April 2013
Cover Story/Budgets + Revenue
Is the RFP Process Broken?
Hotel salespeople say they're buckling under the weight of lead spam. Planners say they're not hearing back about their proposals as quickly as they need to. Is the RFP process broken? And can it be fixed?
Cover illustration by Brian Stauffer
Features
The World of Science: Two International Meetings
We went overseas to explore the mysteries of two international scientific meetings: What is an oil-rich destination like Abu Dhabi doing hosting the World Future Energy Summit? And why did Singapore decide to create the Global Young Scientists Summit?
Are Medical Meeting Professionals Ready for the Affordable Care Act?
Are medical meeting professionals ready?
The Business of Radical Reinvention with Jason Jennings
The entrepreneur and author believes that the business of radical reinvention is personal, that every successful organization has a noble purpose, and that, when it comes to meetings, ‘the fellowship and camaraderie, learning from your peers, one on one — that absolutely will never be replaced with technology.’
Departments
The Hybrid Balance
HIMSS found an inexpensive hybrid model that competes with the fast rise of free online events, striking a balance between virtual and in-person — and serving a key member group who couldn't make this year's annual meeting.
Sleep + Sustainability
It makes sense that the American Academy of Sleep Medicine would create a tranquil space for its headquarters office. But can a facility that's one with nature also be a productive conference setting?
Supported Article
The Antidote for Dull Presentations
Say goodbye to boring talks. ideaDJs provides ‘real-time visual support for events’ by using images to riff on a speaker's presentation — on the spot and on the fly.
3 Content Curation Methods Way Better Than PowerPoint
Do you offer audio recordings of your conference's concurrent sessions synced to PowerPoint decks? If you do, you're probably experiencing a decline in the number of attendees who purchase and consume this flavor of archived content. If your numbers are holding steady, I predict it's just a matter of time before your royalties evaporate.
Supported Article
What Trade Show Still Rocks After 110 Years?
The NAMM Show is a huge, rock-star-packed, decibel-bending, four-day mix of all things music — with a surprisingly simple pricing model for exhibitors. Convene was on site in Anaheim this year to see what makes the entire production rock.
Plenary
Never Feel Lost in a Conversation About Wi-Fi Again
If you want to see a gathering of meeting professionals “light up like there are fireworks going off in the room,” just mention the topic of Internet access at meetings, said Michael Owen, president of Nashville-based Eventgenuity.
No Two RFPs Are Alike
Online RFP platforms make it easy to assume that the process is monolithic — completely standardized, homogenously formatted, and more or less the same for everyone. But planners have their own individual methods for putting their meetings out to bid. Here are three:
Michael J. Lyons: Industry Leader Turned Leading Man
Longtime meetings and travel industry professional Michael J. Lyons' sideline career as an actor put his kids through college — and continues to help him play his latest role as exhibition director for AIBTM.
SACSCOC Makes Room for Expanding Minds
The SACSCOC (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges) 2012 Annual Meeting, held Dec. 8-11 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas,
Strong Bodies and Strong Minds at AAIC
The 25th Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) will take place at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center from July 13-18.
Halftime in Detroit
We've all seen the ads. First it was Eminem's adrenaline-thumping ode to his hometown that aired during the 2011 Super Bowl. The next year it was Clint Eastwood who made a nation stop for two minutes and listen to his chilling, gravelly monologue about halftime in Motor City — and the entire United States.
How the GSA Effect is Hurting Government Meetings
It might be time to formally, permanently retire the AIG Effect and officially proclaim the GSA Effect.
Also In This Issue
Conventional Wisdom
On the new 80/20 split, weight-loss products, and ‘mouthwatering’ food and drink.