Revising Plans in Tough Times

One of the many benefits that the clients of Conference & Logistics Consultants derive by hiring us as their meeting consulting firm is that we keep them appraised of key legal and industry issues.

In our ongoing discussion about key industry partnerships, it is important that I devote time to our strong relationship with the law firm of Howe & Hutton, LTD. Howe & Hutton, LTD. serves the unique needs of nonprofit organizations, which are the core clients of our company. We rely on the professional guidance and counsel of Howe & Hutton, LTD. to support our clients. We share the same philosophy of business by practicing honest communication in a proactive manner. We believe in facing challenges head on to achieve mutually beneficial solutions.

Jonathan T. Howe, Esp. was recently published in Meetings & Conventions Magazine in an article discussing "Revising Plans in Tough Times". He talks about the need for meeting professionals to evaluate the impact of the economy on their meetings. He strongly suggests initiating positive discussions with contracted hotel partners about ways to collaborate to meet the needs of both the hotel and the association. Opening the door to honest discussions about rate, sleeping room block adjustments, attrition benefits everyone.

Mr. Howe offers suggestions for key clauses to include in future contracts to help manage "rescue" instead of having to deal with "bailout".

If you missed the article, it is well worth the time to read it. It is available online at:
http://www.mcmag.com/article_ektid23664.aspx?terms=*Revising+Plans+in+Tough+Times*

Good partners make great teams!

Getting the Most for your Conference Dollars

In these economic times, organizations of all types are looking for ways to slash expenses across the board. The Annual Conference, with all its associated costs and contracts, is often scrutinized. Savvy managers know that all businesses are feeling the squeeze, which means that short-term contracts can be renegotiated to provide lower rates and greater incentives.

But it is also an excellent time to negotiate favorable long-term agreements, particularly site contracts for future years. Bargains abound in both first- and second-tier meeting locations across the world. as well as resort and luxury properties When considering future meeting locations, however, facility fees and incentives aren’t the only consideration. Organizations will reap the greatest savings by selecting a location where overall costs are lower.

Earlier this week, Forbes magazine released its annual list of the Top 10 Bargain Cities in the U.S. – places where you can pay the least for the most. The financial gurus at Forbes developed their list by analyzing a city’s overall cost of living, pay scale, labor and housing statistics, and unemployment rate.

Austin, Texas tops the list as the best bargain city; followed by Phoenix, Arizona and Washington, DC. All of these cities are meetings-friendly and excellent destinations, as well as providing lots of bang for your buck. The magazine also publishes an annual list of Most Overpriced Cities, a resource managers might want to consult when booking future years.

These indices are not the final word on the matter, but a useful barometer for gauging overall meeting costs in a destination. Final site decisions must of course be based on the best overall fit, but financial considerations are king in a sluggish economy.

Going Green in the Office

There's a great networking opportunity for the environmentally-minded in the Annapolis area where our offices are located. It's called Green Drinks and it's a monthly get-together in a fun, informal way and the common cause is the Health of the Chesapeake Bay. At Green Drinks this past Tuesday, we celebrated Tourism Week in Maryland and conversations were engaging, casual and fun! Go to greendrinks.org to find a Green Drinks in your area!

Here's some tips on going Green in the office:

• Turn off your computer every night
• Make sure your monitor turns off
• Change your computer power settings to it will go into sleep mode if unused
• Put all your office equipment on power strips which can be turned off
• Start using CFL bulbs for lighting
• Install an Occupancy Detector for lighting
• Invite in sunlight, open up blinds, set up your desk so that it maximizes light

*If every US computer and monitor were shut off every night, we would shut down eight large power stations and decrease CO2 emissions by 7 million tons annual. *Office Energy Guide, developed by the city of Portland, Oregon