Forty percent of exhibitors use online social media to promote their exhibits, according to a new study by the Center for Exhibition Industry Research.

Personal social networks, such as Facebook and LinkedIn, are the most popular online tools among exhibitors. Roughly 41 percent of survey respondents say they use these networks for promotional purposes, while 36 percent use videos, and 34 percent use blogs, according to the paper, entitled “Effective Methods of Visitor Promotion, Part II: Exhibitors.” The use of these three tools is expected to rise in the next three years, especially the use of blogs. In three years, 44 percent of the 218 exhibitor respondents anticipate using blogs to promote exhibits.

Read about the most popular marketing vehicles among exhibitors.

The hotel industry will end the year with near double-digit percentage declines in the major metrics used to measure performance, according to projections from Smith Travel Research, Hendersonville, Tenn. But while the slide is expected to continue in 2010, the projected declines won’t be as steep.

The 2009 year-end projections state that occupancy will be down 8 percent to 55 percent nationwide; average daily rate will end the year down 10 percent at $96.43; and revenue per available room will be down 17 percent to $53.43. Further, supply will increase 3 percent and demand will be down 5 percent.

Read about the projections for 2010.

A new study by ASAE and The Center reveals a growing interest by association professionals in attending virtual meetings. The study is a follow-up to one that was conducted in January 2009; both surveys measure how association professionals have reacted during the current recession.

The new survey says virtual events are supplementing, not supplanting, in-person meetings. The number of respondents who participate in both virtual and in-person meetings is 39 percent in the new summer study, up from 33 percent in the winter study.

Further, 36 percent in the summer survey said they have attended an online education or training activity, up from 30 percent in the previous study. Another 31 percent said they took part in some other virtual event offered by an association, up from 27 percent. Read about other trends impacting associations.

These days everyone is looking for ways to save a buck on their meetings. Here are a few ideas that can help keep your event in the black.

• Look at your larger expenses at the meeting site—what can you sell sponsorships for? Think audiovisual, buffet lunches, chocolate fountain and tray, water and soda breaks, etc.;
• Go back to tabletop displays to eliminate pipe and drape;
• Sell sponsorships for your badges.