•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:
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:
•The extent to which company financial forecast influence incentive programs.
•The effect of competitor reactions or company incentive programs.
•Sensitivity to others’ perceptions or company incentive programs.
The findings by the IRF indicated that the trends have stabilized and are on a positive upward trend for each of the core issues since July 2009.
What is the perceived impact of the economy on the ability to plan and implement incentive travel programs? The IRF survey said respondents in the survey continue to be more optimistic and consider the economy as having a “more” positive impact on their ability to plan and implement incentive travel programs when compared with 2009 results.
Also, what are the anticipated changes in 2011 with regards to incentive travel accommodations? Forty percent of respondents of the IRF survey anticipate reducing the total number of days/nights for the accommodations portion of Incentive Travel Programs in 2011.
•32% indicated that number of rooms will be reduced.
•27% indicated a change to “all inclusive” pricing options.
•26% indicated that onsite inclusions per participant will be decreased.
Survey respondents indicated that 27% anticipate no changes to the budget for Incentive Travel Programs in 2011 as a result of the economic conditions in 2010. While 27% indicated no changes, 22% indicated that they think they will see a reduced budget and 17% indicated they will see a increased budget in 2011 as a result of the economic conditions in 2011. In general, respondents said that changes to their 2011 Incentive Travel Program will have either a “decreased impact” or “remain the same” on Employee morale. In addition, most respondents said changes to the 2011 Incentive Travel Program will have no impact on sales results or profitability results. The majority of respondents indicated that social media is used to communicate with participants prior to Incentive or Recognition Programs.
• 36% indicated they use social media to communicate with participants during Incentive or Recognition Program.
•27% indicated they use social media to communicate with participants after an Incentive or Recognition Program.
•3% indicated they do not use social media as an element of the program.
According to a reader survey conducted by BizBash©, more professional event planners will use email and Facebook© as a way to invite guests in 2011 versus printed invitations. These findings show that the meeting and event industry is continually revolutionizing how to connect with each other.
•BizBash© conducted a survey in December 2010 and found the following results.Which of the following do you plan to use to promote an event in 2011?
Email invitations (83%)
Facebook (73%)
Printed invitations (51%)
Twitter (48%)
Printed collateral/mailing (48%)
Blogs (43%)Print ads (37%)
LinkedIn (33%)
Online ads (30%)
iPhone/iPad apps (16%)
Radio ads (11%)
Television ads (7%)
•The effect of competitor reactions or company incentive programs.
•Sensitivity to others’ perceptions or company incentive programs.
The findings by the IRF indicated that the trends have stabilized and are on a positive upward trend for each of the core issues since July 2009.
What is the perceived impact of the economy on the ability to plan and implement incentive travel programs? The IRF survey said respondents in the survey continue to be more optimistic and consider the economy as having a “more” positive impact on their ability to plan and implement incentive travel programs when compared with 2009 results.
Also, what are the anticipated changes in 2011 with regards to incentive travel accommodations? Forty percent of respondents of the IRF survey anticipate reducing the total number of days/nights for the accommodations portion of Incentive Travel Programs in 2011.
•32% indicated that number of rooms will be reduced.
•27% indicated a change to “all inclusive” pricing options.
•26% indicated that onsite inclusions per participant will be decreased.
Survey respondents indicated that 27% anticipate no changes to the budget for Incentive Travel Programs in 2011 as a result of the economic conditions in 2010. While 27% indicated no changes, 22% indicated that they think they will see a reduced budget and 17% indicated they will see a increased budget in 2011 as a result of the economic conditions in 2011. In general, respondents said that changes to their 2011 Incentive Travel Program will have either a “decreased impact” or “remain the same” on Employee morale. In addition, most respondents said changes to the 2011 Incentive Travel Program will have no impact on sales results or profitability results. The majority of respondents indicated that social media is used to communicate with participants prior to Incentive or Recognition Programs.
• 36% indicated they use social media to communicate with participants during Incentive or Recognition Program.
•27% indicated they use social media to communicate with participants after an Incentive or Recognition Program.
•3% indicated they do not use social media as an element of the program.
According to a reader survey conducted by BizBash©, more professional event planners will use email and Facebook© as a way to invite guests in 2011 versus printed invitations. These findings show that the meeting and event industry is continually revolutionizing how to connect with each other.
•BizBash© conducted a survey in December 2010 and found the following results.Which of the following do you plan to use to promote an event in 2011?
Email invitations (83%)
Facebook (73%)
Printed invitations (51%)
Twitter (48%)
Printed collateral/mailing (48%)
Blogs (43%)Print ads (37%)
LinkedIn (33%)
Online ads (30%)
iPhone/iPad apps (16%)
Radio ads (11%)
Television ads (7%)
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