Heide Kraus, CMP
Global Account Executive
ConferenceDirect
Brookfield, Wis.
Is the duration of your meetings either shrinking or expanding? Why?
Duration is staying the same.
Is the attendance at your meetings shrinking or expanding? Why?
In 2009, if the meeting was not canceled entirely, the attendance was reduced by 25 percent to 50 percent.
Did you have a smaller budget to work with last year? If so, how much do you estimate it was decreased?
My clients have smaller budgets because they are being more conservative with how many meetings to hold, etc.
How are possible perception problems affecting your meetings and your planning of meetings?
I started seeing the need to place meetings closer to the members and more “Midwest” a few years ago—to reduce costs. This has less to do with perception than straightforward cost analysis.
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?
No.
Are you scheduling more educational components for your meetings? If so, why?
The programs I booked for 11 years in a previous position at an association were VERY educational in nature. The programs I book now for my clients are also educational in nature. So I’d say there is little change with that. Educational components are very important (was and is), especially in the association arena.
Are you incorporating more, or less, activities into your agenda? If so, what types of activities are being added or cut?
I would say this hasn’t changed. Education and networking are equally important.
Are you finding that attrition clauses are being enforced less strictly? Can you share any comments/observations about this?
I think attrition clauses are being enforced less strictly when there is a serious attempt on the part of the client to rebook or bring more business—one way or another—to the property. If they don’t make some attempts, attrition is enforced strictly.
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.
Wow, yes! We thought the days of the $99 room rate were gone. Well, now they’re back.
Are you using social networking websites for business purposes? If so, which ones and why?
I use LinkedIn. It seems to be the most professional one and I can find people that I’ve lost contact with pretty easily on LinkedIn.
Are you taking less (or no) FAM trips? If so, why?
I never took very many (four or five in 11 years) and now that I’m with ConferenceDirect I haven’t taken any. But I have to say that FAM trips are beneficial. I booked a program in all of the cities I took FAM trips, too, except for one city.
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 2010 will be much like 2009. Clients are apprehensive and will book conservatively. For those who canceled many programs in 2009, I believe in 2010 they’ll hold half of the ones they canceled in 2009. I also think they’ll continue to provide more webcasts and webinars in 2010 as they did in 2009, but I don’t believe they work as well as face-to-face meetings, especially for those who depend on networking to do business.