Money may not be able to directly buy you happiness, but it certainly doesn’t hurt. And in the meetings industry, money — specifically, what you should be paid for all your hard work — has always been a bit murky. Skift Meetings’ Barbara Scofidio takes a look at the wide variance among earnings based on industry salary surveys and government data. It’s valuable intel for the next time you ask for a promotion or interview for a new position.
And this week’s newsletter isn’t simply about what an employer is willing to pay; it’s also about how to get clients to pay their bills on time. If you’re sitting on a stack of overdue invoices, be sure to head below for how to get them paid and how to avoid the issue moving forward.
Finally, I’m getting a lot of “hope you’re enjoying the end of the summer” email introductions these days. Fair warning: summer is a state of mind, so keep channeling the sunshine, but Skift Meetings Forum is just three weeks away. Looking forward to seeing many of you there! — David McMillin
DON’T MISS OUT
Knowing your number is step one. The room where planners turn that leverage into a bigger title is step two.
Sarah Gannon of MathWorks, Shannon Watson of Rotary, and Time Magazine's Dan Macsai join 300+ event leaders at the Javits Center on September 22, with sessions on doing more with a flat budget and moving from running events to running the company.
FEATURED STORIES
Meeting Planner Salaries: Why They Never Agree
by Barbara Scofidio
Stop comparing titles. Compare scope, budget, and impact to make sure you're getting paid what you're worth.
How Scotland’s Tartan Army Helped Win a 2028 Incentive Program
by Andrea Doyle
Unscripted fan energy just outsold a polished pitch deck. It’s a reminder that a destination’s own people can sell it harder than any campaign.
Why Are Late Payments Getting Worse in the Meetings Industry?
by Barbara Scofidio
Suppliers have become zero-interest lenders to their own clients. It may be time for the industry to develop upfront-payment standards to deal with the problem.
The Destination Answering the Questions Your Attendees Care About
Visit Atlantic City + Skift Meetings
Your audience doesn't register for square footage. They register for a reason. Atlantic City's new video makes the case that “why there” is far more important than “how much.”
WORTH YOUR TIME
Five things worth your time today.
Consider inserting these clauses into your contracts to avoid surprise costs.
See how emotional intelligence is gaining importance in the age of AI.
Learn why some of the most influential organizations in the meetings industry are all heading to the same destination.**
Dive into the research that shows why attendees aren’t in love with the session room environment.
Update your Know Before You Go letter with this template.
** A sponsored message from Visit Anaheim.
SKIFT PICK: TRANSLATING TRAVEL TRENDS FOR MEETINGS
Oh, Canada.
“You’re at war when you’re attacked, and we got attacked.”
That’s not the perspective you might expect from America’s closest neighbor and former closest ally, but Mark Carney, Canada’s Prime Minister, wasn’t feeling the friendly vibes after a White House announcement of 50% tariffs on Canadian goods. Skift’s Bailey Schulz writes that the latest move threatens to reverse the recovery of Canadian visitors to the U.S.
Meeting professionals, particularly those organizing association gatherings, have already felt the impact of the rocky relations with drops in Canadian attendance on the southern side of the border. It’s not just a nonprofit issue, either. We’ll be releasing new research on corporate meetings next week that highlights corporate meeting professionals are dealing with leadership requests to postpone, relocate, or cancel based on destination reputation concerns. And if you’re looking for an opportunity to hear how your peers are evaluating the entire map — not just the U.S. — apply to join us at Skift Meetings Forum, which will include a morning session on identifying which destinations will feel most welcoming over the next five years.
Great events are built on strategy, innovation, and the right resources. The Skift Meetings Toolkit is your go-to hub for best practices in managing meetings and events.
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