Hotels book more meeting, convention groups this year
August 19, 2010 |
Americans are meeting again on the road. Hotels are reporting a rebound in business from group customers, a key segment that includes companies, associations, sports teams, religious groups, social organizations and the military.
The U.S. Travel Association forecasts a 7% increase in meeting and convention spending this year, to $90.7 billion. That follows a 15% decline in 2009, when organizations canceled meetings, sent fewer employees to trade shows and insisted on bare-minimum amenities.
Hotels and convention bureaus responded with aggressive deals and packages, such as providing free coffee breaks or discounts on audiovisual equipment. Groups are responding now, spurring an optimistic mood in the meeting planning and convention industry.
"It's been crazy, great crazy," says Andrea Strauss, owner of the meeting planning firm Classic Conferences. "It's coming back quick and strong."
Get the full story at USA TODAY
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