What do you do to incentivize attendees to visit a city? Are there exceptional experiences? Is there a goal toward a common good? Are they just there for a good time? What if there were a way to check all the boxes on the same trip?

In a recent Smart Meetings webinar, “The Cure for the Boring Conference: How a Chicago Event Leveraged Local Resources to Engage Attendees and Raise Money for an Important Cause,” learn how American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and Choose Chicago’s partnership does good for the community, raises awareness for a cause and supports Chicago’s businesses.

“We are lucky enough to have a long-term partnership with Chicago; that played into a lot of these decisions,” said Mandy Davis, vice president of meeting services for ASCO.

Davis said that ASCO’s relationship with the non-profit Conquer Cancer Foundation put her organization in a unique position to see what their community needed to host an engaging event for attendees coming from around the world to visit Chicago and learn about the event’s core mission.

Experiencing Chicago

A key step was inviting local restaurants, shops—and even the Chicago Cubs—to partner with meeting organizers and show off all the city has to offer. Since curing cancer is a goal almost everyone shares, ASCO was able to partner with local vendors to offer donations, which got meeting attendees out and about in town while also doing good.

This started on a small level, with Shop and Dine to Conquer Cancer, where local restaurants and shops participated with the organization.

“We would advertise their business in exchange for them giving a donation back to the Conqueror Cancer Foundation,” Davis explained. “Attendees got the best of both worlds. They knew which restaurants and shops they should look for, they got to go out to dinner, and they got to feel like they were doing something good for the community.”

Conquer Cancer Foundation first decided to partner with the Chicago Cubs in 2016. It was a lucky choice for everyone, because that was the year the Cubs broke their losing streak and won the World Series. ASCO did branded giveaways and got national attention for their cause from the Series win. The special partnership with the Cubs continues today and is one of the many ways ASCO gives its meeting-goers a taste of Chicago.

Moving Forward

With Covid concerns still on people’s minds, Davis acknowledged that in-person meetings need to bring a little something extra if they want people to travel. Davis said social events and networking are now an even bigger part of conventions than they were pre-Covid. “What makes people not want to join a Zoom, but instead fly to Chicago for five days?” she asked. It’s not just about watching the sessions, whether in person or virtually, it’s about having dinner with friends you haven’t seen for a year and “the conversations in the hallway.”

In addition to Davis, Andy Blackburn, vice president of strategic partnerships for the Chicago Cubs/Marquee 360, and Brad Weaber, founder of Brad Weaber Consulting Group, continue the conversation about how this multiyear collaboration came to be, how the Cubs got involved, Covid’s impact on attendee numbers and the differences between connecting with small vs. large groups.

Join them here.

In the meeting professional world there is no “one-size-fits-all” when solving any problem. Nuances, circumstances and ever-changing rules shape how one goes about tackling an issue. Much like the event planner, strategic solutions can wear many hats.

Event cancellations, postponements, hybrid engaged dominated conversations over the last 12 months. Take a look at some pieces we’ve written about the near endless ways to handle the many hiccups that may befall a meeting prof.

alcohol guide holidayHow to Work Around Shortages During Holiday Event Season

When shortages—food, staff, paper, transport—are in short supply, there are two options: bow out or handle it. The meeting professionals in this piece share how they got creative in the face of scarcity and increasing prices of, well, everything. Who would’ve thought chicken and steak would be almost the same price?

eventThe True Cost of Postponing an Event

Cancelling an event can feel akin to throwing money into a flaming trashcan. While losing a bit of time and money may be inevitable when calling an event off, there are some cost considerations to think about before pulling the trigger, which could save you not only money but prevent strain on the relationships you’ve built.

expoHow to Move a 2,000-person Expo in 3 Months

If you do have to postpone, take a page out of this veteran playbook. You have a little more than 2,000 people expected to come to your event, which has been moved twice already, then you learn you have to move it again. What do you do? Andrea Dekker, former event director of ADS Inc, shares how she managed.

5 Questions for Your Next Site Inspection

Event Leadership Institute released The Event Professional’s Guidebook to In-Person & Hybrid Meetings, Events & Conferences, an event guide that covers all things hybrid, attendee safety and event readiness. To help meeting profs with their next site inspection, we touched on five factors to consider.

