This issue is all about the money.
There’s not a lot of it going around these days, so even those who didn’t have much of it to throw around in years past suddenly seem flush.
Take, for instance, planners of SMERF meetings. These groups often come into town with thousands of delegates in tow, but weren’t considered convention “whales” like a big pharma or financial confab. Now destinations stung by the weak corporate market are actively courting these traditionally budget-minded folks, with luxury brands even getting in on the act. Check out our “SMERF’s Up!” story on page 38 to see where this wave is washing ashore.
Speaking of the corporate segment, our “Taking Stock” piece, examines just what company meetings are considered keepers even in this jittery economy, and which ones are seeing their stock fall.
But perhaps the best value proposition in this issue is the annual Meetings East Guide, filled with easily referenced information about major meetings properties in the Eastern U.S. and Eastern Canada—which will be right on the money all year-long.
