 Here at Midwest Meetings, we're always on the lookout for new columns, blogs, product/service reviews, and other content produced by and about meeting/event professionals.
As an active member of the online meetings community, your voice helps to influence the industry dialogue, and that's why I'm inviting you to consider Midwest Meetings as an additional outlet for your thoughts and opinions about the events world.
Do you have re-printable articles or current commentary, top-ten lists or tips and tricks, war stories or lessons learned, firsthand how-to's or personal reviews, photos or videos, or any other ideas or input you'd like to see online at MidwestMeetings.com or in print through Midwest Meetings magazine?
 •What to expect in 2011.
It’s a new year and as 2011 is in full swing, many meeting planners and attendees are curious to know what all they can expect as the year pushes forward. It has been reported that regions across the country, including the Midwest, are reporting modest increases in demand at hotels. This demand increase was especially visible in the latter part of 2010. The Incentive Research Foundation (IRF) recently released a study, which asked professionals questions on trends with regard to incentive travel programs, merchandise non-cash programs and budget changes forecast for 2011. The IRF also gathered data on issues of continuing interest in the industry which were:
by Kirsty Pitkin
 After an event is over, we take stock. We measure the number of tweets, the number of people who could have possibly seen those tweets, the number of blog posts, the number of discussion threads in the LinkedIn group, etc., etc., etc.… We take these numbers to indicate the level of engagement surrounding an event. But is this what they are actually telling us?
A recent post by Ann Priestley challenged me to think about the ways we measure the online engagement with a conference. She presented a graph from Socious, who use the high peak of activity during an event and sharp tapering of this activity after the event as part of their argument to sell their product. Their implication is that unless your event has a long tail of post-event activity, it is not as successful at long-term engagement.
 ** To evaluate your meeting, get feedback from both sides of the fence. Your attendees will tell you if the meeting benefited them, and your stakeholders will tell you if the meeting met their goals and objectives.
** Make a habit of providing meals before alcoholic drinks. Consuming alcohol on an empty stomach as opposed to after eating will result in increased levels of intoxication among attendees.
 Embracing CSR
• Sustaining the CSR concept.
• Incorporating CSR into your event.No longer just an industry buzz word, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is here to stay and all meeting planners, regardless of company size, should be aware of the concept and practices of CSR.
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a practice whereby organizations decide to contribute to a better society and a cleaner environment by creating business cultures that value charity and stewardship, while recognizing the interests of their stakeholders. If envisioned and implemented well, CSR is not only good business, it is smart business. Companies that consider the social implications of their actions are likely to boost their public image and goodwill, attract more customers and investors and reap benefits for their shareholders. Additionally, such behavior attracts employees wanting to be associated with a company that is concerned not only with profits, but also the welfare of society.
 By Patrick Mayock
PHOENIX, Arizona—The 2009 Lodging Conference began with an optimistic eye toward the future and, more specifically, recovery. That was the first topic at hand during the opening general session held at the Arizona Biltmore.
“Following every downturn ever in the hotel business, we’ve had a great upturn,” said Tom Corcoran, chairman of FelCor Lodging Trust, when
Tom Corcoran
asked what that recovery would look like. “The question is when, and I don’t have the answer. … (but) things are beginning to feel a lot better.”
 Geoff Freeman, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for the US Travel Association, discusses the status of the meetings and travel industry.
The Value of Meetings...
• Industry needs to be proactive in advocacy efforts
• Meetings/Travel is the generator that can turn the economy around
The meetings and travel industry has had a difficult year. While impacted significantly by the economic downturn, the industry was also hit by negative comments by government officials and some sensationalized reports in the media. In the past several months, the industry has been active in making its case on the value of the meetings and travel industry. From a Travel Day Rally to presenting to Congress a petition in support of the industry, and continuing advocacy, leaders in the industry have been persistent and resilient about promoting the value of the industry.
In this Q&A forum, Geoff Freeman, Senior Vice President for Public Affairs for the US Travel Association, discusses the status of the meetings and travel industry. Freeman addresses the various problems faced by the industry and why it is vital to keep pushing the value of industry, which can help turn around the suffering American economy.
 Bruce MacMillan, CA
President and CEO
Meeting Professionals International
www.mpiweb.org
I’ve followed with interest the coverage of executive excess at AIG and comments by Attorney General Cuomo and others that led to the subsequent cancellation of most of AIG’s planned meetings, events and conferences for the coming year. I bristle at reports of extravagant corporate spending, especially under circumstances like these, and fully support the forceful righting of a ship that’s gone dramatically off course.
But as the head of a 24,000-member global community of professionals who pride themselves on designing and delivering meetings and events that generate business results in both good and tough economies, I want to offer caution on the hazard of making sweeping public business decisions that might frustrate the rebuilding of AIG as a successful enterprise and also inadvertently establish a new precedent for other businesses to follow.
 Steve Bova, CAE
Executive Director
Financial and Insurance Conference Planners
www.ficpnet.com
Financial and Insurance Conference Planners (FICP) has followed with much interest the press coverage of excessive spending of certain financial institutions on meetings and events.
We strongly believe in scrutinizing the ethical, moral and financial stability of all publicly held companies. FICP does not support irresponsible and excessive corporate spending, especially during times of economic distress. But we would also like to offer our perspective on the relevance and value of corporate meetings, conferences and incentive programs, many of which have been planned long in advance of any financial trouble, and many of which are vital to helping companies focus
 Midwest Meetings asked, and you answered! We wanted to know how you learn about meeting sites, how you use meetings magazines and how you’re balancing your budget to meet changes in the marketplace. Following is what we’ve learned from you so far.
You’re Listening to What Properties Have to Say…
It’s true - business in the meetings and events industry is largely based on word-of-mouth. But you’re not ignoring properties’ marketing and advertising efforts.While about 32% of you reported that you discovered your last meeting site through a referral from a colleague, 36% of you first learned about the site through tradeshows or media such as direct mail, magazine advertising, online advertising or editorial coverage.
In addition, 45% of you reported that you use CVBs to assist in your site selection.
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