The industry's clampdown on travel/conference spending in 2008-2009 is easing a little this year, but the job of filling the seats among the trade groups remains a challenge, according to the California/Nevada Credit Union League, which is relocating one of its spring meetings, the Big Valley Conference in Monterey.
A league official said the just concluded and renamed Monterey meeting, called Focus EduConference, is the last to be held in the quaint resort city following the expiration of a contract with Marriott Hotels. This year's Focus 2010 meeting drew 245, a sharp drop from the 600 CEOs and directors who in years past gathered for the Big Valley meeting.
"We are looking for a new location as well as shortening the duration of the conference and reducing the cost for attendees," said Mark Klinkert, the league's senior vice president of professional development.
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Over the last year, the league, like peer trades elsewhere, has been concentrating on Webinars and one and two-day, single topic seminars to save on lodging and entertainment expenses for attendees.
Noting the tough economic conditions in sand states, Klinkert said the California League has witnessed a near 50% drop in overall conference attendance over the last two years compared to 35% for other leagues.
Apart from its own operations, the California League has experience in handling convention business-by hosting online events, hiring speakers and finding sites-for the Credit Union Association of Oregon and doing co-op chores for other West Coast leagues.
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