According to a report released today by the Travel Market Report, the steadfastness of association business is a bonus for non-profits in hotel negotiations during economic slumps.  This historically occurs in down-economies and after almost 40 years as an association executive and planner that specialized in non-profits, I can attest to the facts cited in the article that make this so.  For example, most non-profits must host meetings.  It’s part of their business plan and often required in their bylaws.  For example, philanthropic non-profits typically hold fundraising events in order to raise $.  Professional non-profits usually have a charter that requires providing education and networking opportunities for their members.  And, of course, they do that by hosting seminars, conventions, meetings, workshops, tradeshows, and more.  Adding to their need to meet is the fact that non-profits rarely cancel their scheduled events, so it’s easy to see why the non-profit dollar just got a lot more powerful.

The pendulum will continue to swing as it does each time the economy goes in a slump.  Now if only vendors (including venues) could recognize that those non-profits will be there tomorrow and far into the future.  Non-profits “get” that vendors need to make money and understand if corporate business has the upper hand when times are good.  Building on relationships with non-profits, however, is just good business – whether times are good or touch.

Visit http://travelmarketreport.com/meetings?articleID=6022&LP=1 for the full report