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Correction: ‘Perfect Storm’ Blogger Identified
In the last edition of this e-newsletter, we erroneously left out the name and website of blogger John Swinburn, President of Challenge Management, Inc., a Dallas-based association management services firm. The item, ‘Get Ready for the Perfect Storm,’ discussed some of the changes association meeting will likely see in the coming years. To view the CMI blog, go to: http://cmiassociationmanagement.blogspot.com/
RCMA Prepares for 37th World Conference in January
Religious meeting professionals, representing a vast array of denominations and faiths, will convene in Grand Rapids, Michigan, January 27-30, 2009 for the 37th World Conference and Exposition of the Religious Conference Management Association (RCMA). This annual multifaith event attracts key meeting planners and industry representatives from throughout the U.S. and overseas who manage over 16,000 conferences and assemblies which annually attract 14.9 million attendees. Convening in the DeVos Place Convention Center, the conference will focus on the theme “Catch The Spirit” and present a variety of learning experiences aimed at bolstering the planner’s meeting and management skills, plus provide numerous networking and fellowship opportunities. The power of this specific meeting industry niche is evident in that convention bureaus, hotels, conference centers and universities from around-the-country and around-the-world compete for space on the conference’s Expo floor, where booths are limited to maintain a high planner-to-supplier ratio. This year, as in the past, the exposition sold out in just a few days. Complete details of the 2009 World Conference can be found on the association’s website at http://www.rcmaweb.org
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End the Cold Complaints
Every meeting planner’s heard it more than a few times. In fact, some industry professionals say it’s the No. 1 complaint at meetings: “The room is too cold.” While room temperature may seem trivial compared to all the other details a planner has to navigate, an uncomfortable room can diminish the value of a meeting. “If two or three weeks later they’re still thinking about the temperature, then that's an issue,” meeting planner Steve Kemble of Dallas told USA Today. “[It’s frustrating] to plan a fabulous program, with a speaker you paid $100,000 for, and all you hear from people leaving is ‘It was freezing in there.” In order to combat the problem, some planners are working room temperature privileges into their contracts. Heidi Longton, Director of Convention and Meetings for the Northeastern Retail Lumber Association, told Travelmole.com that she has written it into contracts that she be allowed “access to the thermostat so I can adjust as requested.” For your next meeting, consider negotiating room temperature issues beforehand – or selecting a “green” venue focused on energy conservation, which may choose to turn the air conditioner down voluntarily.
Create an Experience Visitors Won’t Forget
Earlier this year, World Vision, a nonprofit organization working in 100 countries to help families escape poverty, launched “Step Into Africa,” a traveling experience that lets visitors experience life through the eyes of four African children whose lives are affected by HIV/AIDS. While many nonprofits might shy away from producing an expensive, live experience like this one, World Vision has seen its efforts pay off, raising more than $4.5 million in donations in the first half of its 80-city tour, according to a recent article in Event Marketer magazine. While nonprofits are relative newcomers to the events industry, they have long understood the value of telling their stories (and the stories of those they’re trying to help). A live event is just another opportunity to share those stories. Whether or not your organization is a nonprofit looking to raise funds, your event may benefit from World Vision’s story. Some of the key takeaways for events include:
- Be willing to try something new. An “experiential” event was decidedly out of the comfort zone for World Vision, which normally raises money through videos and guest speakers from Africa. But leaders believed the organization was ready for something different, and they were willing to take the risk.
- Draw on your resources. One reason World Vision’s experience has been so profitable is that the organization relies mostly on volunteers and has sought out venues willing to donate space for the cause. Your organization may not be the type that receives such donations, but you can always utilize internal resources and call in favors from partners.
- Set specific goals for the program. If you know what you’re after, you’re much more likely to attain it. For instance, at the end of each program World Vision offers a specific call to action, asking visitors to sponsor an African child for a year at $35 per month. So far the experience has led to more than 10,000 child sponsorships.
To learn more about World Vision’s experiential event, read the entire article here: http://www.eventmarketer.com/viewmedia.asp?prmMID=2175&prmID=1.
Website Copy More Important than Graphics
A number of meeting planners and promoters are obsessed with the look of their meetings’ websites – and less concerned about the content included on those sites. The results may be a beautiful site that doesn’t communicate the information people need in order to make a decision to attend your conference. “Too many businesses are overly preoccupied with the aesthetics of a website,” blogs professional event promoter Eugene Loj. “My previous statement isn’t to suggest that you shouldn’t have an aesthetically pleasing website, [but] if you look at most company websites, more time and money is spent on ‘How can we make this look better to the consumer?’ versus ‘How can we make sure this makes sense to the consumer?’ One of the most important lessons I’ve learned about the web over the last 15 years is that information trumps graphics nine times out of 10. The most successful websites put more emphasis on the information than the graphics.” In order to ensure that your website communicates the right information to prospective attendees, consider asking yourself these questions:
- Do the words I have on my web page connect with my target market?
- Do I have enough information on my site to prevent someone from sending
a customer service email?
- If I take away all the graphics on my site, does it still make sense with just the text?
For more information, visit Loj’s blog at: http://www.eugeneloj.com/2008/07/event-promotion.html.
Independent Meeting Planners Heading Back to Corporate America?
