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 Early bird specials are not just for the local steak house any more. Reduced rates as well as prime location attracted a reported 153 exhibitors to an early bird online space drawing, held by the International Association of Exhibitions and Events—the largest association of the exhibitions and events industry in the world—for its Expo! Expo! One of the year’s most important and well attended event for the meetings industry, Expo! Expo! will be held in December at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, Florida.

In order to receive optimal booth space positioning as well as a discounted rate—Exhibitors who submitted their online contract by January 31, 2008 were eligible to participate in the drawing.

The two-day space draw allowed exhibitors to call in during scheduled, five minute allotments. Participants were connected via the internet to the raffle, the results of which were updated in real time as the event unfolded. The time slot for the phone call was based on an exhibitors standing with Expo! Expo! using a system priority points, awarded the amount of exhibit space reserved, exhibitor history with the convention and the level sponsorship/advertising support by the exhibitor. The more priority points an exhibitor had earned, the earlier the time slot for their phone call. Three minutes were given each exhibitor to select their booth location during the phone call.

Under the rules, if exhibitors miss their call, a space is assigned to them, which they can later change."The great thing about an online space draw is that an exhibitor can follow the live update of the floor plan prior to their call time and be able to choose their space, usually in a minute or less - all from the comfort of their own office," said Julie Anderson, CEM, CAE, Director of Exhibitions, IAEE, who was joined by Rich Stone, CEO of ACT/ExpoCAD to conduct the drawing.

An estimated 65 percent of the floor was filled by the online drawing. To view the Expo! Expo! 2008 floor plan, including available exhibit space and locations, click here.