Pulling Off Meetings

ThePersonal Side of

INDUSTRY REPORT

BY MICHELLE RUSSELL I ILLUSTRATIONS BY JAMES YANG

Back in the December 2009 issue of Convene, we published the results of an e-panel survey in which planners shared how they personally prepare for and weather their most demanding meetings. It was among our most popular surveys ever. So a little more than two years later, we asked the same questions of Convene readers—plus a few new ones on technology. Here’s how 361 of your closest friends and colleagues answered.

PHYSICAL PREPARATION Before the big game (a.k.a. the annual meet- ing), fewer than 25 percent of respondents do any kind of physical training to prepare. Only about 16 percent go on a special diet or vita- min regimen to fortify themselves.

CONQUERING JET LAG Once they travel to a different time zone, more than half just suffer through jet lag, although 45 percent do have their tried-and-true methods for overcoming sleep issues—over-the-counter sleep aids or prescription drugs, ways of tricking their internal biorhythms, white-noise machines, and water. Lots of water. Among other tips shared:

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