Meetings Are Worth the Cost!

Meetings are worth the cost. The Travel Industry Association of America compiled a comprehensive and aggressive campaign to change attitudes about meetings, events and incentive travel continues to reap results.

In addition to favorable stories this week on NBC's Today show, CNBC and the New York Times, an exchange yesterday on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives between Congressmen Barney Frank (D-MA) and Shelley Berkley (D-NV) is a clear sign that the tone has changed in Washington toward the value of business travel. Click here image or to play (may take a minute to buffer).The colloquy with Congressman Frank is a major win for our industry because it clarifies on the record the importance of business travel by the chairman of the Financial Services Committee and a respected House leader.

Remember corporate meetings, association meetings and incentive trips may be decreasing in size and budget, but they are worth the cost. To share industry information, as well as upkeep the morale of employees. This is a hard time for all America's, incentives are important -but must be kept in check.

As a HelmsBriscoe Manager for Global Accounts I can help make the meetings you have more cost productive. The exclusive partnerships we share with hotel brands, and convention and visitors bureaus is a one of a kind partnership. Try my site selection and contract negotiation skills. In this economy, you can't afford not to!

Saving Money on Meetings

I am a meeting manager. What is a meeting manager and why is that a job? I love the day to day operations of making things happen, saving money for clients and finding affordable alternatives. Ok. But why can't I plan meetings myself, you may ask....

You can. I am going to introduce you to step 2. Where did step 1 go? I am step 1. I work for a company called HelmsBriscoe (www.helmsbriscoe.com). HelmsBriscoe is the largest site selection firm in the world.

It must be expenisve to use you....what can you do that I can't..are your next series of questions.

Let me ask what your first step in planning a meeting would be? I'll wait........ Budget, maybe! Yes. Second step??? waiting..... Site Selection? Yes, again. Both budget and site selection will tell you alot about how saving money is going to work FOR you!

I can assist with site selection. No, yes I said NO, cost to you. Meeting planning should be fun. No matter if your planning for 10 people or a citywide. I can take the "boring" part of site selection off your hands, negotiate the contract for you, and provide a basis for your budget. YOU get to do the FUN stuff - provide a great bottom line for your Board, yourself or your boss.

If you are experiencing cutbacks, like many of my clients are, take a look at the following article
http://meetingsnet.com/associationmeetings/marketing_meetings/better_meetings_during_downturn_1208.
You are not alone. Making simple cutbacks can help!

Let's work together to save money on meetings. Join me back for tips and advice on what I am doing to make meetings happen in a down economy!