 Ever-increasing fares, multiple surcharges, constant delays, cancelled flights, eliminating service to several key destinations—the list of problems with air travel keeps getting longer, and the negative impact of these issues on trade shows, conventions, meetings and other events grows more apparent. The situation has become so dire and the need for some solutions more immediate that the Board of Directors of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) have declared the air transportation system in a state of crisis. In response to the crisis, the board has initiated an agenda of study and communication.
“We (the board) have declared the air transportation situation a crisis,” said Steve Hacker, CAE, President, IAEE. “The price of petroleum and thus jet fuel now exceeds the ability of all carriers to sustain their operations as their business models require. Given the looming load reductions, the likelihood that many communities will lose some or all of their air service, the impact of rising fares on discretionary and essential business travel all suggest to us that the current situation is a crisis careening towards a catastrophe.”
The IAEE board was motivated to act after hearing William Swelbar, an airline industry expert with the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, address the issue at IAEE's Senior Executives Roundtable held in June 2008.
- The initial IAEE actions include;Create an Air Transportation Crisis Task Force that is charged with developing best practices for the management of exhibitions and events in the midst of the current crisis. The task force will examine key issues such as the anticipated material reduction of lift to certain cities, the elimination of air service to other communities, the inconveniences imposed upon the traveling business community by a system in disarray, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) -imposed obstacles, safety issues and other elements that, when combined, have the potential to seriously reduce the number of attendees coming to events.Communicate the findings and recommendations of the task force and provide members with a regular source of information and advice through a new IAEE Air Transportation Newsletter that will be launched within weeks. It will contain tips, news and information that members will find especially valuable.
- Increase involvement and support of IAEE in the Travel Industry Association (TIA) - especially in its efforts to address business travel and air transportation issues.
- Launch a meeting of legislative representatives of member organizations in early September in Washington, D.C. with the objective of exploring ways for a new IAEE legislative network of lobbyists to address issues of common interest and concern.
While still in the prelimenary stages, the board is intent to help the IAEE membership and the industry it reprsents navigate a new air travel reality. “Nothing we have seen suggests that pricing will drop to levels where air operations can return to normal, as normal was previously defined,” said  HAcker.
Swelbar is expected to address the issues again at the CEO Breakfast during Expo! Expo! IAEE's Annual Meeting and Exhibition 2008 to be held 9-10 December in Miami Beach, Fla.
Swelbar will join Roger Martin-Fagg, a global economist from the United Kingdom, who will present his forecast of the state of the economy in 2009. Swelbar will provide updated information and analysis of the U.S. air transportation system. An encore presentation for those not eligible to attend the CEO Breakfast will be held.
Information will be posted as it becomes available on IAEE's Web site at www.iaee.com. More information regarding visa and travel issues can currently be found in the Resources/Advocacy section of the site at http://www.iaee.com/information__resources/visa_travel_issues.
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