Your Career

7 Online Meeting Planner Communities

November 9, 2022

Sometimes it’s easy to feel isolated as a meeting planner, especially if you are self-employed or the only person in your role at your organization.

Why not explore the various online meeting planner communities on the different social media networks? Here 7 suggestions:

MeCo

Meetings Community (MeCo) is a discussion group for the meetings community where meeting professionals converge to learn, job search, network, discuss and exchange ideas about the industry. This community acts as a resource for individuals involved in all aspects of meeting planning, including meeting, convention, incentive and trade show professionals and suppliers. Discussion topics include news about upcoming webinars, industry events, COVID travel updates and more.

Event Integrity

Event Integrity is a group started by industry influencer Elizabeth Glau, who passed away following a courageous battle with cancer. The meetings community group takes its title from Glau’s company of the same name, which connects purpose-driven organizations with trusted event professionals. The group has more than 2,000 members and is moderated by veteran industry pro Joan Eisenstodt, principal of Eisenstodt Associates. The group’s mission is to celebrate and promote the industry by recognizing the value that it provides, as well as work to rebuild the systems that run the industry, while creating and supporting businesses that can get through the current and next major disruptions. Discussion topics include industry news, contract issues, and the challenges posed by the pandemic.

National Meeting Planners

National Meeting Planners is a meetings community group created for planners to network and discuss timely issues, as well as discuss experiences with cities, hotels, and other venues; issues such as contracts and clauses; restaurant recommendations; and anything that is pertinent to the industry. Meeting planners at all levels are welcome to join this private group, and requests to join will be approved by the moderator to ensure only meeting planners are represented. Hotels and vendors will not be able to join this group, and all applicants must answer the membership questions to be considered. The group has more than 3,000 members, and discussion topics include questions and advice about the nuts and bolts of planning meetings and events, swapping notes on how to implement COVID-safe meetings, and plenty of networking.

Meetings Industry Group Travel Forum

Meetings Industry Group Travel Forum is a public meetings community group designed to provide ongoing communication, marketing, and small gathering assistance for traveling golf groups and golf events within the meetings industry. While the focus of the group is primarily industry events based around golf, and it exists to promote networking between golf destinations/resorts and meeting industry golfers, the group also includes discussion of industry news and hospitality issues.

#EventProfs

The new #EventProfs Community, which launched in June, is an app- and web-based 24/7/365 community designed by event professionals, for event professionals looking for a home outside of the usual Facebook and LinkedIn groups. Its founder is Will Curran, Chief Event Einstein with Endless Events.

Live Team

Freeman created Live Team, a new online networking resource, as a place where business meeting and events professionals can connect, share perspectives and learn new skills as in-person meetings and events restart. The network, which is hosted on the Discord community-based platform, is open to all industry professionals looking to connect with colleagues and peers to share and learn.

TAMS

The concept of “Every Voice Matters” is at the heart of TAMS (Travel and Meeting Society). Its flat organizational structure is led by committee leaders focused on 11 topic areas, ranging from disruption to diversity to sustainability. The leaders have 18-month tenures, which keeps the organization fresh and allows opportunities for others to lead.