CVB Service Steers Selection

Meetings & Conventions: Newsline newsline.gif (8042 bytes) BUREAUS CAN MAKE OR BREAK A PLANNER’S DECISION TO BOOKCVB Service Steers SelectionHow important is CVB service? For the majority of planners, it’s vital, according to a recent online survey by M&C. In fact, how they’re treated by CVB staff plays a “somewhat” or “very” important role in their decision to meet in a city, according to three-fourths of the 587 readers who responded.

It also pays to know someone: 68 percent of planners surveyed said their relationships with CVB personnel influence site selection decisions. Perhaps that explains why the award-winning CVBs profiled on page 49 take pains to hire the right people and keep them happy; most report very low turnover rates.

What is critical to good service? A quick response time to planners’ requests and information needs takes top priority. Follow-through during the planning stages of an event was a close second. Again, the importance of personal relationships and low personnel turnover was noted by the respondents, with 70 percent considering the consistency of CVB contacts “extremely” or “very” important.

At least half of the planners cited shopping bids to suppliers and help in working with unions as key services. Nearly half appreciate help with event promotion. Of somewhat less importance were the traditional CVB offerings of housing assistance and meet-and-greet services.

More than a third of the planners (41 percent) said CVB service has improved over the past two years. About half (52 percent) haven’t noticed much change. A small 7 percent minority believe CVB service has declined.

• LISA GRIMALDI

Survey compiled by Art Pfenning, corporate research director for NORTHSTAR Travel Media, LLC, M&C’s parent company.

What Association Executives Earn The gender gap in earnings grows in relation to size of organization, according to a 2001 compensation survey. Male CEOs Female CEOs Trade association $136,775 $92,125 Individual membership association $139,241 $85,204 Total staff size: 2 or fewer $75,000 $60,000 3 to 5 $95,640 $77,000 6 to 10 $116,550 $108,000 11 to 20 $138,200 $126,000 21 to 50 $201,923 $159,280 51 to 100 $237,900 $145,518 More than 100 $287,600 $249,233 Total annual budget: $300,000 or less $67,600 $54,789 $300,001 to $500,000 $75,600 $68,579 $500,001 to $750,000 $90,000 $72,800 $750,001 to $1 million $102,000 $87,525 $1,000,001 to $2.5 million $118,800 $112,425 $2,500,001 to $5 million $170,000 $137,100 $5,000,001 to $10 million $227,750 $160,585 $10,000,001 to $15 million $225,994 $171,750 More than $15 million $285,000 $256,269 Source: American Society of Association Executives