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News Briefs
U.S. Travel Association Delivers Over 21,000 Signatures to Legislators
In an impressive show of industry unity, more than 21,000 signatures from the Keep America Meeting online petition were delivered by the U.S. Travel Association to the Senate Commerce Committee during its Senate Hearing on Travel. Representing the U.S. Travel Association were Rossi Ralenkotter, President and CEO, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and Jay Witzel, President and CEO of Carlson Hotels, who presented the petition signatures and spoke about the downturn in meetings and events and its impact on local communities across the nation. According to the U.S. Travel Association, meetings and events are responsible for 15% of all travel-related spending, create nearly $40 billion in tax revenue at the federal, state and local level and generate more than one million jobs.
"We launched the Keep America Meeting campaign so people in all areas of this industry could have one forum where they could show their support," says Alison Smith Jenks, creator of the Keep America Meeting petition and Vice President, Marketing at TBA Global. "Now that the signatures have been delivered, Keep America Meeting will continue its grassroots initiative to educate and activate individuals involved in meetings, events and incentive travel."
Keep America Meeting was created by TBA Global in partnership with the U.S. Travel Association, with support from the Event Marketing Institute. It is endorsed by a non-partisan group of associations, publishers and companies. A complete list of endorsers is listed at www.keepamericameeting.org
Maritz, American Express Launch Strategic Meetings Initiative
American Express Business Travel and Maritz Travel recently announced a preliminary agreement to launch MaXvantage, a strategic alliance to provide end-to-end strategic meetings management services that support a company's entire meeting, event and incentive travel portfolio. In the face of heightened scrutiny into spending on corporate meetings and events, the alliance would leverage the combined strengths of American Express and Maritz by providing expense management capabilities, strategic sourcing expertise and exceptional participant experiences. MaXvantage will offer clients an enhanced level of transparency, control and insight across the entire category of meetings, events and incentive travel.
"Executives know that meetings, events and incentive travel are critical components to executing their business strategy, but these activities have been under tremendous scrutiny since last fall. MaXvantage is designed to enable corporations to feel confident continuing their investment in these highly valued programs," says Christine Duffy, President and CEO of Maritz Travel.
Maritz Travel also recently announced that it has signed an agreement with Freeman to expand the services provided to their clients. Through this alliance, Maritz has selected Freeman as its preferred supplier for audio visual services and is partnering with ProActive, a division of Freeman, to manage all multimedia production and creative services for Maritz customers. Services from this alliance will be available through the newly created MaXvantage program. For more information, visit www.maritz.com
Travel Leadership Summit Convenes in DC September 16-17
The recession is taking its toll on the incentive travel business, and the problem is compounded by the aftermath of the Swine Flu outbreak and the attacks on the meetings and events business earlier this year. The industry has lost billions of dollars in cancellations, and communities across the U.S. have lost jobs. The U.S. Travel Association is fighting back by focusing on the economic impact of travel. The Travel Promotion Act (S. 1023/H.R. 2935) is once again on the move, advancing through both the House and Senate, and has the support of President Obama and Cabinet officials. Things are slowly improving, but the industry needs your help. Register now for the U.S. Travel Association's Travel Leadership Summit on September 16-17 in Washington, DC and join hundreds of your colleagues who will call upon Congress to enact the Travel Promotion Act and underscore the importance of the travel business to our economy. Attendees and delegates will meet face-to-face with members of Congress, receive legislative briefings and hear from policymakers and guest speakers. Summit events will be held on September 17 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. Optional caucus and delegation events are traditionally held the evening prior. For more information, contact Melissa Gong at (202) 408-2137 or mgong@ustravel.org
New Government Regs on Meetings for TARP Recipients
Kevin Iwamoto, Vice President of Enterprise Strategy at StarCite, recently noted on his blog that the Treasury Department has finally published its long-awaited rules on travel and meeting expenses for companies that received Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) funds, noting that "they look like the best practices corporate travel and meeting managers practice regularly." The new guidelines, published in the Federal Register and open to comments until August 14, echo some of the major components to a good strategic meetings management program, but they also go a step further by requiring reporting of violations and setting up mandates for compliance. This means that many companies will need to re-assess their current programs to ensure that their programs are not only in place, but also being adopted and utilized throughout their companies.
"I applaud the hard work that organizations like the U.S. Travel Association, in conjunction with the National Business Travel Association and a host of other industry organizations, have done lobbying government about the value that business and meetings travel bring to the overall economy," Iwamoto says. "Now that Treasury has set official policy on how TARP recipients can manage meetings expenditures, I hope we see a more rational dialog that focuses on managing overall meetings spend and risk versus the scrutiny that has caused the knee-jerk wave of cancellations to meetings that are critical to get our economy moving again." To read Iwamoto's entire posting, go to: http://blog.starcite.com/blog/strategic-meetings-management-2
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Insights From Meetings Update
It’s Time Everyone Discovers What We Already Know…
A full-court press by those in the meeting and incentive industries seeking to combat numerous media stories about questionable spending on such activities by bailout recipients is having a dramatic and positive effect. Travel industry leaders have met with President Obama to discuss the unique role that travel can play in strengthening the American economy. The meeting focused on the urgent need to pass the Travel Promotion Act, which would establish the first-ever U.S. promotion and communications campaign to attract millions of additional international visitors to the United States annually and create hundreds of thousands of new jobs. This followed on the heels of an industry meeting where guidelines (www.ustravel.org) were drafted that are designed to ensure transparency and accountability, as well as protect the one million American jobs supported by corporate meetings and events. While the metrics outlined in the guidelines are intended for the recipients of emergency government lending, other organizations may want to consider implementing the policy. We tip our hat to all the people who have taken the time to invest in this important effort – let's continue to make sure our voices are heard!
