The U.S. Treasury Department has published guidelines for some meeting, incentive and travel expenses for companies that have received Troubled Asset Relief Program funds. New rules in the Federal Register have a 60-day comment period before being finalized and require the elimination of excessive and luxury expenditures. These expenditures, as defined by the Treasury Secretary, must adhere to rules that include “entertainment or events, office and facility renovations, aviation or other transportation services, and other similar items, activities or events.”

Several organizations mobilized in an effort to weigh in on the development of guidelines that met needs for increased accountability yet would not further damage the industry. In fact, most are pleased with the final recommendations that go into effect August 14th, 2009.

“The proposed guidelines from the U.S. Treasury Department further clarify the need for and the benefit of adapting best practices in the design and results measurement of incentives, meetings and events,” states Todd Hanson, President and Founder of Catalyst Performance Group, Inc. “Our products include tools that allow TARP fund recipients and other companies to conduct business in a bullet proof manner. We believe that most companies are wise to adapt such measures regardless of legislative mandates.”

For more details regarding regulations and the industries response, refer to U.S. Travel Association and the National Business Travel Association.