Kathy Duse
Convention and Programs Coordinator
National Art Education Association
Reston, Va.
Is the duration of your meetings either shrinking or expanding? Why?
Shrinking. Only by half a day to help accommodate travel back home for our members.
Is the attendance at your meetings shrinking or expanding? Why?
We have maintained the status quo. No reduction but no significant increase either.
Did you have a smaller budget to work with last year? If so, how much do you estimate it was decreased?
No.
How are possible perception problems affecting your meetings and your planning of meetings?
None that I am aware of.
Are there any destinations or facility types that are now considered “off-limits” due to perception problems or the current economic climate?
We have a policy not to go to any gambling-destination city.
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 are scheduling the same amount of sessions that we always have.
Are you scheduling more educational components for your meetings? If so, why?
All our sessions are educational. We do not do shopping or spouse events.
Are you incorporating more, or less, activities into your agenda? If so, what types of activities are being added or cut?
We don’t have activities—just content-based sessions.
Are you finding that attrition clauses are being enforced less strictly? Can you share any comments/observations about this?
We do not allow attrition clauses in any of our contracts—we never have. We won’t sign a contract that has one in it.
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.
Not more leverage on room rates. Hotels are willing to make more concessions on other issues and not room rates.
Are you using social networking websites for business purposes? If so, which ones and why?
Yes. Facebook and Twitter. Just another way to get exposure out there.
Are you taking less (or no) FAM trips? If so, why?
We do not participate in FAM trips.
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 fine. Food prices seem to be on the rise in hotels.