ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership will hold its first-ever Women's Leadership Symposium, to take place at the Westin Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina. This highly interactive two-day symposium will begin with a welcome reception and dinner, and feature a program of diverse speakers, including Susan Burgess, Mayor Pro Tem, Charlotte, N.C.; Michele Hunt, author of Dream Makers: Putting Vision and Values to Work; Sally Helgesen, author of The Female Advantage: Women's Ways of Leadership; and Meagan Johnson, internationally-acclaimed motivational speaker. This event, directed specifically to female CEOs and senior-level Businesswomen, is designed for women association executives to develop leadership skills so they can increase their impact on their organizations. (202) 371-0940. www.asaecenter.org/wls

IAFE’s Spring Management Conference, Hilton Salt Lake City Center in Salt Lake City, Utah: International Association of Fairs & Expositions’ annual event kicks off with keynote speakers, workshops, networking opportunities. Breakout workshops to include sessions on Developing Organizational Vision, Ticketing & Controls, Technology, Life Safety & Security, Human Resources, Fairground Trends and Emergency Planning. (417) 862-5771. www.fairsandexpos.com

The ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership first Global Summit on Social Responsibility, to be held April 30-May 2, 2008. The Summit is intended to advance the case for social responsibility as a business model and strategic imperative on an international scale and, will generate guiding principles for associations looking to define and integrate Social Responsibility into their everyday operations. The host-site for the event will be the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center just outside Washington, D.C., although others can interface with the Summit through dozens of connected sites across the world. For more information call: (202) 326-9554 or visit www.asaecenter.org/globalsummitsr

PCMA Master Series Program entitled: "Word-of-Mouth Marketing" takes place 8:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington D.C. Launched in 2007, Masters Series exposes Meeting and Convention Planners and members of the Professional Convention Management Association to best practices and new ideas on topics that will influence the business of meetings and conventions. John Moore, marketing mastermind behind Starbucks and Whole Foods will address word-of-mouth (WOM) marketing and how businesses are generate WOM. Participants can expect to find out how to create more compelling and memorable experiences for meeting attendees, to learn Moore 10 marketing ideals, and discover the difference between capturing customer attention versus garnering customer intention. Registration fee includes continental breakfast.  (312) 423-7262. www.pcma.org

The National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners, founded in 1983, is a non-profit organization dedicated primarily to the training needs of African American association executives, meeting planners and hospitality professionals. The NCBMP Spring Conference will be held at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa in Montgomery, Alabama. The organization is committed to the improvement of the meetings, conferences, exhibitions, and convocations. The annual spring event features an extensive educational program, including workshops and seminars, as well as a trade show exhibition. In addition, there are numerous networking opportunities to facilitate job referrals, exchange lists of consultants and vendors, and share other resources. (202) 628-3952 www.ncbmp.com

IAAM’s 6th Annual International Stadium Management Conference, at the Sheraton St. Louis City Center, St. Louis, Missouri. The 2008 ISMC will feature the new best practices in Stadium Management curriculum, a comprehensive program designed to provide stadium managers with solid continuing education in the principles of Stadium Management and the issues that face the venue industry today. Agenda includes:Welcome reception at Anheuser Busch Brewery;  Keynote Session with Dr. Bob Johansen; Best Practices in implementing Sustainable Business; Practices for Stadiums; Green Procurement: What does it mean and why does it matter?; Developing Front-Line Supervisors to be Customer  Service Professionals; &  Busch Stadium Reception & St. Louis Cardinals game. (972) 906-7441. www.iaam.org

The 28th Annual Event and Arena Marketing Conference will be held in Washington, DC at the Grand Hyatt Washington. This host venue is the Verizon Center which also sponsors a tour of the facility and an evening reception. James Carville, America's best known political consultant, will be the keynote speaker. EAMC is the only industry conference devoted to the exchange of ideas among marketing, group sales, public relations, event planning and live show promoters and professionals. The conference includes speakers, concurrent and panel sessions, roundtable discussions, networking opportunities and sponsored meals and entertainment activities by industry leaders. (617) 957-9449 www.eventarenamarketing.com

