E-Source Headlines

Study Funded To Show Economic Significance Of Meetings

ALEXANDRIA, Va.—An alliance of Convention Industry Council (CIC) members have announced the launch of a major study on the economic significance of the meetings and events industry.

The anticipated outcomes of the study will be to:
—Develop common data and language that all stakeholders can use when discussing meetings and events segment of the industry;
—Provide data that can be used at the local, state and regional and national level to articulate the economic driver that meetings and events represent; —Provide basis for ongoing benchmarking and trend analysis;
—Leverage data into broader discussion of value of face-to-face events;
—Using similar definitions, industrial codes and macro-economic data, extend the effort of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to track meeting and event activity thereby influencing UNWTO and other organizations.
The project is expected to take 12 months, said Deborah Sexton, current chair of the CIC Board.

New & Improved CMP Application Launches

ALEXANDRIA, Va.—The CMP board of directors has approved a new streamlined CMP (certified meeting professional) application, which has been modified to ensure relevancy to a broader global meeting professional while maintaining the high standards of the credential, said Kimberly Miles, CMP, senior vice president of industry relations for American Hotel and Lodging Association and current CMP board chair. “The CMP board is thrilled with the results of application revision,” she said. “We believe that the application should be an objective measure of relevant qualifications of a potential CMP, which then hopefully will lead to a successful outcome on the exam. The new application is straightforward and easier to complete.”

The revised application will focus on work experience and education and has eliminated some of the sections on industry involvement and the complicated points system. It also gives credit for the experience obtained by candidates who hold a degree in meeting or hospitality management, Miles said. Qualifications to apply still require three years of work experience in the industry. Candidates with a degree in meeting, event, exhibition and hospitality/tourism management can apply after two years of work experience. In addition, full-time instructors in a meeting/hospitality university program may also be eligible.

The second area of qualification will focus on completion of 25 hours of continuing education or an approved internship/apprenticeship in the industry. Once an applicant is deemed eligible, candidates will have two years to take and pass the examination.

CIC Launches “Face Time. It Matters.”

ALEXANDRIA, Va.—The Convention Industry Council (CIC) has launched “Face Time. It Matters.”—a grassroots industry campaign designed to promote the benefits of meeting face-to-face. The campaign was developed in response to one of the most challenging years ever faced by the meeting, convention and exhibition industries, said CIC leaders, and was based on the findings of a recent national survey of corporate and association meeting planners, plus in-depth personal interviews with the industry’s leading executives and focus groups with professional meeting planners. “This campaign along with U.S. Travel Association’s Meetings Mean Business campaign will drive home the message that face-to-face meetings drive business, build important relationships, provide a forum for innovation as well as stimulate local economies,” said Deborah Sexton, CIC chair and president/CEO of the Professional Convention Management Association, one of the organizations that funded the messaging research.

According to the research face-to-face meetings:
—Build trust and relationships;
—Education and training are more effective in a live setting;
—Live meetings actually save time and money;
—Live meetings result in a more effective exchange of ideas;
—Face-to-face meetings provide the human connection that powers business;
—Face-to-face meetings create jobs and powers the economy.

New Regulations For International Travelers To The U.S.

WASHINGTON-On Jan. 3, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued new security directives to all United States and international air carriers with inbound flights to the United States effective Jan. 4, 2010.

The new directive includes long-term, sustainable security measures developed in consultation with law enforcement officials and our domestic and international partners, TSA officials said in a statement.

“Because effective aviation security must begin beyond our borders, and as a result of extraordinary cooperation from our global aviation partners, TSA is mandating that every individual flying into the United States from anywhere in the world traveling from or through nations that are state sponsors of terrorism or other countries of interest will be required to go through enhanced screening. The directive also increases the use of enhanced screening technologies and mandates threat-based and random screening for passengers on U.S. bound international flights.”

Visit www.TSA.gov for more information.

