This survey from the National Retail Association on how the rising gas prices are affecting consumers makes me wonder what affect it will have on meetings as well.

More than a third of consumers said the higher per-gallon price will factor into their Memorial Day travel plans, and while 43.2 percent say it won’t impact their spending, almost a third say they will reduce their travel plans, and more than a quarter say they will eat out less often.

After so many meetings went “regional” after 9/11 due to air issues, when the drive-in mentality set in, will high gas prices keep your regional meeting attendees’ SUVs in the garage? Then again, with airlines already announcing fuel-related fees and rate increases, air won’t be any more attractive as an alternative.

Speaking of all things gassy, The Denver Post reports that Aspen hotels are fueling a smart new idea: “trying to get travelers into town this summer by promising to help them get out of town” by offering a free tank from a local gas station to people who spend three nights at select hotels.

Who knows, maybe a gas rebate to drive-in attendees could be the thing that’d tip them toward coming. Might be worth talking with your hotel and/or the area’s CVB to see if they have anything similar in the works.

To receive a weekly blog update, e-mail Sue.

This survey from the National Retail Association on how the rising gas prices are affecting consumers makes me wonder what affect it will have on meetings as well.

More than a third of consumers said the higher per-gallon price will factor into their Memorial Day travel plans, and while 43.2 percent say it won’t impact their spending, almost a third say they will reduce their travel plans, and more than a quarter say they will eat out less often.

After so many meetings went “regional” after 9/11 due to air issues, when the drive-in mentality set in, will high gas prices keep your regional meeting attendees’ SUVs in the garage? Then again, with airlines already announcing fuel-related fees and rate increases, air won’t be any more attractive as an alternative.

Speaking of all things gassy, The Denver Post reports that Aspen hotels are fueling a smart new idea: “trying to get travelers into town this summer by promising to help them get out of town” by offering a free tank from a local gas station to people who spend three nights at select hotels.

Who knows, maybe a gas rebate to drive-in attendees could be the thing that’d tip them toward coming. Might be worth talking with your hotel and/or the area’s CVB to see if they have anything similar in the works.

To receive a weekly blog update, e-mail Sue.

OK, maybe not all that much fun, but if you want to compare gas prices anywhere in the U.S., AAA is tracking them here.

OK, this makes me feel really old, but I thought it was interesting enough to pass on in case anyone else wants to give it a try.

If you (or your parents or grandparents) are still harboring children’s clothes from the 1960s or earlier–the pre-wash-and-wear kind that even the Salvation Army doesn’t want anymore–and don’t want to just haul them off to the dump, give your state historical society a call.

That’s what my Dad just did with some of our old stuff that’s still lingering in their attic, and the textiles curator was interested. Not only could the clothes become historical artifacts (how scary is that?), but baby pics of us in the clothes also could become part of the collection.

I’m feeling downright historical, if not hysterical, at the thought!