Huh?

Sometimes I don't have the appropriate words to describe a given sentiment. My skills are simply not sufficient to do the job.

It's at those times that I call on those more eloquent than I. I'm there right now, so let's start with that great American Philosopher, Vince Lombardi:



That pretty much says it all, doesn't it?

Those of us in the business of rewarding and recognizing are under attack in a multi-front war. Grandstanding politicians in Washington are attempting to tell companies how/when/if they hold meetings and/or events.

11 members of Congress, including such luminaries as Diane Feinstein (D-Jupiter), Barbara Boxer (D-Pluto), and John Kerry (D-Uranus) have proposed legislation that would require every company taking TARP money to secure permission from the Secretary of the Treasury before holding a meeting or event.

And every press report about a company's marketing events has become fodder for sensational coverage--as if all of these events were Boondoggles where the attendees are drinking Cristal out of the water fountains and Elton John is performing in the bathroom (oops--that turned out worse than I intended it to--sorry).

Yes, there are some of those, and there is cause for concerns. But I've seen this movie and it doesn't end well. Meetings & Conventions Magazine will publish some survey data in their April issue that says fully 21% of all respondents have cancelled events because of the fear of negative publicity. Citigroup has cancelled a June meeting that the Atlanta Visitors & Conventions people say will cost the city $55 million.

The US Travel Association has begun to wage a counter-attack. A website--www.meetingsmeanbusiness.com--has been set up to attempt to turn the tide of negative publicity that's surrounding every event and activity.

It's events today--it's incentives tomorrow, and it's promotional products later. Anyone who believes they're exempt or immune from this tide of negative exposure is either delusional, lying, or drug-addled (and send some of that this way, if you please--I need the alternate reality just now).

This is 9/11 all over again--and if we think this movie has a happy ending we're in for a nasty shock in the third reel.

I'll leave you with the wise words of another great American Philosopher--Bugs Bunny. He said and I quote: "Of course you realize this means WAR..."


Pete