Code Red! Your Fix-It Guide for Today’s Event Emergencies

When emergencies rear their ugly heads, one must be quick in thinking and skillful in maneuvering. This is what we learned from experienced problem solvers from around the United States.

Not Your Mother’s Incentive… Or Even Last Year’s

The incentive trip comes in many forms, and those forms are increasing, taking on a new look, with a greater concentration on richer, more meaningful and more life-changing experiences that not only satisfy the soul but are more earth-friendly. Recipients of these incentives, typically sales teams, are changing, as well.

Q&A with Rachel Sheerin on Banishing Burnout and Reinventing Joy

Unfortunately, burnout is a common feeling among employees. This year, 77 percent of respondents reported experiencing burnout at their current job, according to a survey by Deloitte. Rachel Sheerin, keynote speaker and event emcee, has also experienced burnout in her life. In this Q&A, she shared how she overcame burnout and began to live a thriving life.

Grab your popcorn! From IMEX highlights to a captivating television show for meeting planners, we’ve rounded up the best of our 2021 videos for you to binge this week. Enjoy.

The Adventures of James Caspian

James Caspian is a world traveler. Heather Mason, CEO of Caspian Agency, and Carl Winston, founding director of Payne School of Hospitality of San Diego State University, follow the legendary meeting professional as he travels the world inventing the future of events-based science. Join the adventure.

Forgot to Pack a Bag? This Video is for You

Returning to in-person meetings may’ve been a bit of a hiccup for some. We asked professional packer Annslie Bigbee to demonstrate how to perfect one of the tougher aspects of traveling: packing. Her innovative “burrito method” using new Briggs & Riley domestic carry-on expandable spinner, makes the difficult easy.

“Our recently redesigned Sympatico collection is sleek, resilient and tech-friendly and offers an unmatched traveling experience,” says Georgene Rada, vice president of product design for Briggs & Riley.

F2F Meets LOL Contest Winner Announced

In the summer, Smart Meetings asked our meeting professional friends to make a funny video illustrating the trials and tribulations of getting back to face-to-face meetings. Hari Maggs, creative event coordinator for MAS Event + Design, won the contest with flying colors, presenting a funny and accurate picture of the awkwardness that getting back to in-person meetings can involve.

Feels Good to Be Live Again | Mid America 2021 Event Recap

On May 16-18, the Smart Meetings crew got together with hospitality friends at Hotel Drover in Fort Worth, Texas, for some classic networking and good times. Smart Meetings TV correspondent Mike Lyons was on the scene asking planners and suppliers how it feels like to once again be shaking hands and giving hugs.

Smart Meetings at IMEX America 2021

IMEX America 2021 was in person this year in Las Vegas—thank goodness—and Smart Meetings TV correspondent was there doing what he does best: Chatting it up with our favorite hospitality partners. This last day Lyons spokes with Marriott Cancun Collection, Grand Hyatt Vail, Visit Portland and Madrid Convention Bureau.

You can see all the videos on our Facebook page.

Last year, with global lockdowns and a lack of face-to-face communication and interactions, the health and wellness of many took a hit. This year, while some tentatively returned in-person meetings, others continued to work from afar, unsure of what the next Covid-related news article might bring.

We’ve learned much about how to remain calm and preserve our well-being despite the craziness going on around us. Below are five of the best tips from this year.

A Wellness Revolution

Spa and wellness facilities were getting increasing attention, even before the pandemic. The pandemic simply gave heightened awareness to self-care, a role that spas were already equipped for. With the importance of safety and cleanliness in mind, these facilities are upping their game to ensure guests get the best—and safest—wellness experience.

Curing Covid Brain with Meditation

You shouldn’t be blamed for feeling more anxious over the last two years; anxiety has a protective evolutionary basis, after all, and has kept humans safe hundreds of thousands of years. But sometimes our anxiety can go awry, leaving our worried thoughts to take over from our more rational minds. Mindfulness meditation can help solve that.

