This free survey is powered by QUESTIONPRO.COM
 
 
Thank you for taking the time to share your opinions. This survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete. We thank you again for providing your valuable insight. You will be entered in the drawing upon completion.
 
 
 
* Which of the following best describes your current job?
 
I work for a corporation, association, non-profit, etc. as an in-house resource responsible for planning/producing/influencing events and/or meetings
 
I supply products and/or services to the event and meeting industry (catering, design, venue, rentals, lighting, etc.)
 
I own an event or meeting planning firm
 
I work for an independent event, meeting planning firm or third party agent to plan/produce/influence events and/or meetings
 
Other
 
 
 
 
* What is your company's annual budget for events/meetings?
 
Less than $50,000
 
$50,000 - $100,000
 
$100,001 - $250,000
 
$250,001 - $500,000
 
$500,001 - $1,000,000
 
More than $1,000,000
 
 
 
What is your company’s average budget per event/meeting?
 
 
What is the overall average budget per event/meeting that you manage?
 
 
*  
 
Less than $50,000
 
$50,000 - $100,000
 
$100,001 - $250,000
 
$250,001 - $500,000
 
$500,001 - $1,000,000
 
More than $1,000,000
 
 
 
* How does your organization typically measure the return on investment for an event?
 
Qualitative feedback (executive satisfaction, participant enjoyment, etc.)
 
Quantitative metrics (ticket sales, product sales, etc.)
 
It varies significantly based on type of event
 
There is no formal return on investment system or feedback loop
 
Other
 
 
 
 
* Which of the following responsibilities do you have in event and meeting planning? (Please select all that apply.)
 
Negotiating fees/schedules
 
Interviewing vendors
 
Promotion of events
 
Vendor selection
 
Issuing purchase order/managing financial aspect of transaction
 
Submitting internal proposal for approval
 
Preparing RFIs/RFPs
 
Interaction with Board or Events Committee
 
Hands-on event planning and design
 
Signing off on purchase order
 
Managing event set-up
 
Service on Board or Events Committee

 
 
 
* What is your lead time to produce a typical event?
 
Less than 3 months
 
3-6 months
 
6-9 months
 
10-12 months
 
More than a year
 
 
How important are the following factors when selecting an event date?
Not at all important
1


2


3


4
Very important
5
* Availability of preferred venue
* Availability of preferred vendors
* Not coinciding with other events in my city/region
 
 
 
Who is involved in the planning process for your organization’s events and meetings? (Please select all that apply.)
 
 
Who, on the client side, is involved in the planning process for their events and meetings? (Please select all that apply.)
 
 
*  
 
President/C.E.O.
 
Events or Meetings Department
 
Finance Department
 
Human Resources Department
 
Marketing Department
 
Sales Department
 
Corporate Communications/PR
 
Brand Management
 
Investor Relations
 
Procurement Department
 
Outside Event Planning Firm
 
Outside Event Marketing Agency/Public Relations Firm
 
Board of Directors
 
Benefit Committees and Volunteers
 
Other
 

 
 
Please rate the influence of each of these groups on purchases made for events or meetings.
 
 
How important is each of the following sources of information when you are trying to find and learn about potential vendors?
Not at all important
1


2


3


4
Very important
5
* Online search engines
* Direct interaction with vendor representatives
* Advertisements in trade magazines
* Trade shows
* Listings on industry websites
* Vendor websites
* Listings on consumer websites
* Recommendations from colleagues
* Your own experience from doing personal events
* Event or meeting planning firm with which you work
* Listings in trade magazines
* Advertisements on industry websites
* Trade magazine editorial
* Blogs, message boards, etc.
 
 
 
 
 
How important are the following factors when selecting vendors for your events or meetings?
Not at all important
1


2


3


4
Very important
5
* Creativity of solution offered
* Ease of management
* Ability to work well with other vendors
* Vendor’s general reputation in the industry
* Vendor focus/specialty
* Broad range and scope of services
* Vendor’s client list
* Specific references/word of mouth feedback about vendor from other planners
* A physical site inspection (for venues)
* Location (for venues)
* Cost
 
 
 
* What percentage of the time are RFPs issued to vendors for a significant event (with more than 100 attendees)?
 
