David J. Sampson, CTC, CMP
Meeting & Travel Planner
American Board of Internal Medicine
Philadelphia
Is the duration of your meetings either shrinking or expanding? Why?
Our meetings are staying the same because they are designed to last for three days.
Is the attendance at your meetings shrinking or expanding? Why?
Staying the same, and for a few meetings increasing slightly as we expand our operations.
Did you have a smaller budget to work with last year? If so, how much do you estimate it was decreased?
Same budget, but we are starting to review certain costs that should be addressed.
How are possible perception problems affecting your meetings and your planning of meetings?
Not at all.
Are there any destinations or facility types that are now considered “off-limits” due to perception problems or the current economic climate?
No.
Have government regulations or actions affected your programs? If so, how?
No.
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?
We don’t normally have extracurricular activities so there hasn’t been any items affected.
Are you scheduling more educational components for your meetings? If so, why?
Same amount.
Are you incorporating more, or less, activities into your agenda? If so, what types of activities are being added or cut?
No changes.
Are you finding that attrition clauses are being enforced less strictly? Can you share any comments/observations about this?
I know that is supposed to be the case, but I have actually seen more attrition because the hotels are hurting for cash flow.
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.
Yes, for sure. I have seen rates drop over $100 versus previous years.
Are you using social networking websites for business purposes? If so, which ones and why?
No.
Are you taking less (or no) FAM trips? If so, why?
I never took many in the past. I usually only take trips that expose me to new properties.
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 think it will be 2011 before hotels see any change, which means buyers should book as far out as they can to take advantage of the special rate structure.