Threats of federal regulation and sensational coverage are creating a paralyzing environment where companies across the country are canceling meetings and events for legitimate business purposes.

After three strong years, Chicago’s downtown hotels are facing tougher times as businesses cut travel budgets and tourists stay home. Because more businesses and groups are canceling meetings at hotels or spending less on food and drink, hotel owners are looking for ways to cut costs.

Business-related travel – including meetings, events and incentives – is a vital part of our national economy and essential to sustaining well-paying American jobs, the health of large and small businesses and the solvency of public services supported by federal, state and local tax-revenue. Broadly, business travel creates 2.4 million jobs, injects more than $240 billion into the national economy annually and generates $39 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue.

Specifically, meetings and events:

Create 1 million jobs to the American workforce in local communities – from big cities to small towns – across the United States.

Many of these jobs support working families in the hospitality and food service industries.

Generate $27 billion in wages for hardworking Americans that are critical to local economies across
the United States, and can play a critical role in our nation’s economic recovery.

Provide $16 billion in tax revenue at the federal, state and local level.

Contribute $101 billion in spending to the U.S. economy.

Support over 200 local convention centers around the county

Are responsible for nearly 15 percent of all travel in the United States.

When businesses cancel productive meetings and events, the American worker and local communities from coast-to-coast are the unintended victims.

Without the jobs generated by meetings, events and incentive travel, the current unemployment rate of 7.6 percent would rise to 8.2 percent and cost the average American household an additional $136 in annual taxes.

Critics have mislabeled many meetings and events as unnecessary and frivolous – causing companies that have received federal government support and many that have not – to cancel planned and future activities.
Whether a company has received emergency government lending or not, its inclination is to avoid the prospect of being ridiculed like AIG, Wells Fargo and others.

No region of the country is immune to the economic impact of canceled meetings, events and incentive programs. American workers and local communities pay the price as meetings, events and incentives decline.

The U.S. Labor Department reported a loss of nearly 200,000 travel related jobs in 2008 and Department of Commerce data predicts a loss of an additional 247,000 travel-generated jobs in 2009.

The meetings and events component of business travel is responsible for nearly 15 percent of all travel in the United States, drives $101 billion in spending, generates one million jobs and creates $16 billion in tax revenue at the federal, state and local levels.

Without the one million jobs generated by meeting and event travel, the unemployment rate in the United States would jump from 7.6 percent to 8.2 percent.

As meetings and events decline, local communities – nearly all of whom are dependent on visitor taxes – struggle to pay for essential services such as education, public safety and social services.

Business travel and events are a smart and cost effective way to retain and develop employee talent, generate ideas and share knowledge that drives future business growth.

Meetings, events and incentives are essential tools for companies to strengthen business relationships; align and educate employees and customers; and reward business performance. Members of Congress share this practice when convening their annual retreats at resorts outside Washington, DC

Incentive programs are two to three times more effective than cash at motivating employee performance. Companies can spend less on incentive travel than on cash compensation to achieve exceptional productivity from employees.

The recipients of incentive travel programs are typically hardworking middle class Americans who have earned trips for their exceptional performance.

According to a recent survey of Fortune 1000 Chief Marketing Officers, meetings and events provide the highest return on investment of any marketing channel.

Companies using taxpayer dollars must abide by best practices for meetings, events and incentives.

Companies that have received emergency government lending have an obligation to operate in a transparent and accountable fashion.

The travel community has addressed an urgent public need by developing clear, workable guidelines designed to ensure responsible business travel practices within companies that have received emergency government lending.

Additional punitive policies to limit meetings, events and incentive travel will unite business, labor and local government leaders in opposition.

The demand for face to face meetings is strong and the importance of having them is greater than ever in our history.  For example, within one week of sending the invitation for our Here’s Chicago Meetings and Hospitality St. Pat’s BASH event taking place on March 2, 2009 we are at capacity with the most meeting and event professionals registered in the history of this event with over 400 registered attendees and another 100 on the waiting list. 

“Business, Meetings and Incentive Programs are what built this economy” and “Our industry is being punished for the mistakes of a few”

“In Obama’s defense, I don’t believe he knows that the meetings industry contributes to “mainstreet”, the exact market he is trying to help. Bus boys, waiters, bellman, sedan drivers, etc.” says Jim Grillo, CMP of Hereschicago.com. 

Meetings, conventions, exhibitions, and incentive travel generated $122.3 billion in direct spending in the United States last year, according to the Convention Industry Council’s Economic Impact Study, released in September. Corporate meetings and events comprised one-third of that, or $40.3 billion; association events accounted for the rest.”

The industry employs 1.7 million people on a full-time basis, and is the 29th-largest contributor to the country’s gross national product.

Looking at types of meetings, conventions and exhibitions account for $67.9 billion, or 55.5 percent, of the total direct spending pie. Corporate and association meetings generated $48.1 billion in spending, or 39.4 percent of the total, while incentive travel made up the remaining 5.1 percent, generating $6.2 billion in spending. (Conventions and exhibitions are defined as events where exhibitions make up the largest component of the meeting, while meetings have a larger meetings component.)

