  by Catherine Jensen Are you thinking about attending SPINCon and not sure if you should, the testimonials below will help you make up your mind…. An organization built on a genuine desire to help its members grow, connect, experience things differently and be supported by peers in a non-competitive, no-sales environment. That is the essence of SPIN. Christy Lamagna Strategic Events What I am expecting as a new participant? I have 3 goals at SPINCON as 1st time attendee:
We got both Christy and Julie covered. Why not give it a spin……….? Catherine Jensen is Vice President of Operations for SPIN (Senior Planner’s Industry Network) Any views or opinions represented in this blog belong to the writer and do not necessarily reflect the view or opinion of SPIN. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information and will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the use of this information. This blog may not be copied and published without the written permission of the writer and SPIN. Have something to say? Say it on The Chatter, SPiN members are invited to submit Blogs for publication in The Chatter. If you are interested send an email to blog@spinplanners.com. Let us know what you want to blog about and we will contact you. What really causes stress at work? Is Work LIfe Balance even possible? How stressed are SPIN members? Complete the SPIN survey What really causes stress at work? Is Work LIfe Balance even possible? How stressed are SPIN members? Complete the survey below and Eliz Greene during her closing keynote at SPINCon www.surveymonkey.com/r/job-stress-spin
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  by Kathie Niesen CMP So about 18 months ago, I discovered SPIN. I had left my job of 28 years, moved 1500 miles from home and was attempting to start my own business. I was also active in the same organizations that I had previously belonged to, great organizations but they just didn’t fit my life anymore. And so one day, I found the SPIN Linked In group, aha, here I found an interested and interesting group of people I could relate to, so I joined. And then I found the, “Want to Volunteer?” site and I couldn’t stop myself, what could I do remotely with no chapter in the vicinity– oh yeah, blog coordinator. Don’t tell Shawna or Catherine but I had to look up the definition of blog before I completed the form.
And then suddenly there was a meeting to attend – a leadership conference and SPINCon but it was back home (Chicago area) and I jumped at the chance to visit. I was a little nervous, my communication team colleague told me there would be a report expected (panic mode) but she assured me it was informal and not a big deal and I relaxed – okay not really. I was admittedly nervous, knowing only a few people and them only by phone or email. Well, let me tell you, I couldn’t have felt more welcome if these “SPIN” people were my brothers and sisters well one brother, the other just doesn’t get me. Seriously it was family from the start and laid back is not the word for it, one of our more prominent members actually wore her PJ’s and slippers to a general session but I won’t tell you who that was. And as much as the camaraderie was great, the depth of education made it an even more incredible experience. From Brain and Body Sessions to the Being and Business sessions to the keynoters, the experience was incredibly enriching. And we drank wine, plenty of it. I walked away a richer person in terms of the friendships and learning but I also got valuable insight into things like finding clients, networking, running my own business and so many of the things I learned I have put into practice and low and behold even gotten some business. So that was my first SPINCon, looking forward to my next one. I encourage those of you who haven’t been to consider it, it is an experience like no other meeting out there, promise that you won’t regret it. And bring the nice pajamas, the one without the holes. Kathie Niesen, CMP is the Owner of KMN Meetings and Events. She plans meetings of all sizes. Consulting services include instructional design, working with volunteers and faculty development. She is the SPIN Blog Coordinator and a member of PCMA. You can contact her at kathie@kmnmeetings.com Any views or opinions represented in this blog belong to the writer and do not necessarily reflect the view or opinion of SPIN. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information and will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the use of this information. This blog may not be copied and published without the written permission of the writer and SPIN. Have something to say? Say it on The Chatter, SPiN members are invited to submit Blogs for publication in The Chatter. If you are interested send an email to blog@spinplanners.com. Let us know what you want to blog about and we will contact you.   by Shawna Suckow, CMP I have a dirty little secret…I am addicted to Pokemon Go. Shhh, don’t tell anyone, because for this…ahem…woman nearing a certain age, it’s a little embarrassing. I end up at the local park during my walks, hunting Pokemon with nobody in sight but other teenage boys. It’s a little strange, I admit.