0%-25%
 
26%-50%
 
51%-75%
 
76%-100%
 
 
 
 
 
How frequently do you reevaluate each of the following types of vendors?
Each time you plan an event/meeting Every month Every 2-6 months Every 7-12 months Every 1-2 years Every 3-4 years Every 5 years or less frequently N/A
* Staffing
* Catering
* Tenting
* Design/Décor
* Audiovisual production
* Venue
* Lighting
* Entertainment
* Public relations
* Event management/production
 
 
 
How are events used as a part your organization’s overall marketing strategy? (Please select all that apply)
 
 
How are events used as a part your typical client’s overall marketing strategy? (Please select all that apply)
 
 
*  
 
Events are not typically part of the marketing strategy
 
Training to educate users about products to stimulate sales
 
Client entertaining to solidify relationships
 
Customer acquisition and demand generation
 
Motivational events (incentives) to stimulate sales
 
Internal events to make workers more productive
 
Other
 

 
 
Please indicate to what extent you agree or disagree with the following statements about event planning today as compared to 2 years ago?
Strongly
disagree
1


2


3


4
Strongly
agree
5
* It is more difficult to attract attendees
* Return on investment needs to be calculated more accurately
* We now outsource more than ever
* Lead time has diminished
* There is more pressure to show results
* Budgets have been cut
* Event planning has become more strategic
 
 
 
* What is the most difficult part of your job today?
 
Shrinking budget
 
Staying on top of the industry and its evolution
 
Greater financial scrutiny
 
Procurement department involvement - greater process complexity
 
Less organizational support for events as a strategy
 
Shorter lead time
 
Staff layoff and departmental changes
 
Other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
* What event or meeting industry trade shows have you been to in the last year? (Please select all that apply.)
 
Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International
 
Best Events Expo
 
Event Solutions Conference & Tradeshow
 
The Special Event
 
COPE EVENTPOWER
 
BizBash Expo
 
Regional trade show(s)
 
None of the above

 
 
 
* Which of the following trade print publications do you regularly read? (Please select all that apply.)
 
Meetings
 
Event Solutions
 
Meeting News
 
BizBash
 
Event Marketer
 
Event Management
 
HSMAI Marketing Review
 
Plan Your Meetings
 
Best Events (formerly Agenda)
 
Successful Meetings
 
None of the above

 
 
 
* Which of the following online resources do you use to plan events and meetings? (Please select all that apply.)
 
AllTimeFavorites.com
 
SpecialEvents.com
 
GatheringGuide.com
 
BizBash.com
 
MeetingsNet.com
 
Event-Solutions.com
 
BestEvents.com
 
MIMegasite.com
 
EventPlanning.com
 
PlanYourMeetings.com
 
ExhibitorOnline.com
 
Event Planner.com
 
Meetings-Conventions.com
 
Decidio.com
 
None of the above

 
 
 
* How did you first learn about BizBash?
 
BizBash trade shows
 
Word of mouth
 
Online search
 
BizBash advertising
 
Saw the magazine
 
Other
 
 
 
Please rate how frequently you access each of the following BizBash products.
Daily Weekly Monthly A few times a year Once a year Less than once a year Never
* BizBash E-Newsletter
* BizBash Trade Shows
* BizBash National Venue Guide
* BizBash.com
* BizBash Magazine (print version)
* Masterplanneronline.com
 
 
How important are each of these products in helping you to plan events?
Not at all important
1


2


3


4
Very important
5
* BizBash Trade Shows
* BizBash.com
* BizBash National Venue Guide
* BizBash Magazine (print version)
* BizBash E-Newsletter
* Masterplanneronline.com
 
 
How much do each of the following items influence your decision to book specific vendors?
Not at all