The largest share of the convention and exhibition dollar, 35 percent, is spent in hotels. The rest is widely distributed throughout local economies, with 24 percent spent on air transportation, 14 percent in restaurants, and 12 percent on business services.
 
It is our responsibility today to communicate the positive messages from our industry and how we all directly contribute to the future growth of our economy.
 
Let’s make history together,
 
Jim Grillo, CMP
President
Hereschicago.com
Chicago’s Meetings and Events Resource Directory
 
Emmy Award Winner, Alternate Media/News 2008
Hall of Fame Supplier, Illinois Meetings & Events 2008
President, Meeting Professionals Internatio, nal Chicago 2003-2004
President, Hospitality, Sales & Marketing Assn of Ill. 2001-2004
Committee, Meeting Professionals International 2004-2008
Mentor/Ambassador, Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau, 2000-2002
Member, MPI International Student Advisory Council 2008-2009
 
For a P.R. Toolkit, visit the U.S. Travel Association (USTOA)

The awards honor the dedication and creativity of event professionals who have earned the respect and admiration of their clients and peers. The award winners were selected through an online reader poll. The winner are:

Best Attraction – Navy Pier
Best Audio-Visual – The Meetinghouse Companies, Inc.
Best Banquet/Reception Venue – Tie between Galleria Marchetti and River East Art Center
Best Boats/Cruises/Charters - Kanan Cruises
Best Caterer – Blue Plate Catering
Best Conference Venue – Gleacher Center
Best Convention & Visitors Bureau – Chicago Convention & Visitors Bureau
Best Destination Management Company – On the Scene
Best Eco-Friendly Supplier – Greg Christian Catering and Events
Best Entertainment – Just for Fun Entertainment and Events, Inc.
Best Décor – Kehoe Designs
Best Florist – The Meetinghouse Companies, Inc.
Best Golf Resort – Lincolnshire Marriott Resort
Best Historic Venue – Chicago History Museum
Best Hotel with Meeting Space (less than 440 rooms) – The Blackstone Hotel
Best Hotel with Meeting Space (more than 440 rooms) – Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile
Best Photography/Videography – Tie between Promax Productions and Studio T Photography
Best Rental Service – Classic Party Rentals
Best Teambuilding Facility/Organizer – Corporate Event Interactive
Best Transportation – Windy City Limousine
Best Unique Venue – Chicago Illuminating Company
Best Venue Outside Chicagoland – Pheasant Run Resort
Editor’s Pick Best Event Décor – Ivan Carlson & Associates
Editor’s Pick Best New Intimate Event Space – Vertigo Sky Lounge
Editor’s Pick Best Casino – Horseshoe Casino Hotel
Editor’s Pick Best Experimental Event Expert – Minding Your Business

New this year, Illinois Meetings + Events magazine recognized its first-ever Hall of Fame, chosen by the magazine’s editorial advisory board.

Lifetime Achievement – Bill Pry, Partner – BBJ Linen
Best Special Events Planner – Andrew Schorr, President and Principal – In the Loop
Best Meeting Professional – Kimberly LaBounty, President – Apex Management & Special Events Inc.
Best Up-and-Coming Meeting Professional – Justin Rhodes, Associate – Corporate Events for Jones Lang LaSalle, Chicago
Best Supplier – Jim Grillo, President – hereschicago.com
Best Up-and-Coming Supplier – Renee Barricklow, Event Producer – Kehoe Designs, Chicago

“We are pleased to recognize the outstanding contributions of these organizations and individuals to the meetings and events industry, which plays an important role in Illinois’s vitality and economy,” says Lauren Hurley, editor of Illinois Meetings + Events magazine.

Thank you to our event partners; Underground, The Meetinghouse Companies, Inc. and Classic Party Rentals.

Illinois Meetings + Events magazine is one of eight regional meetings and events magazines published by Tiger Oak Publications, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn.  The idea-driven magazine focuses on the issues facing today’s meeting and event professionals in Illinois and beyond and looks to address all aspects of the industry through in-depth feature stories, insightful departments and helpful news and updates on tips and trends. For more information and to view photos from the event, visit www.ilmeetingsmag.com.

Visit Hereschicago.com, Chicago’s event planner resource guide featuring Chicago’s top Planner Preferred vendors for Chicago meetings and events.

On the Scene Chicago is a full-service event and destination management company based in Chicago. Since 1969, On the Scene Destination and Event Management Chicago has been providing the best of the city through event design, special event production, transportation, and logistics management and Chicago tours and activities. Clients range from Fortune 500 corporations to large-scale association conferences.

On The Scene Destination and Event Management Company Chicago is the Winner of 2007 ADME Achievement Award for “Best Overall Program”. Winner of Illinois Meetings and Events magazine “The Best of ‘06” and “The Best of ‘07” award for Best Destination Management Company.

For a complete list of Chicago Destination Management Companies for your next Chicago Convention, Conference, Association Meeting or Chicago Sales Meeting, visit Hereschicago.com, Chicago’s guide to the best DMC’s in Chicago.  

