Meeting planners turn to social networks

June 09, 2009 | Hospitality Industry

The majority of meeting and event planners prefer social networks that build upon, instead of replace, personal relationships, according to an HSMAI Affordable Meetings West pre-conference survey.

Sixty-one percent of meeting planners attending the 13th Annual Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International’s (HSMAI) Affordable Meetings West Conference & Exposition at San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, Calif. on June 10-11, 2009, stated that they were engaged on Facebook, and 58 percent were members of LinkedIn. Networking and maintaining relationships were the top benefits cited. Just 13 percent said they were using Twitter.

“Technology is actively leveraged by event planners for a competitive edge, but professionals are consistently relying on tools that strategically engage customers and resources at a broad, in-depth and paced level, rather than provide small, bursts of rather impersonal contacts,” stated Dr. James Houran of 20|20 Assessment™. “Event planners still emphasize personal attention as their core business practice, and this is consistent with the current and strong customer demand for enhanced customer service in this era of budget cuts and contingency planning.”

Technology continues to be a top priority in 2009 with 70 percent of planners reporting an increase in technology use in meetings management and marketing. Of those respondents, 74 percent commented that the incorporation of the various technologies made their jobs easier. Thirty percent of planners also cited that they would be looking for event planning software suppliers at this year’s exposition.

“Holding Affordable Meetings® West in San Jose this year puts us in the backyard of Silicon Valley, which seems like an appropriate backdrop for the Event Technology Expo Preview” said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI. “The ETE preview incorporates educational sessions and suppliers that focus on providing economical solutions for our attendees.”

Other resources planners will be seeking at Affordable Meetings® West include hotels and resorts (80 percent), alternate venues (70 percent), promotional items (44 percent), CVB’s (43 percent) and entertainment (33 percent).

The “Event Technology Expo” Preview features various suppliers in the exhibit hall and incorporates ETE educational sessions into the conference program. ETE educational sessions include, “Get More Done! A Productivity Workshop with the Email Coach” and “Technology Trends Meeting & Event Planners Need to Know.”

More than 600 attendees, representing meeting and event planners from a variety of organizations, with a majority representing corporate, association and independent sectors and the balance from government, non-profit, education, religious and medical/health care organizations, trade show management and the military, are expected to visit HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® West 2009 show. Attendance at HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® West is free-of-charge for qualified meeting planners.