Well-being is Where It’s At

The year has taught us much about well-being, physical, mental and spiritual. Forced to reflect on our lives, many have become more attuned to what it takes to achieve well-being. Read on to find out about the history and future of well-being.

How to Increase Wellness Options in the Lives of Meeting Professionals

Choices, choices, choices. Many of us have them but don’t know how to pare them down. These endless choices plague us in the world of wellness, as well, working directly against its purpose. Hadley McClellan shares what meeting professionals should do if they encounter an overabundance of wellness options for their attendees.

The Health Benefits of Daily Gratitude

Showing gratitude is more than just a way to get people to remember you fondly. Expressions of gratitude have also been proven as beneficial for the giver. There are four major improvements that showing gratitude can add to your life, and getting into the habit is as easily said as done.

Reasonable care has become an elevated priority—and so has liability. With the pandemic and public concern fluctuating in the midst of uncertainty, event planners and professionals are left with an enormous responsibility to prepare themselves, their guests and their contracts for whatever comes next. But we’ve anticipated this. This year, we talked tips, tricks and insights with legal professionals on negotiating event contracts and navigating the current legal landscape.

Event Contract Consideration for 2021

“… It just has to be done thoughtfully and carefully to ensure you don’t run afoul of applicable laws.” —Ty Sheaks

At the very start of the year, attorney at McCathern, PLLC law firm Ty Sheaks outlined some of the best questions to be asking when writing contracts. While some hotels are doing the right thing by taking Covid safety protocol seriously, even offering on-site testing, it’s especially important to have contracts squared away. State laws are varied. We discuss the potential legal repercussions of incorporating necessary Covid protocols and how to do it safely.

Event Contract Essentials in the Covid Era

“Meeting professionals today are risk managers.” —John S. Foster

Force majeure clauses have been making regular appearances in event paperwork. We covered best practices with attorney John S. Foster, counsel at Foster, Jensen & Gulley, LLC during a Smart Webinar in March. Foster talked about reasonable care expectations of event planners and managers, what to communicate to guests and when, and what insurance is required.

Harness the Power of Negotiation for Post-Covid Success

“In opting out of negotiating and advocating for yourself, you think you’re building your reputation, but in actuality you’re damaging it.” —Alison Fragale

In May, Alison Fragale, an associate professor of organizational behavior at University of North Carolina, joined our webinar to reveal secrets for turning negotiations around and getting what you need from legal professionals, clients and family. Fragale provides helpful advice on leveraging influence and summoning motivation.

Contract Negotiation: Post-Pandemic Clauses You Need to Know

“The answer will always be ‘it depends.’” —Ty Sheaks

We invited Dallas attorney Ty Sheaks back in July, this time to delve more into unraveling and defining some of the seeming arbitrariness of contract negotiation. Covid-inspired, nitty-gritty intricacies of force majeure clauses deserve a careful eye. Sheaks gives tips for reviewing event contracts, highlighting frequent, protective common law practices worth being aware of, why and how to avoid lawsuits entirely and resources for setting limitations and legal expectations.

2021 Catalyst Awards: Fusion

“The human tragedy of the pandemic is so extreme, but one of the profound byproducts of the crisis is that having to stay home has reminded all of us of our passion.” —Anthony Capuano

In November, we awarded Marriott International the annual Smart Meetings Catalyst Award for their resilient forward motion without forgetting the past in turning around a year that took a lot out of the company. Now, it takes a little more time to plan and everything becomes a little less predictable. The Marriot executive team shared tips for implementing safety for business and bleisure groups, determining what legal precautions to put in place before reinstating group business and how to sort out your event after a blow from Covid.

Nina Dela Fuente

Dela Fuente rejoined The Hollywood Roosevelt as director of sales and marketing. Between 2012 and 2015, Fuente moved from senior sales manager to director of entertainment group sales. She was most recently director of sales and marketing at Kimpton Everly Hotel in Hollywood. Dela Fuente has also held sales directorships and management positions at The Redbury Hotel in Hollywood, The Garden City Hotel in Long Beach and others.

