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 >> Negotiate

2:30 a.m. EST and I'm up and getting ready for a 3:45 a.m. p/u to DCA for my flights today, the first of which is at 6 a.m.

It's an international flight; the airline says arrive 2 hours ahead so I do...

...to find the counter not staffed.

We called the airline and they said that the counter opened at 4:45.  I suggested they might change that since a competing airline was already open and checking


... what it feels like to walk in someone else's shoes? Or ride in their chair or on their scooter? Or manage a day when pain overtakes you?

Recently, at an industry meeting (in a very large hotel) at which I moderated two sessions, I used a scooter to get around. (Sometimes my NHL makes me unable to walk long distances.)  It was a fascinating experience - watching people ignore me and pretend I


Why do we think that hotels, convention centers, conference centers and other venues are going to be able to negotiate 'deals' as if it were November 2001?

The market was soft then, after the terrorist attacks on the United States.  Airlines were back with flights but many companies were still canceling or postponing meetings and business travel.  We were all more cautious about what business we