Happy GMID!
Today is Global Meetings Industry Day! What are you doing to remind policymakers, corporate leaders and colleagues that business events are essential to economic recovery and growth? It’s not too late to be part of the conversation — today or any day.
Consult our roundup of face-to-face and virtual events occurring now, and other ways to help further our industry. This tooklit from the U.S. Travel Association provides additional inspiration and guidance to help you spread a message that is critical to all of us: In-person meetings and events bring undeniable benefits to both businesses and communities, spurring connections
that can only be made face to face. Pass it on!
A Time for Empathy
On this important day, I suggest we examine the supportive spirit — or lack thereof — within our ranks. After two years of commiserating and collaborating, meeting planners and hoteliers are growing frustrated in negotiations. The Northstar/Cvent Meetings Industry PULSE Survey confirms a growing divide. With a lot of lost business behind us, both sides are determined to minimize their risks when booking future business. Among key sticking points: tight contract terms, high rates and inadequate staffing.
Standing firm makes perfect sense from a business standpoint, but caustic business dealings can swiftly unravel the partnership we’ve relied on during the worst of times. I would argue that a “normal” approach to negotiations isn’t appropriate right now.
My chats with meeting professionals in recent weeks revealed important commonalities: We’re stressed. We’re tired. We can’t tolerate any more negativity. The forces driving tough business conditions — including inflation, Covid and even war — are
hardly conducive to typical business practices.
How about this tactic: Bring empathy to the negotiating table. Approach business deals with honesty, flexibility and, above all, kindness. For our industry to recover and thrive, we cannot do business as usual.
Honoring the Best
It’s awards season, and we’re not expecting any controversy to overshadow the 6th annual Stella Awards, now open for planner voting. Planners: There’s no better way to show appreciation
for your favorite CVBs, hotels, convention centers and other suppliers than by casting your votes now. The sheer volume of nominations — and the scores of votes now rolling in — demonstrate
planners’ appreciation for the innovative and dedicated partners that have consistently delivered excellence in challenging market conditions.
The Stella Awards are open for public voting until May 13, 2022. Finalists will be determined by total votes during this period. Winners will be announced on Nov. 3, 2022, and will be featured in Meeting News, online at NorthstarMeetingsGroup.com, and
in the November 2022 issue of Meetings & Conventions. Now is the perfect the time to honor the achievements of your hardworking partners: Vote here!