ACTE Calls On Administration To Keep Travelers Safe

ALEXANDRIA, Va.-Following the relative ease with which an alleged terrorist boarded a commercial airliner carrying an explosive on Dec. 25th, 2009, the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) has urged the Obama administration and Federal Government agencies to work diplomatically with their global counterparts to ensure that the most effective security systems are in place. In addition, ACTE is calling for a complete review of how the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) manages and maintains No Fly/Watch lists. According to Richard Crum, ACTE president, the recent near success of an individual to bring down a commercial airliner raises serious questions regarding the effectiveness of screening programs especially the viability of “No Fly” lists—whose management is under the jurisdiction of DHS’s Transportation Security Administration. Until such reviews are conducted and corrective actions taken ACTE remains very concerned for the safety and security of all travelers worldwide.

“An admission by U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Secretary, Janet Napolitano that the current system did not work and that the No Fly/Watch lists need to be better linked and processes reviewed raises serious questions regarding the effectiveness of current protocols,” Crum said. “In the December 25th attempted attack, an international traveler who had already been placed on a watch list, and who bought his ticket with cash and boarded without luggage and with explosives, went unchallenged and was not subject to an interview nor tighter inspection. This individual was able to sidestep a number of red flags, any one of which should have kept him from boarding the aircraft.”

Crum also warned of the tendency to implement short-sighted security measures that are high on public visibility, but low on effectiveness in deterring illegal as well as terrorist activity. “We believe that safety is paramount however we were pleased to see the lifting of stop-gap security procedures that impede the flow of business travel and the productivity of millions of business travelers.”.

ASAE Helps Associations Take Their On-site Conferences To Members Online

WASHINGTON D.C.-A partner of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), CommPartners has recently launched its new hybrid conferencing technology to the association community.

A hybrid conference broadcasts live events to virtual audiences with the added benefit of allowing both audiences to interact and participate in the presentation via discussions, polls, surveys and question-and-answer sessions.

“Organizations’ face-to-face events have suffered declining attendance and revenue shortfalls. Offering a hybrid conference event allows association members who may not be able to travel to receive the same content as those attending in person, plus online attendees can interact with the speakers and on-site attendees,” said Dixie Arthur, president of ASAE Business Services. “Hybrid events allow organizations to earn revenue they would not have generated had the session not been made available to online attendees. Hybrid conferencing allows organizations to benefit financially, and members to benefit from content that may have been inaccessible.”

For more information about this service, visit www.asaecenter.org/HybridConferencing.

IMEX Launches New U.S. Show

LAS VEGAS-A brand new trade show for the U.S. meetings industry was announced in Las Vegas on Oct. 28 by Ray Bloom, chairman of the IMEX Group.

Bloom was joined by Bruce MacMillan, CEO of Meeting Professionals International (MPI), IMEX America's strategic partner and Chris Meyer, Vice President of Sales for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority in announcing the launch of IMEX America-America's worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events.

The new show will take place at the Sands Expo Convention Center at the Venetian/Palazzo from Oct. 11 - 13, 2011 and will benefit from a Strategic Partnership with MPI, as well as a broad coalition of industry support.  It will be run as part of the IMEX Group of exhibitions and, as such, will be characterized by an uncompromising focus on business, international hosted buyer programs and industry-wide collaboration.

IMEX America will benefit from the widespread support of the industry's biggest and most powerful associations. SITE (the association for incentive travel and motivational events) will hold their 2011 Annual Conference immediately following the first show from Oct. 13 - 15, while ICCA (International Congress  Convention Association), DMAI (Destination Marketing Association International), AIPC (International Association of Congress Centers) and ECM (European Cities Marketing) will all add their support through a number of marketing and educational initiatives. In addition, ASAE (American Society of Association Executives) will organize dedicated association-led education on the day before the show. Further industry partnerships will be announced in the coming months.