Coming Up In SMERF Meetings Journal
The 2009 Annual Destination Guide
Our annual collection of in-depth profiles covering the states, cities, hotels, venues and entertainment options SMERF planners need to put together an engaging, educational and exciting event.
Unique Venue: National Parks
The economy remains stagnant, and SMERF meeting groups are looking for ways to cut costs without sacrificing memorable experiences. That may be one reason America's national parks are experiencing an increase in group business, including meetings and reunions. For financially strapped attendees – many of whom are fed up with news of runaway consumerism and commercialism – national parks offer the ideal meeting destination.
Case Study: ITEA
Each year, the International Technology Education Association (ITEA) draws about 1,000 educators in the fields of technology, innovation, design and engineering to its annual conference. These professionals value the opportunity to get together and network on a face-to-face basis, as well as learn from the highly-acclaimed speakers ITEA always hosts. But as a rule, attendees aren't early registrants. In fact, about half of them usually waited to register until they arrived on site. Then ITEA decided to offer an incentive...Go to www.smerfmeetings.com to read more.
News From Selling Communications Inc.
Connect Your Marketing to Transactions
Does your organization have a transactional website to handle bulk sales of merchandise to qualified buyers or points programs for incentive companies? The incentive industry is one of the few areas of business that doesn't have a true transactional model to support its end-users and incentive companies. The Corporate Rewards Exchange is a cooperative effort of leading brands, incentive fulfillment firms and incentive companies to build a new distribution channel for sale of gifts to corporations, incentive companies and marketing services firms. The CRE enables brands to tap into a large ad hoc market for bulk gifts and rewards in a way they can carefully control, providing a powerful means for incentive companies to more effectively use their products in reward programs via a highly automated billing, redemption, tracking and customer service system. It's designed to support all of the current players in the incentive marketplace by providing a more efficient means of offering rewards to end-users and incentive companies, at a very low cost. For more information, please contact us for a demo.
About Selling Communications, Inc.
Selling Communications, Inc. is a fully integrated, target marketing, media and technology agency that improves results for clients by focusing on the people who matter most. We can help your business grow and save you money by targeting key prospects, getting their permission and strategically integrating your marketing and sales communications with the specific audiences most likely to affect your business performance.
Take advantage of these SCI services to improve your business development:
- Results Marketing Agency Solutions: Identify and get permission to communicate with the people who matter most through an integrated program rooted in permission-driven databases, direct mail, e-mail, Web sites, brochures, newsletters, public relations and sophisticated telephone sales that produce results. Go beyond the traditional sales and marketing approach by providing useful information and resources to build better, more measurable relationships.
- Target media: Build your brand and bring it directly to your power buyers through our stable of established niche print and online magazines in the sales, marketing and meetings fields (including this newsletter), the Sales Marketing Network at Info-now.com and SMERF Meetings Journal.
- Integrated Communications Technology:Build permission-based databases through Solata software to effectively communicate with the people who want to hear from you and precisely track the results in real time. Solata is also available to other media companies and marketing agencies seeking to profit from integrated, permission-based marketing and communications.
For more information on Selling Communications, its products and services, contact Jim Kilmetis at 914-591-7600, ext. 229 or send an e-mail to jkilmetis@sellingcommunications.com.
Tapping new customers, and keeping those you already have, costs less than you’d imagine...
Web Sites For Meeting And Incentive Travel Planners:
Abercrombie & Kent brochures http://www.abercrombiekent.com/
Adventure Center (affordable adventures) http://www.adventurecenter.com/
Adventure Outfitters http://www.americaoutdoors.org/
Adventure travel planning
http://www.gorp.com/
http://www.adventurecenter.com/
http://www.wildernesstravel.com/
Adventure travel: American Wilderness Experience http://www.awetrips.com/
Adventure travel (Great Adventure People) http://www.gapadventures.com/.
African tour operator/groups, incentives http://www.africanhorizons.com/
Air charters for groups http://www.airchartertravel.com/
Airlines: http://www.easybiz.alaskaair.com/
http://www.aa.com/ (American )
http://www.british-airways.com/
http://www.delta-air.com/
http://www.frontierairlines.com/
http://www.lufthansa-usa.com/
http://www.nwa.com/ (Northwest)
http://www.swabiz.com/ (Southwest)
http://www.usairways.com/
AIPC (Association Internationale des Palais de Congr¶s) http://www.aipc.org/
Airports in U.S. and abroad; terminal maps http://www.quickaid.com/
Air Travel Safety http://www.airsafe.com/
Alabama Vacation Guide http://www.touralabama.org/
Alberta, Canada: travel packages, activities, and events http://www.travelalberta.com/
Alternative Hawaii http://alternative-hawaii.com/
Amazing Japan http://www.amazingjapan.info/
Amelia Island (FL) Tourism Council http://www.ameliaisland.org/
“Virtual” visit to the 18-sq.-mile barrier island
360-degree photography, Accu-Weather’s up-to-the-minute island weather reports.
