Meeting News - December 15, 2008 - (Page 26)

MN Exclusive Research Planners Share Their Goals and Dreams for the New Year In 2009, gaining knowledge about technology and getting recognized for the job done are prominent resolutions By Terri Hardin hen asked about their New Year’s Resolutions for 2009, corporate, association, and independent meeting planners were inclined to share particulars. Of the 308 meeting planners who responded to the MeetingNews Exclusive Research survey, 29 percent resolved to retool their meetings program in 2009. Knowledge of and familiarity with technology was among the deficiencies that planners intended to correct. “Get a technology upgrade,”“improve the electronic invitation process,” and “increase my skill level in the use of technology as it relates to planning, promotion, implementation, follow-up, and evaluation of our meetings” were the aspirations of some respondents, while others wanted to “assess technology strategy” and “focus on industry innovations.” Still more planners cited strategic resolutions: “be proactive with project timelines” and “add value for attendees and exhibitors at shows.” Fewer planners cited a resolution to improve their meeting programs by instituting green policies (Christy Lamagna, CMP, CMM, and CTSM was one), but for those who did, they tacked on other plans: “Draft a ‘green plan’ and continue learning more about meeting planning,”“reduce the company’s carbon footprint in regards to meetings, and continue to look for additional savings,” W and “move more meetings into green standards and push for more technology for staff usage.” The second most popular resolution for all planners (27%) was to “receive recognition.” This particularly resonated with corporate planners (32%), association planners (30%), and female planners (30%). Lamagna said that she wants to “continue to bring awareness to people inside and outside the industry as to the difference between ‘party planners’ and ‘strategic planners.’” Among the methods to receive recognition was to complete certiﬁcation progams like the CMP, CME, or CMM. Perhaps since this resolution was probably the most ambitious, it was the least popular, with only 8 percent of all planners declaring this intention. Corporate planners (6%) fared worse than independent planners (9%). Joan Eisenstodt, of Washington, DC-based Eisenstodt Associates LLC, said she will take some Find a New Job 11% responded afﬁrmative; here is the breakdown: 100% 81% 80% 60% 44% 40% 25% 19% 19% 41-50 51+ 20% 0% Male Female <30 11% 31-40 Source: 308 of MeetingNews survey respondents Complete My Degree 8% responded afﬁrmative; here’s the breakdown: 80% 70% 60% 42% 50% 40% 21% 21% 30% 20% 10% 0% Male Female <30 31-40 41-50 51+ 25% 79% Source: 308 of MeetingNews survey respondents addition to meetings and events, “really getting more into ROI and strategy, not just logistics.” Some resolutions referred to ongoing projects: “continue taking the department to ‘the next level.’” Others vowed to “cultivate new business as well as our other new organization.” MaryAnne P. Bobrow, CAE, CMP, and CMM, of Bobrow & Associates, resolved “to keep my clients and their meetings successful, despite the gloomy economic news.” Others monetized suc—Sara W. Davis, CMP cess: “Earn a proﬁt!” resolved Richard Markel, of Markel Associates, although one planner would courses or seminars and “do more reading and settle for “making our budget in 2008.” practicing in the areas that interest me most: facilThere also were wacky resolutions, like “get itation, ethics, and learning for adults.” She has through another big meeting,” “win the lottery,” registered for the International Association of and “impress myself professionally.” But the Facilitators Conference in April 2009 in Vancou- biggest surprise, by far, was that 21 percent ver, and she is casting about for seminars at the declared they did not have resolutions MN Institute on Global Ethics in DC. because they couldn’t “plan that far ahead.” Exclusive Even before the economic downturn, 11 Research That was prevalent for planners aged 31 to percent of all meeting planners had resolved 40 (27%) and those aged 51-plus (24%). to ﬁnd a new job; it was especially true for plan- (Come on now, isn’t that admitting to a profesners aged 31 to 40 (19%) and those aged 41 to 50 sional gaffe?) (17%). In the corporate planner segment, 15 perIn the coming year, MN resolves to bring you cent were expecting to conduct job searches even research, industry initiatives, and the recognition before the economic downturn. Sara W. Davis, a you deserve. Meanwhile, we wish you health, thirtysomething CMP, has just started a brand- work-life balance, a better-than-ever meetings new position at a ﬁnancial services ﬁrm.“My chal- program, and ongoing success. r lenge for 2009 is to deﬁne the role, build it out, and Contact Terri Hardin at then fulﬁll it.” Davis will work with sponsors, in terri.hardin@nielsen.com role, build it out, and then fulﬁll it. “Myischallenge for 2009 to deﬁne the ” 26 MeetingNews December 15, 2008 13% www.meetingnews.com http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/research/index.jsp http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/research/index.jsp http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/research/index.jsp http://www.meetingnews.com

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Meeting News - December 15, 2008

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