PCMA’s 2008 PCMA Leadership Conference offers innovative programs and networking opportunities. This educational event, presented by Professional Convention Management Association, will be held at the  Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles in Los Angeles, California. Program includes speakes, networking events and workshops and seminars, such as “Leadership Workshop L(earn)² Lead Naturally”; “Reverse Mentor Roundtables” and “Powerful Presentation Strategies for Leaders.” Event also features the State of PCMA and the PCMA Education Foundation Luncheon and PCMA HQ Committee Meetings. Early registration is recommended—Once sold out, PCMA will conduct a waitlist for this event. (312) 423-7262. www.pcma.org
 
 
 
 

HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings West is a unique Trade Show and educational opportunity for meeting planners & event planners. Held in 2008 at the Long Beach Convention Center; Long Beach, California, the event will feature 250 Exhibitors representing meeting venues, CVBs, and product and service suppliers. Attendees include meeting professionals who represent all segments of the industry—corporate; independent; and association planners; with the balance from government, non-profit organizations, education, medical/health care, travel agents, trade show management, event planners, wedding planners, religious organizations and military. (914) 421-3328 www.affordablemeetings.com

HSMAI’s Fifth Annual Revenue Management Strategy Conference, which is co-located with HITEC 2008 at the Austin Convention Center, is designed to create relevant, timely dialogue in the field of revenue management. Program includes a keynote panel made up of revenue management experts, breakout sessions highlighting revenue management diagnostics, wholesale revenue management, revenue management for the independently-minded hotel, revenue management resource planning, developing revenue management training programs and e-revenue management.  The conference will also include presentation of the results of the 3rd Annual Revenue Management Profession in the Hospitality Industry study.(703) 610-9024 www.hsmai.org.

HFTP’s 2008 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC), presented by the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals,  takes place at the Austin Convention Center and combines  top-notch hospitality technology education, led by industry peers and experts, with an unparalleled trade show exhibition showcasing the latest hospitality technology products and services. Highlights include: 40+ education sessions; General sessions featuring Dell Executive Paul Bell and noted trend watcher Michael Tchong; and a trade show with 300+ exhibitors showcasing the latest in hospitality technology. (512) 249-5333.www.hftp.org

NACS' 20th Annual Convention will be take place at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego California. The annual convention of the National Association of Consumer Shows focuses on the current issues and concerns of the consumer show producers and industry suppliers, including educational and speaker program, networking and social events and an extensive exhibit floor. This is the premier event for consumer show producers to attend and their suppliers to exhibit. (503) 253-0832 www.publicshows.com

IAAM’s 83rd Annual Conference & Trade Show will be take place at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim California. The annual convention of the International Association of Assembly Managers, features a trade show combined with National Association of Concessionaires, more than 300 Exhibiting companies, an extensive educational program, keynote speakers, the Career Resource Center and numerous networking opportunities. The premier event for venue managers. (972) 906-7441. www.iaam.org

 MPI’s World Education Congress, held at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada,  is an education must for meeting planners. Presented by Meeting Professionals International, the program features an educational program that includes ROI Competency-Building Workshop; Certified Meeting Professional Boot Camp as well as other seminars and workshops and the Chapter Leadership Forum & Networking Luncheon. The World Education Congress also features MeetingPlace, MPI’s largest trade show and exposition, with more than 600 exhibitors. New this year will be a new, more inviting and interative exhibit floor design and “Learning Nuggets” which are educational insights or learning tips available right inside exhibit booths! (972) 702-3000. www.mpiweb.org

The ASAE & The Center for Association's Annual Meeting & Expo will be held at the San Diego Convention Center. Typically, the largest meetings industry convention of the yearFeaturing an all-inclusive exhibition floor, the annual event has been achieving record attendance figures in the past two years. Educational Programs in 2008 will include Roundtable discussions; the Social Media Lab with sessions on how to post to a wiki, create a Facebook page and take advantage of LinkedIn and a "Pecha Kucha" Experience, where content leaders summarize what they've learned at the Annual Meeting in six minutes, then open it up to the audience. More than 3,700 buyers are expected to attend. (202) 626-2723 www.asaeannualmeeting.org