Michael Savastano

Alila Marea Beach Resort, Encinitas of Hyatt Hotels promoted Savastano to resort manager. Previously, Savastano was director of operations for the property and, before that, director of rooms. Savastano has a long history of experience in guest services and management, working for Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in the Bahamas, Grand Hyatt Central New York, Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa & Casino and more.

Jordyn Boonie

Boonie has been promoted to director of rooms at Hawks Cay Resort in Duck Key, Florida. Most recently, Boonie was director of front office at the resort. In the past, Boonie was general manager at Courtyard by Marriott in Iowa. She has also worked for Sawmill Creek Resort as both its guest services coordinator and marketing assistant, simultaneously, and she was hotel manager on duty at Castaway Bay waterpark and resort in Ohio.

Joe Hirsch

Switch, an event and marketing agency in St. Louis, Missouri, appointed Hirsch to senior vice president of sales and marketing. Hirsch brings three decades of experience in hospitality and business event sales and marketing to his new position. He was most recently director of strategic accounts at Cadmium, an event management software company in Chicago. He’s held leadership and executive positions and directorships at PRA Business Events, PSAV, an event production company in Schiller Park, Illinois and more.

Stephanie Carre and Megan Trudo

Carre is general manager and Trudo is sales and marketing manager at Dirty Habit DC, Kimpton Hotel Monaco DC’s inside restaurant and bar.

Carre has been in hospitality and event management for over 25 years. Recently, Carre worked at DC’s The Occidental restaurant, where she began 15 years ago as its senior event manager. In 2017, she became the acclaimed restaurant’s general manager. Carre has also worked at several other DC restaurants, including Houston’s Restaurant in Georgetown, the historic Capitol City Brewing Company and Hotel Washington.

Trudo has been in the industry for a decade and has held a variety of leadership roles in hospitality and event management. Prior to her position at Dirty Habit DC, Trudo was executive meeting manager for Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group in DC. She has also worked for Cooper’s Hawk restaurants, The Watergate Hotel, Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Chesapeake Hospitality, among others.

Jessica Johnson

Visit Seattle has named Johnson director of marketing. Johnson comes to the new position with more than two decades of experience in strategy and marketing. She was most recently director of marketing and business development at Wild Gravity, a Seattle video production company. Johnson has also been vice president of marketing at Cedar Valley Farms and GreenScreens, a digital cannabis advertising network.

Robin Prakash

Prakash joined Discover The Palm Beaches as associate vice president of group sales. Prakash has been in the hospitality industry for 22 years, holding multiple management positions from the California coast to Florida’s. Most recently, Prakash was director of sales at PGA National Resort & Spa in West Palm Beach. In the past, Prakash has also worked in management for Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Carmel Mission Inn and more.

Amy Pooser

Pooser has been promoted to president and global chief operating officer at Convene, a hospitality, event and workspace services company in New York City. With more than two decades of experience in management and executive coaching, Pooser has proven herself integral to the team and the development of Convene’s virtual and hybrid services. Previously, Pooser was Convene’s global chief operating and chief people officer and, before, she was CEO of Certain Ability, Inc., a leadership coaching company.

Adam Heffron

Conrad Los Angeles named Heffron general manager. With 20 years of experience, Heffron was most recently general manager at Waldorf Astoria Park City in Utah, a luxury ski resort. Previously, he has also been hotel manager at Conrad New York Downtown and, for the past ten years, worked for Hilton properties across North and South America in a variety of senior leadership positions.

The New Year is upon us and as we look at 2022 for our meetings and group gatherings, we gaze into the future with bright eyes and positive grins and think, what the heck is going on? We’re moving into year three of what will most likely be a continuation of the dreaded ‘P’ word: pivoting.

It’s not just Covid-19 (C19) and it’s much more than F&B, room blocks and hotel contracts. Event safety has become a priority, if not for meeting planners, then for attendees. Here are some things to consider.

Technology: Cybersecurity is a tired subject (like C19), but it’s not going anywhere (like C19). Meeting planners don’t need to be IT gurus. They merely need to make sure it’s something IT is on top of. It’s more than breach of data and risk of your members’ information because hackers can disable entire systems, like gasoline pipelines and energy grids. Ask yourself, does my next meeting venue have plans should the power go out? Can my IT folks prevent a hack or act in case a virus invades your onsite registration system?

