This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Toh, R. S. Articles by Yates, B. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Independent Meeting Planners

Roles, Compensation, and Potential Conflicts

Albers School of Business and Economics, Seattle University, Washington, rextoh{at}seattleu.edu

C. Frederick Dekay

Albers School of Business and Economics, Seattle University, Washington, dekay{at}seattleu.edu

Barbara Yates

Albers School of Business and Economics, Seattle University, Washington, bmyates{at}seattleu.edu

Corporations and associations have outsourced meeting-planning functions to third-party planners, who are independent contractors. While the corporations and associations remain responsible for the meetings’ content, independent planners typically handle all other details, in particular, finding venues and negotiating contracts. Most of an independent planner’s business depends on a reputation for fair dealing, referrals, and continued relationships. Thus, the best planners are careful to ensure that all parties are aware of all contract provisions, including those for commissions. Planners also ensure that the hotels treat meeting clients fairly when not all rooms in the block are picked up and it is necessary to invoke attrition clauses.

Key Words: independent meeting planners • guest service agreements • independent agents

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?