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! | 07/06/2009 12:37 PM - Marlane's Blog | |
| I just took some time to watch the recording of the Convention Industry Council?s CMP Conclave event. The video, found on ConventionIndustry.org, shows the conclave's "State of Industry" panel discussion with PCMA's Deborah Sexton, IAEE's Steven Hacker, ASAE's Susan Robertson and Hilton's Larry Luteran, who also serves on MPI's board. While you should definitely take some time to watch the video yourself, I wanted to share with you some of the highlights that I found from of the panel discussion. Meetings Industry Orgs Continue To Collaborate: Sexton said the meetings industry organizations are working together now and have been since last fall because "the Hill" and the general public are not aware of the value of face-to-face meetings. She also said the collaboration of groups like PCMA and MPI will produce an economic impact study on the value of meetings to the global economy. The study will likely be completed in 2011. Consistent talking points about the value of face-to-face meetings are another goal of the collaboration, Sexton said. Re-Negotiation & Supplier/Planner Partnerships Are Key: Sexton also gave an overview of a recent PCMA meeting planner trends survey, which of the results showed that meeting pros are re-negotiating with suppliers on their contracts. "If we (planners and suppliers) can work together now (in terms of re-negotiation of signed contracts), then the results will mean future business," Sexton said. "It's not a time to take advantage of a difficult circumstance, particularly with our luxury product (high-end hotels), because that has been hurt pretty dramatically by the optics that are out there." On The Economy & Future Of Meetings: "I am concerned about 2010 (in terms of the economy)," Sexton said. "I do not think we have hit the bottom, but if we have, I don't think it's over. The optimistic side of me says, the more challenging times that come, the more creative we can become. But this industry is going to look different and I don't think it's going to bounce back right away, I think we are going to have to build it back. We believe that one needs to blend technology and face-to-face events together to be successful in delivering information." IAEE's Hacker also commented on the current recession. "This is not the worst recession. The difference is we did not have 24-hour news hammering away at our psyche. For many people this has eroded away their confidence and become an emotional illness." Let me know what you think about these and some of the other comments made by industry leaders at the CIC Conclave. | |
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