Advances in meetings technology can assist planners in executing affordable, yet impressive meetings and events. However, according to an HSMAI Affordable Meetings® National and Event Technology Expo™ pre-conference survey, conducted by J. Spargo & Associates, Inc. and independently analyzed by 20|20 Assessment™ – a service of HVS, many planners feel that certain elements of face-to-face conferences cannot be duplicated with today’s technology.

Seventy-six percent of meeting planners attending the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International’s (HSMAI) Affordable Meetings® National and Event Technology Expo™ at Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 9-10, 2009, stated that they used technology mostly for marketing efforts, followed by making presentations (68 percent) and networking (56 percent).

However, survey results suggest that technology reportedly cannot replace at least six elements of the conference experience: 1) socializing and networking spontaneously, 2) helping attendees best put names with faces, 3) allowing more free and open dialogue between attendees and vendors/presenters, 4) training effectively via live and personal interaction, 5) paying greater attention to others when face-to-face, and 6) engaging in real-time conversation that is not interrupted by technical glitches.

“While the ‘always on the job’ mentality of meeting planners tends to rely on the latest technological tools for marketing, presentations and networking, there is clearly a ‘man over machine’ mindset when it comes to other elements of meetings and conferences,” stated Dr. James Houran of 20|20 Assessment. “Thus, the popular push for more teleconferences or Internet-based meetings, even for smaller groups, may ultimately not meet critical needs of attendees.”

Most respondents are anticipating smaller event sizes, with most servicing between 101 and 1,000 registrants (51 percent), followed by events of 100 attendees or less (38 percent). Event planners attending National are also focusing on a smaller number of meetings with 43 percent planning five or less meetings in 2009 and 25 percent planning six to 10 meetings this year.

More than 1,800 attendees, representing meeting and event planners from a variety of organizations, with a majority representing corporate, association and independent sectors and the balance from government, non-profit, education, religious and medical/health care organizations, trade show management and the military, are expected to visit HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® National and ETE 2009 show. Attendance at HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® National and ETE is free-of-charge for qualified meeting planners.

Booth space is still available at Affordable Meetings National and ETE and can be obtained by contacting Craig Baker, account manager, J. Spargo & Associates, Inc., (703) 679-3942, e-mail: [email protected]. Attendee information for HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings National and ETE is available by calling 800-564-4220.

About Event Technology Expo at HSMAI's Affordable Meetings National | Event Technology Expo at HSMAI's Affordable Meetings National is an exposition and conference addressing all aspects of technology as it relates to tradeshows, meetings, and special events. The conference and expo offer attendees the opportunity to meet and do business with exhibiting companies, representing vendors of event technology applications and services. Event Technology Expo at HSMAI's Affordable Meetings® National is owned and presented by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International Americas region and managed by J. Spargo & Associates, Inc. Visit for more information.

About HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings National | HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® National will once again offer attendees the opportunity to meet and do business with more than 450 exhibiting companies during a unique exposition that will showcase venues, products and services to help produce various types of meetings and events. Year-after-year, the highly-acclaimed trade exposition is a main attraction for attendees looking to meet and network with knowledgeable suppliers who are determined to help produce valuable meetings and assist with purchasing decisions. Exhibitors represent hotels and resorts, university conference centers, unique meeting sites, convention and visitor bureaus, transportation companies, trade publications, software and audio/visual businesses, and other meeting and convention suppliers. HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings is owned and presented by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International Americas region and managed by J. Spargo & Associates, Inc. Visit for more information. Join our social networking communities on Twitter, and LinkedIn.

About 20|20 Assessment | 20|20 Assessment – a service of HVS – is the leader in performance management and enhancement tools and solutions for the service-hospitality industry. Founded in 1998 on the principles of superior science, service and specialization, the company’s research has since been featured by a myriad of media including the BBC, Wilson Quarterly, USA Today, New Scientist, Psychology Today, Forbes.com, CNN, Court TV and Rolling Stone. To find out more about, please visit .

About HSMAI

The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is committed to growing business for hotels and their partners and is the industry's leading advocate for intelligent, sustainable hotel revenue growth. The association provides hotel professionals and their partners with tools, insights, and expertise to fuel sales, inspire marketing, and optimize revenue through programs such as the Commercial Strategy Conference, Sales Leader Forum, and Adrian Awards. Founded in 1927, HSMAI is a membership organization comprising more than 5,000 members worldwide, with 40 chapters in the Americas Region. Connect with HSMAI at hsmai.org.

Rachel Rosenberg
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HSMAI