Will PMA show be hurt by sliding economy?

That's a question that has come up in the last few days, and the consensus by most is that it won't likely have a big effect.

Will there be an "11th hour" swoon in attendance, given the turmoil in financial markets?

Bryan Silbermann of PMA said show registration numbers rivaled those of the PMA show in San Diego two years ago. While there may be fewer walk up, on-site registrations this year, Silbermann said signs point to another strong show and no big drop off in attendance.

Looking farther down the road, this softer economy will surely impact the way companies use their travel budgets.

I noticed that PMA has advertised in a recent issue of The Packer that they did not raise their membership dues this year. Going forward, all associations and every industry company marketing a good or service will surely look to deliver value to their customers or pay the price themselves.

Here is some recent coverage about how businesses are adjusting to the recent turmoil:


Economy takes toll on premium airline passengers From the WSJ:

Until earlier this year, Stephen Terrell, a 45-year-old executive with an Atlanta insurance-settlement company, regularly flew business class for work-related travel to New York, California, Florida and the Midwest. But as the financial sector began to unravel in recent months, his employer, which this week laid off nearly half its 50 employees, began booking only economy-class seats. "We're only traveling when it's absolutely necessary," Mr. Terrell says.


Central Florida feels effects of economic slump From The Orlando Sentinel

August occupancy in Metro Orlando hotels dropped 1.2 percent from the previous year, and September is expected to be worse, McHugh said. Potential convention bookings are down 8 percent compared with last year, while locked-in convention bookings are off by 23 percent, figures show.

Las Vegas strip revenue declines for eighth straight month From Bloomberg:

Casino revenue at the largest U.S. gambling center fell 6.7 percent to $4.21 billion this year through August as U.S. consumers struggled with higher gasoline and food prices, declining home values, job losses and the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.


U.S. hotel industry posted declines last week From AP

"While the impact from Rosh Hashanah was felt last week, the major concern over the bailout of the U.S. economy crippled the weekly results across all industry segments," said Brad Garner, STR's vice president of client services.

Garner said twenty of the 25 largest hotel markets experienced a double-digit decline in revpar growth over the same week last year.

"A significant pullback in business travel, a collapse in discretionary leisure travel and continued group attrition rates will be ongoing concerns until the credit market crisis eases," Garner said.