U.S. census trends to think about

According to the Census Bureau’s 2007 Statistical Abstract of the United States, the U.S. is a nation of overweight, water-guzzling, sugar-loving electronics addicts (source: New York Times). We're also taller than we used to be. Some things to think about when it comes to meetings logistics, F&B planning, and site selection.

Some thoughts for association planners in particular:

since 2000 the number of hobby and athletic nonprofit associations has risen while the number of labor unions, fraternities and fan clubs has declined.

And for all meeting planners:

The distinctive effect of technology has been to enable us to get entertainment and information while remaining entirely alone,” Mr. Putnam said. “That is from many points of view very efficient. I also think it’s fundamentally bad because the lack of social contact, the social isolation means that we don’t share information and values and outlook that we should.”

More food for thought:

In 1970, 79 percent [of college freshmen] said their goal was developing a meaningful philosophy of life. By 2005, 75 percent said their primary objective was to be financially very well off.





Among graduate students, 27 percent had at least one foreign-born parent. The number of foreign students from India enrolled in American colleges soared to 80,000 in 2005 from 10,000 in 1976.





In 1970, 33,000 men and 2,000 women earned professional degrees; in 2004, the numbers were 42,000 men and 41,000 women.

We are changing as a nation—are your meetings changing to accommodate the needs of people today?