Emotional Health: The global community is approaching nearly two years of lockdowns, face masks and separation. For some, that isolation has created anxiety, drama or even trauma. We’ve all been through an extended, intense experience. Some of us have survived it better than others. If you, your staff, or attendees are experiencing depression, anxiety or other strong emotions, professional help is available and worthwhile. Don’t lose sight of this. Mental health is important.

Climate Change: You don’t have to be a scientist, politician, or meteorologist to see the effects of climate change. Whether it’s the hurricanes and flooding on the East Coast, the wildfires and severe drought out west, or the violent tornadoes in the Midwest, the weather now plays a role in how we plan our meetings. It might be a matter of merely reconsidering meeting dates or locations to get around peak climate seasons, but if you’re not including climate in your meeting safety plans, you could very well end up in the middle of a twister. Literally.

Active Threats: These days the bad guys use more than guns. However, the FBI reports active shooter events increased 33 percent in 2020 compared to 2019 and 100 percent compared to 2016.  The increase comes most likely from a combination of C19, socio-economics issues and mental health. On the plus side, the number of deaths is down, probably a result of quick action at the scene and by speedy response from police. A potential new tool (and weapon): drones.

The Economy: As we continue to look at in-person conferences and suppliers start to see revenue go up, the market for meeting planners to find venues and suppliers will become more competitive. You’ll need to make quick decisions on location, price, and budget. Don’t let meeting safety and security suffer. That prime hotel you want downtown will only work for your group if it’s well-staffed, well-maintained and provides the experience and environment you need to make your meeting a success.

Illness: A note about C19. It’s not done with us yet. Omicron is fast approaching. It’s believed to be more transmissible, but less severe. In almost all areas where C19 is on the increase, vaccination rates are low. As a matter of fact, I have been advising my groups planning meetings for 2022 not to be complacent. It’s best to have what you need and not need it than the other way around. Include improved ventilation as an essential C19 reducer when considering venues.

Alan Kleinfeld, has more years in meeting management then he wants to admit, combined with nearly two decades of law enforcement experience. He’s a sought-after consultant, speaker, writer and trainer. His safety topics have included site selection, event safety, emergency operations and crisis communications. Contact him at [email protected].

“Everyone has a dog now,” Jenn Glynn, managing partner with Meeting Encore, stated this week in a conversation with Philip Eidsvold, vice president of strategic alliances at One10, about the changing demands of attracting attendees to in-person incentive trips. The timely strategy session titled “2022 Incentive Trends & Wish List” covered some of the unexpected shifts impacting incentive programs, including a desire to stay home with new pets and hobbies, people moving away from densely populated geographical areas and increased responsibilities of remote workers. “We’ve all found ourselves adapting to a new world and a new travel industry, especially travel planners,” said Glynn who was 2020 president of SITE Global, the association for incentive planners.

Listen to the whole Incentive Trends conversation on demand.

The conversation is broken into five sections that address the factors that have contributed to—and will likely continue to contribute to—changes in the strategy driving incentive travel and its programming. In each section, Glynn and Eidsvold offer analytical observations:

  • Incentive travel is returning, however slowly
  • Guest safety has become a focal aspect of incentive travel planning
  • Costs are changing and budgets must follow suit
  • What contracts need to include and how to negotiate those from third parties
  • Why employee retention is even more essential now and why it requires more than a bonus check

Trends

Business events and hotel group room bookings are nearly half of what they were in 2019. Yet, North America’s RFP activities, as of the third quarter of 2021, are just a quarter percentage shy of where they were right before the pandemic hit—and incentive travel RFPs are one of the first to return due to their incompatibility with the virtual format.

Eidsvold noted that at this point, travel planners are doing a lot of “watching and waiting” as incentive travel returns in small, inconsistent waves. Planners are seeing that while the dip in numbers has much to do with timid corporate travel policies, U.S. planners are executing carefully structured and successful Covid safety protocols that are now enabling incentive travelers to get back to events. The majority of companies have formal policies in place regarding Covid testing and vaccination for their incentive programs, and it’s growing the industry back.

