PCMA wondered: Could the relaxing and calming effects of the aromas found in many of today's most popular candles have a similarly positive effect on a meeting attendee's educational experience? It smelled like a perfect Meetings Xperiment to try out at PCMA's 50th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia.

Tuesday's educational session, "CVBs and Meeting Professionals - A Partnership Worth Preserving," got under way just like any other annual meeting session. As attendees settled into their places, however, a hypoallergenic aromatherapy scent was discreetly pumped throughout the meeting room.

Was the unexpected scent soothing, or were participants just irritated by the odor?

Actually, for the majority, the discreet Meetings Xperiment was a bit too discreet. Only about one-third of the attendees picked up on the change in scent in the session room. Were the other two-thirds recovering from mid-winter colds? "I have allergies," was one respondent's explanation for not noticing the change. Others suggested that the room was just too crowded for the aroma to have an effect.

Of the participants that did detect the change in scent, more than half also noticed a change in the way they felt - physically. "Relaxed" was a common description of the physical effects.

Some participants may have been a little too relaxed, however: The aromatherapy "made me sleepy," commented one fatigued attendee. For another, the added scent may have had an opposite result: "I'm not sure if it was the scent (or the ice cream bar I had at break), but I felt more alert than usual!" Some attendees' descriptions proved a little more unfavorable: "It became very dry in the room - many people began to cough," commented one attendee. And this, from another: "It made my head hurt!"

For most present in the session, the aromatherapy neither hindered nor enhanced their overall educational experience. The scent was "nice, but not necessary," summed up a participant. Just a handful found the smell distracting.

The majority present appreciated the intent behind this Meetings Xperiment. "It lets attendees know you're concerned about giving them the best experience," evaluated one participant. "I'm always looking for new ways to enhance the meeting experience," offered another.

Alas, this Xperiment did not have the sweet smell of success. Most planners responded that aromatherapy is not something that they would try at their own meetings, for fear it would create the opposite of the desired effect. Observed one attendee, "It can create a pleasant experience for attendees - unless they hate the scent!"