Meeting Planners Say 2012 Will Be “Great Year”

Every expert under the sun is saying that the meetings industry is rebounding, but what are meeting planners themselves saying? Well, your peers and colleagues are also optimistic and predicting good news for the year ahead. Here’s what meeting planners from across the country (who were recently honored with a ConventionSouth Meeting Planners to Watch in 2012 award) had this to say about the upcoming months:

“I expect to continue to see a slow & steady rise in rates, budgets & attendance. Our conference calendar for 2012 was rearranged & a conference for seasoned advisors was added, while our education conference was moved to a time of year that hotel rates were more economical & thus, feasible for more advisors to attend. The tech advances will be exciting to see with the continued popularity of phone apps, QR codes, social media & moving into paper-free environments.”
—Sarah Jean LaMar, CMP, INVEST Financial Corporation

“I’m hoping that meetings in 2012 exceed industry projections. By working together, let’s make 2012 a win/win year for suppliers & planners!”
—Anita L. Scott, CMP, Association of State & Provincial Psychology Boards

“Suppliers are still willing to negotiate for 2012. I believe that short-term planning will be more prevalent & that we’ll see more hybrid (face-to-face with videoconferencing) meetings. Budgets will continue to be scrutinized & I don’t see a return to the ‘good old days’ when just about anything was accepted & expected.”
—Kathleen Zwart, CMP, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida

“We have been fortunate that attendance at our meetings and events has not been hurt by the slowed economy of recent years. We project it will remain good—if not better—in 2012.”
—Lynne K. Tiras, CMP, International Meeting Managers Inc.

“I expect 2012 to be a growth year for our industry. I still see short-term bookings—unfortunately—but I also see larger total dollars spent on these short-term bookings.”
—Cindy Y. Lo, Red Velvet Events Inc.

“I see attendance, rates & budgets slightly up in 2012. It’s time to get creative & if attendance slips, make up for it in other ways, so the venue is able to receive their anticipated revenue. You are your reputation & that is the bottom line.”
—Laurie Kemp, CMP, CMM, AMS Meetings & Events

“I think we’ll see supplier rates remain steady as everyone watches to see what happens with the economy & Presidential elections.”
—Melissa L Sadler, The Color Bearers, Civil War Trust

“It will take some time, but, I do forsee it becoming more or a sellers’ market.”
—Kristen Curnyn, CMP, Eventive Minds

“I think the industry is moving forward. As long as we provide attendees viable reasons to attend our meetings, attendance will climb.”
—Tracy Stuckrath, CSEP, CMM, CHC, Thrive! Meetings & Events

“Clients are continuing with their meetings &maintaining or increasing their budgets. We are still seeing good hotel offers for 2012 & beyond, encouraging clients to book for future years. Suppliers are still pricing competitively, not wanting to risk relationships or an account that is difficult to replace.”
—Lisa E. Burton, CMP, Meeting Expectations

“I expect that the meetings industry is headed toward a recovery & I expect that attendance will also improve as people still realize the important value of meetings.”
—Matthew Marcial, CMP, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists