An irate call from a senior manager pin-pointed the need to get back to basics when it comes to MICE requirements.
The facts are:
- Early registration to a highly-priced two day workshop held the promise, together with the known facilitator plus extensive backup material, to have major take-away benefits to be applied back at the office.
- Due payment was made and on arrival the facilitating company advised that the advertised presenter was not available and a colleague would undertake the two day programme. The presenter was neither sufficiently knowledgeable nor had prior notification been advised. Adding insult to injury – no programme agenda was provided and on day two – the replaced presenter arrived two hours late. No make-good arrangement was even suggested such as a refund, further 2 day undertaking with the knowledgeable leader etc.
Fortunately in this case the attendee complained to his member association with the result that the Academy was once more approached to provide minimum standards for event planning.
It could be said that the negatives were so basic that a slap on the wrist plus some form of compensation would suffice. However these situations are occurring on a daily basis and the MICE industry cannot afford too many reoccurrences without re-course.
The Professional Planner Standards will be part of the Event Industry Summit’s focus on the 1st October.
