Meeting News - May 25, 2009 - (Page 8)

MeetingNews Research SO MUCH MEDIA attention has been given to flash in the pan. “I am younger and come from social communities, texting and other forms of the generation where Facebook is used strictly as virtual networking that you’d think the world is a social site,” said Cora Majewski, account repreone big chat room, but that clearly is not the cur- sentative and event planner at Detroit-area event rent business reality for most meeting planners, management firm Gail & Rice.“Seeing clients on according to original MeetingNews research. Thus, there now, however, has forced me to adapt my when we asked, “What is your preferred method profile.” With Northern Kentucky’s METS Cenof professional networking?” I expected a healthy ter hosting a social networking event in June, Carslice of the 311 planners responding would rie Moore, director of business development point to the World Wide Web. To my surthinks that even with all the buzz,“there is prise, 85 percent of respondents great value in what social networking affirmed their preference for face-tosites offer. However, once I connect face networking, more than half with someone online, my next step is Research through personal contacts, and oneto obtain a face-to-face meeting, third through professional associations. whenever feasible.”Dave Lutz, managThe preference for in-person neting director at Velvet Chainsaw Consultworking spanned gender and demographing, works in the obverse: “I attend 10 or so ics fairly evenly, with all twentysomething large industry events per year. As I meet new peorespondents and 94 percent of men most eager ple, I connect with them on LinkedIn and conto press the flesh. tinue to build on that initial meeting. I get new While only 8 percent of responding planners business out of nearly every industry event I claimed that they didn’t do any professional attend, not because I’m selling, but because I networking, it was shocking to learn that they build more trust face to face.” According to twentysomething event How often do you access social media planner Lisa Spegman,“Networking online (LinkedIn, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter)? has led to face-to-face networking. Integrating all styles has allowed me to piggyMore than once a day 12.2% back off another contact’s contacts that I may have not otherwise had the opportuOnce a day 12.9% nity to meet in person. I am very impressed with the number of contacts that I have met virtually that have led to personal and 1 to 3 times weekly 19% business relationships in real life.” Research confirmed that planners in the 1 to 3 times monthly 12.9% youngest age groups (under 31, 31 to 40) spent the most time in social media groups. Less than once a 14.5% Compared with younger planners, planners month aged 41 and higher spend appreciably less Never time on social media; however, they do have 28.6% the third-lowest “never use” response of all Source: A MeetingNews survey of 311 industry professionals categories. Fiftysomething planners spent outnumbered the 6 percent who said they used the least time using social media, with 42 percent social media and online communities for that saying they never used social media and only 6 perpurpose. “Social media sites collectively are cent saying they checked in more than once a day overhyped, by their very nature,” said one (compared with 35 percent of twentysomethings response. “Does anyone remember AOL mem- and 22 percent of planners aged 31-40). ber pages?” In the professional categories, association planWhile some may agree that the buzz about ners had the lowest number of adaptors, with 8 social media is mostly hype, few contend it is a percent accessing social media more than once a By Terri Hardin Online Growing, But Planners Prefer In-Person Networking day; and 30 percent, never. Even so, few can dispute that networking through social media is a medium to master. Networking online is a no-brainer, according to Leonicka Valcius, a Toronto-based undergrad, working in tourism. “I would disagree with the Which social media sites do you use most often for professional networking? LinkedIn Facebook MySpace Twitter Other None 57.9% 37.1% 14.5% 8.6% 10.4% 15.8% MN Source: A MeetingNews survey of 221 industry professionals nay-sayers who think old-school networking is the only way to go. Online communities have an incredibly powerful voice and are redefining how we look at interactions and relationships. So why not capitalize on that and create strong professional networks?” Among the respondents who regularly access social media sites, more than half find LinkedIn most useful, followed by 37 percent who use Facebook. April Broussard, consultant and speaker with Speakin’ Up, uses Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. “I find that I spend a few minutes on each every day,” she said, “but I may focus on building my LinkedIn contacts this week and Twitter next week.” Independent planner and Planet Plan It events blogger Marie McErlean Hunter recommends segmenting social media: “I use Facebook for personal connections and less-formal interactions, LinkedIn for professional connections and Twitter for interacting with a large sphere of influencers in the fields of hospitality, travel, entertainment and theatre— areas I am passionate about.” r www.meetingnews.com 8 MeetingNews May 25, 2009 http://www.meetingnews.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Meeting News - May 25, 2009

Meeting News - May 25, 2009
Contents
Newsmakers
MeetingNews Research
Viewpoint
Meetings Tech
Meetings Spotlight
Construction Cites
Meeting People
Incentive Insider
Travel Dashboard
Dateline: Reno, Nevada
East Regional
Dateline: Texas
Mid-America Regional
Golf Meetings
Resort Showcase Contents
Atlantis
Beau Rivage Resort & Casino
Bellagio
Harrah’s/Harveys Lake Tahoe Casino & Resort
The Venetian and The Palazzo Las Vegas
Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa
Special Section: Florida

Meeting News - May 25, 2009