Before going into the business plan for the Meeting Support Institute you need to understand what meeting support is.

Meeting Architecture is the “second leg” on which meetings stand Meeting support is the Meeting Architect’s toolbox. The first leg in meetings is what I would call the hospitality leg. Hospitalityis inviting, travel, destination, accommodation, catering social activities, etc.

Meeting (content) support focuses more on the meeting itself and provides tools in the following 3 areas for meetings and conferences:    

Learning        Networking    Motivation

To improve these three areas in meetings we see 5 different kinds of tools and services under the acronym CHATTY.:

Conceptual     Human          Art (Creative) Technical       Technological   

We look at three time slots to influence participants of meetings:

Before          During           After

Some examples: 

·   Theme Music is a creative tool for motivation and education during the meeting

·   An on line appointment system is a technological tool for networking during the meeting

·   an online presentation archive is a technology tool for education after

·   Facilitation is a human tool to enhance learning and motivation during the meeting

MEETING SUPPORT INSTITUTE

The Meeting Support Institute wants to promote the use of meeting support services and tools in order to get better learning, more networking and higher motivation what results in more ROI (see Dr Jack Philips 5 steps to measure ROI)

The main stake holders are:

1. Key stake holders
   1. producers of tools and services (voting systems, networking devices,… )
   2. intermediate users of tools and services (Producers, AV companies,… )
   3. end users of these tools and services (meeting planners, venues, …)

1. Supporting Stake holders
   1. media (Magazines, web, Tradeshows,… )
   2. faculty (speakers, consultants, writers)
   3. academic & governmental

By being active in educating and connecting the key stakeholders, by providing R&D, education and promotion around these tools, the Meeting Support Institute wants to develop the use of these tools from an neglected position to a priority status.

Measurable Goal

The Meeting Support Institute aims for a highly recognised, respected and influential position. The goal is not to make money for the MSI, but to induce positive change in the meetings industry.

We will measure our success by counting our activities, presentations, publications, space at exhibitions, number of members and finally also in the increase of spending in meeting support at meetings: the success for our members.

Goal for the meetings industry

The meeting industry is under growing pressure since years to look for, measure and demonstrate ROI in meetings and conferences.

The Meeting Support Institute wants to help meeting planners to recognise the importance of meeting support tools in making their meetings valuable, and providing a measurable ROI via an increase in education, networking and motivation.

Since the slow economy there is additional pressure from procurement looking to cut cost.

Better performance and subsequent ROI may influence that threat positively.

Goal for the producers of tools and services

Producers of these tools will discover and recognise this market in which they not always already operate. The institute will also promote their tools. This will help them to be successful, develop better tools for meetings and increase their business. Co-creation of products or events, partnerships amongst members are stimulated.

Goal for the users

Demystification and a more understanding and using of meeting support will help meeting professionals in maintaining or improving their position in their respective companies, associations or institutions. Getting to influence the learning process at meetings will give them a seat at the organisers table and make their work more strategic.

Leadership

The executives of this institute will be mrmbrrs and volunteers from

1. geographically diverse (mainly European and US based)
2. with diverse backgrounds (planning, marketing, sales, consulting, education, …)
3. leaders in their respective terrains

Finance

The money to fund the Meeting Support Institute will come mainly through 2 sources

1. key partners (sponsoring)
2. members (membership fees)
   1. product members = suppliers                                     eg 475
   2. user members

                                          i.    intermediate users (AV-companies, technicians)    eg 475

                                         ii.    individual members                                          eg 175

                                        iii.    end users: meeting planners                    eg    0

Partners will invest for marketing / image reasons and also market intelligence.

Product members will contribute to promote and improve their product.

User members to learn and improve their work and status in the industry.

The Meeting Support Institute shall be a not for profit institute. Through diverse connections in the industry and in partnership with diverse associations, it will operate on a global basis.

Maarten Vanneste, CMM

Maarten.vanneste@meetingsupport.org

Oude Vaartstraat 43  2300 Turnhout   Belgium

tel. +32 1 444 88 31   fax. +32 1 442 06 61