The funny thing is that there are a growing number of adults getting on the Pokemon bandwagon – usually pushed onto that bandwagon by one of their teenagers, as I was. I’m fascinated by how this game can track me down to my front door using GPS, and superimpose little creatures right in front of me. It got me thinking about how we can use tracking technology at meetings. I recently attended the ASAE national meeting in Salt Lake City, and an exhibitor there provided optional foam stickers on the back of our badges, which were embedded with tracking capabilities. Sign me up!! Each individual’s unique sticker was integrated into the event app. At any given time, I could log in and see where I had been – all the exhibitors I had visited, how long I had visited with each one, and also the educational sessions I had attended. Not only that, but each exhibitor had a handy record of visitors at the end. Furthermore, the planner could capture attendance at each session – great for tracking credit hours. Also great as an upsell to exhibitors as a replacement of the clunky hand scanners. Very cool! Think of how you might integrate tracking technology into your meetings, and for what strategic purpose. You could combine the tracking technology with a Pokemon-type game, giving points for how engaged your participants are. They would accrue points for how many exhibitors they visit, how many sessions they attend, etc. Using beacons that are quite affordable, you could send signals to participants’ phones when they walk by a certain location. Greet them by name when they arrive at breakfast in the morning, and let them know the omelet station is on the right. Remind them of the bus departure time when they leave the final session of the day. Welcome them to a particular educational session and give them the log-in code for the speaker’s materials, or share the twitter hashtag for the event. As accurate as this new tracking technology is, you could even integrate the tracking technology to ensure the right meals are delivered to participants with special requests. I’m not sure how exactly this would work, but somebody out there needs to be creating an app for it! The applications for this cool technology are endless. I’d love to hear your thoughts on how you’re trying out one of these strategies. And hey, if you want to go Pokemon hunting at SPINCon, we can keep it between us. Shawna Suckow, CMP is the founder of SPIN. After more than 20 years as a planner, her new role with SPIN forced her into public speaking – a spotlight she always dreaded to the point of nausea! After a year launching new SPIN branches, she decided speaking wasn’t so bad, and she began to enjoy it. Today, she now spends her time speaking to audiences all over the world about buyer behavior and consumer trends. If you ever think your career can’t do a complete 180, think again! (p.s. hire her to speak at your business conferences!). www.shawnasuckow.com. Any views or opinions represented in this blog belong to the writer and do not necessarily reflect the view or opinion of SPIN. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information and will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the use of this information. This blog may not be copied or published without the written permission of the writer and SPIN. Have something to say? Say it on The Chatter, SPIN members are invited to submit Blogs for publication in The Chatter. If you are interested send an email to blog@spinplanners.com. Let us know what you want to blog about and we will contact you.   by Michael Vennerstrom, CMP Relationship Coaching isn't a one-session solution. It can often take many sessions to overcome the poor habits and resentments that have developed over time. However, there are a few keys that can reduce the tension and start the healing process immediately. Learning to fight fairly is one of those keys.
Fights can occur in relationships regardless of the quality of the communication and the best intentions of the partners. Sometimes they are over a big issue, but often they begin over a small infraction and then escalate into a major fight over something totally unrelated to the original issue. However, they don't have to follow that pattern. By establishing and following a few simple rules, most issues can be resolved before they become damaging to the relationship. In my Relationship Coaching sessions, I encourage my clients to adopt these rules for fair fighting:
The first step in Relationship Coaching is to reduce the tension and build skills to communicate effectively. Fighting fairly helps a couple focus on a single specific issue so that they can constructively work together to find a solution. Michael Vennerstrom is a Certified Life Coach and Certified Relationship Coach. After successful careers in theater and television, planning live communication events and twenty years owning and managing a meeting planning company, Mike made a decision to concentrate his energies on helping people live a more fulfilling life. Mike's personal struggles to overcome addiction, depression, grief, cancer, and divorce provided powerful lessons in overcoming adversity and living a fulfilling and purposeful life. Forged in the crucible of life experience and personal hardship, Michael has emerged as a strong and compassionate man focused on sharing the strength and knowledge gained in real-life experiences. Mike is a long-time SPIN volunteer, having recently served as Interim Executive Director and is currently acting as Director of Strategic Stuff. This blog was originally published Michael Vennerstrom's website www.personaladvocates.net Any views or opinions represented in this blog belong to the writer and do not necessarily reflect the view or opinion of SPIN. