Dear Meeting Professionals,

Many of us on MeCo (short for MeetingsCommunity) have been asking about who is speaking out for the meetings industry. We’ve seen a number of “flaps” lately, such as the “AIG Effect,” the location blacklist, and the Phoenix Social Security Administration meeting issue. All of these have put meetings in a negative light and have caused a negative perception.

While Roger Dow and USTA/Keep America Meeting are taking positive steps, especially focusing on travel and hospitality, we believe there is more that can be done through a grassroots campaign. We, as MeCo, can help promote the value and positive impact that meetings have on business, personal and professional growth, and the world economy.

MeCo is an online virtual community where nearly 3,000 vibrant, dedicated and motivated meeting professionals converge to learn, job search, network, discuss and exchange ideas about the meetings industry. This cyber community acts as a resource for individuals involved in all aspects of meeting planning, including meeting, convention, incentive and trade show professionals and suppliers.

We would like to see a dedicated spokesperson who reaches out and counters negative press and promotes the value of meetings. After some direct inquiry to some trade associations, we know that our industry leaders have some limited activity in this area, mostly responding to any inbound press inquiries. There is no dedicated spokesperson for the meetings industry at this time.

A Grassroots Voice… and we need your help, too!

We want to see a louder meetings voice in the general public. A number of the moderators on MeCo have created a committee to head up and to create a “VOICE” – so we in the meetings industry can all be heard. From planners to suppliers, we want to reach out and share the good word in a grassroots effort. And we will need your help to do this in a big way. Here are some initiatives that we are working on.

Communications Tools (more to come):
•    Name of initiative: YES2MEETINGS
•    Twitter account: YES2MTGS
•    Website: to be live soon; in development stage.
•    Social media: we are creating additional sites for Yes2Meetings and will keep you posted.

Whom We Wish to Reach:
•    Businesses, especially C-level management
•    Government
•    General public
•    Media

Additional Action Items:
•    Create a core of spokespersons, assigned to respond to any crisis in our industry.
•    Document our industry by video and other media.
•    Specify steps for you to communicate specifically with your local media.
•    Identify stakeholders - those who will share the message.
•    Communicate on MeCo about this initiative.

Getting Started:
•    Please follow us on Twitter: @Yes2Mtgs
•    Submit ideas for content on the new Yes2Meetings website (when it goes live).
•    Think of influential people in the media and social media who would carry on our message. Think of influential people with whom you have a relationship.
•    Get your flip video cameras and camcorders and digital cameras warmed up and on the ready - fun assignment to come soon!

Want to help speak out for meetings? Stay connected on MeCo and look for the Yes2Mtgs subject line! To become involved in the MeCo community, go to www.meetingscommunity.org, then click on the "how to join" navigation button.

Yes to meetings!

Andrea H. Gold, President, Gold Stars Speakers Bureau
MeCo Moderator/Expert Day Co-Coordinator
www.meetingscommunity.org

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