Meeting News - February 11, 2008 - (Page 38)

MN Webcast Report Virtual reality: New world for meetings shows is on the web V irtual Meeting World went live on Thursday Jan. 31, and it was, by all accounts, a big success. With 37 exhibitors and more than 1,700 attendees, not to mention a keynote speech, three panel discussions, site inspections, and social networking opportunities, the virtual event buzzed. But if you missed the live event, never fear: The panels and all other information are available to you at www.virtualmeetingworld.com. When you enter the Virtual Meeting World campus, you’ll see the Convention Center, where the exhibitor booths reside, directly in front of you; the Lounge, for networking, and the Site Inspection area, for fam trip and rate information, to the right; and the Auditorium to the left. The Auditorium is the place to be for webcast action, not just related to Virtual Meeting World panels, but for all future MeetingNews Webcasts as well. Chris Wilkes, practice leader, meetings management at American Express, kicked off the discussion with the keynote “Learn to Leverage Procurement Trends to Your Advantage.” With 2008 shaping to be a seller’s market, Wilkes shared her thoughts on how best to use trends to your organization’s advantage; her expertise was supplemented by Point your browser: www.virtualmeetingworld.com American Express’ 2008 Global Business Travel Forecast, released late the Nov. 5, 2007 MN cover story.) last year, which predicted increased costs nearly In upcoming Webcast Reports, we’ll look at the across the board this year. In response, American panels in more detail and how our presenters spoke Express Business Travel recommended organizations to the overall Virtual Meeting World event theme reign in costs wherever possible. (For extensive cov- “Strike Better Deals, Improve Contract Negotiaerage of the 2008 Global Business Travel Forecast, see tions, and Drive Higher ROI.” r —Kinley Levack gN Gre or be arib sC ’ man an M r aste Pie ce A World-Class Golf Experience, The Bahamas’ Finest! The “Shark’s T eeth” Play Mysterious Blue Holes See Historic Colonial Plantation Visit A Serene T ropical Setting Enjoy Experience World-Class Hospitality Enjoy your time in the Bahamas while our event planners and golf professionals plan, coordinate and execute your golf event. Leave everything to us. We know when an event calls for prompt expedience or laid back observance of “island time.” Call 866-913-1872 or e-mail: cjones@bluesharkgolf.com Nassau, Bahamas http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/events/webcasts.jsp http://www.virtualmeetingworld.com http://www.virtualmeetingworld.com http://www.virtualmeetingworld.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Meeting News - February 11, 2008

Meeting News - February 11, 2008
Contents
What’s Up @ MeetingNews.com
Convention Centers
Insider Report: Insurance Meetings
MN Webcast Report
Successful Meetings University
Colin Rorrie to Temporarily Lead CIC
Advertisers Index
Live from the Forum

Meeting News - February 11, 2008