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information and will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the use of this information. This blog may not be copied and published without the written permission of the writer and SPIN. Have something to say? Say it on The Chatter, SPiN members are invited to submit Blogs for publication in The Chatter. If you are interested send an email to blog@spinplanners.com. Let us know what you want to blog about and we will contact you.   by Linda Nelson, CMP The Chinese reportedly have a curse, “May you live in interesting times”. Being English and living in North Carolina watching the news is a minefield. The Brexit vote , the presidential race, and the news about HB2 in North Carolina. I certainly feel like I am living in way too many interesting times. The North Carolina General Assembly passed House Bill2 in March 2016. The law was passed quickly, in response to an ordinance passed by the Charlotte City Council. The bill states that persons must use the bathroom that correlates with the gender listed on their birth certificate. The bill only affects public institutions, to my knowledge no business has come out in support of the bathroom provision in HB2. Most people oppose HB2 with over 50% wanting to see it repealed, even Republicans are opposed to it. Every major city in North Carolina has come out against it, five lawsuits were filed within two days of it being passed, the police have stated they will not enforce it and the Attorney General, refuses to defend it. How will HB2 actually be implemented and enforced? The whole bathroom bill seems completely preposterous. Many political pundits believe it will never be, nor was it ever intended to be actually implemented. When asked about HB2 I thought about what advice I would give a fellow meeting planner. North Carolina has a lot to offer big cities, beautiful beaches and my beloved mountains in Asheville. Is North Carolina a great place to hold a meeting? Most definitely. Does taking your business elsewhere, hurt the state of NC? Most definitely. Will taking your business elsewhere help see this law struck down? If you are the NBA moving your AllStar Game , publicly and vocally stating that HB2 is the reason for making the move. That has an undeniable impact. It affects the economy in Charlotte and the entire state. Many entertainers like Bruce Springsteen , Maroon 5, Nick Jonas have cancelled concerts in North Carolina, this has an irrefutable impact on individuals and businesses all over the state. Chris Sgro, of the North Carolina General Assembly estimated the state had lost $500million in lost revenues as of May 2016. As a meeting planner the most important thing you can do is know your audience. Listen to your client, and consider who is attending the meetings, will they feel uncomfortable, be safe, or feel like they are breaking the law? Not all performers are choosing to skip North Carolina, some feel as the Lumineers do that they can highlight the issues by playing in NC and contributing to the conversation. Cyndi Lauper plans to stand with North Carolina’s gay population, she will perform, as a gesture of solidarity. “I think that people will need us there,” she said. “Wherever there’s a shutout, the other people need you.” If you choose to host an event in NC, you should address the issue upfront with clients and participants. Companies f rom American Airlines to Lowe’s have made statements condemning HB2. You should get in front of the issue, address it from the beginning. You may also consider showing support at the event for the LGBT community and or North Carolina’s transgender community. There are many groups that support the transgender community in NC. If you decide to host an event here in NC we hope you find the kind, welcoming people that North Carolina is famous for. If not I hope you consider NC when these interesting times are far behind us. Linda Nelson, CMP is the Founder and CEO of To PLAN Ahead LLC and has more than 20 years of experience in event planning conferences and special events. She began her career in the meeting planning industry in England with the Plymouth Visitor and Convention Bureau where she worked as a Tourist and Conference Destination Manager. Since moving to the U.S. 25 years ago, she has continued her meeting planning career and in 1997 earned the designation as a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP). Linda feels very fortunate to have worked with clients such as Hewlett Packard, Agilent, Intuit, Applied Materials and many more. Previously, she worked as a Meeting Planner for the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and since forming To Plan Ahead, EPRI has continued to be a loyal client. Linda travels extensively, both nationally and internationally, and has excellent knowledge of the benefits that her international clientele provides. As a member of the Founding Board for the Northeastern Chapter of MPI (Meeting Professionals International), she served as the Vice President of Communications. In 2008, she was awarded Professional Excellence in the Meeting Industry by the chapter. She is a member of SPIN. Fun Tidbit: Did you know Linda won first prize for her stamp collection at the age of 10? She also loves the theatre and has performed in numerous plays over the years - her favorite one being The Crucible. Any views or opinions represented in this blog belong to the writer and do not necessarily reflect the view or opinion of SPIN. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information and will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the use of this information. This blog may not be copied and published without the written permission of the writer and SPIN. Have something to say? Say it on The Chatter, SPiN members are invited to submit Blogs for publication in The Chatter. If you are interested send an email to blog@spinplanners.com. Let us know what you want to blog about and we will contact you.   Corporate meeting planners, wedding planners, contracted third-party planner “suppliers,” and other planners alike all have varying ideas and thoughts as to whether that service charge (++) is really going to the serving banquet staff or if it’s going straight to the facility hosting the event.