Kick off the holiday season with an entertaining 2-hour lightly narrated tour aboard a warmly decorated Chicago Trolley. You’ll travel amongst the festive lights and enchanting sights of downtown Chicago including:

• The Magnificent Mile
• State Street Windows
• Daley Plaza’s 40-foot tree
• Navy Pier
 
We’ll make a special stop at “Christkindlmarket Chicago“ a traditional German American Holiday Market with distinctive crafts, artistic glass creations, delicious sweets, holiday food and drinks. The Trolley tour includes a York Peppermint Brownie and Hot Cocoa at The Hershey’s Store on Michigan Avenue. What a wonderful way to start your holiday season! Your family, friends or business associates will be asking to make this a part of their yearly holiday tradition!

Group tours run from 11/28 to 12/23/08 and are booking fast.
 
Visit Chicago Trolley for more information

Every event at Chicago Indoor Racing is a unique occasion, with unique guests. Our newest Addison Facility features 105,000 square feet of meeting & event space that can accommodate up to 700 guests comfortably, offering a multitude of options.

· Two Indoor European Kart Tracks with up to 6 configurations and countless racing formats

· CyberSport, an updated version of a Chicago favorite

· Private lounge and entertainment spaces featuring a multitude of gaming options.

· Customized catering and bar packages

· Clark’s, a full service restaurant with 3 private dining areas.

· A single room with seating for up to 300 guests with an additional 7 breakout spaces.

Brand new to the Chicago Market, Cyber Sport is a combination of lacrosse, basketball and hockey on custom-designed Cyber Cars. Two teams of up to five players each pass around a soft ball using one-handed scoops. Goals are scored by driving or passing the ball towards the opposing team’s goal and shooting the ball through one of three goal targets. It is the perfect affordable alternative or supplement to racing. Each court can hold up to 10 players at a time, with up to 40 players participating in an hour and up to three courts available to book!

Welcome to a Meeting Professional’s Paradise. Yes, that’s right… Our versatile event spaces were designed with you in mind. They include almost everything you could possibly need, without the up-charges and complications. With a General Session space designed to hold up to 400+ guests and up to 7 traditional breakout spaces and countless nontraditional options… you will never run out of ways to be creative. All rooms are equipped with state of the art Audio Visual Capabilities including a complimentary LCD Projector with Screen, Flipchart with Dry Erase & Paper Insert, Wireless Internet, and VHS/DVD Player.Also Available- Wireless Microphone, Wireless Mouse for PowerPoint Presentations, Conference Phones and Ethernet Switches.

The Sterling Room | Groups of 50 to 400 Guests
Our largest meeting space features three state-of-the-art LCD Projectors with large automatic drop screens, wireless handheld and lavaliere microphones, DVD & CD Player, a built in speaker system, flipcharts with dry erase and paper inserts as well as a lectern. Located in the heart of our conference center, it is just steps from the racetrack viewing area and additional breakout spaces.

Hawthorn Room | Groups of 30 to 50 Guests
The largest of our mid-sized meeting rooms features an LCD Projector with automatic drop screen, wireless handheld and lavaliere microphones, DVD & CD Player, a built in speakers, flipcharts with dry erase and paper inserts and a lectern. Located in the heart of our conference center, it is just steps from the largest meeting rooms and the racetrack viewing area.

Hill Room| Groups of 25 to 40 Guests
Our mid-sized meeting space features an LCD Projector with automatic drop screen, wireless handheld and lavaliere microphones, DVD & CD Player, a built in speakers, flipcharts with dry erase and paper inserts and a lectern. Located in the heart of our conference center, it is just steps from the largest meeting rooms and the racetrack viewing area.

Brooks Boardroom | Groups of 2 to 10 Guests
Our boardroom features a wall mounted HD LCD TV, flipcharts with dry erase and paper inserts and a DVD & CD Player. Located in the heart of our conference center, it is just steps from the largest meeting rooms and the racetrack viewing area.

Ascari | Groups of 8 to 33 Guests
This mid-sized meeting room features an LCD Projector with automatic drop screen, wireless handheld and lavaliere microphones, a DVD & CD Player and a built in speaker system. This room is steps from the Main Lobby in the heart of the facility.

Fangio | Groups of 8 to 16 Guests
This small sized meeting room features an LCD Projector with automatic drop screen, wireless handheld and lavaliere microphones, flipcharts with dry erase and paper inserts, a DVD & CD Player and a built in speaker system. Just steps from the Main Lobby in the heart of the facility.

Rindt | For Individuals to 14 Guests
Our smallest breakout space features a wall mounted HD LCD TV, flipcharts with dry erase and paper inserts, DVD & CD Player, a built in speaker system and is located just steps from our reception desk and Main Lobby. Perfect for that small quick meeting before your event.

Visit our Chicago Meetings and Events Planning Guide for a comprehensive and growing list of Chicago meeting and event suppliers.  For a complete list of Chicago’s Planner Preferred Chicago corporate event spaces and Chicago teambuilding activities in Buffalo Grove and Chicago, visit Hereschicago.com, Chicago’s fastest growing directory of corporate event spaces and teambuilding activities for your next client outing, corporate event or company gathering.