The Power of Third-Party Planners
In the past 10 years, third party planners have gone from zero to hero with an ever growing popularity across every segment of the industry including hotels, convention and visitor bureaus, destination management companies and even technology providers. In a recent article posted in Meetings & Conventions, Cheryl-Anne Sturken explains how third party planners are now international power brokers in the meetings realm, providing a wide range of services that range from professional meeting...
Read MoreA meeting of great minds reflects on global events the future
The EIBTM CEO Summit will take place on Wednesday November 30th for its 6th year in Fira Gran Via, Barcelona. EIBTM is the leading exhibition for the conference, incentives, events, business travel and meetings industry. This global forum will bring together over 60 executives from across the meetings and incentive industry to discuss trends that could influence the businesses now and in the future. The key theme for this year’s EIBTM CEO Summit will focus on ‘Global Events’ and include...
Read MoreHow higher taxes could keep TDs grounded
It is no secret that over the past few years, the meetings industry has changed drastically. Annual meetings have been cut in half and many incentive trips have been cancelled altogether. TDs are still crossing their fingers for the exotic destinations of the past, but those trips have become very few and far between. Clients do continue to want experienced, professional staff and near perfect meetings, but keeping the program costs as low as possible has become the main agenda for...
Read MoreWhat is a Travel Director?
What is a Travel Director (TD)? This is a question often asked from anyone outside of the industry. To be honest, before starting at ETD, I myself had no idea. Most of the time people think it is the equivalent of a travel agent. Even trying to explain it can get confusing. Knowing what a TD is can be very helpful to professionals all across the board. In an article written back in 2006, Irene Korn did a great job explaining just that. It may be an older article but the information is still...
Read MoreWhat is Next for Airport Screening?
It’s times like now, Holiday weekends, that we all dread the airport a little more then usual. More people traveling means longer lines at check in and the one we love the most, security. Over the past few years there has been heightened security in all areas ranging from travel size carry on items to full body scans and pat downs. But what will it it be next? In a recent article found on CNN, as we approach the 10th anniversary of that fateful day, this is the question many are asking. What...
Read MoreThe Future of Meetings
It’s fun to think about the future. Will it be like The Jetsons, where you’re flying around space in cool little cars and a robot takes care of your family? Or maybe something like Star Trek, where you can travel via teleport. Who knows, maybe we will all be vacationing on Mars. But I guess the question we should be asking is what does the future of meetings look like? While robots and teleporting still sound a little far-fetched, they could be making an appearance sooner than you’d...
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