EIBTM’s annual CEO Summit puts youth and social networking top of agendaEIBTM’s annual CEO Summit, which took place last month in Barcelona, brought together more than 60 members of the global meetings industry to facilitate debate about two pressing issues affecting the future of the industry as it enters a new decade – managing generation Y and the use of social media in meetings and events.
Created as a strategic business network, and launched under the banner of EIBTM five years ago, the ‘C’ level executives included representatives from both planners and suppliers from multi national to national hotels, CVB’s, PCO’s and full service agencies.
In wide ranging discussions and debates, moderated by Peter Rand, Director of Industry Relations Zibrant, the consensus of opinion recognised the need to empower younger recruits to the industry, giving them responsibility and space by stepping back and enabling them to develop their own confidence and style.
There was an admission that sometimes the industry had a feeling of an old boys club and there was a need to recognise that the future development of the industry and indeed the future of EIBTM’s CEO summit lay with Generation Y.
The Summit also acknowledged that Generation Y is looking for a life/work balance, transparency within organisations, ability to be creative and to involve themselves in social communities and corporate social responsible projects.
A further topic of discussion turned to the use of social media in meetings and events. It was agreed that social media had created a revolution in how the industry communicated with each other. There was a need to embrace a new language and style of writing to communicate effectively with the younger generation who demand information quickly and concisely. It was felt that organisations need to ensure that social media became an integral part of a company’s business model.
CEO Summit Moderator Peter Rand commented: “Bringing together such a high profile group of C’ executives representing all sectors of the meetings industry is invaluable in acting as a catalyst for initial discussion before turning talk into action. It recognises that the industry has to continually evolve if it is to attract and retain the highest calibre of talent. There have been a number of take-away points which will be actioned to ensure this international group of industry leaders materially influence the response of the Meetings Industry to a fast changing world.”
The 2009 CEO Summit was attended by the following companies: Abbit Meeting Support, AEG Ogeden Convention & Exhibition Centres, Asia & Pacific, Agenda Pty Ltd, Avant Guide Institute, Barcelona Convention Bureau, Congrex, Creative Travel India, Daniel Tschudy Consultancy, Deeper Blue, Drewe Associates, European Event ROI Institute, Event Genuity, Expology Oy, Extraordinary Events, First Incentive Travel, Friis Consulting, Harry Fine Associates, HelmsBriscoe, HelmsBriscoe International, MCI Group Holding SA, Melbourne Convention and Visitors Bureau, Moulden Marketing, MVKA Productions, Net Group, Ovation Global DMC, Pacific World, PRA Destinationa Management New York, Rfb Group, Seoul Tourism Organisation, Star Professional Programs, Swantegy, Teknocongress, The Right Solution Limited, tmf – Travel Marketing Factor and Trinity Conferences.
