Here's what our clients are saying... 

New feedback from a major So Cal Automotive OEM

Auto Show Division

Event Outlook

1. Have you suspended events in the short term? No
2. Have you cancelled events that were in production? No
3. Are you preparing RFP/RFQs for distribution? We will continue to work with our contracted suppliers.  No current RFPs planned
4. Have you or will you adjust the scope of your events? Hopefully no.  Budgets have been submitted for 2010 and so far have been approved.  Budgets remain flat – no increases from 2009 but no cutbacks either.
5. Will you remain loyal to current vendors or will everything go to bid? Loyal to current vendors
6. Have you had to downsize your internal departments? Not yet
7. If yes, will be more reliant on outside services? NA
8. Projected outlook next 3-6 months? Status quo
   

AMCI IS OPTIMISTIC FOR 2009!

We are in what is a very trying economy and the automotive industry is obviously not exempt. We at AMCI have had great

success these past few years, and we are still extremely hopeful for 2009. As always, the first few months have been slow, but that has always been the case. With the cold weather and dangerous driving conditions, we have never produced many events during this time. What do we expect? Well, that is still extremely hard to say. We have provided quality events in the past; you have worked hard and done exactly what was asked, providing safe and informative drive programs. We believe that our consistency will pay off and even with the economy we will gain momentum and have a strong summer.

Please stay in touch and provide information to Denise Ledon (dledon@amcimarketing.com) in the VKC. For those of you in Production, please contact Brian Wahlquist (bwahlquist@amcimarketing.com) who is now the newly appointed Staffing Manager for Production. I think the appointment of Brian will add great value, giving you in Production a direct contact to what is happening at AMCI.

On a less optimistic note...

Las Vegas Suspends Work on Convention Center
Mar 16, 2009 12:55 PM

Las Vegas’ drastic drop in meetings and conventions business over the last several months has forced the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority to suspend a plan to expand and renovate the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The LVCVA board of directors last week voted to delay the $890 million project until the middle of 2010. The decision comes after the LVCVA reported that the city had seen more than 300 meetings and conventions canceled over a three-month period, leading to a loss of more than 100,000 visitors and an estimated $131 million in spending.
The LVCVA also reported that in January the number of meetings was down from the previous year by 19.5 percent, while attendance had dropped by more than 20 percent. Weekend occupancy rates were down by 3 percent, while weekday occupancy rates were down by a whopping 18 percent.
The loss of so much business has led the LVCVA to expect a $53 million shortfall in room-tax revenues. Even with plans to cut its operating expenses by 3 percent, the decline in room-tax revenue would have made it extremely difficult for the LVCVA to continue with the project without risking default, considering the capital expense and debt that continuing with the project would have entailed.

From:  SoCal Production Company

Freelance advice

1. What type of freelance help are you using most: Creative Directors, Writers, graphics, AP, PA, Producers, etc.?  We are not currently hiring freelance help.  However, as we begin to write proposals and answer RFPs, we’ll primarily call upon writers, creative directors and producers.
2. What advice can you share with the freelance community? We’re going through a brutal economic time right now, but it will turn.  Stay in touch with your hiring sources so you’ll be top-of-mind when the economy comes back and projects start rolling in.
3. What is your preferred method for freelancers to inquire about work opportunities so as not to continually pester you: email, phone, etc. Email
4. Does the squeaky freelance wheel get the grease? No
5. Have you asked freelancers to adjust their rates? We've asked freelancers whether they would be willing to adjust their rates?  The response was 50/50 - some said no, others said they would be open to it.  More than ever clients are looking for the best and lowest budgets, so freelancers need to be flexible and adaptable if they want to stay competitive and be hired.  
   

Industry Outlook

1. Have you had to downsize or are you planning to downsize? Yes, we have downsized.
2. Are you receiving proposals (RFPs)? We hope to receive one this month; no others on the horizon as of today
3. How is your book of business over the next 6 months? No signed contracts but lots of contacts and potential business when the economy turns
4. Projected outlook next 3-6 months? Lots of business development

From:  So Cal AV Company

Freelance Advice:

1. What type of freelance help are you using most? AV & Lighting
   
2. What advice can you share with the freelance community? Stay in touch with those who can potentially hire you.. it's a necessity, even if there is no business at the moment. Network with others in the business. Consider alternative ways to bring in income, as there may be no short-term turnaround.
3. What is your preferred method for freelancers to contact you to inquire about work opportunities without pestering you? Email or phone - not a bother
   
4. Have you asked freelancers to adjust their rates? Yes, we are making minor downward adjustments
   

Industry Outlook:

1. Have you had to downsize or are you planning to downsize? Yes
   
2. Are you receiving proposals (RFPs)? No, it's extremely quiet
   
3. How is your book of business over the next 6 months? Some, but business levels are significantly down and projects have been cancelled
   
4. Your projected outlook over next 3-6 months? We are hearing of some proposal activity at the production company level.  Some of these do not have firm dates attached.  The outlook for the next 3 months seems bleak.  There is hope that things will pick up in the fall.  In general, 2009 business levels will be at record lows