ISES Eventworld 2008 – An Institute for Professional Development. The International Special Events Society’s annual Education & Networking meeting will be held at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club in St. Petersburg, Florida. Eventworld 2008 includes: Educational Tracks, Leadership Series workshops, Opening General Sessions, Networking Opportunities and the industry’s highly anticipated ISES Esprit Awards.(312) 321-6853. www.ises.com

The Event Technology Expo At Hsmai’s Affordable Meetings National, which will be held at the Walter E. Washington (Washington D.C.)Convention Center, is a debut event featuring an estimated 200 Event Technology Exhibitors and 18 Educational Sessions, in addition to the more than 400 meeting venue and destination exhibitors and two-day educational conference. The two-day "show within a show" will address all aspects of technology as it relates to tradeshows, conventions, meetings, and special events. HSMAI expects more than 2,000 meeting and events industry professionals, composed of tradeshow organizers, conference and meeting planners, and corporate and special event producers at the convention, which also features an array of speakers and networking events. (703) 610-9024 www.hsmai.org.

IAAM’s Arena Management Conference, held at Intercontinental Kansas City in Kansas City, Missouri is an education and forum event designed for Arena Managers. In addition to an opening reception at the Sprint Center, a highlight of this year’s Conference are Town Hall meetings—10,000+ Seats ( NHL/NBA related issues, new technologies, security updates and customer service initiatives); Under 10,000 Seats (sponsorships, promoter relationships, and securing new revenue streams); University Venues (working with athletic departments, and managing the balancing act of a campus arena.); (972) 906-7441.www.iaam.org

IAAM’s 27th Annual International Convention Center Conference is a must for all Convention Center, exhibition facilities and large meeting venues managers. The information-intensive event, to be held at the Hilton Portland & Executive Tower in Portland, Oregon, features seminars, forums, and speakers on a wide range of topics—from new technology to the state-of-the-industry, updates on important issues facing convention center managers will be on the agenda. (972) 906-7441.www.iaam.org

CSAE's National Conference & Showcase—The premier event for Executives of Canadian Non-Profit Organizations. Presented by the Canadian Society of Association Executives and held at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia. The event features an extensive program of education workshops and seminars, keynote speakers, networking and social events as well as Showcase, a trade show exposition with approximately 150 exhibitors of destinations, venues and industry suppliers. (416) 363-3555/(800) 461-3608. www.csae.com/events

IEBA 2008! "The Buying Starts Here." The International Entertainment Buyers Association’s annual meeting, held at the Hilton Downtown Nashville, is the live entertainment buying event of the year. The program features industry-related educational panels, artist showcases and the new IEBA Honors Banquet. IEBA is an entertainment/event networking organization including talent buyers, agents, artist managers and mangers of all types of venues. The IEBA annual event brings buyers, providers of entertainment and event and touring suppliers together. (615) 463-0161. www.ieba.org

The National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners  holds its 25th Anniversary Celebration at the NCBMP Fall Conference which will be held at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C. The NCBMP is a non-profit organization dedicated primarily to the training needs of African American association executives, meeting planners and hospitality professionals. The organization is committed to the improvement of the meetings, conferences, exhibitions, and convocations. This special  Fall event will feature an extensive educational program, including workshops and seminars, as well as a trade show exhibition as well as its Annual Golf Tournament. In addition, there are numerous networking opportunities to facilitate job referrals, exchange lists of consultants and vendors, and share other resources. (202) 628-3952 www.ncbmp.com

Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition will be held at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, Florida. The annual convention of the International Association of Exhibitions & Events includes seminars, educational sessions, networking opportunities, receptions, dinners and an extensive exhibition floor featuring a full range of destinations and suppliers to the event, tradeshow and meeting planner community. (972) 458-8002. www.iaee.com