Of all the lessons that you learn as a child one of the more important is to always learn from your mistakes. This notion follows you for a lifetime as no one is perfect; decisions are made with good intentions and soon the unexpected comes along and stomps those intentions into submission. This is certainly the case with America's experience during this recession. As companies come out of financial gridlock they are using the recent events to forecast how they will cautiously move forward. As many owners and CEO's wish they could peer into a crystal ball and put their worries to rest, the Convention 2020 study is doing its best to give industry leaders the information they need to stay ahead of the pack for the future. The Convention 2020 study sponsored by ICCA, IMEX and Fastfuture Research was designed to help industry peers prepare for changes that could affect the fiscal outlook as well as the overall business model of their operations. Topics such as political attitudes towards meeting/events, technology innovations and environmental pressures are highlighted as important factors in preparing for the future of the industry. The project overview states that “The intention is to create a 'living and growing' online body of knowledge, case studies and ideas which will continue to expand and develop after the study is complete.”
The international effort for society to become more environmentally conscious has undoubtedly began to affect the events industry, as many corporations and event planners have made substantial efforts to decrease their carbon footprint across the board. The difference between this “trend” and others is this one is not going anywhere; in fact “green” events will eventually become normalcy as suppliers bend their business models and operations to fit the demand of their clients. In an interview with Special Event Magazine, San Francisco-based Global Gourmet Catering’s Director of Sales & Marketing was quoted stating “We won a $250,000 piece of business recently away from a competitor because of our eco-friendly practices, where they lack.” SEM also spoke with San Francisco event producer Robert Fountain where he discussed “My clients are still interested in going green (in this economy), especially the non profits. It’s all about the appearance.” As planners begin to stretch their wings with green events, this notion of appearance has also become an important aspect as a décor theme. The term “Eco-Chic” has been coined to describe this newly found esthetic, blending earthy materials and products with a classy elegance.
As a meeting planner working with professional speakers is part of day to day life. During the current economic situation the steps during the initial communication and negotiation process have changed in many ways. For many corporations, the goals for their events have also changed. Many are not going after the big name celebrities for keynotes or huge musical acts for their receptions; planners are choosing speakers that fit in with a particular message that the company is trying to relay to their employees. Shawn Ellis, founder and president of The Speakers Group during an interview with MPI One Magazine discusses that “There is definitely a trend toward higher-level content”. Depending on the speaker and the demand for a particular topic, some speakers are lowering their rates where as others that discuss topics in high demand such as Recession based topics and ROI are raising their rates. Throughout these changes here are some things to keep in mind during negotiations with speakers.
With the registration deadline for the CMP exam coming up in May, study groups are well on their way preparing attendees for the next step in the career of a meeting or events professional. The CMP program was established in 1985 for those that have reached the industries highest standard of professionalism. The certification is received by accumulating points through various factors. The application process is divided into five sections, experience in meeting management, management responsibility, education and continuing education, as well as professional contributions to the industry. Applicants must then pass a written examination covering all aspects of the meetings and conventions industry, from room sets to audio visual information. There are currently just over 13,000 individuals in 35 countries that have received their CMP designation.
