URL: http://www.esparzaspeakers.com/blog/index.php/view/25/Let_s_talk_meetings
I know a few 'news hounds' who are going through withdrawals these days. People who enjoy knowing what is going on 24/7, across town or around the world. Their inboxes fill up daily with alerts from cable new networks and newspapers. And yet, in the midst of critical news some of them are electing to turn off the TV and delete (unread) those email alerts. Why are they inflicting such pain on themselves?
They just can't take any more bleak discussions about the economy. Their 401(k) has plummeted like everyone else's. They have friends and family members who received pink slips in recent months. And they are painfully aware that the drop in their house's value mean they would suffer a loss if they tried to sell their home right now. Needless to say, they are sick of being continually reminded ad nauseum about the economy!
So you're asking yourself, why I said I wanted to "talk meetings," when all I've discussed are news hounds struggling to limit their news intake? To remind us all of the toll that the current economy is taking on us. We are all acutely aware of its impact on our lives. And it's no shock to anyone involved in the meetings industry, even indirectly, that many are having a hard time right now. Indeed, there has been a knee-jerk over-reaction by some; thanks to the AIG guys who took bailout money and then enjoyed their long-planned, golf/business meeting at a posh Arizona resort, many have decided this is not the time to hold any meetings. (We know better, but we'll discuss that in a future post.)
It's true we don't know how long the recession will last. We're not even sure that we've hit bottom yet. But we all agree there is a rebound in the future. Meanwhile we need to be smart about how we do business. And those who rely on meetings for their livelihood need to stay informed and be prepared to make the important case for effective meetings.
So, we're finally to the heart of my message. Everyone working in the meetings industry -- event planners, employees of hotels/resorts/convention centers, professional speakers, AV guys, group transportation and travel folks, and the list goes on -- need to check out the following websites to stay abreast of the latest news (not the sad fare on MSNBC, the Detroit Free Press, or your local news) but vital info to keep us smart and current as we continue to conduct business:
In coming months, we'll continue to this dialogue about our industry, the economy, and our responsibilities as we strive to best serve clients who, whether they realize it or not, still need to conduct great business meetings. Stay tuned!