US MICE sector guidelines on spending government money
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Leaders from key bodies representing the meetings, events and incentive travel industries in the US have issued guidelines on acceptable business travel practices to companies that have received emergency government lending. The US Travel Association said the guidelines are designed to ensure transparency and accountability and protect the one million American jobs supported by corporate meetings and events.
“The business practices of our customers impact the welfare of our industry, our employee base and the economic health of the communities where we do business,” said Roger Dow, President and CEO of the US Travel Association. “Working collaboratively, associations are addressing an urgent public need by developing clear, prudent guidelines for companies that have received taxpayer dollars.”
A statement said the standards support US President Barack Obama’s recent call for companies that have received emergency government lending to develop guidelines on conferences, events and employee recognition programmes.
Highlights from the guidelines include:
* Conferences or events with a cost exceeding US$75,000 must be supported by a written business case
* At least 90% of incentive programme attendees shall be other than senior executives from the host organisation;
* Total annual expenses for meetings, events and incentive/recognition travel shall not exceed 15% of the company’s total sales and marketing spend.
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