Amanda Bigley
Associate Director of Events & Education
National Association of Federal Credit Unions
Arlington, Va.
Is the duration of your meetings either shrinking or expanding? Why?
The duration of our meetings has decreased slightly. The main goal here is to provide quality educational and networking opportunities while being mindful of our members’ time away from the office. Individual employee productivity has increased as a direct result of employee layoffs and hiring freezes forcing employees to be more efficient with less help.
Is the attendance at your meetings shrinking or expanding? Why?
Attendance decreased in the first to third quarters of 2009. Thankfully, we saw a slight uptick in the fourth quarter, which we expect to continue into 2010. I’m not talking about 25 percent increased, but sufficient amounts to pad the bottom line. The reason? Members may have lessened travel restrictions imposed early this year as earning levels stabilized.
Did you have a smaller budget to work with last year? If so, how much do you estimate it was decreased?
Events budgets were slashed 10 percent to 15 percent overall to offset expected attendance and sponsorship revenue decreases.
How are possible perception problems affecting your meetings and your planning of meetings?
Perception has played a huge role in planning meetings in 2009. We were extremely sensitive to marketing or planning any event at a resort-style hotel. We needed to maintain a financially responsible focus for our members. The goal has been to provide quality education first and foremost. We will definitely shy away from luxury properties and resorts again this year. To a lesser degree, budget constraints have forced us to be creative manipulating F&B offerings as well. Oftentimes I can no longer afford to provide continental breakfasts with omelet station or lunches complete with salad, dessert and a steak entrée.
Have government regulations or actions affected your programs? If so, how?
Government regulations have put a stranglehold on my members this past year. As a result, my government compliance program enjoyed record attendance because my members were so hungry for knowledge and discussion regarding the changing regulatory landscape.
Are you finding that you are scheduling more meeting sessions per day, and if so, is it at the expense of entertainment or events that are more social in nature?
I am definitely squeezing more education into my meetings and have cut networking opportunities that aren’t vital to the program’s success. If the ROI of an entertainment/social event isn’t justified, it isn’t staying in the program. It can’t.
Are you incorporating more, or less, activities into your agenda? If so, what types of activities are being added or cut?
As a result of tighter F&B numbers, I have begun swapping costly receptions with more budget-friendlier meals such as boxed lunches on the patio or a light continental breakfast paired with a discussion session.
Are you finding that attrition clauses are being enforced less strictly? Can you share any comments/observations about this?
Attrition costs hit us hard in the first and second quarters of last year. Our room blocks simply weren’t being filled and the hotels were feeling as much pain as we were. Moving forward, hotels were much more inclined to present contracts that contained 80 percent to 85 percent attrition or no attrition at all. You can guess which properties received our business…those with zero to little attrition clauses first!
Do you find that you had much more leverage on room rates during the last year? If so, please give an idea how much discounting you are seeing.
I haven’t seen a large discount in room rates. I see this as a direct response to the economy. Hotels were less able to negotiate down rates and more willing to negotiate discounts on F&B, audiovisual or attrition.
Are you using social networking websites for business purposes? If so, which ones and why?
LinkedIn--large hospitality industry following
Are you taking less (or no) FAM trips? If so, why?
No FAM trips this year. Unfortunately, some feel that it is a perk and not necessary for job success.
How do you think 2010 will shape up for the meetings industry? Where do you see costs (hotel, restaurant, venue prices, etc.) going? Do you think your budget and/or attendance will increase or decrease? Why?
I’m optimistic that the meetings industry will begin to see a stabilization of earnings. I expect all costs to level out. As demand increases, I expect hotel rates and airfare to inch up in an effort to capitalize on increased demand. I’m confident that with careful planning and conservative budget expectations my attendance will increase this year.