Finding Creative Solutions to Attrition - and More

‘The Attrition Clause and Rate Dilemma in Today's Economy' - a new Masters Series program in Washington, D.C., next month - will present solutions to complex legal issues caused by the recession

In today's tough meetings marketplace, many industry professionals are struggling with contractual terms that were agreed upon in a thriving economy. They're facing attrition and rate dilemmas that are calling into question legal obligations and important relationships.
Legal expert Tyra Hilliard, Ph.D., J.D., CMP, will moderate a panel of seasoned meeting
professionals and suppliers in a Masters Series program called "The Attrition Clause and Rate Dilemma in Today's Economy: Legalities and Realities," on July 22 at the Hyatt Regency Washington in Washington, D.C. Panelists will share their tactics for managing expectations and preserving key relationships.

The interactive program will help attendees:

• gain a clear understanding of attrition and rates - from both sides of the table
• employ effective negotiation tactics
• discover creative solutions that can be implemented today to manage attrition and other contractual issues
• develop a set of strategies to enact now to create future growth and profitability.

To register, visit www.pcma.org/MastersSeries.

Coming up... Budget now to attend the premier education and networking event in the meetings industry - PCMA's 2010 Annual Meeting, Jan. 10-13, in Dallas. Registration opens in September. Register early to reserve your top choice in hotels and secure your place at select educational sessions. To learn more, visit www.pcma.org/2010.

CIC Endorses PCMA's CMP® Online PrepTM Course

The PCMA CMP Online Prep Course is the most comprehensive and effective online study tool available. In fact, 98 percent of course participants have passed the CMP exam on their first try. It's no wonder that the Convention Industry Council (CIC) recently endorsed PCMA's course as the official online course of the CMP exam.

PCMA partnered with the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau to bring the CMP Online Prep Course to meeting professionals.

To sign up or learn more, visit www.pcma.org/CMP.

MEMBERS GETTING MEMBERS: Hunter Clemens, CMP, of the Capital Chapter, recently won the Chairman's Challenge by recruiting the most new members to PCMA during the first 100 days of Chairman John Folks' term. Clemens wins a trip for two to Mexico! Learn more about the PCMA Member-Get-A-Member Campaign at www.pcma.org/MGAM.

‘When I'm Big'

When the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau held its Kick-Off Luncheon for PCMA's 2010 Annual Meeting at the 2009 Annual Meeting in New Orleans, little did anyone know that its theme, "When I'm Big," would become one for the lesson book.

As soon as lunch ended, Texas Tech Assistant Professor Kelly Phelan, Ph.D., said she "scooped up everything" she could to bring home so she could incorporate the event into her graduate-level hospitality services and marketing course curriculum. "I really saw this as a best-practice example in the way that the child theme was consistently executed throughout the event," Phelan said. The theme began with having children serve as greeters, and was carried throughout, from a child-friendly menu to toy centerpieces. The message was driven home by a video (www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpXErs9f_NI) that featured Dallas icons from the fashion, sports, arts, and dining scenes as children, sharing their dreams of becoming the leaders they are today.

Chapter Corner

POWER Chapter Members Proactively Facing Today's Challenges

POWER Chapter members were "furiously taking notes" during the chapter's April 24 program, "Hotel Contracting Tips for Survival in an Uncertain Economy," according to POWER Chapter President Sheila Fox. Attorney John S. Foster, Esq., CHME, who specializes in the legal aspects of meetings and conventions, provided tips for minimizing the risks to planners while still protecting the rights of suppliers. "John's information and anecdotes were lessons we can all use for future contract negotiations," Fox said.

The program, which was part of the PCMA Education Foundation-funded Best in Class Series, was attended by more than 45 planners and suppliers from the chapter, which represents Pittsburgh, Ohio, West Virginia, and the Erie Region. To learn about the chapter's upcoming activities, visit www.pcma.org/pw.