American Hotel & Motel Association. http://www.ahma.com/
American Hotel & Motel Association reservations online http://www.worldres.com/
American Meetings & Conventions, Inc. (destination management, trade shows, conference management support, special events, team building) http://www.amcfl.com/
America Outdoors 2002 Outdoor Directory and Family Vacation Guide http://www.americaoutdoors.org/
American Society of Travel Agents http://www.astanet.com/
Anaheim/Orange County (CA): http://www.anaheimoc.org/
Anaheim (CA) Visitor & Convention Bureau http://www.anaheimoc.org/
Anchorage, Alaska http://www.anchorage.net/
Anchorage, Alaska Convention & Visitors Bureau http://www.anchorage.net/
Arizona Tourism http://www.arizonaguide.com/
http://www.arizonavacationvalues.com/
Auction: Small independent hotel, resort stays http://www.bidtripper.com/
Austin-Lehman Adventure Travel (reservations, catalog) http://www.austinlehman.com/.
Australia http://www.australia.com/
Austrian Meetings info-@oewnyc.com
Bahamas destination management company sunsandsea_bs@yahoo.com
Banff/Lake Louise Canada Tourism Bureau http://www.banfflakelouise.com/
Bargains and travel advice http://www.1travel.com/
Bass Hotels & Resorts (Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites, Intercontinental Hotels and Resorts): http://www.basshotels.com/
Belgium Tourist Office: http://www.visitbelgium.com/
Belize http://www.travelbelize.org/
Belize Tourism Board http://www.travelbelize.org/.
Biztravel: plan travel, buy tickets: http://www.biztravel.com/
Bid4Vacations: Helps resorts, golf resorts, spas and other vacation-oriented travel providers market last-minute or low season inventory through online auction. http://www.bid4vacations.com/ (Hoteliers, e-mail Pamela Bergeson at info@Bid4Vacations.com)
Budget travel http://www.budgettravel.com/
California Association of Bed & Breakfast Inns http://media.cabbi.com/
California Tourism (more than 450 new vacation values from every region) http://www.visitcalifornia.com/.
California Travel & Tourism Commission (practical information and hundreds of discounts and special packages) http://www.findyourselfincalifornia.com/
Canada Tourism
Alberta http://www.travelalberta.com/
British Columbia http://www.hellobc.com/
Manitoba http://www.travelmanitoba.com/
New Brunswick http://www.tourismnbcanada.com/
Newfoundland and Labrador http://www.gov.nf.ca/tourism
Northwest Territories http://www.nwttravel.nt.com/
Nova Scotia http://www.explorens.com/
Nunavit http://www.nunatour.nt.ca/
Ontario http://www.ontario-canada.com/
Prince Edward Island http://www.peiplay.com/
Québec http://www.tourisme.gouv.qc.ca/
Saskatchewan http://www.sasktourism.com/
Yukon http://www.touryukon.com/
Canadian art Canada House http://www.canadahouse.com/
Caribbean culture, news, and travel. http://www.caribbeansearch.com/
Carnival Cruises: http://www.carnival.com/
Car rental cos. http://www.alamo.com/
http://www.avis.com/
http://www.dollar.com/
http://www.hertz.com/
http://www.national-car.com/
http://www.thrifty.com/
Cayman Islands: http://www.caymanislands.ky/
Celebrity Access http://www.celebrityaccess.com/
Chicago (info for meeting attendees) http://www.meetinchicago.com/
Cheap Travel Listings: Farebeater (online booking that searches best price) http://www.1travel.com/
Colorado presents: “The first hospitality industry virtual trade show” http://www.coloradolodging.com/
Conference Centers of Europe (Historic) http://www.historic-centres.com/
Consolidator and Published Fares Database for Lowest International Airfares EconomyTravel.com
Convention/visitor bureaus http://www.imps.net/
Conworld (directory of meeting-related Web sites) http://www.conworld.net/dir/index.htm
Corporate Voyages at Sea http://www.corporatevoyages.com/
Cruise sites:
About.com. (Reviews, discounts) http://cruises.about.com/
Charternet http://www.charternet.com/
Cruise Ship Center http://www.cruise4.com/
Fielding’s Cruisefinder http://www.fieldingtravel.com/
Small Ship Cruises http://www.smallshipcruises.com/
The Wheelhouse (Names, addresses cruiselines) http://www.stutt.com/
Culture Finder: Find cultural events, buy tickets, anywhere in U.S.:www.Culturefinder.com
Currency converter online http://www.oanda.com/converter/classic
Custom multisport vacations for groups of up to 100 http://www.austinlehman.com/
Customized maps and door-to-door driving instructions http://www.mapquest.com/
Danish Tourist Board http://www.dt.dk/
Darwin, Australia, Northern Gateway Group of Companies (destination management): http://www.norgate.com.au/
Destination Kenya http://www.desken.com/
Destination management companies in many countries: http://www.euromic.com/
Destination management, tradeshows American Meetings & Conventions Miami Lakes FL http://www.amcfl.com/
Destination Management: USA Hosts http://www.usahosts.com/
Diners Club: http://www.dinersclubus.com/
Disabilities: U.S. Dept. of Transportation site for travelers (text of Americans with Disabilities Act, guide to lodging complaints, info on Amtrak trains and Greyhound buses, cruise and tour options for people with wheelchairs) http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ada
Discount airfares and hotel specials http://www.cheaptickets.com/
Disney Meetings http://www.disneymeetings.com/
Disney World Vacation Planner http://www.disneyworld.com/
(custom or fast packages)
DMC Quick-Finder (1,856 DMC’s in 303 destinations around the world) http://www.conworld.net/quick-finder
Driving directions, info http://www.drivethere.com/
Dude ranch vacations http://www.gorpranches.com/
Durham, NC http://www.visitdurham.com/
Durham, NC
Meeting Planner info http://www.durham-nc.com/meeting/meeting_video.html
Group Tour Overview http://www.durham-nc.com/group/overview.html
Durham meeting venues: Magic Butterfly Wings House - http://www.ncmls.org/meetingsparties/meetpart.asp
http://www.durhamnc.com/group/features/magic_wings_butterfly.html
North Carolina Museum of Life and Science - http://www.durham-nc.com/visitor/things_to_see/nature_science.html
Doris Duke Center http://www.hr.duke.edu/dukegardens/future.html
Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University http://www.durham-nc.com/group/features/duke_gardens.html
e-mail address finder: http://dantzig.ee.ucla.edu/misc/eaddress.html.