Over the past few years, the number of independent meeting planners seems to have grown exponentially, following the trend of more people leaving Corporate America to be their own bosses. However, it seems that many entrepreneurs are running for cover these days, as the economy continues its downturn, and independent planners are among the casualties. For instance, a recent article in the International Herald Tribune included the story of Bobbi Reed, a Colorado-based independent planner who recently shuttered her business to take a job directing operations at a local event venue. It was a slow demise: “Kiwanis Club members who hired her to organize an awards dinner decided the next year to do it themselves to save money. She lost another client after it was acquired by a bigger company,” the article says. “I won’t get rich on my salary,” Reed told the IHT. “But it’s nice having someone paying into my retirement account.” While Reed certainly isn’t alone in her decision to close her independent planning business to become an employee again, many entrepreneurs would disagree with the idea that a steady paycheck represents stability and security. If you’re a full-time employee and your employer goes under, you’re without a job; but if you’re self-employed and one client goes under, you still have plenty of others to sustain you. To read the full IHT story, click here: http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/09/14/business/owners.php.
APEX Pursues Development of Green Meetings Standards
The Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX), an initiative of the Convention Industry Council (CIC), is currently formulating a set of best practices for green meetings. The APEX Green Meetings and Events Practices Panel (GMEPP) is developing baseline standards for organizations to produce meetings that achieve responsible levels of sustainability. By partnering with ASTM International Standards and creating the Green Meetings & Events Practices Panel, APEX has successfully formed the foundation for a truly innovative new way of defining “green,” according to a CIC release. Amy Spatrisano, Principal of Meeting Strategies Worldwide and Board Chair of the Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC), is spearheading this effort and is currently engaging volunteers for the nine committees and various discussion groups that will identify best practices for the GMEPP. These committees include: Transportation, Accommodations, Meeting Venue, Exhibits, Food & Beverage, Communications, On-site Office, Destinations and A/V Production. A survey was sent out recently that included a call for volunteers, and over 100 industry professionals responded. The APEX GMEPP committees will incorporate volunteers from government, planner, and supplier segments, as well as those outside the meetings industry who are actively involved in green efforts. For more information, visit http://www.conventionindustry.org.
Making Direct Mail More Cost-Effective
The economy is in a slump, so every dollar counts. You still need to market your meeting or event aggressively, but you don’t have to waste money in the process. In a recent article on ManageSmarter.com, Dave Henkel offers several suggestions for generating higher sales for each marketing dollar spent. Some of his suggestions include:
- Check your lists. Postage is the largest line item in a mailing budget, so fine-tune your list to eliminate undeliverable names and consider dropping the least productive segments of your list.
- Target carefully. Carefully consider your event and its ideal audience, then devise ways to reach that specific audience. Consider offering a special gift or discount.
- Don’t get too personal. While current technology can identify and use almost any type of customer information (such as birthdays, sales history, income levels and hobbies), deep database mining and personalization is costly. “Just because it’s possible today to dig deep when it comes to personal information about your customers, it doesn’t mean that using this as a marketing tool is always cost-effective or desirable,” Henkel notes.
- Control production costs. Carefully consider every production decision, including the type of paper to use, whether to use an envelope and options for maximizing postal efficiencies and savings.
To read the entire article, click here.
New Trade Show Targets Global Meeting Planners
Last month, Reed Travel Exhibitions announced the first-ever Americas Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (AIBTM), to be held in June 2010 in Baltimore. A new sister show to the popular European Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (EIBTM), AIBTM will bring together suppliers and buyers of incentives, business travel and meetings under one roof for three days of business opportunities. According to a release, the aims of the show are… “to promote the best business-to-business exhibition floor, supported by the best networking and best professional education, underpinned by our unique global Hosted Buyer Programme.” An AIBTM Hosted Buyer Program will bring more than 400 global VIP buyers to the show. In return for flights and accommodations at the event, hosted buyers will participate in one-on-one prescheduled appointments with exhibitors. The event plans to host more than 250 exhibitor booths and hopes to attract meeting planners from the United States and Canada who conduct domestic, interstate and international meetings. For more information about the new show, visit http://www.aibtm.com.
In the Current Issue of SMERF Meetings Journal
Budget Busted? Move Your Meeting to the Midwest!
Why is it that whenever planners are looking for U.S. meeting destinations, they immediately think east, west or south? The truth is, you can provide a unique meeting experience – and get a lot more for your budget dollar in these leaner economic times – by breaking the mold and turning your focus toward the nation’s vast mid-section, where cities like Detroit, Des Moines, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Omaha and St. Louis offer first-rate facilities, a variety of venues and a host of hotels and historic sites.
10 Cost-Saving Tips
Pulling together all the elements for a successful corporate meeting or event can test the talents of the most experienced corporate planner. Coordination takes skill, like pulling rabbits out of a hat, one after another. Budget is always crucial, so this issue features some tips from some of our top regional event producers and providers.
College Music Society: Celebrating 50 Years of Service
The College Music Society (CMS) held its first annual meeting in 1958 at Harvard University, with the 2007-08 academic year marking the organization’s 50th year of service to music and higher education. In celebration, CMS held a number of special events throughout the year, including a 50th Anniversary National Conference in Salt Lake City last November.
Unique Venue: Zoos Have Animal Magnetism
Looking for an adventurous off-site venue for your next special event? David Rome suggests holding it at the local zoo – specifically, the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans. As the Director of Sales for New Orleans-based Bonnie Boyd & Company Destination Management, Rome has organized numerous events at the zoo for various groups, and he believes the location works so well because of its versatility.
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
