Meeting News - January 5, 2009 - (Page 24)

MN Exclusive Research percent of association planners, and 25 percent of independent planners. The averHow much of your overall job involves planning/managing meetings? age planner has nearly 15 Corporate Independent Association years of experience. Planners Planners Planners For Neil Schwartz, senior 81-100% 0-20% How planners see themselves event manager of the Califor0-20% 17% 81-100% 17% 81-100% 18% MN found that 82 percent of the responding cor- nia and Nevada Credit Union 510-20% 32% 80% 10% 37% 21-50% 45% porate planners have been in the industry more Leagues for the last six years, 21-50% 21-50% 23% than six years. Just slightly fewer association plan- and who worked for an asso51-80% 30% 51-80% 28% 21% ners have that level of experience (at 78%), while ciation management compa22% 85 percent of independent planners count more ny for five years prior, meeting Source: Martin Akel & Assoc./Wilson Research Group than six years under their belts. planning is a second career. “I “I’ve been in the industry for six years,” said made the proverbial midlife change,” laughed year, although a larger segment (30%) plans Jaime Barnhart, CMP, director of conferences for Schwartz. “I was a lawyer and realized I’d had fewer meetings a year (1 to 10). The majority of association planners plan between one and 10 the American Moving & Storage Association enough and wanted a change.” MN in Alexandria, VA, “but in other ways, I’ve Exclusive Schwartz found that his experience with meetings a year, at 33 percent. Research In addition to working on the logistics of the been involved most of my life. My mother was contracts has been helpful to his career as a a planner, and I used to stamp badges for my planner. Plus, he said, “People are always six to 10 main events her company organizes allowance. I’ve always known about the industry amazed that I can stay as calm as I do, especially each year, Neela Johnston is involved in the planning process from the very start—even the sales and always knew this was what I wanted to do.” on site. That’s from my training in the law.” But for all categories of planner, most fell into Significant poll majorities described them- end—as VP of events and client services for the 11-to-20-year-experience category (37% of selves as having either “a good deal of” or “exten- Chicago-based OnSite Events.“My husband and corporate planners, 34% of association planners, sive” experience and knowledge (63% corporate, I started this company about five years ago,” said Johnston. “He does all the proposals, but I’m and 47% of independent planners). Significant 72% association, and 78% independent). numbers claimed more than 21 years in the field, Busy as she is in her official position as associ- involved right from the start of the process.” Besides OnSite’s larger projects, which can including 21 percent of corporate planners, 22 ate director of meetings and events for California Western School of Law, in San Diego, Mar- range from an incentive for 100, to a conference lene Blas also makes time on the weekends and for 450, to a pharmaceutical educational event at nights to work as an event contractor with for 500, Johnston said the firm also does smaller How many years have you been a planner? event management companies. Also, Blas is pro- events. “We have one client for whom we plan 8% gram advisor of California State University, San about six catered events a month, but they’re all 11% >4 Corporate Planners Marcos’ meetings and event planning certificate quite easy,” she said. “Other events take all 11 of 10% program, and if that isn’t enough, she is on the our employees around the country.” Association Planners 9% Johnston noticed a recent trend of East Coast Planner Focus Group for the San Diego chapter Independent 5 to 6 10% Planners of Meeting Professionals International and on public relations companies contacting her com5% the Education Advisory Committee of the Con- pany for help with one-day events that tie into 24% vention Industry Council—in addition to other Chicago shows. “I’m not sure where this has 6 to 10 22% come from,” she said.“I don’t know if the DMCs professional volunteer commitments. 13% “I love what I do,” said Blas, when asked where are just that busy or if these companies prefer to 37% she finds the time. “When you have passion for work with an actual meeting planning company. 34% 11 to 20 But we’ve taken them on.” what you do, it doesn’t seem like work!” 47% California Western’s Blas plans more than 100 21% meetings and events annually, ranging from onePlanning by the numbers 21+ 22% According to the survey, 27 percent of independ- hour lunch meetings for 50, to small faculty 25% ent planners work on 41 or more meetings a meetings, to regional alumni receptions all 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% year. Corporate planners followed, with 25 per- around the U.S. Her largest event is the law Source: Martin Akel & Assoc./Wilson Research Group cent saying they plan more than 41 meetings a school’s commencement, with about 2,000 attenAkel & Associates and tabulated by Wilson Research Group, provides a close-up look at planners today, their jobs and responsibilities, and the meetings they hold. continued from cover Occupying the Time Experiencing Growth 24 MeetingNews January 5, 2009 www.meetingnews.com http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/research/index.jsp http://www.meetingnews.com

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Meeting News - January 5, 2009

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