Forty percent of respondents—the same percentage as in last year’s survey—report that the economic value of their largest meeting in 2011 to the host destination was less than $1 million, while one-quarter (25 percent) report the value at $5 million or more. Association planners report that their meetings benefit host destinations the most —an average of nearly $4 million.
LESS THAN $1 MILLION
40%
$10 MILLION OR MORE
12%
What is the No. 1 challenge facing the meetings industry?
Average: $3.4 million (same as last year)
“Re-negotiating hotel contracts that were put in place prior to 2009.”
Will the meetings industry as a whole improve or stay the same?
“Depends on your definition of ‘improve.’ It will definitely change.”
TO $4.99 MILLION 35%
Operating Ratios
$1 MILLION
TO $9.99 MILLION 13%
$5 MILLION
What changes have you made to your meetings over the past year in response to the economy?
“We’ve gotten a lot more creative in working with F&B—creating our own menus, asking the chef for ideas, etc. Also, we’ve stepped up our marketing efforts and now only market electronically. It hasn’t hurt one bit.”
“We’re changing our program and agenda to include more activities that engage our attendees either face-to-face or through social media.”