The true answer lies somewhere in the middle: depending on the facility, the banquet staff is either being tipped from that service charge (++), or the service charge is going directly to the facility’s bottom line. So, what difference would that make when it comes to adding in extra gratuity when planning an event? A ton! On one hand, if you have a facility that only takes a small cut of that service charge (++)—let’s say 1-2% off the top of a typical service charge of around 24%-- and the rest goes to the banquet staff (everyone from banquet setup, banquet bussers, banquet servers, banquet captains, bartenders, and even banquet managers), your staff might make $3 or $4-something an hour base pay, but if you divide that $50 per plate + service charge among all banquet staff, they could end up making anywhere from $14-$25 or more an hour, depending on the hours worked and the number of staff involved. That is a VERY happy staff! Additional gratuity is usually not needed at these events, and you will often notice that staff is more attentive, more eager to do little “extras” (get dressings not ordered by the client, refill your drink 6-7 times, get a “to-go” box—which is frowned upon, etc.) You will also generally see more long-term staff, more trained staff, and smaller turnaround. On the other hand, if you have a facility that takes the entire service charge (++) and does not give any of it to the banquet staff, you will see different results. Your staff will make a higher flat rate (maybe between $8-$11 per hour, but they will receive no additional gratuities on top. They are generally not motivated to go above and beyond their typical job duties: setting up the function as requested, serving the meals (usually as fast as possible), and when everyone is gone, tearing down the banquet as quickly as possible. Many of the banquet servers who work for these facilities often work at two or more properties to supplement income, and are quite reluctant to go above and beyond for guests, client contacts, or even the event planner. You will also notice that the staff average is often newer, less experienced and less trained, and the turnaround is incredibly high. Because more staff wants to work at a gratuity (service charge) facility, the non-gratuity facilities have a hard time hiring on a large staff and usually supplement with temp agencies, which also leads to the same issues: less experience, less training, and more turnaround. You may even notice that the functions do not go as smoothly as they should. Your best bet as an event planner or event contractor is to ask when considering signing the contract if the facility keeps the service charge (++) or if it (even a portion of it) goes to the banquet staff working the function. A reputable hotel will be able to tell you the honest truth, and from there, you will be able to inform your client if a) you wish to work with this facility or b) if the client has money in the budget for additional gratuity. After all, the staff working your event can make your event a complete success…or a total failure. Jennifer Tangney has worked as an event planner in Saint Louis, MO for about a decade. Only recently has she experienced the Food and Beverage management operations side of things, gaining the back of the house knowledge regarding banquet setup, space planning, and proper banquet execution insight. She is new to the SPIN network, and has a deep passion for all things event-related. Any views or opinions represented in this blog belong to the writer and do not necessarily reflect the view or opinion of SPIN. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information and will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the use of this information. This blog may not be copied and published without the written permission of the writer and SPIN. Have something to say? Say it on The Chatter, SPiN members are invited to submit Blogs for publication in The Chatter. If you are interested send an email to blog@spinplanners.com. Let us know what you want to blog about and we will contact you.   by Carolyn Browning, CMP, CMM When planning conferences with educational sessions, we often are involved in selecting speakers or moderators. For advisory boards or board retreats, a different type of session leader is required. For these meetings, you’ll need someone to keep things running smoothly while making sure all opinions are captured and that all involved have an opportunity to speak. Someone who allows the meeting owner to be a participant instead of the “bad cop.” That’s when you need a facilitator.
