In Brief 1-1-2002

Meetings & Conventions: Newsline

In Brief

THE DISCREPANCY between published business fares and what business travelers pay reached $313 in 2001, according to an American Express survey. AmEx clients paid an average of $267 per one-way fare in September; the typical published business fare in that month was $580. In 2000, the discrepancy was $231.

THE CONVENTION INDUSTRY COUNCIL released initial results of a meeting planner survey: 22.9 percent of respondents believe local and regional meetings are becoming more pervasive, and 36.6 percent are considering expanded use of technology to augment or replace physical meetings.

AMTRAK REINSTATED its Downeaster service between Maine and Boston, which last ran 30 years ago. Relaunched on Dec. 15, the service stops in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR EXHIBITION MANAGEMENT, the Trade Show Exhibitors Association and other industry groups will create a board to advise and oversee the use of event audits. The board of six to eight members should be in place by May 2002.