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Military Reunion Network | FALL 2018 | #militaryreunionsmatter Military Reunion Network | FALL 2018 | #militaryreunionsmatter

STATE OF THE

INDUSTRY

Conversations about the military reunion Adam Sacks, President of Tourism Economics,
market have, for the most part, been on the noted that $325 billion in direct spend was
micro level. When is the reunion meeting and generated by the 1.9 million meetings held in 2016.
how many will attend? Where have they been in These figures may not include the “fun or social”
the past and what will get them to select a specific events, such as weddings, sports tournaments and
destination? Around budget time, the calls come reunions of all types. By MRN estimates, there are
in from our hospitality partners in need of a few between 14,000 and 17,000 military reunions held
statistics on the market to finish sales plans for the annually with a contribution total of just over $100
coming year. million in direct spend.
The MRN Annual Market Survey conducted for Sharon Danitschek, President of The Military
the past three years is the only means we know Reunion Network presented “The State of the
of by which full market statistics are collected Market” at the June Educational Summit in Reston
nationally. We have tracked details about reunion Virginia. The presentation was based on the findings
length, time of year, social media presence and from the survey as well as current hospitality market
hospitality space requirements as well as supplier statistics. The majority of respondents were reunion
website presence and preferences. With over three planners. Of the planners, the vast majority served
thousand respondents this year, we now have in the Navy and consider themselves Vietnam Era
enough data to support a detailed analysis of overall Veterans. There was veteran representation across
industry trends. all military branches. Time of service spanned from
Military reunions represent just a sliver of the the Korean War to the Gulf War. On the hospitality
collective annual spend of the meetings industry. industry side, there were an equal number of

Rates and contract clauses like attrition have been the top issues Fortunately for the industry, planners and suppliers agree that
for years. Only recently have planners been concerned about September and October are the months to meet. Suppliers were
declining numbers. Transportation in the local area, rates asked when they need the business the most while planners were
including breakfast, and staffing changes made the list as well. asked when they would like to get together.

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