MeetingSource.Com Joins in Industry-Wide Effort to Promote the Economic Value of Meetings

    PROVIDENCE, RI, February 14, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- A collaborative effort in the meetings and convention industry is gathering steam as the economic downturn requires that the industry prove the economic value of meetings and conventions.

A half dozen meeting industry groups, spearheaded by the U.S. Travel Association, published a set of guidelines that would make sure company meetings or employee incentive trips are not wasteful. Guidelines are available at the U.S. Travel Association's website - www.ustravel.org

This is after companies involved in government bailout programs were accused of "luxury spending."

For its part, MeetingSource.com interviewed meeting planners across the country and released a list of ten arguments to keep holding meetings for them to make to budget committees or superiors or even government officials. It is posted at http://www.meetingsource.com/directory/why_meetings_are_essential.htm and in its meeting planning section http://www.meetingsource.com/meetingplanning.htm

"We as an industry need to use our influence to show that offsite meetings are not a luxury but a vital part an effective business mix," said John Horchner, Publisher of MeetingSource.com.

"We need to give meeting planners tools, resources and arguments to keep holding their meetings. Meetings and conventions unleash creativity and return high value. Like meetings themselves, this a time for us to be creative and stress the legitimate reasons for companies to keep holding meetings."

About MeetingSource.com

MeetingSource.com - http://www.meetingsource.com - has been helping meeting planners find meeting facilities, conference and convention centers with innovative tools like the site selection advisor - http://www.meetingsource.com/meeting_facility_search.asp - and compelling editorial content since 1996.

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