Successful Meetings - January 2009 - (Page 43)

spokesman for American. Cleveland Hopkins “The majority of capacity International Airport and decreases are in markets Continental Airlines, the where we have fairly highnet reduction is relatively frequency service. So if minor, compared to other there were 10 flights daily, airlines and other hubs,” now there are eight. It will says Dennis Roche, presiimpact group travel reladent of the Convention tively little.” and Visitors Bureau of Capacity cuts by Greater Cleveland. “Prior Continental and the recent to the announcement of merger of Delta and cutbacks, our sales team Northwest will also conalso shifted gears. tribute to contraction of Cleveland is on the verge availability in the coming of constructing a new months. But insiders say this convention center, so we will not greatly affect groups. are focusing on more “Most planners are careful regional association meetabout site selection, with air ings. The strategy we put availability being a major in place over a year and a consideration. Overall schedhalf ago focuses on more ule reductions may make it regional drive-in groups, more challenging to hold which is a tactic we will large conferences in certain keep in place as long as David Beckerman, destinations, but small to we are between phases for vice president, OAG mid-size meetings likely the convention center.” won’t be affected,” says In Milwaukee, fewer Monisa Cline, staff vice president of flights don’t necessarily translate into North America sales for Continental in fewer visitors. At General Mitchell Houston. International Airport, there are 13 airAs for the second- and third-tier cities lines offering service, and that number affected by the changes in airlift, CVB remains constant, says Brent Foerster, officials remain optimistic at the prospect vice president of sales and marketing of bringing meetings to their destinafor Visit Milwaukee. “There are approxtions, and are positioning themselves for imately 194 departures, which is down growth based on other strengths. from 235 departures, which represents “Our airport, like most across the a 17 percent drop. However, the load is country, took reductions in the fall. It is actually up. So while the flights being somewhat a moot point, as planners offered are less, there are more travelers begin to look three to five years in the on what is left,” he says. future. It hasn’t disturbed inbound “The air reductions are not going to activity so far this fall season,” says Rick have a lot of impact on us. Of greater sigHughes, president of the Kansas City nificance is the slowing economy, which is Convention and Visitors Association, causing companies to cut back on travel adding, “We have very strong future expenses and events. However, we haven’t bookings in the pipelines.” been affected like other markets, because Capacity cuts are not fazing tourism Milwaukee is a value destination,” says leaders in Cleveland either. “The change Foerster. “We are a rather cosmopolitan in volume has not affected visitor traffic city with arts and entertainment, from the … When we talk about the cuts at Milwaukee Art Museum to the Milwaukee County Zoo and the new Harley-Davidson Museum. Companies that want to do group events in a central location have access to restaurants and activities at a better value.” Getting There Regardless of how things play out for second- and third-tier cities, planners can avoid delays and aggravation with preparation that focuses on three key areas—the booking process, travel alternatives, and special touches to enhance the experience for attendees. According to Steve O’Malley, vice president of strategy practice and industry relations for Maritz Travel in St. Louis, fewer flights can affect the management of a meeting, particularly the start and end times. However, there are ways to address the issue. “We are trying to coach clients to provide us with the names of attendees, and opening the registration process as soon as possible, so that we can get the best possible itineraries and have a pick of airlift. Make sure that you are planning for fewer flights with everything you do,” he says. When airlift becomes problematic, it is time to start thinking of other ways to get people to where they need to go. “A meeting planner can go to the airlines and charter an aircraft,” says Carlson’s Beauchine. She also echoed Besser’s comments that attendees, particularly on the East Coast, are more willing than ever to drive to meetings. Once attendees arrive in the meeting destination, it is important to meet their immediate needs, “by opening up a hospitality suite where they can have something to drink or eat, and store their bags before the room is ready,” recommends Beauchine. “[And] schedule staggered departures. Activities have to be planned after people check out of their rooms, while they are waiting for their flights,” she says. “Ultimately, it is really about the care that you want to give meeting attendees.” SM “For well-known meeting destinations, it will be a bit more challenging for travelers to get there.” SuccessfulMeetings.com I January 2009 I SM I 43 http://www.SuccessfulMeetings.com

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