Dallas. The resource has been developed to keep the industry aware of up-to-date information from both MPI and other supporting organisations, whilst importantly providing solutions and guidelines to address the issue. “There is a perception that meetings and events need to curtailed. In our view, it is quite the opposite with meetings and events providing the solutions not the problem. Organisations that use meetings and events effectively will stay closer to their employees and customers, emerging sooner and stronger from the crisis,” said Bruce MacMillan, MPI’s president and CEO.
He continues: “Despite challenging times, MPI’s recently unveiled EventView 2009 research showed that event marketing provided the greatest ROI compared with other marketing tools. That is good news for the industry, good news for companies investing in events and good news for our 24,000 members worldwide.”
MPI is also part of a coalition of organizations including American Hotel and Lodging Association, Destination Marketing Association International, International Association of Exhibitions and Events, National Business Travel Association, Maritz Travel, Professional Convention Management Association, SITE (Society of Incentive & Travel Executives) and U.S. Travel Association that also emerged to unify the industry behind a common message to regulators and media.
Companies affected by the regulations – many Global with European operations – include Citigroup, Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, General Motors – owners of Opel and Saab – Morgan Stanley, Capital One Financial and American Express. Bruce Macmillan continues: “It is vital that governments recognise the importance of the meetings and events industry. Our industry is responsible for 15% 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 in the US alone.
“Regulations will undoubtedly affect those global corporates with offices in Europe and the way our European members conduct business. Our role is to provide our members with resources, tools and knowledge to be successful in this new environment. We will ensure that MPI and the meetings industry voices are heard loud and clear amongst any Governments’ and media considering restricting budgets. We do not want draconian measures put in place that affect European jobs, communities and businesses.”
