Although government guidelines for bailout companies have hurt the travel industry in many ways, the recent (June, 2009), bill S. 1023 holds promise that there will be help in the offing for the travel industry in general. This will eventually hit the meeting planner market. Here is how it will work.
The Act will contribute $425 million towards reducing the United States budget deficit over a decade’s time. It will increase jobs, stimulate the economy, and add to our tourism reputation. How much will it cost U.S. taxpayers? Zero.
S. 1023 will be paid for by a combination of contributions from private sources, plus a $10 charge for all foreign non-visa travelers to the U.S. Despite the challenges of an ongoing conflict between Republicans and Democrats, this bill has been popular in both camps. (more…)
Tags: Bailout, Conflict, Decade, Dollars Each Year, Foreign Travel, Government Guidelines, Meeting Planner, Meeting Planners, Partnerships, Private Sources, Promotion Act, Republicans And Democrats, Reputation, Taxpayers, Thousands Of New Jobs, Travel Industry, Travel Planners, Travel Promotion, United States Budget, United States Budget Deficit
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