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 While most meeting industry observers state that the meeting market has been on an upswing, a double digit increase in attendance from one year to the next is still unusual. But that boast can be made by the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) 2007 Leadership Conference. Attendance grew by 30 percent over the previous year’s event—more than 250 PCMA members and meetings industry professionals—which was in April at  Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.

 Education, networking and the opportunity to survey some of the latest destination and meeting venue innovations drew more than 1,000 meeting planners to the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International’s  (HSMAI) annual Affordable Meetings® Mid-America show, which took place in April at Chicago’s Navy Pier In addition to 1,040 meeting professionals, ranging from industry newcomers to seasoned veterans, the event attracted 302 exhibitors (occupying 334 booths), 14 of which were new to this year’s show and included meeting venues, destinations, hotels, airlines, technology companies, and other industry-related suppliers.

Spotlight: What New Services Are Meeting Planners Responding to?

  What new services are Meeting Planners responding to? The people who can best answer this question are attendees of the International Association of Conference Centers 26th Annual Conference. Facilitiesonline spoke with Conference Centers Executives attending the event to put a spotlight on what new services have been the most effective in exceeding the expectations of Meeting Planners.  Their answers reveal not only current trends about Meeting Planner demands, but showcase the diversity of Conference Centers now available throughout the U.S.

 Denver—Soon attendees to the newly expanded Colorado Convention Center have more luxury lodging options. Several new luxury hotels projects in Downtown Denver, all within walking distance of the Convention Center, are enhancing the Denver convention and trade show experience.