on reunions O
edith wagner
Reunion Groups Endure the Economy WHO DOESN’T HAVE A STORY
sidering. Reunions, according to a recent
modations to banquets and catering, en-
about the economy? How it’s affecting
survey of Reunions magazine readers,
tertainment and souvenirs. Many re-
them, their families, friends and neigh-
are essential and important. Reunions
unions are returning to potluck meals,
bors. Yet through it all there are bright
are rarely considered discretionary ex-
but that’s an opportunity to show off
lights, and reunions are one of those.
penditures. Instead, they are seen as an
culinary expertise and resurrect family
The main purpose of all reunions is
important tradition that must be main-
favorites and often forgotten ethnic
to stay connected. It’s an obvious basis
tained regardless of what is going on in
recipes. Whereas everyone, including lo-
for class and military reunions, but in
the world. That was true following
cals, used to stay in hotels, now more will be staying in homes.
survey after survey done by Reunions
9/11, when a survey had reunion organ-
magazine, it is the No. 1 reason given
izers defiantly proclaiming “no terrorist
Reunion organizers look to conven-
for family reunions as well. Reunions
is going to stop our reunion.” In fact,
tion and visitors bureaus for expert ad-
are an opportunity for the youngest
many studies show that families draw
vice, local discounts and giveaways for
generations to be exposed to that
To save on costs, more reunions will rely on potluck meals and cut back on hotel nights.
plethora of relatives they rarely see because of time, distance or whatever reasons families don’t convene as often as they once did. The down economy struck just as more and more reunions had grown to be three-day events. That expansion
closer in tough times and a reunion is
goodie bags. They look to their own
from Sunday picnics was because many
the way that assures that many members
members to step up and provide every-
people travel to get there and want to
will make the effort to come together.
thing from donations to expertise. Not
make the trip worthwhile. The time and
that these things were not always there,
effort it takes to travel to the re-
COST-CUTTING MEASURES
but the economy but the economy has
union―and the investment in other
That is not to say that there has been no
forced everyone to be far more creative.
needs and luxuries to make it a memo-
belt tightening. It is those recently typi-
Fewer days, fewer people and scaled
rable event―are what may be taking the
cal three-day reunions that are the first
back entertainment may be the econ-
hits now.
thing examined as reunions look for
omy’s immediate effect on reunions. But
ways to save but still meet. One day cut
fewer reunions probably will not be the
means three fewer meals and a hotel
case. In fact, more families are organiz-
But canceling or postponing reunions is a compromise most are not even con-
Reunions magazine provides information, ideas and inspiration using the experience of reunion organizers to demonstrate the how-tos and what-to-dos. Reunionsmag.com includes a forum for questions and discussions and podcasts that concentrate on planning details. A monthly e-blast highlights planning tips and drives readers to more information on the website. A Facebook fan page provides an easy alert system to stay in touch with readers. The magazine also offers a workbook that provides an extensive outline for reunion planning. LeisureGroupTravel.com
night, but the reunion goes on. After all,
ing several smaller reunions closer to
when will grandparents see grandchil-
concentrations of members so, in sheer
dren or cousins see cousins once they get
numbers, there may be more reunions.
on with their ever busier lives? Reunion planners are looking for ways to save
Edith Wagner is founder and editor of Reunions magazine, www.reunionsmag.com.
while encouraging members to attend. They’re looking for bargains for everything from accomApril 2009 19