The meetings and incentive industry needs greater clarity and harmonisation if it is to achieve more universal recognition for its major contribution to business…
The meetings and incentive industry needs greater clarity and harmonisation if it is to achieve more universal recognition for its major contribution to business. That was the view of members of the
The group, representing some of the key associations, was originally formed last year with the objective of helping the industry to work together more harmoniously and with greater standardisation of messages and communications.
Among those attending the meeting was Ian Dockrill and Didier Scaillet, MPI; Angela Antrobus, ICCA, Hugo Slimbrouck, SITE, Rod Cameron, CCI and Roger Tondeur, managing director of MCI.
Tom Nutley, Managing Director of Reed Travel Exhibitions and organiser of
The industry has many challenges ahead and one of those is to be able to communicate clearly about exactly what its role and function is worldwide, said Mr. Nutley. Currently there are mixed messages and much confusion.
The industry is not part of tourism. But at the same time, we are not saying with one voice what and who we are – and why the industry is crucial to many fundamental aspects of society and business.
We are the fastest growing sector in the world, yet we do not communicate it to major influencing organisations such as governments.
He said that the group felt the acronym
The group is now finalising a short, sharp description of the industry, using the `Meetings Industry` as a means of summarising the activity of
business conferences, incentive travel, professional information/research exchange, product launches and exhibitions.
This does not include a description for general business travel where an executive might fly to Paris, for example, to meet a client face-to-face. This is a quite different sector with a separate set of criteria and factors.
We will be urging every association and every member of the industry to use the statement as a suggested guide for a more uniform approach to all communications.
Mr. Nutley said that the group also hopes to use the statement as a basis for campaign, fronted by Reed Travel Exhibitions, to highlight the importance of the industry to business and government.
Members of the group have also agreed to participate in a keynote debate at EIBTM 2002 in Geneva – `Back in Business` at 11.00 am on Wednesday 22 May. The debate will focus on the problems and solutions of an industry, on the brink of a new and expanding future.
A further meeting of the group is planned for Monday 20 May in Geneva, immediately before EIBTM 2002.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
