Survey of Meeting Industry Executives Shows Increased Participation at Continuing Education Programs.

Business Editors

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 13, 2001

PCMA-sponsored survey identifies conflict between "time

constraints" and desire for professional advancement

A recent survey conducted by the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) reveals that many industry executives are torn between their desire for professional continuing education and being too busy--which keeps them from participating in career advancement programs. Of the 170 meeting industry executives responding to the survey, 70% cited full schedules as the primary reason for being unable to take advantage of a continuing education offering. At the same time 90% acknowledged that they participate in at least one professional development program per year.

The research, conducted by Irma S. Mann, Strategic Marketing Inc. (ISM) and Pathfinder Research Group, revealed that 53% of these meeting industry executives indicate they attend more professional development programs compared with their attendance five years ago, in spite of heavy work schedules.

Key motivators for their attendance were ranked as: keeping current (39%), professional advancement (34%), and networking with colleagues (25%). Among the career and education topics that attendees from this market seek are: meeting management skills (69%), negotiation (60%), technology (60%), exhibition management (34%), law (33%), financial (32%) and food and beverage (28%).

Further statistics regarding continuing education programs revealed in the PCMA survey indicate meeting industry professionals prefer two and three day programs (total of 65% of respondents.) While 98 % of respondents prefer to attend continuing education programs in person, a considerable number of meeting planners would also participate in programs online (70%), through self-study (65%), and via video or audio conferencing (both 21%).

"Clearly members of the meeting industry are torn between life/work demands and finding time to pursue desired professional education and training," says Anthony J. Jannetti, Chairman of the PCMA Education Foundation. "This survey would indicate that while rapidly evolving technology contributes to the need for continued professional education, our organization and others who promote professional growth should begin to harness the benefits of this technology to make professional development more readily accessible to members of our industry. This is concurrent with our goals for all of PCMA's educational programming as well as the new Learning Center."

Responding as attendees, some survey participants indicated conference centers (38%) and hotels (21%) as their preferred facilities for continuing education programs; while 35% indicated they had no preference regarding program facility, only 3% of respondents choose university setting as their preferred facility. Responses were similar when those surveyed answered from the point of view of continuing education meeting planners.

PCMA will utilize the results of this survey along with additional data it is collecting over the coming months to provide a sound base on which to build programming for its new Learning Center which will open in fall 2001. The Learning Center, which will be located in Chicago, will deliver a variety of programming important to meeting professionals. The state-of-the-art facility will focus on delivering education in formats designed to enhance the learning experience utilizing the latest in technological advances. Topics delivered will be based on feedback collected in this survey and other ongoing data-gathering mechanisms.

The PCMA Survey on Continuing Education was a joint undertaking by the Education Foundation of the PCMA, the international professional organization of the $80 billion meeting industry; Pathfinder Research Group, a full-service market research company specializing in consumer focused, quantitative and qualitative research and ISM, a premier provider of marketing services to the hospitality and travel industry. The survey results were drawn from responses of 170 meeting industry executives in attendance at PCMA's 45th annual convention held recently in Miami, FL.

"These findings have an impact on all of us who are looking to support the meetings industry," explains Gary Leopold, president and chief operating officer of ISM. "The survey clearly shows the need to continue to educate the marketplace and to look at the topics, length and delivery of these professional advancement programs."

For a complete copy of the PCMA Continuing Education Survey research, please contact Jane Kuby at ISM, 617/353-1822, ex 169 or [e-mail] or Dawn Benander at PCMA, 312/423-7271 or [e-mail].

The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) is an international organization of association meeting professionals dedicated to increasing the effectiveness of meetings, conventions, and exhibitions through member and industry education and the promotion of the value of the meetings industry to the general public.

Irma S. Mann, Strategic Marketing, Inc. (ISM) is based in Boston and specializes in problem solving and results oriented marketing and advertising for the hospitality and travel industry. The agency uses a unique Brand of Life(TM) and Brand Infusion process to create a richer and more insightful dialogue between companies and their customers.

Among ISM's clients are Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Sonesta International Hotels Corporation, The Islands Of The Bahamas, Passkey and VacationCoach.com.

Pathfinder Research Group, based in the Boston-area, is a full-service market research company specializing in consumer focused, quantitative and qualitative research. Their reputation has been built on designing innovative methodologies tailored to providing insightful, actionable information to help clients make more effective decisions.

Pathfinder Research's clients include: CVS, Lycos, Hannaford Brothers, GE Capital, Colgate and MBNA Bank.