RCMA Survey 2007—The Results

A Little Help

The popularity of catering services continues to be high among RCMA planners. Just a few years ago, only a quarter of RCMA members surveyed reported using catering and banquet services. In 2007, however, 79 percent used those services.

Audiovisuals, too, are an integral part of religious meetings. RCMA members used AV supplier services at 79 percent of their meetings.

Efficient ground transportation and tours are important to religious meeting planners, according to the survey. In 2007, 52 percent of those surveyed said that they used ground transportation and tour services.

Special air rates and ticketing were used by 51 percent of the RCMA members surveyed, while exhibit and decorating services were used by 44 percent of RCMA members surveyed. Forty-one percent of those surveyed made use of car rentals.

A Priority

Again in 2007, the RCMA survey shows that people are willing to dedicate a significant amount of time to attending religious meetings.

The average length of conventions and conferences was 4.0 days in 2007, a statistic that has held steady for more than 10 years. The survey also seems to indicate that retreats are very important. The length of retreats remains high: 3.4 days in 2007. The length of the average board meeting was 2.3 days in 2007, and the average committee meeting and seminar lasted 2.2 days, unchanged from 2006.

Where Meetings Are Held

The Midwest continues to be popular for religious meetings, with 17.4 percent of planners reporting that they hold meetings there. The Southeast remains strong in the percentage of planners who chose it, at 15.7 percent in 2007. The Northeast states were used by 13.4 percent of the planners, followed by the Western states at 11.2 percent and South Central at 10.4 percent. The percentage of planners who hold meetings “throughout the USA” was 23.2 percent.

Of those surveyed, 8.7 percent said they hold meetings outside the United States.

Meeting Attendance
Fig. 1

Total Attendance
Type of Meeting 2006 2007
Convention/Conference 11,989,870 10,871,566
Board 154,739 121,449
Committee/Seminar 621,207 626,571
Retreat 506,587 465,729
Other 1,474,672 1,804,442
Total 14,747,075 14,889,757

Types of Meeting Facilities Used
Fig.5
Facility 2006 2007 2006 rank 2007 rank
Downtown Hotel 16.9% 17.2% 1 1
Conference Center 16.8% 16.6% 2 2
Suburban Hotel 12.4% 12.8% 33
Camps/Retreats 11.1% 11.2% 6 4
Resort Hotel 11.3% 11.1% 5 5
Convention/Civic Center 11.6% 11.1% 6 5
Airport Hotel 10.4% 10.5% 7 7
College/University 7.5% 7.6% 8 8
Cruise Ship 1.9% 1.9% 9 9

         Subscribe in NewsGator Online   Subscribe in Bloglines

Want to use this article? Click here for options!
© 2010 Penton Media Inc.


Acceptable Use Policy
blog comments powered by Disqus

Search for Meeting Space

Find Event Suppliers, Request Quotes

Search 75,000 Venues


Advanced Search

The Meeting Planning Blog

Face2Face Latest Posts

Social Media

Meetings Collaborative

Rate your experience with meeting venues and suppliers.

Facility / Hotel

 
Powered by: Meetings Collaborative
Aega Awards

Apex Webinars

Demonstrating Leadership in Turbulent Times

Join MeetingsNet, the Convention Industry Council, and two meeting professionals to learn how seeking out professional development and volunteer opportunities can enhance your career advancement. Click here for free registration.
View it Now! | View APEX Archives

Webinars

Association Day: How to Plan a Winning International Meeting

Join MeetingsNet for two webinars for association professionals taking meetings outside the U.S., featuring expert panelists covering topics from launching your first international meeting to budgeting, sponsorship, and negotiations.
View on Demand | View Archived Webinars

Recent Comments

Powered by Disqus

Back to Top

Explore Our Newsletters

On Religious Conference Manager

Must-See Meeting Files

Visit the MeetingsNet expert-advice site, where we’ve got top meeting pros on camera answering a variety of your questions as well as a collection of educational—and sometimes offbeat—editors’ pick lists — from the top tech tools to the best books for meeting professionals.

Meeting Planner Survival Guide

Whether you're a novice planner or a veteran, this compilation of must-read articles is your meeting planning resource.

Pharma Meeting Management Forum

Medical Meetings and the Center for Business Intelligence present the Sixth Annual Pharmaceutical Meeting Management Forum in Philadelphia. March 14-16.

Find out more.

Suppliers/
Facilities/CVBs

MeetingsNet makes it easy to find the CVBs, tourist boards, and facilities you need for your next meeting.

Deal Finder

Special offers brought to you by MeetingsNet.

Find A Job

Targeted to all aspects of the hospitality and special events industry.

Education
Central

Upcoming Events, Live and Online

Inside Current Issue

Religious Meetings December 2009

December 2009

October MTNGS Cover

October 2009

Dec MTNGS Cover

August 2009

Aug 2008

June 2009

June MTNGS Cover

April 2009

Browse Back Issues