Reflecting on ten years…past, present, and meeting predictions

Milestones like anniversaries are a great opportunity for reflection, so I checked to see what was happening back on February 1, 2003 when Esprit first opened vs. what’s happening today.

In science

  • Then – Feb 1, 2003 marked Shuttle Columbia’s tragedy and infamous foam insulation damage.
  • Now – The U.S. rover, Curiosity, continues its drilling quest for life on Mars.

In sports

  • Then – Jim Harbaugh was QB for The Oakland Raiders while brother, John, was special-teams coach for The Eagles.
  • Now – Jim, Head Coach for The San Francisco 49ers, faces off with John, Head Coach of the Baltimore Ravens, at February 3’s Super Bowl XLVII…or “Superbaugh” to you sports fans.

In entertainment

  • Then – “Chicago” won Best Musical or Comedy Film in 2003 at The 60th Annual Golden Globes.
  • Now – “Les Miserables” earned the same acclaim at January’s 70th Annual Golden Globes.

In business

  • Then – Apple was $6/share, and launched its revolutionary iTunes in April 2003 with 200,000 songs and total corporate sales of $6.21 Billion.
  • Now – Apple is $450/share, and celebrates iTunes’ ten-year anniversary in April with $12 Billion in annual iTunes sales alone through a library of 26 million songs plus an Apps and iBookstore.

In meetings and events
2003 marked:

  • A return to growth after 9/11 with a boost in training and sales-related meetings;
  • $82.52 was the average U.S. room rate;
  • The U.S. business-to-leisure travel split at 52%/48%;
  • Las Vegas was named top corporate travel destination by Maritz Travel;
  • Holiday Inn and Marriott were the top U.S. hotel chains; and
  • Gas at a mere $1.83/gallon.

2013 trends indicate:

  • A 5.2% increase in U.S. group travel spending;
  • $102 and rising for the average U.S. hotel rate;
  • U.S. business-to-leisure travel as a 40%/60% split;
  • MeetingsNet citing corporate travel destination to be selected by: Location, sustainability, nutrition, team adventure, and technology;
  • The Langham, Chicago debuts this summer as the top meeting and incentive hotel; and
  • Gas will hover at $3.50/gallon.

This paper includes a few predictions and trends about the future of meetings from our production assistant, Mary Grace Thomas, who shares her views from a millennial perspective.

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