2012 HSMAI's MEET Mid America Recap

Earlier this month, Meetings Michigan headed to Chicago's Navy Pier to attend HSMAI's MEET Mid America conference. We exhibited with two partners: BOYNE Resorts and the Westin at the Detroit Metro Airport. As in years past, our booth was located in "Michigan Row" along with our friends from Visit Ann Arbor, Discover Kalamazoo and the Detroit Metro CVB.

New for 2012, the show received a complete format overhaul.  In addition to the usual trade show exhibition, planners and suppliers alike were invited to set up pre-scheduled face-to-face appointments.  We met with several planners during the conference who expressed interest in placing their next meeting in Michigan.  Time and time again we meet planners who are just hours away from Michigan but have never considered bringing their conferences or meetings to our great state.

Overall, it was a great show and we hope to exhibit again in 2013!

8th Annual Pharmaceutical Meeting Management Forum

 
Meetings Michigan recently traveled to Orlando for the 8th Annual Pharmaceutical Meeting Management Forum.  The event took place at the Marriott World Center March 25th - 28th. We were joined by 2 of our partners:  Discover Kalamazoo and the Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

With the ever changing rules and guidelines of the pharmaceutical meetings industry, the educational opportunities available at this conference are always second to none.  Over 30 breakouts were available as well as panel forums (pictured above), general session speakers and more.

The Physician Payment Sunshine Act was a primary discussion point throughout the 4 day conference. As described by Elizabeth J. Cappiello, "The Physicial Payment Sunshine Act requires pharmaceutical, medical device, biological, and medical supply manufacturers to report to Health and Human Services (HHS) any "payment or other transfer of value" to physicians and teaching hospitals. The first reports will be due March 31, 2013 for the calendar year 2012 reporting period. The report must include information about the amount of the payment, the date on which the payment was made, the form of payment, and the nature of the payment (e.g., gift, consulting fees, entertainment). The PPSA specifically excludes certain transfers of value from this disclosure requirement."

What does this mean to the hospitality industry? Hotels and other vendors will soon be required to provide a full summary of any goods or services a doctor uses while attending an event hosted by a pharmaceutical company.  From shuttle service to the airport to flip charts to a cup of coffee, every penny spent will need to be submitted. Suppliers from all over the country were eager to share their thoughts and concerns with industry experts.  At the end of the conference, we left with many hard-pressing questions answered even though there are likely many more to come in 2012.

Event Promotion "Tricks of the Trade"

Bethany Curtis, Director of Sales, Bavarian Inn Lodge - Frankenmuth, Michigan

Event Promotion "Tricks of the Trade"
by Bethany Curtis, Director of Sales, Bavarian Inn Lodge and Geri Root, President Root Management & Consulting, LLC

Bethany Curtis, Director of Sales for the Bavarian Inn Lodge, recently sat down with meeting professional, Geri Root, President of Root Management & Consulting LLC to talk about event promotion. It seemed fitting since Bethany was attending the Michigan Chapter of MPI's Annual Education Conference planned by Geri herself. Here are a few "Tricks of the Trade" that Geri shared:

Bethany: Most of us know that event promotion depends on the size of the event and the area of reach you are marketing to. For a state association like MMPI how much time is really needed in advance to start your event promotion?

Geri: Ideally for small events 60 – 90 days before the conference, for larger events a save the date should be sent at least 6 months prior and the full program sent 3 months prior. Meeting professionals are taught a full year in advance but that is sometimes difficult to pull off.

Bethany: What is the first promotion that you like send to your potential attendees? (email, Face Book, mailed postcard).

Geri: An email or postcard because it is a quick and inexpensive way to get the word out. It is always a good idea to get the event on your organizations social media site but that does not reach the entire audience.

Bethany: Do you feel that your promotional plan needs to be comprehensive to include all forms of media?

Geri: Yes, definitely.

Bethany: How have you used Social Media to increase attendance?

Geri: We have used social media to get the word out not only to those on our mailing list, but those that keep in touch with the association through social media. Also, we use it to build excitement for the event, for quick promotions, to give out teaser info on session and exciting new details about the conference.

Let the event promotion beginning!