January 25-28, 2011

The 39th  RCMA World Conference & Exposition will be held at the Tampa Convention Center The annual convention of the Religious Conference Management Association is the largest and longest running education and networking event for religious meeting professionals. The conference attracts 1,100+ religious meeting professionals as well as 300+ exhibitors and includes an extensive Trade Show Floor, General Sessions, Tutorials, Seminars, Receptions, Networking Opportunities and fun events such as Wild, Wild West!—a down-home barbecue and nonstop action at a true Texas rodeo. Also, the must-attend event of the year, the 39th Annual RCMA Gala. www.rcmaweb.org  (317) 632-1888.

March 13-15, 2011 

The ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership’s 2011 Great Ideas Conference  is already creating quite the buzz in the association community. The Conference is built around the sharing of yes, great ideas –with a focus on creative and new approaches to everyday issues in association management. The event is held in Colorado Springs, at the award-winning, five-star Broadmoor. The Great Ideas Conference offers: more than 60 idea labs, experiential learning sessions, and midlevel social media labs, and connect with peers and presenters in and out of sessions to glean new ideas. Where did you have your last Great idea? www.asaecenter.org (202) 371-0940

April 13-14, 2011

HSMAI's Affordable Meetings Mid-America returns to the Navy Pier in Chicago and always attracts motivated planners looking for quality resources to enhance their meetings and events.  Attendees are meeting planners and other executives who represent corporate, association and independent sectors of the industry, as well as government, non-profit, education, religious and medical/healthcare organizations, trade show management and the military. Extensive trade show floor features exhibits and booths where attendees can see and learn about cutting-edge industry products and services and help them effective choices for upcoming meetings and events. This conference also offers invaluable educational seminar, a program that is considered one of the best in the industry, consisting of numerous seminars, all of which are designed offer a wealth of fresh ideas and insights. www.affordablemeetings.com. (800) 564-4220

 June 15-18 , 2011

The JW Marriot Indianapolis hosts the 2011 Annual Event and Arena Marketing Conference.  This event is devoted to the exchange of ideas among marketing, group sales, public relations, event planning and live show promoters and venue professionals. The conference includes speakers, panel sessions, roundtable discussions with Industry Leaders as well as networking opportunities, sponsored meals and entertainment activities. www.eventarenamarketing.com (617) 690-2027

 August 4-6

 ISES Eventworld  2011, the annual conference for the International Special Events Society, will be held in St. Louis at the Union Station Marriott. The educational conference combines tailored industry education with the actionable tasks attendees can implement in their business immediately. Attendees will gain a wealth of knowledge, hone professional skills and network with industry peers during three action packed days of industry specific education. Speakers for ISES Eventworld  2011 include “Designing “Live Branded” Meetings,” by Don Neal, Executive Vice President and CEO, Leading Authorities Inc.; “Demystifying Virtual Events” by Kathy Sulgit, Director, Global Events and Operations, Cisco Systems, Inc. and “Transitioning from Event Marketing to Experience Marketing” by David Rich, Senior Vice President, Program Strategy/Worldwide, George P. Johnson advertising agency.  The educational conference combines tailored industry education with the actionable tasks attendees can implement in their business immediately. Attendees will gain a wealth of knowledge, hone professional skills and network with industry peers during three action packed days of industry specific education. With a variety of educational offerings, the ISES Eventworld education is designed to help the attendee find the sessions that fit their needs. Be prepared to be stimulated, motivated and inspired. Networking Opportunities include: Attendee Lounge, Welcome Reception, Annual General Meeting and the ISES Esprit Awards Celebration. (800) 688-4737; (312) 321-6853 www.ises.com