The robust return of leisure demand is causing some headwinds, according to Eidsvold. Hotels cost more, air travel is limited and more expensive and inflation has made travel in general more costly. As a result, travel planners are shifting the focus to their budgets and contracts with third parties.

Force majeure clauses are still necessary, especially considering the rapid and hard-to-gauge spread of Omicron. Glynn shared that this new threat is scary for every traveler, every planner, every third-party negotiator. Planners are stepping back to get a bigger picture and empathetic understanding of both sides. “Third-party relationships are key right now, and we want them to last,” she said.

Companies are also recognizing that while financial bonuses for employees are a positive thing, giving a treasurable experience makes the recognition more personable and, thus, can be more effective at keeping employees with the company. “Bonuses aren’t always enough to make your employees feel appreciated,” she said.

Glynn, Eidsvold and webinar attendees closed the final Smart Meetings webinar of 2021 with a wish list for incentive travel. Patience, flexibility, partnership, teamwork and commitment to employees are what will be needed in the new year to pave the way for future incentive travel plans.

If you think popping into a succession of boring Zoom calls makes you an expert on virtual meetings, it’s time to think again. Two recent examples show that by leveraging complementary tech and meaningful interactions, you can still surprise and delight through a screen. Our wish for 2022 is that all virtual events incorporate a little more “wow.” These two creative programs could be a roadmap for doing just that.

Cheers to Planners of the Year

Every year, Smart Meeting profiles top event professionals as part of an annual Planner of the Year feature designed to recognize and inspire innovation and excellence. After four years, the editors decided it’s time to bring these people together to be celebrated in style.

Meet the 2020 Planners of the Year

Meet the 2019 Planners of the Year

Meet the 2018 Planners of the Year

With a new variant on the rise and winners spread over two countries, the obvious solution was to do something digital. The more adventurous decision was to incorporate a signature drink led by a celebrity mixologist and facilitate serendipitous connections with help from a virtual tech partner.

Winners from all four years were invited to the exclusive reunion and asked to share their advice for their 2022 selves. Mixology Mixer, a curated box delivery company started by celebrity planner Loni Paige, sent mini-kits with ingredients for a seasonal gin drink with hints of lemon, apple and spice. The fun, branded boxes heightened the anticipation, made winners feel special and got the fun started days before it was time to log in.

Once everyone’s smiling faces were on the screen, bartender Isaac Grillo walked them through an interactive mixing lesson with tips for scaling and substitution. “It needed be celebratory, fun and something they could touch and taste to make it more real,” said Smart Meetings CEO Marin Bright. The virtual mixologist experience was paired with personal recognition to check all the boxes.

Each winner was celebrated with their advice, and invited to meet their peers through a Twine integration that allowed them to expand on their insights one-on-one. The personalized meeting platform specializes in guiding meaningful conversations—just the right touch for an award-winning group. “The secret ingredient is getting the right people in the Zoom room,” said Smart Meetings Editorial Director JT Long.

Fundraising Like a Dream

New Dream Factory of Brooklyn President Mark Catuogno is passionate about granting the wishes of critically or chronically ill children without spending unnecessary dollars on administration. The CEO of MC Event Consulting knew people weren’t going to come to New York City for a 2-hour event. That is why he proposed to the board that they produce the chapter’s first virtual event ever, and the group’s first gathering of any kind in two years. “They loved the idea, but didn’t really understand how it would go,” he recalled.

Mark Catuogno

Catuogno explained that despite Zoom fatigue, he was going to make the experience festive and compelling by staging it in a virtual world with help from sponsor Allseated’s exVo 3D tool.

He designed a virtual wine tasting and networking experience that led attendees from as far away as Atlanta on a journey through an interactive space to learn about the spirits, the cause and each other.

First, he secured the date with the wine vendor, who helped keep costs down by shipping boxes with miniature bottles. Then he counted backward three months to ensure he had time to market and deliver wine to attendees before the big day. Several companies bought tickets as givebacks for their employees and a total of 50 people participated, allowing Catuogno to reach his fundraising goal before the switch flipped on the live session.

