Good Stuff from Joan Eisenstodt

Periodic musings of one of the Meetings Industry\'s recognized educators.

Stay up to date and in the know on the industry's top issues and events. Joan has over 30 years experience in every facet of event planning and is regularly recognized as one of the most influential people in the industry. Take advantage of her passion for our industry and life-long learning. Bookmark this page today.

Tag >> Meeting Planning

I am astounded that the industry, at least as far as I can see, is not talking about even more airline cuts today.  CO announced cuts in flights and personnel.  This on top of DL, AA and UA.  The capacity cuts are going to impact meetings beyond anyone's comprehension I fear. And yet, I'm not seeing this as a subject that is being addressed on the web sites of the industry organizations.  On


You know the drill: you are attending an event - it may be an event hosted by an industry partner, or something done by an industry association, or a friend's wedding or anniversary party.  You make all kinds of observations about what is being done and not being done.  You are ready to step in and offer suggestions.

 Then you remember:  it's NOT MY EVENT!

There you are tho', thinking all the


When I saw the headline, I began singing it to the tune of "Where the boys are ..." .. an old Connie Frances tune about going to FL for Spring break.

Watching the migration of jobs fascinates me.  This article in today's New York Time made me wonder where jobs for our industry will be.

In the last weeks, as airlines cut service dramatically to many markets and fares went up and up and up (I paid


I was going to title this with the wonderful Gershwin song, "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" until I realized that some may not get the reference.  (You know "You say either and I say either ..  you say tomato and I say tomahto" .... or maybe not. Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ3fjQa5Hls to hear it and see Fred and Ginger do a great number while singing it.)

Language can be helpful or an interference if we speak different languages, even if we speak relatively the same language but have learned different words for different objects.  "Podium" and "Lectern" are two examples. 

In our industry, as meetings are planned, those two words are used interchangeably and have been for years.  Some of us are purists who insist on calling them by the correct terms.  I cringe every time I'm at an airport and they call someone to the "podium"  - and under my breath I say, "lectern"!

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