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After what organization officials describe as a rigorous selection process, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) has announced that Houston, Texas—and its stellar George R. Brown Convention Center—will host the 2013 edition of Expo! Expo! IAEE's Annual Meeting & Exhibition, which will be held December 10-12.  IAEE's Annual Meeting is renowned for its numerous education sessions, networking opportunities designed specifically for exhibitions and events industry professionals and extensive trade show exhibition floor, which places significant demands on city, its convention center and its Convention and Visitors Bureau staff.

Indianapolis is on a roll. Next year, the Indianapolis Convention Center is expected to complete its most recent expansion, but the destination has booked in excess of 72 groups—representing 2.7 million attendees and $1.7 billion in estimated direct visitor spending for 2011 and beyond. The latest high-profile, annual convention to select Indy of the National Society of Black Engineers, to be held in 2013. The event is expected to draw 11,000+ attendees and generate approximately $7.3 million.

In the application cycle ending August 31, 13 Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) achieved official accreditation from the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP). The program, developed by Destination Marketing Association International and now in its second year, has accredited 68s, although this most recent cycle (DMOs are accredited three times per year) not only marked just the second time that 13—the highest number of destinations to achieve this industry certification for any given cycle—but also featured the first European DMO—the Lille Convention Bureau, in France—to  join with its North American counterparts.