Meeting News - March 24, 2008 - (Page 22)

MN Exclusive Research Resourceful planners ﬁnd ways to deal with oil price hikes By Nancy Lazarus eeting planners are feeling the pressure as oil prices recently crossed the $100-per-barrel threshold. In a survey of 387 meeting professionals conducted by MeetingNews, more than two-thirds reported adverse impact on their programs. More than half of these planners have taken speciﬁc steps to reduce their meetings’ oil and fuel consumption. Skyrocketing oil prices and higher transportation costs have led nearly one-third of corporate planners to limit the destinations they recommend. Michael Hudson, president of Site Search & Select, in Brooklyn, NY, observed, “My corporate clients are looking for destinations that are closer to home to avoid excess travel expenses.” Four out of 10 corporate planners claimed they’re now seeing fewer attendees at off-site programs. Stephanie Miller, training coordinator for conference services at UniGroup Inc., in St. Louis, said the moving business is experiencing the impact of oil prices ﬁrsthand. She said, “I’ve noticed that agents aren’t sending as many people to the training workshops. So far, this hasn’t led to a lot of cancellations, but I see that as a possibility later this spring.” Another side effect, particularly for corporate M Green Meetings Gain Traction Have you become more aware of green meetings initiatives since oil prices have increased? Corporate Planners Yes, and I’ve made changes No Association Planners No 34.2% 31.2% 24.1% 42.9% 34.6% Yes, but change has been difﬁcult 33.0% Yes, and I’ve made changes Yes, but change has been difﬁcult Source: MeetingNews survey of 387 meeting planners How Planners are Reacting How have increased transportation costs affected your off-site meeting programs? Taking fewer people to off-site meetings 40.0% 25.0% Using “walkable” cities or those with public transit 19.0% 27.1% Corporate Planners Association Planners Using airport hotels and/ or holding more in-out meetings 19.5% 12.2% No speciﬁc step taken 0% 10% 20% 30% 37.0% 50.0% 40% 50% Source: MeetingNews survey of 387 meeting planners Note: Multiple responses allowed planners, is a reduction of the number of off-site effective public transportation are for our larger meetings held. David Oltman, co-founder, presi- conventions and include cities such as Washington, dent, and CEO of Orion Mobility/Relocation Taxes DC; Philadelphia; Chicago; San Diego; and Atlanta.” in Wilton, CT, said,“For the past 20 years, we held a Smaller cities can be walkable, too, noted Roy West Coast conference and an East Coast confer- Benear, senior VP of the Austin Convention and Visence. Based on the higher costs these days, we have itors Bureau.“Destinations such as Austin fare better chosen to hold just one conference.” He added, when oil prices are an issue given the city’s ability to “Our clients are scrutinizing whether the particular draw from a large metropolitan population nearby,” meeting is necessary and, more importantly, who he said. “Attendees beneﬁt from the convenience of needs to attend.” everything being centrally located.” Other responses involve tradeoffs.“We now use MN fewer support staff, and while we do save money, Exclusive Green Meetings Initiatives Growing Research it takes away from internal development opporExorbitant oil prices have also caused green tunities,” said Oltman.In-person meetings are being meetings initiatives to influence nearly threetested by high-tech alternatives.“The feedback has been quarters of the meetings professionals surveyed. very positive for webcasts and videoconferences,” Olt- Woodward described herself as a proponent of man said.“But we can’t charge as much, and the num- green meetings initiatives, but has encountered ber of attendees is signiﬁcantly less.” obstacles when trying to plan them. She admitted, “Getting budget approval for alternative locations Accessible Destinations and services from directors can be difﬁcult.” NeverSome meeting professionals, especially association theless, she expressed hope that organizational planners, are reacting to oil price inﬂation by using changes will enable green meetings in the future. “walkable” destinations with good public transit Nina McCollum, communications and event systems. Amy Woodward, meeting specialist at the specialist at law ﬁrm Thompson Hine, in Cleveland, State and Territorial Injury Prevention Directors is taking action.“I’m asking all my CSRs to give me Association, in Atlanta, noted,“We try to hold meet- their properties’ green policies or describe what ings in larger cities that don’t require the use of efforts are in place or under way to make my meetrental cars to and from the airport.” ings as green as possible,” she said.“This wasn’t part Deborah Taylor, meeting planner for the Con- of the decision-making process when these propernecticut Education Association, in Hartford, CT, ties were booked, but it will be a consideration added,“The walkable destinations and/or those with when deciding on properties going forward.” r www.meetingnews.com 22 MeetingNews March 24, 2008 http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/research/index.jsp http://www.meetingnews.com

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Meeting News - March 24, 2008

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