Meetings, Expositions,

Events, and Conventions

An Introduction to the Industry
FOURTH EDITION

CHAPTER

Introduction to the
Meetings, Expositions,
Events, and Conventions
Industry

Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:

An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

The Olympic Games are one of the many aspects of the meetings, expositions, events, and conventions industry.
Credit: Rommma/Fotolia

Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:

An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

Accepted Practices Exchange

(APEX)
An initiative of the Convention Industry
Council (CIC) to create and enhance
efficiencies throughout the Meetings,
Expositions, Events, and Conventions
(MEEC) Industries

Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:

An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

Accepted Practices Exchange

(APEX)
APEX forms available

Industry Glossary
Event Specifications Guide
Request For Proposal (RFP) forms
Housing and Registration Accepted
Practices

continued on next slide

Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:
An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

Accepted Practices Exchange

(APEX)
APEX forms available
Contracts Accepted Practices
Post-Event Report
Meeting and Site Profile Report

continued on next slide

Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:
An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

What is a Meeting?
A gathering for business, educational,
or social purposes
Associations often use the term to refer
to a combination of educational
sessions and exhibits. Can include
seminars, forums, symposiums,
conferences, workshops, etc.

Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:

An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

Industry Terminology and Practice

Meeting
Domestic Meeting
National Meeting

Expositions
Event
Convention

continued on next slide

Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:
An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

Industry Terminology and Practice

Trade Show
Seminar
Workshops
Conference
Clinic

continued on next slide

Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:
An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

Industry Terminology and Practice

Break-out Sessions
Assembly
Congress
Forum
Symposium

continued on next slide

Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:
An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

Industry Terminology and Practice

Institute
Lecture
Panel Discussion
Incentive Travel

continued on next slide

Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:
An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

Organizational Structure
Six Major Divisions

Lodging
Food and Beverage
Transportation
Attractions
Entertainment
Shopping

Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:

An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

Background of the Industry

1895 Detroit businessmen form first
CVB
1910 Predecessor to the American
Hotel and Lodging Association founded
1916 Predecessor to the American
Society of Association Executives
founded

continued on next slide

Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:
An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

Background of the Industry

Post-World War II travel and meetings
expand; hotels build and expand stateof-the-art meeting facilities
1948 Convention Industry Council
formed
1957 Professional Convention
Management Association (PCMA)
founded
continued on next slide
Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:
An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

Background of the Industry

1960's The Conrad Hilton Hotel in
Chicago establishes first convention
service manager position
1972 Meetings Professional
International (MPI) is founded
1976 First academic meeting
planning program

continued on next slide

Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:
An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

Background of the Industry

1979 Georgia State University begins
convention services management and
meeting planner classes
1985 Certified meeting Professional
(CMP) program established
1989 US Department of Labor adds
job title of Meeting and Convention
Planner to National Code Directory
continued on next slide
Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:
An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

Background of the Industry

2000 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
adds Meeting and Convention Planners
(13-1121) category to Standard
Occupational Classification

Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:

An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

Scenario Planning
Use when:

Uncertainty is high
Many costly surprises have occurred
Insufficient new opportunities
Quality of thinking is deemed to be low
Common language is desired
Major differences of opinions exist
Competitors use scenario planning
Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:
An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

Scenario Planning
Six-step process for formulating
strategies in uncertain conditions:
Consider general scenarios
Examine the organization's market
Assess the organization's internal core
capabilities

continued on next slide

Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:
An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

Scenario Planning
Six-step process for formulating
strategies in uncertain conditions:
Put the pieces together
Identify tactical initiatives to support
strategic directives
Implement

Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:

An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

Why Have Meetings and Events?

People prefer to meet face-to-face.
People meet with and learn from peers.
Includes all forms of communication
verbal and non-verbal

Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:

An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

Why Have Meetings and Events?

Build Communities of Practice

Strengthen skills.
Impact change.
Observe accomplishments.
Renew acquaintances.
Learn new products / services.

Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:

An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

Employment

Event planner
Meeting planner
Wedding planner
Hotel or conference sales
Restaurant sales

continued on next slide

Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:
An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

Employment

Entertainment / sporting venue sales

Destination management
Hotels
Convention centers
Exposition services contractors
Destination marketing organizations

Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:

An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

MEEC Relationships
What affects or impacts meetings:

The meeting sponsor

The facility
The destination
All others who provide services for
meetings

Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:

An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

What Planners Do
Logistics
More than counting coffee cups

Strategic
Support the work toward an
organization's bottom line
Anticipate changes

Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:

An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

What Planners Do
Types of Planners
Association
Corporate
Independent

Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:

An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

What Planners Do

Overview of site selection

Transportation arrangements
Function rooms
Guest rooms
Exhibits

continued on next slide

Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:
An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

What Planners Do

Food and beverage

Negotiations and legal considerations
Speaker arrangements
Marketing
On-site management

Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:

An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

Predictions for the Future

A steady market
Year over year increases
External issues and trends
Conservation and environmental
concerns
Labor shortages

continued on next slide

Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:
An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

Predictions for the Future

Budget increases
Technology availability
Webcasts
Globalization

Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:

An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

Review

What is a meeting?
Terminology
Organizational structure
History
Economic impact
Why have a meeting?
Employment
What planners do
Meetings, Expositions, Events, and Conventions:
An Introduction to the Industry, Fourth Edition
George G. Fenich

Copyright 2016, 2012, 2008

by Pearson Education, Inc.
All Rights Reserved