, Opportunity, Productivity Levels, Professional Growth, Profitability, Top Notch
12 Mar 10 And the Survey Says…
Did you know that 90% of meeting planners polled state that their budgets are smaller due to the over-all economic slump? What’s more, over one third of planners predict they will book fewer meetings due to public opinion. In 2009, the PCMA/AMEX/Ypartnership sent surveys to professional meeting planners in order to gauge the effect of economic conditions and media feedback on meeting planning in 2010. The survey covered a number of topics including:
• How many meetings were hosted in 2009? How many are planned for 2010?
• Geographically speaking, where are meetings held?
• How much impact does the economic downturn have on meetings planned for the future?
• Does the media have an impact on how and if meetings are scheduled?
The outcome of this survey will not surprise most meeting planners. The economic crunch has and will continue to affect the number and type of meetings scheduled for the upcoming year. Negative media attention is a factor in the decrease of meetings. Bad press has the biggest negative impact on the largest meetings. Luxury and upscale accommodations are things of the past, at least for the moment.
Meeting planners as a group must point out that face to face meetings are an important part of industry interaction and curtailing these activities has a negative effect on companies. Reinstating corporate and government meeting can have a positive impact on U.S. economy and on personnel morale.
Tags: Amex, Budgets, Economic Conditions, Economic Crunch, Economic Downturn, Economic Slump, Economy, Face Meetings, Face To Face, Industry Interaction, Many Meetings, Media Attention, Media Feedback, Meeting Planners, Meeting Planning, Negative Impact, Pcma, Public Opinion, State Budgets, Upscale Accommodations, Ypartnership
07 Jul 09 In Support of Meetings
It may sound like a self-interest broken record, but meetings are good for the economy despite what many may think. The next time someone maligns your line of work as a meeting planner and tells you meetings are a waste of taxpayer’s money (in the case of bailout companies), here are some arguments in your favor.
“I’m helping local communities.”
When a meeting comes to town, money is spent. It may not be evident right away, but there is more changing hands than the money you as a planner dole out for meeting space, hotels, and details. The participants will visit local restaurants, they will shop, they buy souvenirs, they leave tips, they go on short expeditions within the town–all this an more contributes to the local economy. (more…)
Tags: Bailout, Changing Hands, Ears, Economy, Event Planner, Expeditions, Government Efforts, Government Guidelines, Helping The Environment, Local Restaurants, Lots Of Money, Meeting Planner, Meeting Time, No Doubt, Participants, Planners, Public Image, Real Estate, Self Interest, Souvenirs
29 Jun 09 Where to Turn in a Bad Economy
You may have some great ideas on how to save money on food, beverages, equipment, materials, and other items needed for a successful meeting. But what about the venue? Resorts and hotels are now outside the means of some companies and businesses. Where should you turn for these in a bad economy?
The answer may be easier than you think–the convention center. Not only are these facilities improving their technological infrastructures, remodeling older environments, and adding services, but they are also positioning themselves to be the answer to high-profile properties. (more…)
Tags: Economy, Environments, Equipment Materials, Flexibility, Food Beverages, Food Equipment, Hotel Resort, Hotels, How To Save Money, How To Save Money On Food, Ideal, Marketing Companies, New Technology, Positioning, Profile Properties, Proper Technology, Public Images, Remodeling, Reputation, Technological Infrastructures, Top Notch
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