Readers Speak: Giving Until It Hurts ... and Helps

At an April 25 meeting in Washington, D.C., several of the country's largest hoteliers, airlines and general service contractors told exhibition industry association leaders that they planned to be more careful when considering contributions to association foundations. Meanwhile, show organizers — some from wealthy multinational media firms — have kept quiet on the subject of vendors' contributions to industry organizations and the initiatives that their donations support.

Tradeshow Week Contributing Editor Gary Tufel checked in with readers from both the buying and supplying side of the industry to ask: What contributions does your company make to industry associations, and why?

"GES evaluates its industry participation and contributions by project or initiative. We look at how the opportunity aligns with our corporate culture, return on our investment, return on our objectives and impact on our clients. Requests that support research, education and giving back to the communities where our employees live and work are of particular interest."

John Patronski, Executive vice president, industry development, GES Exposition Services

"The Society of Independent Show Organizers seldom solicits contributions beyond member dues for its own projects because most are self-funding. Were SISO to start soliciting contributions, as a small company, like many SISO members, I would have limited funds to offer. Instead I, and many others, give lavishly of my time as a board and committee member to support SISO and the industry as a whole."

Carl Pugh, President, Radius Events

"We do not contribute to any industry associations, over and above our dues to those we belong to. Our only participation will be the Professional Convention Management Assn.'s foundation dinner in Washington, D.C., where we invite clients to attend so we could use it as an opportunity to market to them."

Steven Johnson, Vice president, public affairs, San Diego Convention Center

"During the recent thin years we have not contributed to any funds, but have kept membership in the Intl. Assn. for Exhibition Management, SISO and American Business Media. As regards education, we participate in both the SISO and ABM internship programs every year."

Don Pazour, CEO, Access Intelligence

"We currently don't budget for charitable giving to organizations in the exposition and meeting planning industry. We pay our dues and registration fees to IAEM, Major American Trade Show Organizers, Assn.net, American Society of Assn. Executives & the Center, Center for Exhibition Industry Research, PCMA and the Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum for education and networking programs that have a direct benefit to our employees and our organization.

"We prefer that our charitable giving go directly to our own members affected by last year's hurricanes and scholarships to students seeking education to further their pursuit of careers in our pro-AV industry."

Jason McGraw, Senior vice president, expositions, InfoComm Intl.

"We contribute resources, notably both money and time, to many industry groups. I am currently on the SISO and IAEM boards, as well as the ABM tradeshow council.

"My intent in joining each was to give back to the industry. The reality is I have gained immensely from the experience, forging friendships and accessing expertise that is only possible due to these industry connections."

Margaret Pederson, President, exhibitions, Prism Business Media

"Cygnus strongly supports both IAEM and SISO because of all the good work that both associations do. We will on occasion financially support studies undertaken by organizations like CEIR or perhaps other projects, but they have to have what we believe are tangible ROI. That said, the bigger investment we choose to make is our considerable time and involvement in these two organizations."

Jeff Price, President, Cygnus Exhibitions

"We are members in good standing in several industry organizations, including SISO, IAEM, CEIR and ABM. We do not directly contribute incremental funds beyond our dues and the fees we pay for conferences that we attend. We do, however, contribute a significant amount of time and expense to supporting these organizations by serving on several volunteer boards and by volunteering to provide session speakers when asked."

David Korse, CEO, IDG World Expo

"NATPE does not make any additional contributions besides dues payments at this time."

Beth Endress, Director, conference and exhibitor services, Natl. Assn. of Television Program Executives

"We contribute in many different ways to the industry outside of just normal dues. We contribute time along with monetary sponsorship of various items spread between many organizations."

Larry Luteran, Vice president, group sales and industry relations, Hilton Hotels