Meeting News - January 7, 2008 - (Page 24)

MN Exclusive Research Border rules rewrite international planning perspectives By Heidi Waldrop Bay W expect it to be a hassle but don’t anticipate it changord from the front lines indicates that a shift is ing meeting plans. Just under 15 percent of all planhappening in how destinations are chosen and ners—but 20 percent of association planners— what is demanded of the meeting planner when try- believe the changes will cause groups to look for ing to balance an increasingly global meetings envi- alternative international destinations.When it came ronment with new regulations. Among the new to cancellations, none of the association planners obstacles are recently increased and few corporate planners and those who organize immigration security measures both anticipated having to do so. in countries such as Japan. As of Nov. 20, all foreignCarlson Marketing, which shepherds a range of ers get ﬁngerprinted and photographed upon enter- corporate and association meeting and incentive proing Japan; with few exceptions, those refusing to grams from ofﬁces in 19 countries, reﬂects the gencooperate are not granted entry. eral consensus. “We do not see clients canceling or In stepping up security, the U.S. Department of turning away from a destination because of enhanced Homeland Security has begun requiring 10 ﬁnger- security requirements,” said Fay Beauchine, executive prints instead of two from international visitors. VP of global meetings, incentives, and events for MN All non-U.S. citizens between ages 14 and 79 are Exclusive the Minneapolis-based company. “It is a good to submit to digital ﬁngerprinting and photo- Research thing to advance security.” graphing when applying for a visa and arriving at A pair of MN surveys—in 2006 and 2007— a U.S. port of entry. Began in December, the program queried planners how new passport requirements will roll out to all 288 ports of entry by year end. for U.S. travelers would impact the way they do busiAbout 83 percent of the 300 planners polled in the ness. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative MeetingNews survey regarding stepped-up screening (WHTI) called for all persons traveling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region to present a passport to enter— or re-enter—the United States. Last January, the air travel portion took effect, and this month passports are being called for at all land and sea border crossAs of January 2007, passports are required for all U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, ings. (Congress is seeking to delay the effective date; at and the Caribbean. What effect will this have on press time the January phase-in was in place.) planning future international programs? In the first survey of 389 planners, in 2006— before the requirements took effect—65.6% of 20.5% Lead time respondents anticipated that new rules would have 31.0% will increase no impact. In 2007, in a survey of 300 planners ask45.6% ing the same questions, only 60.7% still felt that way. Will make 11.0% Expectations of increased lead times held steady domestic 14.0% destinations with experience, with around 28 percent of planners more attractive 24.1% weighing in with concern they would need more time Will make 3.8% and about the same percentage ﬁnding they actually Corporate Planners these nearby 9.0% do, especially for obtaining documentation. When international Association Planners destinations less 15.2% the air phase of WHTI went into effect, wait times for Both attractive passports jumped from four to 12 weeks as the State Will make other 3.3% Department struggled to meet demand. Concern that international destinations the backlog may become more severe when the landmore attractive 7.6% and-sea phase goes into effect prompted Congress’ 73.3% current attempt to delay its implementation. 64.0% No impact For Jennifer Smith, director of operations for 46.8% Charleston, SC-based Planning the Globe, new doc0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% umentation requirements are impacting foreign nationals the most.“There are a lot of doctors, scienSource: MeetingNews survey of 389 meeting planners 2007 Survey Results In early January 2007, passports were required for all U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. What effect will this have on planning future international programs? 23.1% Lead time will increase 33.9% 43.1% Will make domestic destinations more attractive Will make these nearby international destinations less attractive Will make other international destinations more attractive 16.2% 12.9% 41.5% 8.7% 14.5% 20.0% 5.8% 6.5% 9.2% 67.6% No impact 38.5% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% Corporate Planners Association Planners Both 64.5% 2006 Survey Results Source: MeetingNews survey of 300 meeting planners tists, and experts from places like India and Pakistan, who live in the U.S. and work for companies based [here],” she said. “We have to get ofﬁcial documentation of the meeting and their hotel conﬁrmations for them to take to their closest consulates for approval. Lead times can be four months. In a year or two, it will be common knowledge: ‘We can’t do that meeting; Dr. Whomever can’t come because he has to have special approvals to travel, and we can’t do it in that short time.’” In both MN surveys, planners were also asked about what effect the passport requirements might have on the popularity of nearby international destinations. While only about 7 percent of the respondents to the 2006 survey thought they might be less attractive, in 2007, it was 12 percent: The overall trend is toward choosing domestic destinations. Of all those polled in 2006, 14 percent believed the changes would make domestic destinations more attractive; in 2007, 21 percent report that domestic options are more appealing. Only 3 percent of the 2006 respondents anticipated looking more to other international settings; 7 percent did so in 2007. H www.meetingnews.com 24 MeetingNews January 7, 2008 http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/research/index.jsp http://www.meetingnews.com

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