Though a brighter economic scene certainly awaits us at some point, everyone reading this must continue to generate revenue, even in these difficult times. In that vein, this issue is focused on diversifying your approach to the market – looking for new opportunities wherever they may be.
Since this is an interactive newsletter, we encourage readers to share ideas you have for finding new prospects or expanding business with existing ones without waiting for market conditions to make that task easier.
Obviously this is not the first economic downturn in (most of) our adult lives. It reminds me of a conversation I had shortly after 9-11 with the late Aldo Marsili of Millennium Hotels. We discussed the devastating impact of 9-11 on tourism in New York and responses from the travel and tourism industry. Aldo said that (surprisingly to me), Millennium was doing OK and would get through those very difficult times, however not as the result of their traditional customer base: commercial (including meetings & incentives) and leisure travelers. Read the rest of this entry »
For some updated perspectives on diversifying your business, take a few moments to listen to Bruce’s interview with Steven J. O’Malley, Sr. VP & General Manager of Maxvantage (The Maritz/American Express Alliance) on action strategies for meeting/incentive companies. He offers some excellent ideas for reinforcing industry and customer relationships.
By Jennifer Brock, Regional Director of Group Sales, Prince Resorts Hawaii, a division of Prince Hotels
In August of 2007 I joined Prince Resorts Hawaii as the Regional Director of Group Sales for the West Coast and Southwest Region. With three golf courses, tennis centers, fitness facilities, day-spas and convenient meeting capabilities, all situated on stunning oceanfront settings, I felt it would be easy to fill the hotels with groups. Read the rest of this entry »
By Madelyn Marusa, DCMP, Vice President of Industry Relations, PRA Destination Management
Like most of our industry, Destination Management Companies, including PRA Destination Management have been affected by the loss of corporate business in both meetings and incentives. The corporate and association markets that traditionally utilized services such as elaborate theme events, exclusive venues and high end destination activities have substantially reduced their spending. Read the rest of this entry »
There’s no other time I can recall in my 30 plus years in this industry where the stars were so aligned against meetings and incentives. We’ve had recessions before but not as deep or long as this one. What’s new this time around is: 1) a continuing lack of confidence on the part of so many people for any improvement in the near future and 2) the trashing of meetings and incentive travel by government officials and media. Read the rest of this entry »
By Merissa Harkness, Director of Sales, Rocky Mountain Connections
Everyone has been to or planned an incentive trip to a magnificent beach locale. Now it is time to try something new, different, and completely unexpected. Famous for their snow sport activities, mountain destinations have always attracted the crowds during the winter months. However, most people are unaware of everything the mountains also offer during the spring, summer and fall. A secret among the locals, the mountains can be at their best when the snow isn’t falling. The weather is warm, the Aspen trees are changing, and the adventurous activity options are endless. The mountains are a perfect spot to bring conferences, meetings, executive retreats, and couples or family incentive programs. Read the rest of this entry »
By Allison Summers, Executive Director, Site International Foundation
Measurement is something we consistently discuss but what do we really do in practice and what exactly are we measuring? The Site international Foundation released its most recent survey, Focus on Measurement. This research highlights some of the ways professionals in our business approach the topic of measurement. There are several very clear opportunities for both providers and users of motivational events. Read the rest of this entry »
By Alicia Evanko, Event Director, The Travel Group
We are fresh back from Incentive Travel Exchange, in partnership with Site, and we are delighted with the great response we have received already! More than 6,000 appointments were conducted and a record number of RFPs submitted. We had interactive networking functions including a Wii Tournament, Viva ELVIS Cirque du Soleil, an evening of excess at XS-The NightClub at Encore and Fiesta Fantastica, sponsored by Mexico Tourism Board. And a special thank you to China Star Professional Programs for sponsoring the Wednesday Breakfast. We enjoyed learning about China Star from Liu Ping (pictured here), David Liu Yanxiang and Nigel Bramich!
The success of this year’s Incentive Travel Exchange is a testament to the strength of this industry. For the third year, we have sold out participation. We are grateful to Our partner, Site, who continue to invest countless hours educating the media, politicians and other sectors outside of our industry on the importance of rewarding top performers and the role incentives play to our economy. Site’s Chief Executive Officer reports, “Year after year Incentive Travel Exchange delivers a high quality program that leaves its particpants pleased and looking forward to the next event.” View the post-event release here. Read the rest of this entry »
By Alicia Evanko, Event Director, The Travel Group
Are you a North American buyer who books the Caribbean for your meetings and incentives? Are you a Caribbean supplier who wants to reach planners who book your destination?
I invite you to apply for a position at our inaugural Caribbean Meeting and Incentive Travel Exchange being held from October 7-10, 2010 at The Palmyra, with Jamaica as the host destination, and Site. We have received overwhelming support from suppliers and interest shown from buyer and we anticipate the event to sell out in the same fashion as sister event, Incentive Travel Exchange. Read the rest of this entry »
