$41.8 Billion Industry to Grow as Meetings Expected to Increase by Nine Percent in 2001.

Business Editors

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 18, 2000

Meeting Professionals International Releases Meeting Industry

Trends Outlook for 2001

The $41.8 billion meeting industry is expecting a nine percent growth in meetings in 2001, according to the 2001 Meetings Outlook Survey, conducted by Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the global authority and resource for the meeting industry.

With more than 17,0000 members in 64 countries, MPI is committed to promoting the strategic value of meetings, identifying global trends and advancing the industry through benchmarking of best practices. The association defines the power of meetings by demonstrating the social and economic return on investment (ROI) on executing meetings and events gained by the industry, cities and corporations.

Results of MPI's 2001 Meetings Outlook Survey include:

-- Number of meetings held annually: There will be a nine percent increase in
the number of meetings in 2001. Currently, there are more than one million
meetings held annually. For those predicting an increase for the next year, 26
percent will conduct more regional meetings, 15 percent more national meetings
and 17 percent more international meetings. Associations, which typically plan
fewer, but larger gatherings will plan five percent more meetings, while
corporations will increase the number by almost 15 percent.

-- Technology in the meeting industry: Technology will be the most significant
industry evolution over the next two years. 98 percent of meeting professionals
consider computer controlled multi-media/LCD to be the most important
technology used in the production of meetings. The Internet remains the most
important communication vehicle for marketing meetings according to 92 percent
of meeting professionals. Technologies expected to decrease in importance for
2001 are the use of special effects and lighting techniques, audio conferencing
and video conferencing.

-- Meeting style: Meeting formats are expected to be the second most
significant change as the focus begins to lean toward educational programming
and themes designed to address specific topics and audiences.

-- International meetings: The trend toward fewer international meetings will
continue in 2001. Among association planners Canada is the first choice (nearly
50 percent percent), followed by Mexico (one third) and the Carribbean (one
fifth). And among corporate planners, 54 percent are leaning toward the
Caribbean, followed by Mexico (42 percent) and Canada (40 percent). The
remaining countries listed on the survey include England, France, Germany and
Italy.

-- Return on Investment (ROI)/Measurement of meetings: Finishing at or above
budget and meeting revenue is among the most important measurement tools.
Surveys and evaluations are another important measurement of ROI being used by
planners.

-- Meeting site selection: More than 77 percent consider the Americans with
Disabilities Act and AH&MA rules and guidelines remain an important factor when
selecting a meeting site for 2001. Spousal and children programming is
important to half of the respondents. Incorporating fitness into a meeting
dropped 22 percent last year, indicating it no longer appears to be as
important in site selection.

-- Preparation/lead time: The average lead time for planning meetings with more
than 5,000 attendees is more than two years, while smaller meetings (with fewer
than 50 attendees) usually require a six-month preparation period.

"The health of the economy in the U.S. where more of our members reside, and globally where we continue to grow, has spurred not only more meetings, but more money being allocated to their success," remarked MPI president/CEO Edwin L. Griffin, Jr., CAE. "This research demonstrates the increasing awareness among the business community about the significance and return on investment for meetings."

Of the 450 meeting professionals surveyed, 241 represented associations and 163 were from corporations. Respondents average 9.4 years of meeting planning experience, and are planning an average of 25 meetings each in 2001.

Meeting Professionals International, with more than 17,000 members in 64 countries with 59 chapters and five chapters in formation, is the leading global community committed to shaping and defining the future of the meeting and event industry.