"IMEX America will deliver the largest-scale hosted buyer program in North America, where top meetings and incentive buyers from across the United States and the world will travel and stay free as our guests. For the inaugural show in 2011, we are forecasting 1,500 hosted buyers, of whom 80 percent will originate from within North America-the balance arriving from across the world. We will also conduct large-scale visitor marketing campaigns to attract several thousand more key decision-makers from across the country," Bloom said.

Hampton Grows Inventory In The Southeast

MCLEAN, Va.-Hampton Hotels announced the opening of 17 new properties during June 2009, aggregating 1,514 new rooms. This represents the largest month of openings thus far in 2009. The new openings include nine Hampton Inn hotels and eight Hampton Inn and Suites properties. All openings are franchised, newly constructed hotels. "The number of hotel openings we experienced in June is further proof of the Hampton brand's strength, both for franchisees and travelers," said Phil Cordell, global head, Hilton Focused Service and Hampton Brand Management.

Hampton hotels that opened include Hampton Inn Hotels in Alpine, Texas; Kingsland, Ga.; Greenville, N.C.; Ringgold/Ft. Ogelthorpe, Ga.; and Hampton Inn and Suites Hotels in Palestine, Texas; Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; and Pine Bluff, Ark.

Hampton Hotels also opened 14 properties during March, aggregating 1,224 new rooms. They include a Hampton Inn in Murrells Inlet, S.C.; and Hampton Inn and Suites in Millington, Tenn.; Brunswick, Ga.; Oklahoma City - South; Childress, Texas; Charlotte - Airport, N.C.; Panama City Beach, Fla.; Smithfield, Va.; and Buffalo, Texas.

Egencia Introduces Single-Source Meetings Management Solution

BELLEVUE, Wash-Egencia Meetings and Incentives, the meetings and incentives management division of Egencia, has introduced the first fully integrated global solution for meetings policy and reporting. The solution combines online registration, attendee management, travel booking and reporting with Egencia's team of meetings professionals, making it the first single-source meetings solution in the industry. "Meetings consolidation is an important strategy in managing overall travel spend," said Pam Keenan Fritz, senior vice president. "Companies are looking for additional insight and control while maintaining a premium attendee experience. Egencia Meetings and Incentives brings together our highly-experienced meeting managers with market-leading technology in a single solution, helping our clients to spend smarter and deliver maximum business results."

Reward Worldwide, a meetings and incentives agency, will be rebranded as Egencia Meetings and Incentives. Utilizing Reward Worldwide's expertise in premier incentive programs, Egencia is now able to deliver customized, creative meetings management that also improves and rewards performance. Reward Worldwide was acquired by Egencia in June 2008 in conjunction with the company's acquisition of Synergi Global Travel Management, a leading Canadian corporate travel management company.

New AH&LA Chair Looks Forward To Teamwork In 2010

NEW YORK CITY-During his inaugural speech last night at New York's Waldorf Astoria hotel, American Hotel and Lodging Association (AH&LA) incoming chair David Kong, president/CEO of Best Western International, told an audience of industry leaders that his priorities lie in using the collective power of the industry players to emerge stronger and better in 2010. The evening was also the kick-off to a year-long celebration of AH&LA's centennial (1910-2010).

Kong noted that before the association was founded in 1910, it was every man for himself. At the first meeting of the American Protective Association, a group of 60 maverick hoteliers met because they saw the need to collaborate. "With so many specialized organizations having formed since then, we need to find a way to harness our power, to be better aligned, coordinated, and integrated for the voice of the industry to be heard in Washington. There are many important battles ahead of us at the local and national level, and we need to synergize and find ways to work together more effectively to protect our industry," Kong said.

"As we get ready to launch into 2010, I feel energized by the opportunities ahead for the hotel industry," he said. "For the past 100 years we have weathered world wars, depressions and many recessions, but we always emerge better and stronger and it will be this way again. What a tremendous milepost it is to reach 100 years. A lot has changed since 1910, but the essence of our business has not."

