Posted by Michele Wierzgac, CMM on November 19, 19101 at 19:01:07:
In Reply to: Trends posted by PRB on November 06, 19101 at 20:13:01:
1. The trend most likely to receive the most conversation (and in my opinion should not) will be on how we are experiencing a "buyer's market" and how the "seller" is struggling to get planners to their properties.
2. "Yesterday, good service was a unique commodity....today we demand it!" (My quote from a speech I made last week).
3. Since there is a growing demand for "AWESOMELY DIVERSIFIED independent meeting planners", there will be greater emphasis on developing and managing strong business and marketing plans. We will witness more competition (similar to what we witness in other industries) or we will see more partnerships and mergers/acquisitions....similar to lawyers developing major firms.
4. We will agree on and continually market to the industry a common descriptor for the "independent meeting planner" or "Meeting Management Companies" or "Supplanners".
5. Business as UNusual....no matter how much the politicians and major corporations want to say "go back to the way things use to be", we ARE living in "different" times, and everyone needs to "admit" that we are in a state of change. Some examples of changes include new designs for safety, security, and technology-based meetings. Most importantly, I envision more employees spending more time with their family and everyone being much more kinder.
6. Ethics will be a hot topic more than ever....especially since we are in a "buyers market."
I'm sure I will have more. It will be interesting to see what happens. Let's review these in 2006!
Thanks for asking,
Michele C. Wierzgac, CMM
CEO & President
Michele & Company