Presented by Kristi Casey Sanders (@PYMLive) at #MEC2012. The challenges we face in this industry have shifted dramatically during this economy, and they continue to evolve. Short booking windows, reduced budgets, new technologies, layoffs, job insecurity, media attention, workplace morale, contract negotiations, and hidden fees are just a few. Join this discussion and learn solutions that will help you work smarter, not harder. Learning Objectives: • Determine opportunities and trends that can help streamline and enhance the planning process. • Partner with industry suppliers to discover innovative win-win solutions for contract negotiations and disputes, value-adds and budget challenges. • Develop communication strategies to promote events, mitigate the effect of toxic workplaces and share the strategic value of your work.

1. Industry Challenges
@PYMLive | #MEC2012
& Solutions

2. Industry challenges: Meeting Planners
3% 1. Budgets
4%
4% 2. Employment
24%
11% 3. Time management
4. Attendance
5. New ideas/resources
11%
6. Contract negotiations
16% 7. Short-term bookings
11% 8. Proving worth/ROI
16%
@PYMLive |

3. Industry challenges:
Destinations, Hotels, Vendors
1. Budgets/economy
1%
3% 2. New ways of marketing
5% 17%
5% 3. Price integrity
6% 4. Finding decision maker
5. Breaking new markets
8% 14% 6. Building relationships
7. Short-term bookings
10% 8. Misperceptions
10%
9. Managing/hiring staff
10% 10%
10.Educating planners
11.Qualifying leads/time
@PYMLive |

4. Discussion:
What are you currently struggling with?
Do you have advice for the people at your table?
Take notes. There's a Google Doc you can edit
at: http://ow.ly/1GV23l (<-"L")
We'll share findings in 20 minutes.
@PYMLive | #MEC2012

5. Resources: Budgets, technology, new ideas
• "152+ Ways to Save Money"- http://ow.ly/9eCy6
• Meeting technology 101 series - http://ow.ly/9eCEJ
• Survival strategies for suppliers - http://ow.ly/
9eCN5
• Great contract negotiation advice - http://ow.ly/
9eDos
• Short-term booking engine - http://ow.ly/1GTygJ
@PYMLive |

6. Online tools
• Registration: eventbrite.com
• Virtual binder: evernote.com
• Free digital brochures:
issuu.com
• Social media management:
hootsuite.com &
tweetreach.com &
budurl.pro
• Fun stuff: YouTube.com/
planyourmeetings
@PYMLive |

7. Industry Challenges
@PYMLive | #MEC2012
& Solutions