e-mail retrieval anywhere http://www.worldroom.com/
http://www.thatweb.com/
Encyclopedia of Cities for meeting and event planners. http://www.meetingcity.com/
European Federation of Conference Towns http://www.efct.com/
Event home page http://www.event411.com/
Event management, customized Web sites, automated registration http://www.seeuthere.com/
Event Planners (Event Planners Plus software): http://www.certain.com/order.html
Event source (hotels, meeting facilities) http://www.eventsource.com/
Extraordinary Events (redone) http://www.extraordinaryevents.com/
Family travel planning info: http://www.familytravelfiles.com/
Finnish Tourist Board http://www.finland-tourism.com/
Fishing Incentives http://www.greatalaska.com/
Florida (“Culturally Florida” program) http://www.culturallyflausa.com/
Florida Keys http://www.fla-keys.com/
Florida meetings and incentive management http://www.floridatravelsolutions.com/
Florida vacation planner (Absolutely Florida and Delta Vacations and Continental Vacations): http://www.funandsun.com/
Florists worldwide: B. Brooks Fine Flowers http://www.bbrooks.com/
Foreign currency: Chase http://www.currency-to-go.com/
Foreign event planning (interact with peers) http://www.mpoint.com/
Foreign languages for travelers http://www.travlang.com/languages
Foreseeable risk analysis (includes guide to hotel safety) http://www.frac.com/
(For meeting planners) Sport fishing trips worldwide http://www.sfww.com/
Four11.Com: Find anyone, anywhere: http://www.four11.com/
Frequent flyer news and information http://www.webflyer.com/
Ft. Lauderdale, FL http://www.sunny.org/
Flash technology, simplified navigation
German Convention Bureau: http://www.gcb.de/
GES Exposition Services: http://www.gesexpo.com/
Golf Sites:
The Golf Channel Online http://www.thegolfchannel.com/ (Instruction)
Course Directories:
Golf Guide http://www.golfguide.com/
GolfCaddie http://www.golfcaddie.com/
GolfUniverse http://www.golfuniverse.com/
Amateur Golf Advisor (driving, buying clubs) http://www.tagagolf.com/
Bad Golf Monthly (for high handicappers) http://www.badgolfmonthly.com/
Caddyshack and Happy Gilmore Archive (pix, trivia, sound clips) http://www.bushwood.net/
Golf Online (tips, tournament reports, travel) http://www.golfonline.com/
Mr. Golf Etiquette http://www.mrgolf.com/
Tiger Woods Official Golf Web site http://www.tigerwoods.com/
Trivia Golf Country Club http://www.triviagolf.com/
United States Golf Association http://www.usga.com/
Government information for international travelers: http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook (annual fact book with basic geopolitical info)
http://www.cdc.gov/travel (info on immunizations, disease outbreaks, cruise ship health, and safety violations)
Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau (interactive; create and e-mail RFPs to 3,500 suppliers, 350 of them hotels) http://www.meetingpath.com/
Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau tours: http://www.bostonusa.com/
Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau http://www.tropicoolmiami.com/
Greensboro, N.C.CVB http://www.greensboronc.org/.
