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Travel problems seem to be common lately: Mike Mason at the Communicatio blog is stuck waiting for a flight this morning, and Joan Eisenstodt at The Meetings Collaborative has had some sticker shock when booking upcoming flights. I attended a meeting held by the U.S. Chamber a few weeks back, and I saw their staff struggle when one speaker scheduled for breakfast didn't arrive until lunch, and two others weren't able to make it at all. (They were able to switch their breakfast and lunch speakers, which worked well--and luckily the other two speakers were two of eight simultaneous sessions, so while there was disappointment at missing two popular speakers, attendees were able to attend other sessions instead.)

I'd like to think that most associations have contingency plans for travel-related mishaps, but I don't know that any of us are fully prepared for major disruptions like the recent cancellations and bankruptcies. What have you done to manage the situation when flight cancellations cause havoc with your meeting plans? And, to pick up on Joan's post, is your association planning for continued cutbacks on travel due to the related pressures of an economic downturn and rising airline prices?