Understanding the Modern Meeting Planner: Meeting Planning and Spending Trends

Understanding the Modern Meeting Planner: Meeting Planning and Spending Trends The meeting planning industry is evolving as the economy continues to bounce back. Discover how modern meeting planners are selecting venues and just how much cost plays a factor in today's decision making: Meeting Planner TRENDS Meeting spaces are becoming more creative. Meeting planners are looking for non-traditional small gathering spaces as well as outdoor meeting spaces. (1 Meeting planners are beginning to request 2 bundled packages again and are more likely in 2012 to request customizable packages. Budgets for teambuilding are increasing this year which means that venues with teambuilding packages will see growth in 2012. PLANNING: Environmental Trends: What environmental trends do meeting planners find "Very Important" when determining a meeting site? CLEANLINESS/ATTRACTIVENESS 2009: 57% 2011: 53% SECURITY/ CRIME RATE 2009: 54% CLIMATE 2011: 53% 2009:37% 2011: 34% DIFFERENT/ UNIQUE FRIENDLY RESIDENTS 2009: 22% 2009: 24% 2011: 17% 2011: 18% Information Sources: What information sources do meeting planners find important when selecting a site? Past Experience > 89% Reputation/Image of Location > 71% Destination Web Sites > 38% 24% Business Contacts at Location 15% > Travel Magazine Articles 14% Social Networks/Media 10% > Travel Brochures SPENDING: Meeting Planners were Less Worried about Meeting Expenses in 2011 than 2009 Percent change from 2009 to 201| for what meeting planners consider as "Very Important" when determining a meeting venue: $ Food and Good Value for the Travel Costs Lodging Expenses: Money: -8% change 3% change 0% change Percent of meeting planners that agreed that the following NEGOTIATES DISCOUNTS/ CONCESSIONS: statements "Applied Very Much": 2009:57% 2011: 53% SHOPS FOR VALUE AND PRICE: 2009:37% 2011: 34% About Q Center For more than 40 years, Q Center in St. Charles, IL has been one of the world's finest meeting facilities and the choice of many Fortune 500 companies. Focused only on groups, the Chicago area meeting facility is free from the distractions you'll find at tourist-filled hotels and vacation spots. Q Center is an undisputed leader in conference center technology, offering 500 Mbps Internet connectivity, wireless and LAN set-up, secure data centers and a full-service on-site events and media team. Center To experience the power of Q, visit http://www.QCenter.com/. Meetings - Conferences - Executive Learning SOURCES: http://www.benchmarkhospitality.com/Media_Center/Press_Releases/2012/2012_top_ten_meeting_trends.asp http://rrcinfo.com/rrcassoc2/wp-content/uploads/Documents/DestinationMAPHighlights_small.pdf http://rrcinfo.com/rrcassoc2/wp-content/uploads/Documents/PR_DestinationMAP.pdf 2012