Worktopia Unveils Latest Survey Results on the State of the Small, Off-Site Meetings Industry

Cautious Optimism for 2010; Virtual Meetings and Strategic Meeting Management on the Rise

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- At present, the trend in business meetings has been to go small, go local and, in short, tighten the budget. But what will the future bring? In May of 2009 Worktopia, Inc.(R) - the only real-time booking solution for simple off-site meetings, conducted a survey of 213 travel managers, directors and meeting planners to obtain their projections for the future of small, off-site meetings. The survey also explored the importance of varying online booking tools as they relate to such meetings.

Indicating that companies clearly recognize the importance of in-person meetings, Worktopia found that more than half of respondents (54%) expect the number of small, off-site meetings to remain the same in 2010. An additional 17% forecast an increase in the number of meetings held.

Next year's meetings will likely have a new "face." According to 79% of respondents, the capability to host a hybrid meeting - which incorporates virtual, remote attendees into a face-to-face gathering - is "somewhat" or "very" important.

Twenty percent of respondents reported a need for a policy or a meetings management program to govern small, off-site meetings. Worktopia's Universal Meeting Solution - Corporate Edition (UMS-CE) is a natural resolution, providing company executives with greater visibility into off-site meeting expenditures and control over policy compliance.

Survey respondents also outlined a "wish list" of technology solutions that would best benefit their business:

• Online search of available properties (89%)
• Instant quotes for meeting space (89%)
• Ability to specify room configurations (87%)
• Attendee management capabilities (86%)
• Reporting and analysis tools (86%)

About Worktopia(R)

Worktopia, Inc. offers integrated solutions that allow meeting planners to search, compare and book simple meetings and group accommodations online in hotels, business centers and airport lounges worldwide. Worktopia's solutions also serve the needs of corporate executives, by providing new visibility into what their companies are spending on Simple Meetings, facilitating control, compliance and cost reduction efforts. The Worktopia meetings booking engine can be found in private label versions, in TMC corporate booking tools on GDS agency desktops and through DinersClub International, Commercial Payment Solutions. Worktopia's private label agreements and connectivity partners include leading companies in the hospitality and travel industry including American Express(R) Business Travel, Sabre(R), Travelport(R), GetThere(R), Newmarket(R) International, Pegasus(R) and MICROS Systems. Worktopia delivers attendee management services in partnership with SignUp4, LLC. For more information, visit www.worktopia.com.