Ronald Goldman, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Infectious Disease Association of California
Los Angeles
Is the duration of your meetings either shrinking or expanding? Why?
Staying the same, though we have talked about reducing duration,since industry funding is shrinking.
Is the attendance at your meetings shrinking or expanding? Why?
Attendance has been increasing. All our meetings have set new highs.I'd like to think it is because of quality, but it may be more likely to bechoosing locations more accessible.
Did you have a smaller budget to work with last year? If so, how much do you estimate it was decreased?
Last year's budget was not less, on the other hand, we ran a deficit. Sponsorships were down 40 percent. We are certainly looking at cutting costs for this year.
Are there any destinations or facility types that are now considered “off-limits” due to perception problems or the current economic climate?
No changes because of economy. We stop going to resorts a while ago, because some drug companies
stop funding any meetings with at hotels with “resort” in the name.
Are you incorporating more, or less, activities into your agenda? If so, what types of activities are being added or cut?
We used to offer a conference banquet with registration, but are now charging that separately.
Are you finding that attrition clauses are being enforced less strictly? Can you share any comments/observations about this?
Yes. We just had some cases that it was waived.
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, we have had cases where the hotel actually offered to lower contracted rates without us asking.
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?
No
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?
Hotel prices are definitely down, but have not seen much change in food and beverage.Attendance is the question mark. We can only proceed conservatively, but leave room to expand.