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“Navigating the Perfect Storm” is the theme of the International Association of Conference Center’s second European Conference, to be held August 20-23, 2009 at Comwell Kolding in Denmark. The theme, which refers to how conference centers and similar small-to-mid-size meetings can survive the current economic trouble—which like IAAC, is global in scope.

Why so Blue? According to the New Orleans Morial Convention Center, the venue’s 279,000 foot brick red stripe was replaced by “Convention Center Blue,” a custom color by Richard’s Industrial Coatings to better complement new interior designs of the venue, its dynamic and changed Big Easy neighborhood, and the famous river nearby.

If a destination is looking to recruit a well-known spokesperson to lead its marketing initiatives to meeting planners, finding a nationally known MVP is a good idea. Indianapolis had to look to look no further than its home field to find the right celebrity. NFL Superstar Peyton Manning, Quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts, will represent the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association in a new promotion and marketing campaign that emphasizes the attributes of Indianapolis as a destination for meetings, conventions, trade shows and other events.

CityCentre Houston, an innovative mixed-use development in Houston, Texas that features high-end, unique retail, gourmet dining and entertainment venues now boasts a conference center hooked up to a new boutique hotel. Norris Conference Centers – Houston/CityCentre, which opened in mid-May, a 30,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility that will service the meeting and event needs of Hotel Sorella.