Business Barometer – June 2010
The June 2010 Business Barometer has arrived. Below you will find summary notes to be used with client-facing interactions and for background information.
Quick Version – The Value of Business Barometer Matters
Business Barometer is MPI’s bi-monthly research initiative that gauges the climate of the meetings and event industry. Based on input from valued industry leaders, the research provides members insight about the best areas for hiring; growth sectors such as corporate versus government and domestic versus international; and gets a pulse on the immediate future of meetings.
· 61 percent of respondents say current conditions are better than one year ago and 65 percent project better upcoming conditions
· The June 2010 report includes participation from EU countries, which will now be included as a separate region
· The largest decline in business comes from the international corporate market (both in US and EU)
· Top Trend affecting the industry: Shorter lead times
· Trend: Managing lower budgets in the uncertain economy
· Of Note: For the first time since Oct. 2009 (when Biz Barometer began tracking employment trends), the number of organizations increasing full-time and part-time employment is greater than that of organizations reporting decreases in those two areas
o Companies reporting increase in full-time employment rose from 14 percent to 27 percent; part-time from 17 percent to 22 percent
· Of Note: For the first time since August 2009, the number of organizations reporting improved attendance is greater than the number reporting decreased attendance
For more detail visit the Business Barometer page of the MPI website.
Fight Back to Help Washington State's Tourism
The capitol budget passed by the Washington State Legislature is bad news for tourism marketing and promotion in our state. It sweeps $22 million from the Washington State Convention & Trade Center and places it in the state's general fund. This legislation also prohibits any transfers to state tourism promotion and marketing.
If unopposed, this budget will severely impede Washington State's tourism marketing ability. Please write your local legislators and let them know how this will affect you and quite possibly your job and your livelihood.
Frank Chopp, Speaker of the House (click here: chopp.frank@leg.wa.gov)
Lisa Brown, Senate Majority Leader (click here: brown.lisa@leg.wa.gov)
Your district Representatives and Senator (format for all legislative e-mails is: last name.first name@leg.wa.gov) (Note: if you don’t know what district you live in, simply click here: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/)
Contact your elected officials
Use the talking points and samples letters below as a reference to write to key elected officials in your own words.
Email Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House
Email Diane Feinstein, CA Senator & Bill Sponsor
Sample letter to Congress - Recommended Industry Standards - Word
Sample letter to Congress - Meeting, Event and Incentive Travel Impacts - Word
Find Your Senator
Find Your Representative
Meetingsmeanbusiness.com also has a pre-written letter that you can use to send to your congress members. Please use your home address to find your congress members. Click here for the letter.
Meetings Industry Targeted by Stimulus Bill -
As you all know, the hospitality industry is under siege. The recently signed Dodd Amendment to the stimulus legislation addresses executive compensation, but part of it effectively restricts all kinds of legitimate business travel. The country needs business travel and meetings to continue. Please take whatever steps you can to educate the President, our legislators and the public about the importance of meetings and events to our economy. One way: sign the Keep America Meeting petition (keepamericameeting.org). But don’t hesitate to contact your Congressional representatives or take other steps now. The job you save may be yours!
Meetings Industry Under Attack: Learn What You Can Do
http://www.meetingindustrycrisiscenter.org/
http://www.meetingsmeanbusiness.org/
Meetings, Events and Incentive Travel: Critical to American Jobs, Communities and Businesses: Full Article
Economic Impact of Meetings, Events and Incentive Travel: Full Article
EventView 2009 North America - Top Ten Facts: Full Article
The Local Impact of Cutting Business Travel: Full Article
Corporate Standards for Meetings, Events and Incentive/Recognition Travel - Talking Points: Full Article
Model Board Policy for Approval of Meetings, Events and Incentive/Recognition Travel: Full Article
Travel Community Issues Guidelines for Use of Meetings and Events by Recipients of Emergency Government Assistance: Full Article
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