Contrasting approaches of corporate and association meeting planners: how the hospitality industry should approach them differently

Using survey data, this paper examines the different goals and constraints facing corporate and association meeting planners (AMPs). It next shows how these differences produce 11 different concerns and behaviours. For instance, increased pressure for ethical behaviour and financial transparency has forced corporate meeting planners to focus attention on reducing meeting costs and to choose easily accessible and convenient properties for meetings. On the other hand, associations focus on the interests of their members and strive to comport with group norms, and therefore plan enjoyable family‐friendly meetings, often at relaxed and upscale locations. This paper outlines seven different ways in which the hospitality industry should approach corporate and AMPs. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.