Passport - (Page P34)

Charting Their Budget Crunch To help reduce the impact of high international meeting costs, many survey respondents took action: Course 47% of respondents primarily use hotels that offer US dollar fixed/guaranteed rates Meeting and incentive planners divulge the details of their international events. 45% 21% 20% 18% 17% 17% 8% hold meetings in shoulder or off-peak seasons seek more sponsors use second-tier cities when possible use lower-tier properties wherever possible reduce the services/amenities provided reduce attendance purchase foreign currency forward contracts Edited by Alison Golub Research by Nancy Lazarus Coming and Going Concession Stand In order to attract US groups, some overseas destinations and properties have been offering concessions. Planners were offered the following deals when organizing their programs: The number of delegates attending both corporate and association international programs is expected to stay on course in 2009*, according to the survey respondents. In 2008, the average size calculated was 231 people per program. More than 1,000 people 7% 501 to 1,000 people 5% 42% 37% 25% 22% received US dollar fixed/guaranteed rates for their events were offered room upgrades obtained package offers for non-peak seasons were offered earned rooms 1 to 50 people 23% 251-500 people 14% [] Take the Lead The greatest percentage of respondents—34%— said their typical lead time for planning an international program was 12 to 17 months. 8% reported less than 6 months planning time, while 16% said they had 24 months or more. 34 51-100 people 24% 101-250 people 27% *Pie chart is based on 2009 projections Rise to the Challenge Organizing international events can mean stark changes from what a planner is used to domestically. Below, respondents ranked the challenges they face when planning programs abroad: Overall costs 66% Travel time required 52% Fluctuating exchange rate 44% Communications/language barriers 42% Air access 37% Security concerns 24% Service levels 18% Passport requirements 14% Successful Meetings/MeetingNews/Incentive / MARCH 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Passport

Passport
Contents
Destination Diary Europe
Americas and the Caribbean
Asia
Africa
Charting Their Course
Show Me the Money

Passport