Good Stuff from Joan Eisenstodt

In the meetingscollaborative.com discussion boards, we're having a good discussion about destination selection and the current state of the economy. 

We know that there are air fares and added travel fees to consider.  Hotel room rates and other charges seem to be stable (v. rising or decreasing.) 

The bigger considerations to me are the health and safety of those who attend our meetings.  Safety first.

This article in the NYTimes spells out what we really need to consider.  US cities, since the first wave of gas price increases, have been faced with some tough choices about what to fund and how.  A news story on NBC news last night showed the critical issue of a predicted tough winter and the rising price of salt to ensure roads were cleared of snow and ice.  (This story from September shows the same issues.)

Due diligence is needed as we select cities and confirm contracts.  Putting people at risk is the last thing we want to do.

[The Arizona State University will again, in 2008 as it's done since 2006, sponsor a tourism safety and security conference on November 21.  I am privileged again to be the only meeting planner speaker, and highly recommend this conference to anyone who wants to learn more about how to keep people safe.]