Hilton Worldwide Launches iPhone Applications

BETHESDA, Md.-Hilton Worldwide officials recently announced that it is launching the "most comprehensive" iPhone and iTouch applications in the lodging industry. The company unveiled the new applications across seven hotel brands, including its Conrad, Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites, and Hampton Inn brands in the United States.

The new applications have features that are a first for the hotel industry, including a "Request Upon Arrival" service that enables a traveler to place an order for room service and have a meal in the guestroom upon arrival at the Hilton, Doubletree and Embassy Suites brands. The new applications also offer "e-check in," a feature that provides remote check-in up to 48 hours in advance.

"Our new iPhone and iTouch applications are like having a hotel concierge in your pocket 24 hours-a-day seven days-a-week," said Paul Brown, president of global brands and commercial services for Hilton Worldwide. "We are constantly working to anticipate our guests' needs and this is a great way for us to make the entire hotel experience more convenient."

The Hilton and Doubletree brand's iPhone and iTouch applications will be available first, and the other brands launching applications during November and December 2009.

Sheraton Hotels & Resorts Introduces New Website

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.-Sheraton Hotels and Resorts recently announced the launch of the new Sheraton.com, the first hotel industry website to feature Facebook Connect and allow visitors to interact with their friends and family by sharing their travel experiences through today's most popular social networking site.

In 2006, Sheraton.com became the first hotel industry website to embrace social media by featuring user generated content. Today, the brand continues to enhance the social media experience for guests by tapping into new social networking channels and enabling a two-way dialogue through the unique global travel community on Sheraton.com, said Hoyt H. Harper, senior vice president for Sheraton.

The new site enables Facebook members to interact through Sheraton.com over travel experiences by sharing stories, tips and photos about their best travel finds, destination favorites and passion for travel. Users can visit Sheraton.com and now post their stories by logging into their Facebook account via Facebook Connect. Once a story is approved and posted to the site, Facebook Connect enables sheraton.com users to tag their Facebook friends in their story, inviting them to jump into the conversation as well as share their travel experiences with all of their Facebook friends.

EMCVenues Announces Complimentary Webinars

BRIELLE, N.J.-EMCVenues, a global meetings resource company, recently announced a lineup of complimentary fall webinars for meeting planners. EMCVenues invites planners to sign up for one, two or multiple webinars throughout the balance of 2009 at www.emcvenues.com. EMCVenues will announce their winter 2010 webinar schedule the end of December.

EMCVenues Webinar Topics for October - December 2009

October 22

CMP and Other Certifications: WhatÍs in it for ME?

Led by Bonnie Wallsh, CMP, CMM, Bonnie Wallsh Associates, LLC

November 5

60++ Ways to Save on Food and Beverage

Led by Janet Pickover, Site Selections, Plus

November 12

Meeting Planning 201: An Intermediate Level

Led by Michele Joseph, Master Connections Associates

November 19

Effective RFP Writing and Top Concessions

Led by Nancy Crook, EMCVenues, and Sherry Awbrey, EMCVenues

December 10

Five Minute Networking Ideas that You Can Incorporate Into Your Meeting Agenda Led by Larry Lipman, Teambuilder

December 17

Time to Update Your Meeting Addendum

Led by Nancy Crook and Sherry Awbrey, EMCVenues

 

Association Execs Explore Association & Nonprofit Management Alliances

Washington-Following several successful study mission trips to cities around the world, ASAE (American Society of Association Executives) and The Center for Association Leadership is planning a first trip to South America. In partnership with MCI, association executives will visit Buenos Aires, Argentina and Sao Paulo, Brazil, with an optional weekend in Rio de Janeiro, April 24-May 2, 2010, to explore potential markets and establish contacts with local association and nonprofit executives.

