One question asked in the 2019 Meetings Today Trends Survey was “Do you plan to offer a CSR program next year?” 33% of survey respondents said yes and 67% said no. I reached out to only one person about this because of her noted expertise in this subject. In the “Webinar” section of the Meetings Today website, you can find numerous webinars Nancy Zavada has presented to further your knowledge.

One question asked in the 2019 Meetings Today Trends Survey was “What activities do you incorporate into your meetings?” The responses surprised me with golf second highest at 38%; spa/spa activities at 31%; sporting events 26%; and attractions and theme parks 27%. Teambuilding activities were at 53%, the highest of all activities. I reached out to John Chen who is a guru of teambuilding for his thoughts.

I would have asked/presented the food and beverage question presented in the 2019 Meetings Today Trends Survey differently …  about the needs (versus wants) participants have. Especially when it comes to life-threatening allergies and religious restrictions. I asked the following people, listed alphabetically, to review the responses from the trends survey question and comment.

I reached out to meeting planners and others in our industry about what worries them most. The survey was conducted before the U.S. government shutdown that impacted many meetings, hotels, air travel and safety. Comments about a lack of respect and a lack of desire to learn were interesting. Those I shared the above link with and asked to comment are, alphabetically:

One question asked in the 2019 Meetings Today Trends Survey was “Do you have a written disaster/security plan?” The responses were 28% yes, 44% no and 28% working on it. This is the question and responses that, perhaps more than others, caught my eye. It’s also the one I’ve also written in more detail about in the blog section of the February 2018 Friday With Joan newsletter. I asked three colleagues to review and respond the article

Caesars Entertainment is betting big on its first non-gaming hotel in the U.S., Caesars Republic Scottsdale. The hotel, slated to open in 2021, will be the first installment of a new lifestyle hotel brand designed to push creative boundaries and encourage collaboration with industry trendsetters.

Benchmark released its "Top 10 Meeting Trends for 2019.” The annual list is compiled from guest observation and feedback from the company’s portfolio of 80 hotels, resorts and conference centers.

Meetings Today Chief Content Director Tyler Davidson explores the many water-based activity options for groups visiting San Diego, with Blaine Amidei of DMC company Access. In San Diego there's water, water everywhere, so get your groups out on it!

Six hot spots of Houston’s sizzling food scene satisfy group