Greensboro, NC (hot deals/discounts) http://www.greensboronc.org/
Green Route (Incentive/meeting information on South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique) http://www.greenroutedmc.co.za/
Harrison Conference Centers http://www.harrisonconference.com/
Hawaii, Big Island http://www.bigisland.org/
Hawaii’s Big Island: Big Island Visitors Bureau http://www.bigisland.org/
Kona Kohala Chamber of Commerce http://www.kona-kohala.com/
Kona Kohala Coast Resort Assn. http://www.kkra.org/
Bishop Museum Botanical Garden http://www.bishopmuseum.org/greenwell/
Atlantis Submarines http://www.goatlantis.com/
Big Island Mountain Biking http://www.interpac.net/mtbike
Captain Zodiac Raft Adventures http://www.planet-hawaii.com/zodiac/kona.html
Destination Big Island http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ (travel section)
Flumin’ Da Ditch/HMV Tours http://www.kohalakayaks.com/
Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce http://www.gohilo.com/
Paniolo Hawaiian Cowboy http://www.rodeohawaii.com/
Parker Ranch http://www.parkerranch.com/
Hawaii: Research, comparison shop, and make reservations for Hawaii’s best attractions http://www.hawaiiactivities.com/
Helsinki-Finland Congress Bureau (site for meeting planners) http://www.hfcb.fi/
Historic Conference Centres of Europe: http://www.historic-centres.com/
Historic Palaces of London: http://www.hrp.org.uk/
Holland: http://www.goholland.com/
Hospitality Industry: http://www.hotel-online.com/
Hospitality Sales Workshops Virginia Tech http://www.conted.vt.edu/hospitalityreg.html
Hotel and meeting facilities http://www.meetingcity.com/
Hotel companies
http://www.meetings.basshotels.com/
http://www.fourpoints.com/
http://www.hilton.com/
http://www.hyatt.com/
http://www.luxurycollection.com/
http://www.marriott.com/
http://www.renaissancehotels.com/
http://www.sheraton.com/
Hot dates/rates http://www.hotdateshotrates.com/
Hot deals and updated info on 800 resort properties in NA and Caribbean; free monthly newsletter available http://www.resortsource.com/
Hotel de Crillon (Paris) http://www.crillon.com/
Hotel directory (destination-based); over 60,000 hotels worldwide: http://www.all-hotels.com/
Hotel discounts http://www.travelscape.com/
Hotel Sales & Marketing Assoc. Intl. (HSMAI): newly redesigned web site; new search function and design http://www.hsmai.org/
HotelView (online hotel directories with hotel video tours) http://www.hotelview.com/
Hyatt Hotels & Resorts (special corporate offer): http://www.hyatt.com/corporate/specialoffers/meeting/meeting_category.jhtml?ssnav=2
Hyatt Regency Beaver Creek (Avon, CO) live on net http://www.vail.net/hyatt
Hotel Reservations Network (buys hotel rooms in bulk; sells at discount): http://www.180096hotel.com/
IntelliTRIP engine that searches and compares fares from airlines’ own res system and FlightTRACKER, realtime info on flight arrival and departure http://www.trip.com/
International Association of Conference Centers: http://www.iacconline.com/
International SOS Assistance, Inc. (assistance for traveling abroad: pre-trip medical referral information, medical monitoring, medical repatriation, hospital admission deposit guarantee, dispatch of doctor or specialist, etc.) http://www.intsos.com/
Internet Address Finder: http://www.iaf.net/
Internet reservation service http://www.travelweb.com/
Intl. Assn. Of Convention & Visitor Bureaus http://www.iacvb.org/
Israel Ministry of Tourism: http://www.goisrael.com/
Updates on Middle East situation
Israel slide catalog (400 images) for travel trade use: http://www.goisrael.com/slides
Istanbul, Turkey Convention Bureau: http://www.icvb.org/.
Jacksonville, FL access to golf tee-times http://www.lastminutegolfer.com/
Japanese Museums http://www.dnp.co.jp/museum/icc-e.html
Japan National Tourist Org. http://www.japantravelinfo.com/
Japan National Tourist Organization (U.S/Canada info) http://www.japantravelinfo-com/
Kentucky Celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the Lewis & Clark Expedition: Filson Historical Society (significant L & C collection) http://www.filsonhistorical.org/
Re-enactment of 9 Kentucky landings of L & C Expedition http://www.lewisandclark.net/
Canoe Kentucky : Follow the re-enactments in canoes http://www.canoeky.com/
Korea National Tourism http://www.knto.or.kr/
Korea: Seoul Metropolitan Government (culture and tourism) http://www.visitseoul.net/
Lake Geneva Region of Switzerland (Montreux, Lausanne, Geneva) Lists programs with prices, programs, extras. http://www.lgrmice.com/
Lake Tahoe, NV http://www.virtualtahoe.com/meetings
Las Vegas: ( travel booking capabilities for airfare, hotel, car and golf, plus exclusive “insider tips” on everything from bachelor parties and weddings to golf, spas and shows. Even 24-hour itineraries. http://www.lasvegas.com/.
Lee Island Coast of Florida Visitors Guide. http://www.leeislandcoast.com/.
Letters sent by e-mail and mailed anywhere in world http://www.letterpost.com/
London Convention Bureau: http://www.londontown.com/
London hotels, restaurants, pubs, entertainment http://www.londonelite.com/
Looking4U Inc., Community bulletin board to find people, leave messages: http://www.looking4u.com/
Low air fares:
http://www.air-fare.com/
http://www.bestfares.com/
http://www.cheaptickets.com/
http://www.etn.nl/discount.htm
http://www.expedia.com/
http://www.frommers.com/
http://www.1travel.com/
http://www.previewtravel.com/
http://www.skyauction.com/
http://www.sys1.com/
http://www.thetrip.com/
http://www.travelocity.com/
Luxury barge cruises http://www.bvassociates.com/ (Click on “Europe’s Grand River Boats.”)