Recently, Latin America has seen very strong economic growth and Brazil, one of the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) and G20 countries, continues to be the motor of regional growth, thanks to its large population, proactive government and vast reserves of natural resources. Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo are further strengthening their position as regional centers where multinational organizations, NGOs and associations set up their base to service their stakeholders in the region.

"Latin America promises a great deal of potential for the association and nonprofit sector and we are very excited about this study mission trip," said ASAE & The Center President/CEO John H. Graham IV, CAE. "After trips to Asia and the Middle East, we're headed to South America and I think many association and nonprofit professionals will find it an attractive destination. Both Argentina and Brazil have a promising future as leading economic powers with potential benefits for our sector."

Alliance For CME Conference Focuses On New Challenges

Birmingham, Ala.-The Alliance For Continuing Medical Education (Alliance) will host its 35h Annual Conference in New Orleans on Jan. 27-30, 2010.

The theme of this year's conference is "Establishing CME as a Pathway to Better Patient Care." The three-day event is recognized as the largest gathering of CME professionals in the world, providing a forum for the discussion and debate of timely and relevant issues in the evolving medical education environment.

The Alliance's conference will be dedicated to providing competency-based curriculum, along with innovative as well as practical tools and practices for individuals developing CME programming.

"The CME enterprise is facing new challenges and increased demand for heightened educational excellence and greater transparency in programming," said Dr. Jann Balmer, President of the Alliance for CME. "At the conference, the Alliance will reinforce the importance of building bridges with a variety of healthcare partners engaged in healthcare improvement, as this yearÍs program sets the stage for helping form a new generation of medical educators dedicated to better patient care through CME."

MPI Opens Global Training Centers

DALLAS-Meeting Professionals International (MPI) recently announced the opening of three Global Training Centers for Meetings and Business Events as part of extending the delivery of the MPI Global Knowledge Plan. San Diego State University, France's CERAM Business School, and QMDI in Qatar are the first of an anticipated fourteen training centers scheduled to be activated over the next two years.

MPI will collaborate with the faculty and professional education community at all three schools to deliver a broad range of educational content pertinent to the meetings and events industry. "MPI recognized a need for a standardized body of knowledge that will enable meeting and event professionals to obtain globally transferable skills and competencies. Along with this development, we witnessed an increased interest in globally transferable and recognized certificate and certification programs and designations," said Didier Scaillet, MPI chief development officer.

Meeting Strategies Worldwide Shares Lessons Learned In Event Certification

PORTLAND, Ore.-Want to certify your event or company for sustainability? Meeting Strategies Worldwide, who recently helped to facilitate BS 8901:2007 certification for the U.S. Green Building Council, has released some advice and lessons to assist you in obtaining the BS 8901 certification, the first certifiable sustainability management system standard for the events industry.

-Know your goal. If you are looking to validate your checklist of best practices or recycling achievements tread cautiously. You may, however, be ready to expand your event management system using a BS 8901 approach.

-Be prepared. BS 8901 provides a management framework that considers not only green guidelines, but all of your event management systems, including your vision, values, goals and business/event plan objectives-including the social, environment and economic aspects, as well as 'green' issues.

-Integration is key. Many event managers today are including green as an 'add-on' option. BS 8901 considers and evaluates how well your event management practices integrate sustainability as a fundamental concept. Before you pursue BS 8901 certification you may want to consider how well sustainability is integrated throughout your meeting company.

-Consider scope. Events and organizations can be certified BS 8901 complaint. It is critically important to be clear on the scope of your sustainable event management system when implementing or certifying BS 8901. Do you want to certify one event? Do you want to certify your staff and how they manage all of your events?

-Know the value. BS 8901 can provide value in terms of improved event management systems, expansion of existing systems to include sustainability considerations, external validation of practices and promoting continuous improvement. You need to consider what-if any of these-have value to you.

-The main lesson. Know what you are getting into before you decide to certify. BS 8901 presents a roadmap for event sustainability. Like any map know where you want to go and how far you want to travel on the journey.