Conventional Disputes, Unconventional Resolutions

Abstract

The meetings and conventions industry generates more than 36% of the hotel industry's estimated $109.3 billion in operating revenue (Power, 2005). The largest share of the convention and exhibition dollar (35%) is spent in hotels and other facilities. Even though the two industries have their own markets to address, they coexist in a symbiotic relationshipboth at micro and macro levels. With so much fiscal presence, in the long-drawn out process of organizing such events, disputes are likely to occur and typically arise on matters such as settlement of accounts, contractual obligations, and so forth. Some disputes can be expensive enough to undermine the profitability of the business relationship(s). This article provides a brief overview of the convention and exhibition industry, attempts to identify potential areas for such disputes and offers possible solutions.

Key Words:

• Meetings and conventions
• alternative dispute resolution
• mediation
• arbitration