Welcome to the ConventionSouth Blog. Here, ConventionSouth Managing Editor Marlane Bundock, posts weekly information, news, perspectives and insight on the meetings industry as well as the hospitality industry in the South. But don't just read what she has to say. Add a thread to give her your feedback. Post your opinion of her blog, share ideas with others, pose a question or just let her know what concerns you as a meeting pro. Your thoughts will help her resource more in-depth content for this website and each issue of ConventionSouth. Make sure you check back here each week for updated blogs. And, follow Marlane's ConventionSouth Twitter.com page at Twitter.com/ConventionSouth to get updated messages from the ConventionSouth Newsroom that can be sent directly to your e-mail or mobile device. Enjoy! | 06/18/2009 09:51 AM - Marlane's Blog | |
| Sick and tired of the "Troubled Times" news? While I know that it's important to report it, I am personally in need of some positive news. Luckily, this morning, I received a great press release in my inbox this morning that made me more optimistic about the current state of the meetings industry. The headline reads: Associations Adding Value to Meetings In Tough Economy And, my favorite part of the press release is: "The economic slowdown is bringing out more creativity and fresh thinking than ever (before)." ConventionSouth discussed this same topic in a January article on Association Meetings and I encourage you to visit our Archive section to read the full article. The entire press release, below, will hopefully cheer up your day too! WASHINGTON, DC, June 18, 2009 ? When times are tough, effective solutions to challenges are critical. Associations simply can't assume business as usual and expect to evolve to meet tomorrow's demands. The good news is that the economic slowdown is bringing out more creativity and fresh thinking than ever. Companies that provide outsource services to associations are proving their worth as organizations deal with reduced budgets and limited staff, yet at the same time are tasked with providing additional value to their members and attendees. "Even in this tough year, I am amazed at the creative solutions that associations have developed to improve their meetings and other programs," says IMN Solutions President & CEO Jack Sammis. "They are not just keeping the status quo ? they are actively adding value because they realize that now is the time to seize opportunities and build for the future." For over 27 years, IMN Solutions has provided advanced solutions to associations in meetings, marketing, communications, technology, environmental programs, and international development, and has partnered with a wide range of associations and other nonprofit organizations to help them achieve their goals. The company also provides overall management services, including membership, data and financial management, strategic planning, organizational restructuring, and alliances. Management companies that can boast high-volume purchasing power are uniquely positioned to respond quickly to economic and industry trends, such as declining meeting attendance and exhibitor participation, by helping to reduce financial risk to associations and in many cases, help promote growth. "The challenges associations are currently facing are providing a tremendous opportunity for companies to respond with a full range of service solutions that fit with the budgets many non-profits are forced to meet," Sammis explains. "The ability of our company, for example, to combine buying power of over $100 million along with innovative and affordable marketing and technology components has proven to be of great value to clients in these difficult economic conditions." For example, one IMN Solutions client, the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), recently determined that two leadership events that had declined in attendance included too many cross-over delegates and the events should be combined to maximize value to the members. Because of an efficient and flexible management structure, IMN Solutions responded quickly by helping PLANET combine the two smaller meetings into one large event, handling the contract negotiations and utilizing volume buying leverage to limit potential risk and liability to the association. In addition, PLANET is utilizing IMN Solutions' attendance marketing services to help build attendance at the association's annual meeting in October. By contrast, another of their clients, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), saw 68 percent growth at its 2009 WINDPOWER, drawing a record 24,000 attendees to the event, despite the economic downturn. To help manage this tremendous growth, AWEA relied on IMN Solutions' full-service housing solution along with an expanded onsite tradeshow management team supplied by IMN Solutions to produce a highly successful meeting in Chicago this Spring. "We're excited and optimistic about the future of our industry, of the outsource model and the role our company will continue to play in our clients' success," Sammis says. ?In fact, we are advising our clients to extend the booking cycle right now to take advantage of the buyers market that currently exists." ## | |
 |
 |
Subscribe to our email newsletter and stay up to date with news and events at ConventionSouth. Sign Up |
 |
Tell us what you think. |
 |
Destinations & Attractions Find out all about the local hot spots even the locals don't know about. Let's Go |
|
Was an event held at your site or destination creatively and professionally executed? If so, nominate the event and planner for inclusion in the December special awards and recognition issue.
GoIn the December 2010 issue of ConventionSouth, editors will include profiles of meeting planners whose creativity has been recognized by you. Nominate meeting planners for this recognition.
GoThe December 2010 issue of ConventionSouth will highlight some of the South's most creative and professional convention and visitors bureaus and meeting sites as selected by you.
GoThe December 2010 issue of ConventionSouth will highlight some of the South's top meeting sites that are newly opened and top sites that have recently renovated or expanded.
Go