Y O u R aSSociation
ManaGinG eDitor'S DeSK
introducing the New
NEHA ROi AEc & Exhibition!
nelson fabian, mS
L
ike you, I have days when I just shake I would add that increasing numbers of as-
my head.
Like this morning. I just read a com-
In 2010, it is no sociations (including NEHA) are evolving to a
point of view where we value both in-person and
mentary in the New York Times (January 9, longer good enough virtual meetings. Nevertheless, the point behind
“Invitation to Disaster” by Bob Herbert) that this column is not to indulge in a discussion
explores the ramifications of expected state to have a great about meeting trends but rather to tell you about
deficits that total around $360 billion over
the next two fiscal years. It seems like just
educational program. what NEHA is doing to make our in-person con-
ference a much more valuable experience for
yesterday (FY 2008 to be exact) that the en- you, even in these challenging financial times.
tire U.S. budget deficit equaled something Change occurs all the time. We either adapt
like that (a little over $400 billion). By the emergency preparedness are to be successful. to change or we die. This basic principle of life
way, the FY 2009 federal budget deficit grew We have vital roles to play in each, and if we extends to institutions as well. In this case, we
to an imagination-shattering $1.4 trillion. aren’t competent in our work, these programs can’t pretend that the world of 2010 looks like
Getting numbers that quantify the local debt will never become what they need to be. the world of 2008, when we had such a suc-
in the nation is difficult, though I have heard One of the most effective ways to acquire cessful annual meeting in Tucson. The world
of one estimate of around $1.2 trillion. the CE that we need is to attend a conference now is very different than it was in 2008—es-
These are eye-popping numbers to say the of the type that NEHA and virtually every pecially when it comes to meetings.
least. And since the public sector tends to lag in other association sponsor. In fact, associa- Even with our 2008 conference, we were
economic recovery compared to the private sec- tions now stand as the number one source for already changing in major ways both to adapt
tor, it seems safe to say that the economic situ- adult CE in our country and our conferences to the different learning styles of younger pro-
ation in the public sector isn’t likely to improve are one of the principal means by which we fessionals and to meet the cultural expectation
anytime soon, green shoots or no green shoots. deliver that education to you. that NEHA have greener and greener confer-
There can be no denying that these huge The state of the meetings industry today ences. In both cases, I’m pleased that the chang-
deficits have taken a toll on public and envi- is not good, however. As if the budget con- es we have made have kept NEHA in sync with
ronmental health and in particular the ability straints that compromise your ability to at- the changing needs and expectations that you
of our profession to remain proficient in its tend these rich educational events weren’t have. Our feedback surveys confirm that we are
professional practice. My column this month enough, the very legitimacy of meetings