Third-party planners, rejoice

According to a Meetings Monitor survey published on BTNonline, outsourcing is in.

A growing number of corporate travel buyers who outsource some of their meetings management functions are choosing independent meeting management companies and planners, while the popularity of using convention and visitors bureaus or destination management companies decline, according to an exclusive Meetings Monitor survey. However, some meeting management consultants see commission-based third parties as temporary fixes, rather than long-term solutions, as companies try to focus on what blend of outside assistance they need to bring value to their meetings and events.

The survey of 204 corporate meeting buyers found that travel management companies continued to be the most popular recipients of outsourced meeting functions, but that independent meeting management companies and planners made the largest gains from 2003 levels.

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