The majority of meeting and event planners prefer social networks that build upon, instead of replace, personal relationships, according to an HSMAI Affordable Meetings West pre-conference survey.
61% of meeting planners attending the 13th Annual Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International's (HSMAI) Affordable Meetings West Conference & Exposition in California in June 2009, stated that they were engaged on Facebook, and 58% were members of LinkedIn. Networking and maintaining relationships were the top benefits cited. Just 13% said they were using Twitter.
Technology continues to be a top priority in 2009 with 70% of planners reporting an increase in technology use in meetings management and marketing. Of those respondents, 74% commented that the incorporation of the various technologies made their jobs easier. 30% of planners also cited that they would be looking for event planning software suppliers at this year's exposition. (HOTELMARKETING.COM, June 2009)
