Religious meetings keep the faith
Planners of faith-based meetings are getting special attention these days due to their recession-proof nature, according to MICE experts.
“Religious-meeting planners are finding they are some of the most popular people around these days. They are being deluged with sales calls,” said DeWayne Woodring, executive director of the Religious Conference Management Association (RMCA).
Experts say religious meetings maintain consistent sources of meeting business without regard to economic conditions.
No surprise there because when times are bleak the devout still go to meetings to look for guidance. Unlike corporate meetings, religious groups are not economically driven.
Religious meeting planners usually go after the most affordable rates, so they frequently meet during “value seasons.” This makes them even more desirable for cities and locales with slow down times.
Downtown hotels are the top choice of religious meeting groups, according to the latest RMCA survey. Conference centers are second.
Most of these meetings are not large groups. Only about five percent of religious meetings need more than 3,000 sleeping rooms, but a majority of religious groups use exhibit space, with more than two-thirds reporting they need show space.
By David Wilkening
David
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 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026