Benchmark Hospitality International has released its Top 10 Meeting Trends for 2009. You can check out their full list of 2009 trends, as observed at BHI's 30 award-winning properties, or review our recap below:
1. Meetings have never been more focused—right now it's all about Return on Investment (ROI)
2. Going green is important, but can be too costly for some planners
3. Booking pace is best described as book now, for now, but will probably recover by the end of 2009
4. Budget-conscious planners spend more time negotiating, and are looking for working lunches and dinners and value-adds
5. Team building activities are still going strong
6. These activities aren't as likely to be golf, spa treatments or other so-called extravagances
7. Part-time planners are more common thanks to industry consolidation
8. Meals are limited to basic breakfasts, lunches or dinners
9. SMERF (Social, Military, Education, Religious, and Fraternal Organizations) meetings are on the rise, as are those in the medical, biotech and pharmaceutical markets
10. Conference centers are a more attractive option over resorts, glamorous hotels, or other environments that may create the wrong perception
What do you think of the trends? After all the benefits I've covered on green meetings, it's a little disappointing to think that planners don't see it as a budget-friendly way to go. Are you seeing these trends, either at your venue or in your own planning?
1. Meetings have never been more focused—right now it's all about Return on Investment (ROI)
2. Going green is important, but can be too costly for some planners
3. Booking pace is best described as book now, for now, but will probably recover by the end of 2009
4. Budget-conscious planners spend more time negotiating, and are looking for working lunches and dinners and value-adds
5. Team building activities are still going strong
6. These activities aren't as likely to be golf, spa treatments or other so-called extravagances
7. Part-time planners are more common thanks to industry consolidation
8. Meals are limited to basic breakfasts, lunches or dinners
9. SMERF (Social, Military, Education, Religious, and Fraternal Organizations) meetings are on the rise, as are those in the medical, biotech and pharmaceutical markets
10. Conference centers are a more attractive option over resorts, glamorous hotels, or other environments that may create the wrong perception
What do you think of the trends? After all the benefits I've covered on green meetings, it's a little disappointing to think that planners don't see it as a budget-friendly way to go. Are you seeing these trends, either at your venue or in your own planning?
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