1


2


3


4
Very much
5
* An advertisement on BizBash.com for the vendor
* Inclusion in the BizBash directory listings
* An advertisement in BizBash magazine for the vendor
* Inclusion as a premium sponsored listing in the BizBash directory
* BizBash editorial coverage of the vendor
 
 
 
 
 
How important to you are each of the following things for an industry magazine/website to deliver?
Not at all important
1


2


3


4
Very important
5
* Learn about the activities of major players in the event and meeting industry
* Find inspiration/ideas from other events
* See what vendors were used for other events
* Help with finding new venues
* Help with finding new vendors
* Develop your expertise in the event and meeting planning industry
 
 
How satisfied are you with what BizBash delivers in these areas?
Very dissatisfied
1


2


3


4
Very satisfied
5
* Help with finding new vendors
* Find inspiration/ideas from other events
* Learn about the activities of major players in the event and meeting industry
* See what vendors were used for other events
* Help with finding new venues
* Develop your expertise in the event and meeting planning industry
 
 
 
 
 
How important to you are these elements of BizBash’s print magazine?
Not at all important
1


2


3


4
Very important
5
* Ideas and stories about events from my local market
* Advertisements from national vendors
* Ideas and stories about national events
* Advertisements from vendors in my local market
* Entire publications dedicated to each local market
 
 
Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements about BizBash.
Strongly
disagree
1


2


3


4
Strongly
agree
5
* BizBash’s editorial coverage of events impacts my venue selection
* BizBash’s importance to me has increased over time
* I am more likely to use a venue or vendor if I have seen an advertisement for them in a BizBash magazine
* BizBash has fundamentally changed the event industry
* BizBash helps me make better buying decisions
* I am more likely to use a venue or vendor if they are included in the BizBash listings
* BizBash is the leading authority in the event and meeting planning industry
* BizBash has increased transparency in the event and meeting planning industry
* BizBash has directly contributed to higher quality events across the industry
* BizBash’s editorial coverage of events impacts my vendor selection
 
 
 
 
 
 
* Have you ever contacted an event or meeting resource that you had never used before as a result of an advertisement in BizBash (print magazine or online)?
 
Yes
 
No
 
 
How much would each of the following types of information in the BizBash online vendor directory listings impact your selection of vendors?
Not at all

1


2


3


4
Very much
5
* Videos
* User-generated reviews/ratings
* Editorial content
* Photos
* Editorial reviews/ratings
* Capabilities
* Client list
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
* Do you currently advertise with BizBash?
 
Yes
 
No
 
 
 
* What kind of return on investment do you believe you are getting from your BizBash advertising?
 
Very good
 
Good
 
Acceptable
 
Poor
 
Very poor
 
Don’t know
 
 
 
* Why do you not advertise with BizBash?
 
We used to and weren’t seeing results
 
Their program is not flexible enough
 
We don’t advertise at all
 
It is too expensive
 
My prospects aren’t reading/visiting BizBash
 
I do not anticipate appropriate ROI
 
Other
 
 
 
 
* How do you typically find new clients? (Please select all that apply.)
 
Online search engine marketing/optimization
 
Investing in a strong website to represent the firm
 
Advertising in relevant media sources such as BizBash
 
Trade shows
 
Word of mouth/referral
 
Outbound direct solicitation
 
Find leads in media sources such as BizBash
 
Other
 

 
 
How interested are you in having the following content areas included in your online BizBash vendor directory listing?
Not at all interested
1


2


3


4
Very interested
5
* Photos
* Videos
* Editorial content
* Editorial reviews/ratings
* Capabilities
* Client list
* User-generated reviews/ratings
 
 
 
* For which of the below areas would you be willing to make an investment if you could include them in your online BizBash vendor listing? (Please select all that apply.)
 