Facilitators should be brought into the process from the outset, once objectives have been established. At that point, they work with the meeting owner creating an agenda with the necessary components to meet those objectives. Some agendas are routine, while others require special preparation and multiple iterations before being finalized. Some agendas will be strictly business, while others might incorporate games or teambuilding exercises – all focused on the ultimate meeting objective. The common thread in their agendas is flexibility. Once the framework is set, the facilitator works with the planner to make sure that all the details are in place, including room sets and supplies. When the meeting starts, facilitators move into ‘pilot mode’, steering the group and its supporting players along the course, making sure they work together to get to their destination. This is where a facilitator might need to modify the agenda or deal with unexpected issues to stay on time and task. They assign team members roles to fulfill to achieve that goal – note takers, timekeepers and even bring in transcriptionists. All are important support roles that help the facilitator focus on guiding the group, dealing with difficult personalities and focusing on the meeting objective. Because they need to be so flexible, you could also compare facilitators to yogis. Like yogis they breathe deeply and focus their energies on the outcome, guiding the group, suggesting corrections or modifications where needed. They need to adapt to changes in the group’s mood – realizing that sometimes an agenda needs to be fluid and rewritten. They offer suggestions or best practices based on experience, trying to remain neutral and allowing the team to make the best decisions based on the stated objectives. Very often Zen-like calm is needed because the mood in the group is anything but. That’s when a facilitator needs to draw upon that Zen and their skills of reading personalities and managing difficult groups. In their pre-meeting discussions, the meeting owner &/or planner should explain the group profile and point out any potential challenging situations or personality conflicts. A skilled facilitator will be able to plan agenda activities to manage these circumstances, Especially with advisory boards or retreats, bringing in a facilitator can mean the difference between achieving the stated outcome and veering wildly off course. They act as a neutral third-party whose goal is to keep personal agendas in check and focus on what is in the best interest of the organization. Planners who know when to suggest this resource (and know where to find them) will be superstars to their clients – allowing them to stress less and participate more fully in their own meetings. Full disclosure – Carolyn is not only a veteran meeting professional, she also facilitates board retreats and advisory boards. Carolyn Browning, CMP, CMM is the founder and Chief Solution Strategist of MEETing Needs and the volunteer Director of Communications for SPIN . References/more reading: MeetingsNet – facilitator traits IAF (international Association of Facilitators) www.iaf-world.org Any views or opinions represented in this blog belong to the writer and do not necessarily reflect the view or opinion of SPIN. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information and will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the use of this information. This blog may not be copied and published without the written permission of the writer and SPIN. Have something to say? Say it on The Chatter, SPiN members are invited to submit Blogs for publication in The Chatter. If you are interested send an email to blog@spinplanners.com. Let us know what you want to blog about and we will contact you.   by Joanna Jeronimo The Old
Your RFP is evaluated on the value of the business that your group would bring to the hotel. Until recently, sales managers could hand out those concessions they thought would capture the business, and while they may have been given a monetary value, those amounts were not counted against the actual value of your business. The New Hotels are now using new software that calculates the value of every concession, and the value of those concessions is counted as a negative number that needs to be recaptured. The Example Using a simplified example, let’s say you want two suites comped and the hotel puts a value of $1,000 per night for 3 nights or $3,000. If you have 50 rooms at $100 for those three nights, you have 150 total room nights or $15,000 in room revenue. Now that the hotel has to recapture that negative $3,000, it will be added to the cost of the room nights, bringing the room cost up to $120 per night instead of $100 and you are now responsible for $18,000 in room revenue instead of $15,000. That extra $20 per night adds up to $60 for three nights and for budget conscious attendees that could be enough reason to look outside the block at a cheaper option. If you lose 20% of your block at $120, with 10% attrition allowance, you will owe the hotel an additional $1,800. Lose 30% of your block and your attrition will be $3,600 (20% after 10% allowance). It Gets Worse Additionally, if you have attrition you often lose your concessions. So in this case, you’ll have to pay the attrition of $3,600, plus pay for the $3,000 in concessions you lost, totaling $6,600. Moreover, each of your 35 attendees paid an additional $60 each, or $2,100 for all, so the total paid for this ‘free’ concession is $8,700! Conclusion Does this mean you shouldn’t ask for concessions? No, it means you need to know which hotels are using the new software, and you need to balance the value of your groups’ business with the value of the requested concessions. And whether your group pays $100 or $500 per night, you need to make sure your contracts are structured so you don’t have the negative domino effect of our example. With over 15 years of industry experience, Joanna Jeronimo, Global Account Executive with ConferenceDirect, assists her clients through the site selection process, from crafting effective RFPs that get positive hotel responses and positioning the group’s business in a favorable light, through setting up site visits and advising on selections to negotiating the final contract and resolving any after contract issues that may arise. Joanna has been a member of SPIN since 2009 and can be reached at Joanna.jeronimo@conferencedirect.com This blog was previously published on Linked In. Any views or opinions represented in this blog belong to the writer and do not necessarily reflect the view or opinion of SPIN. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information and will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the use of this information. This blog may not be copied and published without the written permission of the writer and SPIN. Have something to say? Say it on The Chatter, SPiN members are invited to submit Blogs for publication in The Chatter. If you are interested send an email to blog@spinplanners.com. Let us know what you want to blog about and we will contact you.   by Carolyn Browning, CMP, CMM We’ve all read about food allergies and intolerances and have had to figure out how to accommodate meeting attendees who have told us in advance of their needs. The other night I was out to dinner and got to talking with the chef (he often comes out at the end of his shift to talk with patrons). I mentioned that I was recently part of the catering team at an event where we had to create a separate meal for a guest who had several allergies, among them garlic, onion, soy and dairy. He was so thankful and impressed that we made something different (and delicious) for him. The chef told me he had very similar allergies - he didn’t always have them, they developed over time. Can you imagine how difficult it must be to cook food you cannot touch or taste? He explained that he needs to keep Benadryl and an Epi pen in the kitchen. He relies on his team to taste food he cannot, often wears double gloves to prepare certain foods and is vigilant about knowing the ingredients in each dish and making sure the staff knows as well.
