More than 56 million people freelanced this year, according to Upwork’s and Freelancers Union’s “Freelancing in America: 2018” survey. As the workforce continues to gravitate toward remote and flexible positions—Nasdaq predicted the percentage of working Americans choosing freelance work over a traditional 9-5 job to rise to 43 percent by 2020—the meetings and events industry should be collectively embracing the shift.

The economy is changing constantly, and with these changes business is being conducted in new ways. Freelancers will need to keep up to date on new technology and soft skills in order to thrive in this competitive job market. Coursera and LinkedIn Learning offer many free opportunities to level up! Learn the newest project management systems, earn a certificate in instructional design or marketing and SEO (Search Engine Optimization). The Pandemic Protocol Certification is especially useful. Learn more about the Pandemic Onsite Protocol training by MPI here. Cvent is one of the leading technology providers offering solutions for virtual and hybrid events. Cvent now offers free courses for Meeting Professionals through Cvent Academy.

Live Meetings are coming back but what has changed? Hotels and service may look a little different than we are used to. Here is what we noticed. Hotels Rates Are Not Competitive Surprisingly, hotel space is more limited. Many cancelled events from 2020 have been re-booked for 4th quarter 2021 and 2022. As a result, hotel space is selling at a premium. Many travelers assume that hotels are reducing rates to attract guests but, they don’t need to.

Many are anxious to meet again but are we ready for live meetings? Whether it is a live or hybrid event, meeting professionals can create a safe environment for attendees and staff with proper planning and preparation. When sourcing meeting locations, ask for the current safety policies and emergency plan. How are they preventing infection?

COVID-19 has forced many event and hospitality professionals to think about new ways to generate income, and long-time corporate employees are opting to take advantage of freelance/contract opportunities. Whether it is project management or virtual event planning, freelancing has become popular for both the company needing help and the professional seeking project-based work.

Do you love the idea of freelancing, but also love the perks of corporate world benefits?

In addition to salary, employer sponsored health insurance, a retirement account, and paid vacation are standard benefits of full-time employment. These benefits are the main reason professionals choose the employee model vs freelancer.

You don’t have to give up all benefits to become a freelancer! As a best practice, add 15-30% to your rate to offset costs like payroll taxes, 401k match, insurance and workman’s compensation. As a freelancer, your rate should include the cost of providing those items yourself.

Due to over anticipation of demand and under-delivery in terms of customer engagement, we’re still learning how to leverage virtual events to best serve everyone. At Soundings Connect, we’re highly impressed by Intrado’s increasingly sophisticated and interactive suite of cloud-based webcasting and virtual event solutions.

CONNECT MEETINGS // The Hospitality + Events Fight Back Coalition plans hackathon to convert closed hotels into rehab centers for COVID-19 patients.

Chelsea and the newly coined NoMad neighborhood are some of today’s most highly sought-after Manhattan destinations for meetings and events. With close proximity to iconic New York landmarks and a convenient central location, event planners often recommend Chelsea and NoMad as ideal destinations for business trips, incentive meetings and corporate retreats. Read more on our recommended sites!

Great news! Meeting Professionals International is offering a complimentary 3 month membership to the hospitality + events community!

MPI Blog // The COVID-19 global health crisis has forced businesses to pivot faster than ever, especially in the hospitality and event industries. We went from industries of abundance to industries of drought, almost overnight.

We highly recommend that you put Lower Manhattan on the top of your list of NYC neighborhoods to consider for your next meeting or incentive trip. The changes happening downtown between the Hudson River and the East River make Lower Manhattan the perfect destination to create thought-provoking and innovative meetings and events. Read more on our recommended sites!

One of the easiest ways to ensure that you’re getting the best price is to understand the different pricing models used for meeting and event services. As you know, pricing is not one size fits all. In fact, savvy companies often use multiple pricing models to meet their clients’ needs. Our Founder & Chief Connector, Tracy Judge, analyzes the pros and cons of the various pricing models used for event services to help customers and their service providers build trust and, of course, profitability. Read all about it here.

If you haven’t had the chance to experience the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, we highly recommend that you put it on your travel wish list for 2021! Sundance is the perfect event to enjoy some personal time and to spark innovative ideas for your upcoming events. Learn about our experience here!

Event technology continues to increase efficiency in the meetings and events industry. How do we balance the need for event technology and the need for human connection?

Did you know that each year there are 40 million victims of sex-trafficking globally? As meetings and events professionals who travel regularly throughout our careers, we are in the unique position to help combat the commercial sexual exploitation of children in the United States and around the world.

The news is in. The gig economy is going strong. According to the latest Deloitte study on Global Human Capital Trends, self-employment is expected to triple by 2020. That means 42 million independent workers will be available for hire.

MPI Blog // If meeting professionals have learned anything from the Great Recession, it’s that the travel industry is hit hard during an economic downturn. Throughout the recession, companies made significant cutbacks on corporate travel expenses. As a result of the reductions in spend, major meetings were canceled and non-revenue-generating departments such as meeting planning were downsized.

The Meeting Professional magazine // In case you haven’t heard, the gig economy is here to stay. Small businesses and freelancers alike are reaping the benefits of a modern-day labor market that celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit. In a recent LinkedIn study, 70 percent of small businesses surveyed had hired freelancers in the past. Of those companies, 81 percent plan to hire freelancers again in the future.

How do we confidently place freelancers with our customers to deliver on our brand promise? We looked beyond work experience and developed a model based on massive amounts of research and detailed conversations with HR professionals, behavioral scientists, business leaders, employees, and freelancers.