Meetings Industry Overview Quiz

Meetings and Conventions Management (HTM4005) - Introduction

• This course introduces the meetings and conventions industry.
• Course prepared by Norene Brown-Roomes, revised by Deanna Marchalleck.
• Date of revision: August 2020.

Objectives

• History of the meetings and conventions industry
• Size and impact of the industry
• Careers in the industry
• Profile of a meeting planner
• Roles and functions of meeting planners
• Benefits of meetings

Meeting Definition

• A gathering for business, educational, or social purposes.
• Source: Meetings, Expositions, Events and Conventions, Fenich, G.G.

The Industry

• MICE: Meetings, Incentives, Conference & Exhibitions
• MEECE: Meetings, Exhibitions, Events & Conventions
• Both equally describe or interchangeable terminology for the industry

Brief History

• Meetings and conventions were originally held only at hotels.
• Meeting planners were hotel employees, with titles like group sales manager, conventions manager, or sales manager.
• The advent of convention and conference centers post-1960s kept pace with growing associations.
• Demand for larger, more elaborate meeting spaces increased along with corporate market demands for exhibitions and trade shows.
• The purpose of meetings shifted from entertainment to training, education, and information sharing.
• Attendee profiles reflected the trends of the workplace.
• Food and beverage offerings diversified.
• Meeting technology evolved.

Change Influenced by

• Market competitiveness
• Internet
• Globalization (opening of closed economies like the Soviet Union, China, Japan)
• Technology

Size of the Industry

• International tourist arrivals by world region show increasing numbers. (Data from graph)
• Travel and tourism regional performance (2019) displayed the largest contributions. (Data from map)
• US trade show and conference planning statistics.
  • Market size: $9 billion
  • Number of businesses: 5,595
  • Industry employment: 72,478
• PwC study (2009) shows 1.8 million corporate and business meetings, trade shows, conventions, congresses, incentive events, and other meetings in the US.
• $263 billion spending, 1.7 million jobs created and contributed $106 billion to GDP.
• Total industry output: $907 billion and contributed 6.3 million jobs.
• 205 million attendees participated.
• Corporate/business meetings account for 1.3 million.
• 85% of meetings were conducted at venues with lodging.
• 250 million room nights/overnight stays.

Impact of the Industry

• 29th largest contributor to the US gross national product. (In the US)
• Generates 36% of the hotels' operating revenue.
• Attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors contributed to various sectors including:
  • Air transportation (24%)
  • Food and beverage outlets (14%)
  • Business services (12%)
• Influenced the growth of meeting planners, airline industry, lodging industry, convention bureaus, convention and conference centers, and meeting technology.

Gone Global

• Corporations with global markets or affiliates
• International Associations
• Professional Societies
• Government entities involved with worldwide audiences (e.g., Law of the Sea Convention of the UN).

The New Landscape

• Projected employment growth in the meetings industry. (Data from graph)

Benefits of the Meetings Industry

• Meetings have a huge economic impact (multiplier effect).
• Strengthen local economies.
• Attendees spend more than average tourists (expense accounts).
• Educational and motivational tools that increase national productivity.
• Spin-off effect: attendees may return for vacation.

Scope of the Industry

• Accommodation
• Food and beverage
• Conference and convention centers
• Visitors Bureau
• Entertainment
• Transportation
• Safety and Security
• Marketing
• Meeting technology

Incentive Travel/Trip

• A travel reward given by companies to employees to stimulate productivity.

Types of Meetings

• Convention: Attendees attend educational sessions, participate in discussions, socialize. Typically include exhibits.
• Exhibitions/Trade Shows: Held to showcase vendors' products to potential customers. May be part of a larger meeting or stand-alone event.
• Seminar: Lectures and discussions guided by experts; used for training and skill enhancement.
• Forum: Open discussion with an audience, panel, and moderator; often of public interest.
• Symposium: Number of experts discuss a certain field and make recommendations.
• Congress: National or international participation of delegates from different countries or bodies, meeting annually or semiannually.
• Lecture: Expert talk on a specific topic.
• Workshop: Intensive training session with discussions and exercises to develop skills.
• Conference: Participatory meeting to exchange ideas, seek solutions, or focus on specific issue areas that attendees have similar interest in.
• Clinic: Workshop type for attendees to learn through experiential activities.
• Retreat: Focused on problem solving, introspection, and brainstorming new ideas.
• Panel Discussion: Experts give their opinions on a topic, led by a moderator.
• General Session: Meeting where all attendees participate; examples include opening receptios or award ceremonies.
• Break-out Sessions: Smaller group discussions within a larger meeting to focus on specific topics.

Test your knowledge on the meetings industry with this quiz that covers spending, job contributions, and the impact of this sector on the economy. It explores the role of meeting planners, industry statistics, and key initiatives like those from the Jamaica Tourist Board. Discover how globalization has influenced this dynamic field.