Thanks to our own Tracy Stuckrath, I (and I know many others!) are more aware of the variety of allergens and ideas on how to make menu planning easier. I didn’t make the connection until now that there are many talented and dedicated chefs out there who literally put their lives on the line to prepare dishes for others that could cause them harm. Could you be so dedicated? Carolyn Browning, CMP, CMM is the founder and Chief Solution Strategist of MEETing Needs and the volunteer Director of Communications for SPIN . For one of her clients she is fortunate to spend the week at The Masters as part of a catering team creating exceptional and delicious experiences for their guests. Any views or opinions represented in this blog belong to the writer and do not necessarily reflect the view or opinion of SPIN. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information and will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the use of this information. This blog may not be copied and published without the written permission of the writer and SPIN. Have something to say? Say it on The Chatter, SPiN members are invited to submit Blogs for publication in The Chatter. If you are interested send an email to blog@spinplanners.com. Let us know what you want to blog about and we will contact you.   by Susan N Losurdo, CMP, LES Zika- is it really all it is being hyped to be?
It was all the talk at the start of 2016. The hospitality industry was reacting and bracing for the worst. The panic we saw in January seemed to almost fizzle. Travel providers and meeting planners report that travel has not slowed but rather remained steady. But now we approach spring and summer weather that is more prone to the Zika Mosquito. The press is touting Zika as the next endemic. The US Government is redirecting federal funds to prepare for the potential Zika crisis. However, other resources are promoting it as a non-serious low risk infection. While the US CDC reports on Zika in the USA, US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, other destinations are left to self-report. This means that there is no standard method of measure or reporting though out the world and data is very skewed. How to answer the question, is Zika significant or sensationalized? Hard to say with such varied information and responses out there. The reports seem to change daily. We will continue to learn more but for now all we can do is keep abreast of current conditions and do our best to keep our event attendees safe. What do planners need to consider if they are bringing clients to a location with Zika, or considering canceling/moving? While the Zika virus is usually mild and of short duration, it is the responsibility of the Meeting Planner and the organization’s Security Team to inform attendees of any particular hazards to personal safety and security presented by the destination. While some organizations will move forward with events, general precautions (wearing long sleeves/pants, staying inside with air conditioning, spraying clothing with repellant, and sleeping with mosquito nets) can greatly reduce the risk of exposure to Zika. An organization may consider providing preventative items such as repellants and nets upon request and having medical staff onsite. Alternatively, an organization could offer a hybrid option, where people can attend the event live or online if they are concerned about traveling. This may be of particular interest to pregnant women who seem to be at the highest risk. Should an organization feel it necessary to cancel/move an event, contract clauses will need to be examined to insure financial protection. Work with hotel chains to move from one hotel to another property within the chain to minimize penalties. A wealth of information for hospitality professionals can be found on the following links: Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/ Business Travel Coalition Zika Travel Resource Center: http://www.businesstravelcoalition.com/zika.html#.VypZbYQrLIU M&C Magazine Zika News Resource: http://www.meetings-conventions.com/zika-news/ Susan N Losurdo, CMP, LES is a Global Meeting & Event Management Professional with over 15 years of extensive experience as an Author, Consultant, Corporate Meeting Manager, and Hotel Supplier. She currently works as a Meeting & Events Consultant. Managing seamless events for clients and promoting the Strategic Meetings Management Program (SMMP) philosophy. Susan has co-authored the “Meeting & Event Planning Playbook” as well as a “Crisis Management Guide”. She speaks and instructs at the university level on topics related to hospitality and event management. Any views or opinions represented in this blog belong to the writer and do not necessarily reflect the view or opinion of SPIN. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information and will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the use of this information. This blog may not be copied and published without the written permission of the writer and SPIN. Have something to say? Say it on The Chatter, SPiN members are invited to submit Blogs for publication in The Chatter. If you are interested send an email to blog@spinplanners.com. Let us know what you want to blog about and we will contact you. |
Blog CoordinatorKathie Niesen, CMP 
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April 2017
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