The Planner newsletter was quick off the mark with the breaking news of several prominent EXSA members from the organising sector have made the unprecedented decision to form their own association.
This move is no major surprise as there is sufficient proof amongst a number of trade associations that the interests of suppliers & service providers differ greatly from those that are the real decision-makers, without whom there would be no suppliers and/or services.
It never fails to intrigue the Academy that major sponsors and supporters of trade associations and their gatherings are suppliers and services with attendees who invariably are also suppliers and services! Great for networking on neutral ground yet surely of limited real marketing benefit to satisfy a bottom-line return for the sponsors and supporters.
Trends for industry associations in the Meetings Nov/Dec edition hold true today.
To quote: Member associations – most of whom cater mainly for the suppliers and services – within the MICE industry will have to provide tangible benefits for current and potential members. The economic climate envisaged to continue well into the new year indicates that members may find the cost of networking as the prime motivator could prove too high a price to pay In member fees, especially if the majority of members are not in decision-making positions within their respective companies. Introvert interests of office bearers is becoming more noticeable amongst members and association loyalty is likely to take a back-seat in comparison to high benefit expectations.
