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A Bright Outlook,
by Timothy Schneider, Publisher, Association News
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Another statistic worth noting in the report is that 93 percent of the association members surveyed said that meetings and conferences are an important benefit of belonging to an association. SmithBucklin’s key findings and insights on that topic that will be of interest to association executives and meetings planners include:

Content is king. Success comes from providing audiences with content they can use to be better at what they do. Astute associations will look closely at their members’ wants and needs and then tailor, create and deliver content that directly addresses those wants and needs. Surveying attendees before and after your events can help you curate programming that gives your members exactly what they need.

High marks for unconventional education. Traditional education methods are now evolving in unconventional ways. Providing unexpected and innovative educational offerings can add value to events, increase attendee interest and offer an element of surprise.

It’s all about the experience. Engage your audience with experiences that can’t be found anywhere else. Additionally, immersive experiences can help extend the reach of your events because they make for the type of content that can be shared via social media, especially highly visual platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.

As the organizers of Meetings Quest—the nation’s longest-running series of educational and networking events for association and corporate meeting planners—it is our goal to provide valuable content and memorable experiences for our attendees. At the next Meetings Quest, which will be held March 14 –15 in Atlantic City, our programming will address several hot-button issues for meeting planners, including maximizing every aspect of your attendees’ experience. One of our educational sessions will feature a fast-paced series of entertaining and informative briefings during which four industry experts with diverse backgrounds will provide insights on how to improve your events. We will also provide a session on crisis management and event security, which is a topic of utmost importance.

In addition to the educational programming, Meetings Quest in Atlantic City will include an epic Opening Celebration, a motivational keynote address and a productive appointment-based trade show. For additional information, please see page 17 for the destination guide and the event schedule for Meetings Quest in Atlantic City, call 877-577-3700 or visit MeetingsQuest.com.
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Timothy Schneider is the publisher of Association News and SportsTravel magazines, which serve group travel planners responsible for generating 156 million hotel room nights annually. Schneider Publishing also organizes Meetings Quest, America's longest-running series of trade shows for meeting planners, and the TEAMS Conference & Expo, the world’s largest gathering of sports-event organizers. TEAMS ’17 will be held October 30–November 2, 2017, in Orlando, Florida. For further information on advertising or sponsorship opportunities, please call toll-free 877-577-3700 or 310-577-3700 if calling from outside the United States.

The current issue of Association News can be viewed in digital format online by clicking here.
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Media Contact:
Timothy Schneider
310-577-3700
Schneider Publishing Company, Inc.