Next came the big questions: What is the board commitment? What does sponsorship look like? What will the journey entail? What feelings should the environment evoke?

Allseated offers access to hundreds of thousands of 3D hotel backgrounds around the world and helped to create a series of “rooms,” including a luxurious lobby, wine cellar for a 1-hour presentation and a rooftop that resembled a view of Italy’s Amalfi Coast for a short presentation about the charity, all followed by a DJ experience. The background included lots of spaces where virtual mobile robot avatars with people’s faces and names could gather to catch up. It was also sprinkled with impactful branding for sponsor partners, and pictures of children who had been helped by the group. A pre-recorded interview with a child who went to Disney World thanks to Dream Factory reminded everyone why they were there.

“It was not a stuffy charity event; I didn’t need to sob story people,” he said. “It was fun and meaningful because of the charitable purpose.”

Having run-of-show down to the second was essential in the virtual realm to ensure Allseated producers dropped people into the right area if they entered late. Dress rehearsals the night before allowed participants to practice. Board members were empowered with conversation starters so they could engage attendees easily and make them feel welcome. A photo booth activation and raffles added to the interactive excitement.

“We are looking at making this a regular part of our programming to create a network of community,” Catuogno reported. The virtual option allows him to connect with supporters between in-person events, and if something happens to a planned in-person event, he can easily pivot to digital. “We are at a point where we need to meet people halfway,” he said.

The holiday spirit took over Sacramento’s renovated SAFE Credit Union Convention Center last week as 400 association meeting professionals came together during the return of CalSAE’s Seasonal Spectacular event Dec. 14 and 15. The gathering was equal parts hosted-buyer appointments, educational content, trade show and reunion.

“Associations pivoted faster than they ever have before,” said Jim Anderson, CalSAE president and CEO. They were there when members needed them and that cemented their loyalty. “It was scary, but a lot of associations made good budget decisions, called on reserves and made the transition to virtual,” he said. CalSAE and ASAE worked hard to make sure associations could get access to federal funds. “They learned the hard way how to go virtual and I think we will see more innovation in the years to come,” he concluded.

Anderson acknowledged that while hybrid meetings are all the buzz right now, the rising cost of AV and hotels is holding many associations back. CalSAE’s 2022 calendar will include either exclusive in-person or exclusive virtual and look at hybrid in the future.

Covidnomics 101

“The economy is back; it is on fire, it’s the new roaring ‘20s,” explained Christopher Thornberg, Ph.D., founding partner with Beacon Economics, during his morning keynote on Wednesday. “Natural disasters, such as pandemics are tragic, but they don’t have long-term economic consequences,” he said.

The supply chain and staffing problems, he said, are the result of an acceleration of underlying trends, including the retiring of millions of people who were going to leave their jobs eventually and entrenched “miserablism”, a culture of telling people how terrible things are. This was paired with “excessive” government monetary stimulus to supercharge the economy. “It threw lubrication in the wheels of change and now labor markets have shifted permanently,” he said.

California is further affected by a chronic lack of affordable housing that is turning it into “a country club state” where only the rich can afford to live.

Thornberg warned that “at some point, there is going to be a sugar crash.”

This insight was followed by actionable tips from Enthusiastic You! author Joshua Evans, who shared tips for building a culture of engagement. A panel consisting of Durst Event Strategies Owner Marcia Durst, Medtronic Senior Meeting and Events Sourcing Optimization Specialist Lauren Goff and events! Enterprises Inc. President Heather Tanfani shared strategies and tactics for planning post-pandemic sustainable meetings.

Association Expansion

CalSAE announced that it will be expanding to serve the members of Oregon Society of Association Management/OSAM through a collaborative agreement.

“It has been difficult for some associations,” said Anderson. Oregon reached out and CalSAE accepted the invitation to provide services through programs already in place. They will have their own council to meet their regional needs.

CalSAE is already the product of four regional societies merging in 2002. This merger will form a fifth region in Oregon to mirror the other four regions (Bay Area, Capital, Southern CA, and San Diego).

“It isn’t that much farther to Portland than San Diego,” he quipped.