Meeting Trends for 2010
1. 2010 Brings Strong Pacing for 2011:
With the planning of corporate meetings in high demand, the planner-provider relationships are becoming increasingly more important. These strong relationships are providing planners with a steady advanced-booking pace for 2011.
2. Bookings within the Month:
Many planners are unwilling to commit far in advance and risk cancellation and/or other penalties, and they are booking meetings within a window of 30-45 days.
3. Extreme Price Sensitivity with Hotels:
Since the severe business climate in 2009, hotels have acknowledged the merits of aggressive pricing. Conference centers and hotels that have maintained service levels and strong customer relationships emerge stronger in 2010-2011.
4. Meetings are Small & Shorter:
Meetings are considerably smaller than years past, in some cases by 50%. The trend for 2010 meetings tend to have more serious content implemented, more regional attendees rather than national ones, and at least one day has been cut to reduce the money spent.
5. Being ‘Green’ is Assumed:
Although being ‘green’ is not yet universally required, corporate groups and meeting providers are generally expected to have facilities and services that practice ‘green’ methods.
6. No Frills!:
Corporate and business meetings are including more elements within their meetings, such as team building exercises and/or trainings. There is not enough time or money to be spent on all of these activities at separate times.
7. Bells & Whistles for Technology Isn’t Necessary:
Planners are not interested in the most advanced or cutting edge technology for their meetings. They are however, interested in if their supplier can provide maximum connectivity to support online content and applications.
8. Price Negotiations:
Planners are looking for the ’silver lining,’ in deals. Meeting centers and hotels are now providing package deals that show their customers the true value of the service they are receiving. If planners know that a facility can give them a bang for their buck, they will be more inclined to book with that specific facility.
9. Healthy Choices for Food & Drink:
The old-fashioned, healthy & protein rich diet is the best at meetings, because it keeps the attendees more attentive & allows them to have higher energy levels.
10. Social Media in the Meeting Industry:
Facebook and Twitter are becoming popular within the meeting industry, connecting with past and current customers. Although Facebook and Twitter are the most popular, LinkedIn and TripAdvisor and growing in importance to planners. These later two sites enable planners to review customer feedback and seek valuable information.
Meeting space at the Surf Sand Resort in Cannon Beach, Oregon
