This document discusses trends affecting the meetings industry and how to plan for the future. It notes that meeting location decisions are often irrational, influenced more by unofficial criteria than official bids. It highlights emerging markets in Asia, South America, and Africa attracting more international conventions. New generations want customized choices and interactive, self-directed online learning. Technology allows social media, mobile apps, and hybrid virtual/in-person meetings. The future involves balancing virtual and face-to-face events to create value rather than focus on destinations.

1. Rethinking Meetings
Planning for the Future
Meetings Africa
February 2012

2. Contents
Winning Bids
Generation Change
Globalization
Business Drivers
Technology

3. Winning Bids

4. People are irrational.
People decide where
meetings are held.
Therefore, meeting
location decisions
are irrational.

5. What they really want vs. what they say they want

6. The bid criteria is what the association says it wants
– but, what about the decision makers?
X
Official bid criteria
Unofficial bid criteria

7. Bid Criteria
Where most people focus
Official
Unofficial

8. Standard bids don’t work

9. Efficient Sales Person Design
1
Mouth
2
Ears

10. Key to Success……

11. Generation Change

12. What They Want
Choice
ROI
Customized

13. How They Learn
Interactive
Self-propelled
On-line

14. Who They Trust
Peers

15. Globalization

16. Emerging Markets
Comments
5000  Asia, South America and Africa
CAGR* are attracting a larger share of
4000 international conventions as
5.4% Europe associations seek to globalize
3000 their membership and market
engagement.
8.9% Asia/Pacific
 Africa has a high CAGR, with an
2000 2.6% North America average annual growth rate of
8% over the past 10 years.
1000 8.6% South America  Africa’s prospects are very
strong for the future, but, that
0 7.7% Africa future belongs to those who
are market ready.
1.4% Other
Source: ICCA (2011)
* CAGR: Compound Annual Growth Rate

17. Event Rotation

18. Safety and Security

19. Business Drivers

20. Specialized Communities

21. Cost & Value
Lost revenues
2nd Tier
Commoditization
Transparency
Subvention

22. Shared Risks

23. Outcomes
Not Destinations

24. CSR

25. Technology

26. Content & Communities
Social Media
Meetings Apps
Hybrid Meetings

27. The Future…
Virtual
AND
Face to Face

28. Thank you