Meeting News - September 21, 2009 - (Page 12)

Viewpoint Face Time More Critical In Challenging Times The global meetings industry is facing strong challenges during the prolonged economic downturn, but now, more than ever, is the time to make carefully calculated investments in corporate meetings, incentive schemes, conferences and exhibitions. Above-the-line and throughthe-line advertising and promotion has been hardest hit by the world recession, as corporations big and small seek to rein in their expenditure and get maximum return for their marketing budgets. The knee-jerk reaction by many has been to downscale meetings and other forms of corporate congress, yet this is possibly the most unwise and short-term reaction to a longterm challenge. Long-haul air travel is one of the most seriously affected of all travel industry sectors, as companies and individuals seek to contain expenditure. Much has been said about the cost of travel, the waste of time and the questionable effectiveness of the global meetings industry. Many companies have cut back on spend in this sector, and yet the momentum continues. Fewer delegates, exhibitors and presenters might be on the bill, but the fact is the meetings industry is still thriving in these chastened fiscal times. And this is the time to make the meetings industry work for your company. By being completely focused on the potential of exhibitions, conferences and others forms of congress, a corporation can best channel its marketing investment and gain not only measurable results but also cut costs in the long-term. In times past, business deals were done on a hand- S e p t e m b e r 2 1 , 2 0 0 9 Vo l u m e 3 3 , N u m b e r 1 2 Editorial By Marcel Ewals Managing director of AsiaCongress and director of Kenes MP Asia David Meyer, Editor-In-Chief (646) 654-4431; dmeyer@meetingnews.com Chris Davis, Executive Managing Editor (646) 654-4437; cdavis@meetingnews.com Jay Boehmer, Senior Editor (646) 654-4434; jboehmer@meetingnews.com Michael B. Baker, Associate Editor (646) 654-4433; mbaker@meetingnews.com shake, without the intrusion of lawyers, regulations, borders, etc. That basic premise, the handshake being the contract, is still alive today, and in times when many are doubting the wisdom of industry leaders and captains of the financial sector, that handshake and face time is more important than ever. Risk is a huge factor in planning an event of any kind, and minimizing that risk has to be at the forefront of every planner’s mind. There is not a country in the world that is immune to political risk, from the United States, to China to the tiniest archipelago, which means the meetings industry has to be ahead of the game in terms of mitigating risk. There always has to be an alternative, a plan B. The investment in the events across the globe that take place daily is immense, yet few organizers see the real threat of the unraveling of the best laid plans of MICE and men. Thailand, which is at the leading edge of the meetings industry in the region and the world at large, has had several setbacks to confidence in recent months and years. That said, the country has made bold steps to guarantee the meetings industry, and tourism in general, can continue to prosper and offer some of the best value per marketing dollar available. The meetings industry is about people, ideas and places, and putting them together. The only way to ensure success is that the best people share their best ideas in the best places. It is a simple equation that leaves most people motivated and excited about progress. H Seth Harris, Associate Editor (646) 654-5716; sharris@meetingnews.com 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003-9595 Editorial Fax: (646) 654-4428 Art Michael J. Strong, Art Director (646) 654-7471; michael.strong@nielsen.com Marketing Catherine Marchese, Marketing Manager (646) 654-5131; catherine.marchese@nielsen.com Production Adam Schaffer, Production Manager (646) 654-7295; Fax (646) 654-7318 adam.schaffer@nielsen.com Subscription Information: (847) 763-9050 Subscription Fax: (847) 763-9037 Single Copy Sales: (847) 763-9050 Custom Media Marilyn Moore, Editorial Director marilyn.moore@nielsen.com Alison Golub, Executive Editor Karen Gines, Executive Editor (Performance) Sarah Veit, Associate Editor Denniston Brown, Creative Director Michelle Tropiano, Art Director Jonathan Chan, Associate Art Director Tessa Sestina, Associate Art Director Information Marketing Shelly Patton, Audience Marketing Manager (646) 654-7258; shelly.patton@nielsen.com Reprints The YGS Group Barb Karmilowicz (800) 290-5460 x106 MN@theYGSgroup.com List Rentals For postal mailings: Julius Single (845) 731-2731 For e-mailings: Nicole Guarascio (845) 731-3828 Business Manager Leslie Musick President: Greg Farrar Senior Vice President, Human Resources: Michael Alicea Senior Vice President, Brand Media: Andrew Bilbao Senior Vice President, Media & Entertainment: Gerry Byrne Senior Vice President, Finance: Sloane Googin Senior Vice President, Retail: David Loechner Senior Vice President, Content: Scott McKenzie Senior Vice President, Building & Design: Joe Randall Senior Vice President, Central Services: Mary Kay Sustek Chief Operating Officer, Entertainment: Howard Appelbaum What Is Your Industry View? Send comments, letters and opinion pieces of no more than 650 words to dmeyer@meetingnews.com. Vice President, Manufacturing & Distribution: Jennifer Grego Vice President, Licensing: Andrew Min Vice President, Client Marketing: Sue Tremblay Vice President, Audience Marketing: Joanne Wheatley 12 MeetingNews September 21, 2009 www.meetingnews.com http://www.meetingnews.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Meeting News - September 21, 2009

Meeting News - September 21, 2009

Contents
Pricing Forecast
Newsmaker
Meetings Spotlight
Event Profile

Meeting News - September 21, 2009

Meeting News - September 21, 2009 -

Meeting News - September 21, 2009

(Page Cover1)
Meeting News - September 21, 2009 -

Meeting News - September 21, 2009