Meetings are not the problem...

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Our industry is currently under attack from the media and lawmakers. The message needs to be clear: Meetings are not the problem, but part of the solution. We are providing our chapter leaders with resources to activate their members to engage in the conversation and get this message out.

Key initiatives:

·      MPI has launched a new Web resource for meeting professionals to connect during this crisis — meetingindustrycrisiscenter.org. There is a brief PowerPoint Presentation in this toolkit that covers the site and its resources.

·      MPI has teamed with other associations in furtherance of public education through marketing and lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C. The MPI Foundation together with foundation arms throughout the industry has determined to raise $1 million to fund the first-ever study of the impact of meetings on the U.S. economy.

·      We acted collaboratively as an industry and agreed on a model set of principles for companies that have received government fund rather than wait for the government to impose guidelines.

·      We have also formed a Meeting, Event and Incentive Travel Coalition. Led by Roger Dow of the U.S. Travel Association, the coalition has already placed retainers on marketing and lobbying firms in Washington, D.C.

·      The USTA-led coalition launched a national campaign called "Meetings Mean Business" (www.meetingsmeanbusiness.org) which will give a further voice to the businesses and people who are suffering as a result of the demonization of meetings and events. It includes a powerful public relations initiative, paid advertising, additional web resources and will require support from local organizations like convention and visitors bureaus and also MPI chapters to tell the story that the faces of this crisis that matter the most are the ones found in local communities like yours.

Much of the focus of this crisis is currently on developments in the United States. But if history is any indicator, the challenge will spread. And indeed, we are already seeing the start of fall-offs in Canada and Europe.

But remember, now isn't the time for panic. It's the time for action. Think about the way the industry recovered after 9/11. We reached out. We connected to new ideas that made us better professionals. We connected to marketplaces that built our businesses. And we connected to relationships that protected and grew our industry.

Key talking points regarding anti-meeting, events, conferences and incentive gatherings legislation and regulation:

What this means for the economy?

In the United States alone, the meeting and event industry is responsible for 15 percent of all travel, creates over an estimated $200 billion in spending annually, generates nearly 2.4 million jobs and provides around $40 billion in tax revenue, and this doesn't begin to quantify the global impact. Meetings are not the problem with the economy. In fact, face-to-face meetings are part of the solution.

What this means for the industry?

As an economic force, this industry has to make its voice heard over the media attack that has received so much attention in Washington and is spreading to other capitals of the world. It is time to activate our voices in this conversation from every aspect of industry participants.

What this means for our members?

Our members are now requested to become a part of the energy of many as the groundswell grows. It will take the voices of all our community to turn the conversation to meetings being part of the solution; not part of the problem.

Why you should care as a Planner or a Supplier?

In this situation there is no difference between planners and supplier. We are all at risk of losing our jobs and seeing an industry shrink. The success of each of us is vested in this conversation.