News Links from June 22, 2010

Association Meetings in 2010 and Beyond: A Think Tank
As we enter the second half of the second year of the worst recession the travel industry has ever experienced, we know that associations—and their meetings—may never be the same.  Read the entire article here.

Survey: Planners Redefining Sales Meetings With Suppliers
More and more, meeting planners are interested in scheduling face-to-face meetings with their suppliers at industry trade shows, conventions and conferences, finds a new report released last week by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI).  Read the entire article here.

Marketers Look to Ride Occupancy Rebound
Following a downright terrible 2009, hotel marketing executives are eagerly trying to take advantage of what appears to be rebounding demand.  Read the entire article here.

Numbers Tell the Story: Things are Getting Better
The luxury hotel segment’s fall from its lofty perch as a result of the global recession has been well-documented, but perhaps no statistic demonstrates the segment’s dramatic drop more than one that Mark Lomanno, president of STR, presented during the opening session of the 32nd annual New York University International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference.  Read the entire article here.

News Links from May 17, 2010

More Travel to Meetings, CFOs Say
CFOs are lightening up on meetings travel spend, finally.  The new American Express/CFO Research Global Business & Spending Monitor found that just 34 percent of 479 respondents will restrict travel for staff meetings this year. That number was 81 percent a year ago! Only 35 percent say they plan to restrict travel to conferences and events, compared to 79 percent in 2009.  Read the entire article here.

What Cities and Countries Top the List for Association Meetings?
ICCA releases its rankings based on more than 8,200 meetings in 2009.   The United States and Vienna both held on to their number-one positions in this year’s International Congress & Convention Association rankings of the most popular destinations for international association meetings.  Read the entire article here.

HSMAI Foundation to Release New Revenue Management Road Map
Revenue management has continued to evolve in the hospitality industry, especially in recent years due to the changes in the economic environment. To address the growth and change in the revenue management field, HSMAI’s Revenue Management Special Interest Group advisory board commissioned Inspire Resources to author “The Evolving Dynamics of Revenue Management: A Comprehensive Revenue Optimization Road Map for Hotel Owners, Operators and Practitioners.” Published by the HSMAI Foundation, it will debut at HSMAI’s Revenue Management & Internet Marketing Strategy Conference on June 21, 2010, in Orlando, Fla.  Read the entire article here.

Commentary: Meetings in the Age of Distraction
When President Barack Obama delivered the commencement address at Virginia’s Hampton University May 9, he raised questions about technology, communication, and thoughtful deliberation that could have profound implications for your next meeting.  Read the entire article here.