Meetings business finds a way through the cloud
AMSTERDAM – A survey of International Congress and Convention Association member companies has revealed the massive global impact of the recent volcanic ash-induced European no-fly zone.
The no-fly zone has hit the international association sector as well as corporate meetings, triggering cancellations, postponements and delegate reductions in this previously resilient sector, “something the current economic crisis has failed to achieve”, said ICCA.
Whilst European events were most badly affected (over 70 percent reporting negative impacts), conferences held in locations as far distant as the west coast of North America and the Malaysian state of Sarawak also suffered, with reduced delegate attendances, missing keynote speakers, and frustrated organisers.
But the survey also revealed the many creative ways in which ICCA members worked with clients to mitigate the damage caused by this crisis: numerous events have been rebooked at no extra charge; cancellation and attrition clauses have been relaxed; massive efforts have been made to assist and communicate with delegates.
Many smaller events have been replaced by video conferencing, some larger events converted into "hybrid meetings" by combining a live audience with webcasting for those who couldn’t make it through the ash.
ICCA CEO Martin Sirk said, "This unprecedented shut-down challenged our industry as never before, and has been a massive wake-up call for us to think about how we will deal with the inevitable future crises.
“What it also demonstrated is the vital importance of strong long-term working relationships between suppliers and meeting planners – this is not a time for either party to insist on contractual small-print, and if there has been one heart-warming aspect from our survey it was to hear so many stories of collaboration and flexibility."
ICCA will be organising a morning seminar on the Iceland volcano and its implications at IMEX on May 25.
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
All eyes on Qatar as Qatar Airways leads a season of global events