The Connecticut Convention Center welcomed the Society of Independent Show Organizers’ (SISO) 2006 Executive Conference in August to this one-year-old, state-of-the-art facility that is the new meeting-jewel of the Nutmeg State’s Capital City. Nearly 200 influential U.S. and international producers of more than 3,000 of the largest for-profit trade shows, conferences and business-to-business events attended.  According to the SISO newsletter, “They really showcased all that Hartford had to offer—with great venues for Monday and Tuesday evening, wonderful food and some unique surprises for entertainment; such as Monday Evening’s handwriting detective, the illusionist and the palm reader and Tuesday Evening’s "limber-ating" performance by the acrobats. We are very grateful to Greater Hartford Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Connecticut Convention Center for all their hard work and making us feel so welcome.” As part of the visit, the Greater Hartford Convention & Visitors Bureau hosted a welcoming reception at the Old State House and another at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts where the performers/acrobats entertained city officials, venue executives and meeting organizers. Pictured with the “limber-ating”  performers at the reception in The Bushnell are (left to right): Mary Beth Rebedeau, Executive Director of the Society of Independent Show Organizers performer Vitalii Buza; Jeanne O’Grady, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Connecticut Convention Center; performer Daniel Stover; and H. Scott Phelps, President of the Greater Hartford Convention & Visitors Bureau.