Editorial content
 
Capabilities
 
User-generated reviews/ratings
 
Editorial reviews/ratings
 
Client list
 
Photos
 
Videos
 
None of the above

 
 
How interested would you be in the following types of advertising/listing opportunities with BizBash?
Not at all interested
1


2


3


4
Very interested
5
* Sponsorship of special web content sections
* BizBash iPod/iPhone application including vendor listings
* Tombstone (plain text plus logo) ads featuring your company’s involvement in recent high profile events
* Advertising and listings within an electronic version of the BizBash print magazine for use with eReaders (iPad, Kindle)
* Advertorial videos on BizBash.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
* What best describes your primary function within your organization?
 
Events and Meetings
 
Marketing/PR/Sales
 
Administration/Office Manager
 
Finance/Procurement
 
Human Resources/Training
 
Owner
 
Other
 
 
 
 
* What is your title?
   
 
 
 
* How long have you been involved in event and meeting planning?
 
Less than one year
 
1-5 years
 
6-10 years
 
11-20 years
 
More than 20 years
 
 
 
* How many events or meetings do you plan/work on/influence each year?
 
Fewer than 6
 
6-20
 
21-50
 
51-200
 
More than 200
 
 
 
* Do you generally sub-contract with other vendors for the events that you do?
 
Yes
 
No
 
 
 
* What type of events/meetings do you plan/work on/influence? (Please select all that apply.)
 
Product Launches
 
Premieres and Openings
 
Conferences
 
Trade Shows
 
Meetings
 
Parades/Festivals
 
Press Conferences
 
Business Entertaining Events
 
Fashion Shows
 
Mobile Tours
 
Sports Events
 
Holiday/Employee Parties
 
Benefits
 
Cocktail Parties

 
 
 
* Which of the following industries do you plan/work on/influence events for? (Please select all that apply.)
 
Academic/Education/Scientific
 
Association/Nonprofit/Arts
 
Beauty/Fashion
 
Consumer Products/Retail
 
Entertainment/Media
 
Finance/Banking
 
Food/Restaurants
 
Government/Diplomatic/Political
 
Hospitality/Tourism/Travel
 
Medical/Pharmaceutical/Health Care
 
Professional Services (Accounting/Consulting/Law)
 
Real Estate
 
Social/Personal
 
Sports
 
Technology
 
Other
 

 
 
 
* Which of the following geographic areas do you work events in? (Please select all that apply.)
 
New York
 
Los Angeles/Southern California
 
Atlanta
 
Boston
 
Chicago
 
Dallas
 
Houston
 
Las Vegas
 
Miami
 
Orlando
 
Philadelphia
 
San Francisco
 
Seattle
 
Washington, D.C.
 
Atlantic City
 
New Orleans
 
San Diego
 
Other
 

 
 
 
* Which of these categories describes the primary services you provide? (Please select all that apply.)
 
Activities/Experiences/Entertaining
 
Catering/Food Services
 
Décor/Design/Flowers
 
Destination
 
Entertainment
 
Event Planning & Marketing/Meeting Planning/PR
 
Event Production/Audiovisual Services
 
Gifts/Premiums/Awards
 
Hotel Accommodations
 
Industry Resources
 
Invitations/Signage/Printing
 
Photography/Videography
 
Planning Tools/Software
 
Rentals/Props
 
Security/Fire Services/Insurance
 
Staffing
 
Trade Show Services
 
Transportation
 
Venues
 
Other
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
* What is your gender?
 
Male
 
Female
 
 
 
* Into which age range do you fall?
 
Under 18
 
18-24
 
25-34
 
35-44
 
45-54
 
Over 54
 
 
 
Please enter your email address if you wish to be entered for a chance to win 50,000 American Express Membership Rewards® points.
   
 
 
 
* Would you be interested in participating in a 30 minute follow up phone conversation about BizBash and the event/meeting planning industry? All individuals selected to participate will receive a $10 Starbucks Card and be entered in an additional drawing for a chance to win a $100 American Express Gift Card.
 
Yes
 
No
 
 
Please provide your name and contact information below. If you are selected to participate, a member of the third-party research firm, Finch Brands, will contact you to schedule a conversation.
* First Name : 
* Last Name : 
* Phone : 
* Email Address : 
 
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