MADSearch (puts meeting planners in touch with hotels and conference services worldwide; “access 90 percent of information needed to plan an event” at no charge): http://www.madsearch.com/
Malta (meetings and incentive travel management) http://www.demajo.com/sit
Manhattan Hotel Rooms (midtown) - discounted http://www.hotres.com/
Marriott Village at Little Lake Bryan (Orlando, FL) http://www.marriott-village.com/
Mauna Kea Resorts, Hawaii http://www.westinhapunabeachprincehotel.com/
http://www.westinmaunakeabeachhotel.com/.
Medtronic Physio-Control (manufacturers of external defribrillators for hotels, airlines, conference centers, etc.) http://www.physiocontrol.com/
Meeting guide (entry level; tools) http://www.mmaweb.com/meetings
Meetings Industry Mall http://www.mim.com/
Meeting locations http://www.meetinglocations.com/
Meetings organizations
(American Assn. Of Assoc. Execs.) http://www.asaenet.org/
(Intl. Assn. Exposition Mgmt.) http://www.iaem.org/
(Intl. Congress & Conv. Assn.) http://www.icca.nl/
(Dest. Mgmt. Cos.) http://www.dmc-net.com/
(Meet. Professionals Intl.) http://www.mpiweb.org/
(Prof. Conv. Mgmt. Assn.) http://www.pcma.org/
(Trade Show Exhib. Assn.) http://www.tsea.org/.
Meeting Planning on the Web http://www.mpoint.com/.
"Virtual" site inspections.
View over 50,000 facility and supplier profiles. Compare facilities side by side.
Meeting Planning, site selection http://www.eventsource.com/
Meeting planner tips http://www.meetingplannertips.com/
Meeting Professionals International: http://www.mpiweb.org/
Meeting venues in New England http://www.meetingpath.com/
Meetings by Internet MyPlaceWare http://www.placeware.com/biztravel2
Melville Exhibition Services of London: http://www.melville-exh.co.uk/
Messe (Tradeshow) Dusseldorf http://www.mdna.com/
Mexico: http://www.mexico-travel.com/. Also, for tourists to check out safety precautions being taken by Mexico: http://www.safemexico.com/.
MGM Grand Hotel and Casino (redone) http://www.mgmgrand.com/
Miami Beach Marriott at South Beach http://www.miamibeachmarriott.com/
Micato Safaris http://www.micato.com/
Microtel hotels http://www.microtelinn.com/
Monaco Tourist Office: http://www.monaco-tourism.com/
Motivate with incentives http://www.incentivecentral.org/
MPIWeb: MPI Foundation Multicultural Initiative — Online forum to promote and expand business among multicultural markets; educate meeting professionals about multiculturalism. Research and demographics for untapped, yet economically viable, markets such as Hispanic, African-American and Asian. http://www.mpiweb.org/
Napa (CA) River Inn http://www.napariverinn.com/
Nassau/Paradise Island http://www.bahamas.com/
National Geographic Trip Finder http://www.nationalgeographic.com/explore
National hotel booking by state American Hotel & Motel Assoc. http://www.gotrooms.com/
Netherlands Tourist Office: http://www.incentiveholland.com/ or http://www.nlcongress.nl/
Nevada Carson City http://www.carson-city.org/
Extraterrestrial Highway (Nevada test site) http://www.aleinn.com/
Humboldt Chamber of Commerce http://www.winnemucca.org/
Lake Tahoe Incline Village & Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau http://www.gotahoe.com/
Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce http://www.virtualtahoe.com/tdchamber
Eastern Nevada http://www.state.nv.us/stparks
Great Basin National Park http://www.nps.gov/grba
Northeastern Nevada http://www.elkocva.com/
Scenic Byways http://www.renotahoe.com/, http://www.redrockcanyon.blm.gov/
Norwegian Cruise Lines http://www.ncl.com/
Online City Guide w/discounts http://www.onlinecityguide.com/
New York City Special event venues http://www.paintthetownred.net/
Exciting things to do http://www.events-nyc.com/.
New York City Convention & Visitors Bureau http://www.nycvisit.com/
Norfolk VA (online booking, RFPs) http://www.norfolkcvb.com/
North American Partnership for Responsible Hospitality (April 26 and October 25, online issue forums) http://www.hospitalityweb.org/naprh/forum/1-26
Northern Kentucky (Cincinnati area) online packages http://www.staynky.com/
Northern Lights: Kayaking Trips http://www.seakayaking.com/
Northwest/KLM Airlines: http://www.klm.nl.alliance/ Click either’s Seal.
Norwegian Cruise Line http://www.ncl.com/
Offsite: New, downloadable software that helps planners gauge airfare, hotel, and misc. costs for meetings. http://www.dscr.dla.mil/dorra/offsite/homepage.htm
Ohio tourism http://www.ohiotourism.com/
Online conferencing services (all fee) http://www.astound.com/
http://www.caucus.com/
http://www.clipscom.com/
Online events: Edu. News & Entertainment Network http://www.enen.com/
Intervu Netpodium http://www.netpodium.com/
Placeware http://www.placeware.com/
On-line registration services http://www.b-there.com/
http://www.eventregistration.com/
http://www.houseol.com/
http://www.register123.com/
http://www.isignupnow.com/
Orlando Convention & Visitor Bureau Meeting Planners http://www.orlandoinfo.com/cvb/meet/index.cfm
Orlando, FL (comprehensive) http://www.orlandoinfo.com/
Orlando, FL, CVB (meeting facilities) http://www.orlandoinfo.com/cvb
(restaurants) http://www.dineinorlando.com/
Orlando, FL, vacations http://www.orlandoinfo.com/
Orlando World Center Marriott Resort and Convention Center (comprehensive meeting and convention information, virtual tour, interactive floor plans, client testimonials, "RFP express" (request for proposal), 24-hour customer response) http://www.marriottworldcenter.com/
Other Kentucky sites:
Greater Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau http://www.gotolouisville.com/.
