Trend of smaller meeting groups
The number of meetings, meeting attendance and overall spending on meetings will all increase this year, according to a FutureWatch study.
According to the study of 459 MPI members, the overall number of meetings planned in 2011 will increase by 8 percent and the average amount spent on those meetings will increase by 5 percent.
“The study, which surveys both meeting planners and industry suppliers, also revealed that the role of business meetings will continue to face tough scrutiny,” writes Timothy Schneider, publisher of Association News
Strategic meetings management and providing return on investment are very important during the current economic downturn. Even as the economy continues to recover, the study predicts meeting planners will still be expected to make a compelling ROI case for every event they plan.
The “right sizing” of meetings will mean the continued growth of smaller gatherings, the group says.
“During the economic downturn, many organizations discovered the strategic advantages of smaller, regional or local meetings,” according to Schneider.
He predicts that trend to continue.
By David Wilkening
David
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