Michael Hart

Well, I Guess We Told Them

In the last 24 hours alone, I have heard from the following industry organizations regarding some aspect of a campaign to inform political leaders and the public of the value of meetings and tradeshows, business travel, face-to-face marketing, etc.:

-         Intl. Assn. of Exhibitions & Events

-         Destination Marketing Assn. Intl.

-         U.S. Travel Assn.

-         Center for Exhibition Industry Research

-         Hospitality Sales & Marketing Assn. Intl.

That doesn’t include a “toolkit” from something called the Meeting, Event & Incentive Coalition.

These are not the only industry groups busy sending a message either, just the ones I’ve heard from since yesterday at this time.

This is all a good thing. I hope the various constituents of these organizations are taking the tools provided to them and putting them to good use in convincing people that, despite what they’re hearing, traveling for business is not the devil’s work.

I hope it helps.

If nothing else, every member of these organizations should feel that they’re doing their part.

I remember a few years ago when there was talk at industry meetings and in our pages about the need for some of these industry associations to join forces. One of the arguments was that they would be able to do a better job of advocating on the industry’s behalf in Washington, D.C.

One of the unspoken realities at the time was that a lobbying dynamo in D.C. was not really necessary – there just weren’t that many pressing issues that demanded the kinds of resources the effort would have required.

Now, of course, there are – and all these industry organizations working in tandem seem to be doing just fine.

The tradeshow industry does have challenges at the moment – and politicians looking for scapegoats in everybody who ever went on a business trip don’t help. The situation is more complicated than that.

But as you all continue to do your jobs, it is nice to know that all the disparate industry groups that represent your interests are doing their part.

Posted by Michael Hart on February 24, 2009 | Comments (4)