Lana Bian
China Telecom Americas
Herndon, Va.
Is the duration of your meetings either shrinking or expanding? Why?
Shrinking a bit.
Is the attendance at your meetings shrinking or expanding? Why?
Our meetings are growing a bit.
Did you have a smaller budget to work with last year? If so, how much do you estimate it was decreased?
No, it will be a bit bigger due to larger attendance.
How are possible perception problems affecting your meetings and your planning of meetings?
Locations can’t be considered “luxurious” or “more pleasure than business.”
Are there any destinations or facility types that are now considered “off-limits” due to perception problems or the current economic climate?
We cannot plan meetings at luxury resorts for the time being.
Have government regulations or actions affected your programs? If so, how?
No, we are not affected by the government concerning meetings.
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?
Yes, we are squeezing in more meetings each day, but our social activities haven’t reduced too much.
Are you scheduling more educational components for your meetings? If so, why?
No, no change in this area.
Are you incorporating more, or less, activities into your agenda? If so, what types of activities are being added or cut?
We are reducing the number of days, so the meeting time has been increased for each day we have meetings.
Are you finding that attrition clauses are being enforced less strictly? Can you share any comments/observations about this?
I tried to reduce the committed number with hotels.
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.
Rates seem to be bouncing back from a year ago, unfortunately.
Are you using social networking websites for business purposes? If so, which ones and why?
Not too much of this happening right now with my company.
Are you taking less (or no) FAM trips? If so, why?
I don’t’ take any FAM trips, unfortunately. I can’t get away from my office for these.
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 the industry is bouncing back some, and I believe by 3Q we will be back on par with a few years ago, prior to the recession.