Kentucky Bourbon Trail (free tours of 7 distilleries) http://www.kybourbon.com/
Bourbon dining at Seelbach Hilton, Louisville http://www.seelbachhilton.com/
New $2.5 million Louisville Extreme Park (skateboarders, bladers, bicyclists) http://www.louky.org/skatepark
Restored home of late Bill Monroe, "Father of Bluegrass" http://www.billmonroefoundation.com/
International Bluegrass Museum, Owensboro http://www.bluegrass-museum.org/
Oxnard, CA: Destination Guide oxtour@west.net
Visitors Guide http://www.ventura-usa.com/
Pan Pacific Hotels & Resorts: http://www.panpac.com/
Party planning sites; managing beverage service http://www.hospitalityweb.org/partyline
Passenger rights for airlines http://www.passengerrights.com/
Pennsylvania Travel Planner http://www.experiencepa.com/
Perfect Meeting (Designs Event Consulting) http://www.perfectmeeting.com/
Perry Golf Travel Research http://www.perrygolf.com/
Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau http://www.libertynet.org/phila-visitor
Poipu (HI) Beach Resort Association (visitors can plan their daily activities prior to arriving on Kauai, using Flash technology to view 56 activities; print out daily schedule) http://poipuadventure.com/.
Ponchartrain Hotel, New Orleans http://www.pontchartrainhotel.com/
Portugal meetings, incentives: http://www.mice.portugalinsite.com/
Portuguest Tourist Office: http://www.portugalinsite.pt/
Post your meeting specs online, at no cost, without using an RFP http://www.mpbid.com/
PRA Destination Management, Inc. http://www.pra.com/.
( Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Orange County, Palm Springs,
Phoenix-Scottsdale, San Antonio, San Diego, San Diego
PrestigeEvents (events management), NYC http://www.prestigevents.com/
Princess Cruises; nearly 1,000 electronic pages. Itineraries, destinations, downloadable screen saver, cruise-themed icons, on-board experiences, and BridgeCam: live views of scenery seen by ships’ officers, updated every 60 seconds. http://www.princess.com/
Promomart (business gifts): http://www.promomart.com/wsj
Public relations: Nadine DeGenova Public Relations Group http://www.prproof.com/
Puerto Rico Convention Bureau (complete a meeting accommodations criteria form, get list of properties that meet criteria, do online Requests for Proposal, e-mail your own RFP forms, download brochures, find complete member hotel information, meeting room layouts and photos): http://www.meetpuertorico.com/
Queensland, Australia: http://www.qttc.com.au/
Quirky guidebooks to interesting places http://www.lonelyplanet.com/
Radisson Cable Beach Resort groups@radissonbahamas.com
Railroad incentive trips:
Verde Canyon Railroad, Arizona http://www.verdecanyonrr.com/
Georgetown Loop, Colorado http://www.georgetownloop.com/
Royal Gorge Rte Railroad, CO http://www.royalgorgeroute.com/
River Odysseys West http://www.rowinc.com/
Reno/Tahoe International Airport http://www.renoairport.com/
Rent LCD projectors and laptop computers nationwide http://www.rentquick.com/
Riverboat cruises (European) http://www.bvaassociates.com/
(click on Europe’s Grand River Boats)
Safaris, backpacking, mountain biking tours http://www.wildadventures.com/
Sales Marketing Network: www.info-now.com
San Jose (CA) Convention & Visitors Bureau Housing management system http://www.passkey.com/
San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau: http://www.sandiego.org/mpg
See America, sponsored by Travel Industry Assn. of America (links to all state and territorial travel offices, city visitor bureaus, attractions, and travel companies in the U.S.) Search by name, desired activity, mode of transportation, or type of accommodation. http://www.seeamerica.org/
Select Registry (Trip Planner Itineraries created by innkeepers from the East and West Coasts) http://www.selectregistry.com/
Sheraton Centre Toronto: http://www.toronto.com/sheratoncentre
Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers: http://www.sheratonchicago.com/
Showtix: Group sales theater ticket agency for Broadway shows. http://www.showtixinc.com/
Singapore (animated graphics, multi-media http://www.meet-in-singapore.com.sg/
Skymall catalog online plus airline and other booking services, including Frequent Flyer management tool, tips on best use of earned miles http://www.skymalltravel.com/
Small ship cruises all over world: http://www.smallshipcruises.com/
Snoozeland (Group travel auctions) http://www.snoozeland.com/
Sonoma (CA) Wine Country Meetings http://www.winecountrymeetings.com/
South African Incentive Services: http://www.unwiniwinafrica.com/
Southern California Visitors Guide http://www.21stcenturyvisitorguide.com/
Southern Coastal Rhode Island 1999 events listing. http://www.southcountyri.com/
Speakers: Nationwide Speakers Bureau, Inc. http://www.nationwidespeakers.com/
Sports Empire (moderately priced land packages to sports and special events in North America) http://www.sports-empire.com/
Sports events incentive packages:
Roadtrips Inc. http://www.roadtrips.com/:
Established relationships with online reward programs like SalesDriver.com, Netcentives, and Company DNA.
