Even though it offers a good message, there’s no telling what will ever happen with the bill that was introduced, “Protecting Resort Cities from Discrimination Act of 2009” (if anything). So it may be best to continue emphasizing the importance that federal agencies allow all appropriate destinations for conferences into the bid consideration process.
After all, government event planners are expected to follow proper steps for venue selection.
Consider for a moment if it were deemed appropriate for a federal agency to hold a government meeting in Las Vegas, Orlando or Chicago (Chicago has been singled out along with other cities as an appropriate government meetings destination).
Let’s take a quick look at the cost effectiveness of each location based on federal guidelines for per diem rates for lodging, meals and incidental expenses (MIE) defined by the U.S. General Services Administration for Las Vegas, Orlando and Chicago:
Las Vegas:
- Oct. 1, 2008 to Dec. 31, 2008: $105 for lodging and $64 for MIE
- Jan. 1, 2009 to May 31, 2009: $126 for lodging and $64 for MIE
- June 1, 2009 to Sept. 30, 2009: $105 for lodging and $64 for MIE
Orlando:
- Oct. 1, 2008 to Dec. 31, 2008: $109 for lodging and $49 for MIE
- Jan. 1, 2009 to May 31, 2009: $133 for lodging and $49 for MIE
- June 1, 2009 to Sept. 30, 2009: $109 for lodging and $49 for MIE[.li]
Chicago:
- Oct. 1, 2008 to Nov. 31, 2008: $218 for lodging and $64 for MI
- Dec. 1, 2008 to April 30, 2009: $157 for lodging and $64 for MIE
- May 1, 2009 to June 30, 2009: $209 for lodging and $64 for MIE
- July 1, 2009 to Aug. 31, 2009: $177 for lodging and $64 for MIE
To be sure, based on the organizational objectives of a given agency, it may be completely justified to choose any of these destinations as long as the price were within the budget. But the main point is that destinations such as Las Vegas and Orlando are cost effective for government meetings if costs are within guidelines.
SGMP’s Sadler explains that federal agencies organize a lot of meetings and trainings around the country. “The important thing behind these meetings is content, but agencies are worried about being under the microscope. It’s a knee jerk reaction, maybe not a fair one, but someone has to come out and say it’s okay to do meetings in these places,” Sadler explains.
Okay, I’ll say it for anyone who is willing to listen to reason: it’s okay for government meeting planners to organize conferences and events in Las Vegas, Orlando and any other resort or leisure-oriented destination where it will achieve program objectives. Any federal officials willing to back this up?
Legislation introduced to ban government agencies from discriminating against destinations, page 1
Background leading to potential government discrimination of destintaions for government meetings, page 2