Apple devices accounted for almost 80% of respondents favored technology platforms. When asked “which device would you most want to be stranded on a desert island with – given a good signal?” – the iPhone triumphed with 39% of respondents, whilst the iPad came a very close second for 37% of those surveyed. Although the iPod made an appearance, it was only chosen by 2%. The Blackberry also barely made a showing – selected by just 2% of respondents
Apple wins the battle of the ‘desert island’ devices
Results from the latest IMEX America Index of Optimism reveal some interesting insights into the US meetings industry’s taste in music, vacation resorts and portable devices. Feedback from just over 300 hosted buyers and suppliers from North America was collected in July and, aside from 76% of respondents feeling more optimistic about the meetings industry’s prospects than a year ago, the IMEX Group also quizzed them on their tech, music and vacation preferences. (Total respondents: 312. Buyers – 73%, Suppliers – 27%).
Desert island devices
With Forbes recently announcing that Apple’s iPhone is worth more than the entire Microsoft Corporation, it is not surprising that, combined, Apple devices accounted for almost 80% of respondents favored technology platforms.
When asked “which device would you most want to be stranded on a desert island with – given a good signal?” – the iPhone triumphed with 39% of respondents, whilst the iPad came a very close second for 37% of those surveyed. Although the iPod made an appearance, it was only chosen by 2%. The Blackberry also barely made a showing – selected by just 2% of respondents.
Singing a happy song
The survey also shows that the meetings industry is populated by professionals with eclectic music tastes. Among their five favourite songs of the moment are: “Call me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepson; “Moves like Jagger” – Maroon 5; “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele; Train’s “Drive By” and “Somebody that I Used to Know” by Goyte. Their favorite bands and artists of all time comprise a strong but perhaps traditional mix of: The Beatles, U2, the Eagles, Bruce Springsteen and The Rolling Stones.
Continuing with the theme of optimism, survey participants were asked to reveal what they thought was the most optimistic and uplifting song of all time. Their top six most uplifting songs (unprompted) were Louis Armstrong’s “What a wonderful world” in the top slot, followed by “Beautiful Day” by U2; “Don’t Worry Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin; John Newton’s hymn “Amazing Grace”; Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” and “Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole.
Happy holidays
Given that travelling the world is often part of daily life for meetings industry professionals, the IMEX survey also questioned participants on where they planned to take their main vacation in 2012. Apart from a number of staycations “with all devices turned off”, Florida received the most mentions, thanks to its beaches and reputation as a “family destination”, closely followed by Hawaii and San Diego for similar reasons. A variety of destinations in Africa (Namibia, Botswana, Tanzania), the Caribbean (Anguilla, Aruba and Bahamas), Europe (chiefly Italy and France) and Mexico (Cancun, Puerto Vallarta) also featured repeatedly.
