Meeting News - March 23, 2009 - (Page 2)

What’s Up @ MeetingNews.com Web Top 5: March 8-15, 2009 package of unparalleled scope that it said will provide a boost to meetings and events, which “mean business and are good for the economy.” Available at not just one or two properties, the package—the Marriott Meetings Matter Promotion—is valid at more than 1,200 Marriottfamily hotels and resorts worldwide. (March 9, 2009) #2 Uncle Sam Tells Hotels To Fall In Line with EPA The Environmental Protection Agency has tapped the Convention Industry Council (in conjunction with the American Society for Testing and Materials) to develop national standards for green hotels. The standards would both serve as authoritative, voluntary guidelines for suppliers and as binding regulations for all federal travel. (March 4, 2009) UNPRECEDENTED #1WITH ‘MEETINGS MATTER’ PROMOTION, MARRIOTT SAYS Marriott International introduced a meeting Center’ to #3 MPI Launches ‘CrisisAdvocacy Track Pro-Meetings Dallas-based Meeting Professionals International (MPI) has launched an Internet site designed to keep planners abreast of industry-wide advocacy efforts and to give them tools for defending and promoting the value of meetings. The site—www.MeetingIndustryCrisisCenter.org—features information about the federal Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), as well as news updates, action items, and career tips for meeting planners. (March 5, 2009) #4 Meetings, Conventions, Events Simply Mean Good Business The public debate over meetings and corporate travel continues with no signs of cooling. While the popular focus is on banks and TARP-funded businesses conducting events deemed “junkets,” little consideration has been given to distinguishing a boondoggle from a legitimate business meeting. The fallout has rippled across the meetings industry, and specific destinations have been targeted. Companies from a range of industries have canceled meetings, incentives, and other programs to steer clear of potential public recrimination. (March 2, 2009) #5 Omni Hotels: Zero Attrition for Events Booked, Used in 2009 Omni Hotels is waiving attrition fees for new meetings contracts booked and consumed in 2009. The hotel firm’s offer is for new bookings of up to 150 peak room nights and must be contracted by June 30. In addition, there is a mutual block review at 90, 60, and 30 days prior to group arrival. (March 3, 2009) The Web Top 5 and other breaking stories, feature articles, and blogs are available 24/7 at MeetingNews.com. 2 MeetingNews March 23, 2009 www.meetingnews.com http://www.MeetingNews.com http://www.meetingindustrycrisiscenter.org http://www.meetingindustrycrisiscenter.org http://www.expomeetingsmexico.com http://www.expomeetingsmexico.com http://www.MeetingNews.com http://www.meetingnews.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Meeting News - March 23, 2009

Meeting News - March 23, 2009
Contents
What’s Up @ MeetingNews.com
Meetings Mean Business
As 'Meeting Matter' Marriott Unveils Promo
Columbus, OH, Addresses Convention Hotel Issues
People Making News
Orlando Strives for Cost Transparency
Is Biz-Class Air Travel Dead?
Greenest Planner Awards
Mid America
Insider Report: Conference Centers
Destination Insider: Mississippi Gulf Coast
Las Vegas
Destination Insider: Cleveland
Ad Index
Live from the Forum

Meeting News - March 23, 2009