Rose Bowl/Rose Parade http://www.sports-empire.com/html/footballold.html#toprose
Jan. 3, 2002 (For the first time, the Rose Parade will not be held on the morning of the game.)
Super Bowl, New Orleans http://www.sports-empire.com/
NBA and NHL All-Star Games Daytona 500
St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & the Beaches http://www.myfloridameetings.com/
St. Croix Hotel and Tourism Association (USVI) http://www.stcroixhotelandtourism.com/
St. Croix, USVI: Small Inns http://www.smallinnsstcroix.com/.
St. Louis (new Web site) http://www.explorestlouis.com/
St. Louis Visitors Guide http://www.explorestlouis.com/
St. Thomas’ Marriott Beach Resorts (secure online reservations and information) http://www.marriott.vi/
Stars and attractions for your meeting (Gordie Brown, the Pointer Sisters, Tony Bennett, The Four Tops, Jay Leno). John Bernardoni Production Group. http://www.bernardoni.com/, click on "Stars and Attractions."
Stay in touch while on the road http://www.myfamily.com/
St. Thomas USVI: Live footage from St. Thomas http://www.st-thomas.com/
(select "live video)
Weather conditions: http://www.st.-thomas.com/view
Sun International: http://www.sun-international.com/
Sun Valley/Ketchum Chamber of Commerce: http://www.visitsunvalley.com/
Swarovski Crystal Worlds http://www.swarovski-crystalworld.com/
Switzerland CD ROM: PocketWeb™
size of a business card; contains 50 links, video, pix Fax 212-262-6116
Switzerland Tourism http://www.myswitzerland.com/
The Reefs, Southhampton Bermuda resort http://www.thereefs.com/
Tickets for sporting events http://www.wstickets.com/
Top business events and restaurants, arts, sport events, museum exhibits, by city http://www.ontheroad.com/
Toronto, Canada: Gay Toronto Guide http://www.torontotourism.com/; go to link: http://www.gayguidetoronto.com/
Toronto Star CitySearch: http://www.toronto.com/
Trade Show Advisor http://www.tradeshowadvisor.com/
Trade Show Central http://www.tscentral.com/
Tradeshow services: Bekins Tradeshow Services http://www.bekinstradeshows.com/.
Trails (hiking, biking, skiing) http://trailfinder.gorp.com/
Travelogs (tapes with educational tours of many areas, including updates on special events and attractions, road construction and detours http://www.travelog.com/
Travel Advisories U.S. Dept of State http://www.stolaf.edu/network/travel-advisories.html
Travel management http://www.austintravel.com/
http://www.balboa.com/
http://www.carsonwagonlit.com/
http://www.garber.com/
http://www.maritz.com/
http://www.nwtm.com/
http://www.strattontravel.com/
Travelers Health U.S. Centers for Disease Control http://www.cdc.gov/travel/travel.html
Travel price auction site http://www.priceline.com/
Travel safety: Airport and plane security http://www.airsafe.com/
Auto safety http://www.drivers.com/
Hotel security http://www.frac.com/
National Center for Infectious Diseases (travelers’ health) http://www.cdc.gov/travel
U.S. State Department (traveler warnings and consular information sheets) http://www.travel.state.gov/travelwarnings.html
TV on the Web http://www.tvontheweb.com/
United Touring Co. (DMC services in East Africa, South Africa, Dubai) http://www.unitedtouring.com/
Unusual vacation properties http://www.vacationspot.com/
USA Hosts (destination management): http://www.usahosts.com/
V Associates -meetings & incentives industry consultants e-mail: associates@home.com
Venue search: http://www.allmeetings.com/
http://www.businessmeetings.com/
http://www.hotelsonline.com/
http://www.industrymeetings.com/
http://www.meetingauctions.com/
http://www.meetngcity.com/
http://www.mtonline.com/
http://www.meetingvelocity.com/
Virginia (Coastal): http://www.coastalvirginia.com/
Virtual Bellhop will pick up your luggage or other items, airfreight them, and deliver them to your hotel.
http://www.virtualbellhop.com/
Visit Britain (global) http://www.visitbritain.com/
Visit Britain (info for U.S. travelers) http://www.usagateway.visit/ britain.com
Webcast Central http://www.webcastcentral.com/
WebSentric (conferencing/telecasting) http://www.websentric.com/
Web site creation http://www.hway.com/expresstart
Weekend bargains newsletter http://www.weekends.com/
Westin Hotels & Resorts: http://www.westin.com/
Women on Their Way (Wyndham Hotels & Resorts) http://www.womenontheirway.com/
World Golf Village (includes World Golf Hall of Fame) http://www.wgv.com/
World Weather - NBT News Intellicast http://www.intellicast.com/weather/intl
Send Your News
Send your meetings and incentive travel news to dspencer@info-now.com .
