Recent discussions among AHL executives with the added insight of Joan Eisenstodt, chief strategist, Eisenstodt Associates, LLC, yielded food for thought for industry meeting professionals, conference center executives and others involved in providing executive education. A recognized expert in conference consulting, facilitation and training, Eisenstodt is a frequent speaker, author and respected soothsayer on meeting-related topics. Their collective thoughts:

1.Keep the Complete Meeting Package: Key to the conference center concept is the complete meeting package which affords ease of planning and budgeting by providing a per person price that includes overnight accommodations (where applicable), use of the meeting room, three meals daily, continuous refreshment breaks, and basic presentation technology. �Our clients expect this of us,� Loberg said. �It�s an essential part of streamlined meeting planning for them. It also helps the meeting professional distinguish a true conference center from an imposter since the CMP is a critical component of the stringent membership criteria of the International Association of Conference Centers. This is important to planners who take their meeting environments as seriously as the program�s content.�

2.View Meeting Professionals as Partners in Revenue Management: �We are working closely with clients to help them maximize their budgets by understanding our centers� scheduling peaks and valleys so they can book their business to take advantage of the most advantageous pricing options,� Loberg noted. �A disciplined approach is helping us foster stronger relationships which also tends to generate repeat business.�Eisenstodt agrees. �Meeting professionals are becoming smarter about ROI and delivery of value for meetings. If facilities keep that up, it will help make meetings better,� she said.

3.Stay Abreast of Trends in Executive Learning: �It�s no longer enough to be facility managers; we need to study our customers� needs and keep abreast of trends in adult learning and education,� Loberg noted. The industry has become ever more competitive and demanding prompting AHL -- which hosts programs for nine of the world�s top 40 executive education providers as ranked by the Financial Times -- to continually monitor trends that may be indicators of evolving customer needs. �Like our clients, we need to stay flexible and adapt quickly to their changing educational priorities,� Loberg said.

4.Beware of External Travel Industry Developments: Meanwhile, Eisenstodt has her eye on several concerns, including upheaval in the airline industry which could change travel patterns and affect meeting attendance. Additionally, she notes, �USVisit, Patriot Act and privacy issues will impact international and domestic travel.� In particular, she sees the USVisit program potentially causing a decrease in the number of incoming meeting attendees � �including speakers for medical, scientific and other meetings.�

5.Look to host more small face-to-face meetings: �ROI has never been so important is it is now. Smaller face-to-face meetings with concrete agendas, stronger learning options, and less time away from the office will be �the� desired format,� Eisenstodt predicts, adding: �Conference centers are perfectly positioned for these.