The key theme for this year’s EIBTM CEO Summit will focus on ‘Global Events’ and include up-to-date analysis of the global economy- with particular reference both to the Eurozone and the region’s critical debt crisis plus an insight into the expanding opportunities within the BRIC economies according to the EIBTM webite.

To read more about EIBTM and the 2011 Summit or even find out how you too can attend click here.

Clients do continue to want experienced, professional staff and near perfect meetings, but keeping the program costs as low as possible has become the main agenda for many meeting planners.  It first impacted the destinations chosen for meetings and the length of the meetings; then clients began offering less “pampering” for the attendees.  Most recently, and what we at ETD have noticed first hand, is that this lower-cost mindset has significantly impacted who is asked to work a meeting.

Over the past few years we have seen a dramatic increase in requests for “local” staff to help out on-site.   Many clients have already chosen not to contract TDs with whom they have good standing relationships, if it means they have to purchase airline tickets.  Unfortunately after reading a recent article from USA Today Travel, it seems like we will not be moving away from this trend any time soon.

In fact, in an effort to help trim $4 trillion off the deficit the US faces, President Obama had proposed an airline ticket tax which will ultimately affect the smaller airports.  Should this be passed, domestic and international travel will likely come to a halt in the meetings industry, especially when it comes to flying in TDs.  The days of international programs and cross country flights may sadly be even more of a memory, and the local program may remain the harsh reality…indefinitely.

To read the full article click here.  What are your thoughts on this new tax?  Share with us how you feel about this idea and the changes we are all facing.

Knowing what a TD is can be very helpful to professionals all across the board. In an article written back in 2006, Irene Korn did a great job explaining just that. It may be an older article but the information is still accurate today.

I hope this helps you better understand what a TD is and how you can benefit from working with one or becoming one yourself!

Clink here to read full article

Over the past few years there has been heightened security in all areas ranging from travel size carry on items to full body scans and pat downs. But what will it it be next?

In a recent article found on CNN, as we approach the 10th anniversary of that fateful day, this is the question many are asking. What is next for Airport Screening? TSA explains their plan of attack and how the path to a more effective and efficient, intelligence-driven system is not an easy one.

One example is the new “Trusted Traveler Program”, getting ready to launch this Oct. It will help to reduce screening hassles for travelers who provide additional personal information to the government and free more resources to focus on high-risk passengers.

To read the full article click here

But I guess the question we should be asking is what does the future of meetings look like? While robots and teleporting still sound a little far-fetched, they could be making an appearance sooner than you’d think.

According to recent research, robots might make an appearance in the meetings industry as airport greeters. Robots will be able to greet guests, check them in with planners, drivers, and locate baggage claim in a fraction of the time a human could. If robots can replace TDs as airport greeters, what other areas do we have to watch out for?

Another interesting advancement in the industry is holographic speakers. Guest speakers or VIP guests no longer have to block out a few days, or even a day, to travel to a meeting. They can appear via holograph. Below you will find a video I found explaining the surreal experience coming to a meeting near you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAIDXzv_fKA

The only difference is you would hope your home  bed would not be infested with bugs and your drinking water crawling with bacteria.

This has been the case in many hotels in recent months. You may have even read about  it the paper or seen it on the news. Hopefully you have not had personal experience with these nuisances .

It was brought to our attention that a hotel in Las Vegas had a problem with high bacteria levels referred to as Legionella between the days of June 21 to July 4. Please visit the link below for more information on Legionella Bacteria and to find out if you stayed at this hotel during that time.

http://arialasvegas.com/facts/

For more information on Bedbugs please visit:

http://www.badbedbugs.com/

Store owners are starting to encourage frequent fliers to leave a book and take a book. This helps you get fresh reading material for free (or cheap) and lightens your load of a book you’re done with.

A few airports, like Portland International, have used bookstores where someone has undoubtedly just sold back that bestseller you wanted, and you can pick it up for less than full price.

Alternatively, check out The Paradies Shops: they let you return a book you bought within 6 months and receive half your money back.