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INDUSTRY SURVEY
Survey reveals budgets, image concerns among challenges facing meeting planners
CHICAGO — When it comes to meetings, planners are grappling with both a recession and a perception problem.
According to a new national survey, professional planners say that while constrained budgets due to the current economy represent the number one challenge facing their events, more than one-third also cite image, publicity and public policy concerns. The survey of 516 professional meeting planners was conducted during April and May for the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), the PCMA Education Foundation, and American Express by Ypartnership.
Better than half (55 percent) of the respondents were association meeting professionals, with the remainder (45 percent) serving as corporate or incentive meeting professionals. The vast majority had more than 10 years of professional experience planning meetings, and one-half booked more than 20 off-site meetings during the previous 12 months. And the majority served large organizations: slightly more than half (54 percent) of the association planner respondents served associations with more than 10,000 members; an equal percentage (54 percent) of the corporate meeting planners were employed by corporations with more than 10,000 full-time employees.
PEOPLE MAKING NEWS
Courtesy Associates’ Sheila Stampfli Named Chairwoman of Destination D.C.
 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sheila Stampfli, former president and current chief business development officer of Courtesy Associates, a global meeting, conference and special event management firm owned by SmithBucklin, has been named chairwoman of Destination DC, the city’s official convention and tourism corporation.
Stampfli has been a member of the Board of Directors of Destination DC since the organization was established by business and community leaders in 2001 by merging the Washington, DC Convention and Visitors Association and the DC Committee to Promote Washington. Destination DC formally was known as the Washington, D.C. Convention & Tourism Corporation.
As chairwoman, Stampfli will support Destination DC and its staff in carrying out the mission of the organization. Destination DC focuses on managing and marketing Washington, D.C., as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination, with a special emphasis on the arts and cultural and historical communities. Destination DC is a private, non-profit corporation with a membership of more than 1,000 businesses and organizations that support the DC travel and tourism sector.
 Stampfli, whose distinguished career in the meetings profession spans more than four decades, stepped down as Courtesy’s president in January 2009 and is now focused on leveraging her extensive experience and industry relationships to continue to develop Courtesy’s new business opportunities. In 2007, Courtesy celebrated its 60th anniversary in the global meetings industry.
“I am thrilled to represent Destination DC as its chairwoman because, now more than ever, we need to work together through these challenging times to emerge stronger for the future,” said Stampfli. “By strengthening our partnerships with government and tourism offices throughout the city, we will help to ensure that the convention and tourism industry continues to thrive in the long-term, which is critical to the financial health of our city.”
Hissong joins
Palm Springs Convention Center
sales staff
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — Hilary Hissong has joined the Palm Springs Convention Center as a Sales Manager. She will target Southern California, as well as managing special events and local catering functions.
 Hissong was most recently employed by the Ace Hotel and Swim Club in Palm Springs as a Group Sales Manager. Prior to that, she worked as a National Sales Manager for PRA Destination Management.
“We’re pleased to have Hilary on board,” said Rick Leson, Director of Sales for the Palm Springs Convention Center. “She knows the market, and has a strong background in industry sales. We believe she will be a great addition to the Palm Springs Convention Center Sales Team.”
The Palm Springs Convention Center is managed and operated by SMG. Headquartered in Philadelphia, SMG provides facility services to more than 180 venues, in 41 States, Puerto Rico, Canada and Europe, controls more than 1.46 million entertainment seats worldwide, and manages more than ten million square feet of exhibit space. For additional company info, visit www.smgworld.com.
Enebrad joins EG’s growing West Coast sales team
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Kevin Enebrad was named as sales executive at Exhibitgroup/Giltspur.
 Based in the San Jose client care center, Enebrad will be responsible for new business development throughout the western region, helping new customers meet their business objectives with EG's integrated marketing services, products, and resources.
Over the last 12 years, Enebrad has collaborated with clients that range from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies to create award-winning environments and experiences that connect brands with their audiences in authentic and creative ways.
"The Bay Area is a vital part of EG's success, and bringing Kevin on board will help us cultivate further growth while ensuring the innovative, attentive client service that is EG's hallmark," said Jay Jones, Western Region Vice President, Exhibitgroup/Giltspur. "The addition of Kevin to our West Coast team enhances the creativity and collective best thinking we deliver daily to our clients."
Prior to joining EG, Enebrad spent five years as director of business development at Delphi Productions, a Bay Area event-marketing agency. There, he was responsible for new business development and managing client programs for a variety of leading brands with a focus on the medical device industry.
Before Delphi, Enebrad was an account executive at the Bay Area division of Contempo Design, a leading exhibit design and construction firm with headquarters in Chicago. During his seven year tenure, he forged new relationships and led account teams for a solid base of clients from various industries, including cosmetics and telecommunications.
"Since I started my career, EG has always been a force in the industry with a solid reputation for service and quality," said Enebrad. "With the new management team at the helm, it is very exciting to be part of the next generation of such an iconic industry leader."
Enebrad attended the University of California at Davis, where he earned a Bachelors of Arts degree in economics. He currently lives in San Francisco.
Widiger receives Ones to Watch Award from CIO magazine and CIO Executive Council
ST. LOUIS — UniGroup proudly  announces Gary Widiger, director of enterprise architecture, is a recipient of the 2009 CIO Ones to Watch award from IDG's CIO magazine and CIO Executive Council. This prestigious honor is bestowed upon 25 rising stars in information technology (IT) who bring leadership, innovation and value to their organization and are primed to become future CIOs. Widiger accepted his award at the CIO Ones to Watch awards ceremony held on May 4, at Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., during CIO magazine's Leadership Event.
While Gary's contributions to UniGroup are numerous, his leadership, broad technical expertise, and an uncompromising drive toward operational excellence made him an outstanding candidate for this year's Ones to Watch Award,” said Randy Poppell, chief information officer for UniGroup. “This recognition is confirmation of his commitment to the advancement of UniGroup’s business priorities.”
"The Ones to Watch honorees are, variously, great technologists, project managers, information architects and risk managers. The one thing they all have in common is their ability to lead," said Maryfran Johnson, CIO editor in chief.
All Ones to Watch honorees must be nominated or endorsed by a practicing CIO. Nominations were submitted between May and November 2008 and reviewed by a judging panel of 29 leading CIOs.
Cooke to step down as dmg world media CEO
LARKSPUR, Calif. — dmg world  media CEO Mike Cooke will step down from his role on Sept. 30, and leave the company on Dec. 31. Cooke first joined dmg world media in 1988 and was appointed CEO in 1997. Since that date, dmg world media has grown revenues from $70 million to more than $400 million in 2008.
“We began implementation of a new strategic plan for dmg world media in 2007, and I decided that we would reach a point in the execution that would be the ideal time for me to step down,” Cooke says. “We have essentially reshaped the company over the past 18 months and my work here is largely done.”
dmg world media's parent company Daily Mail & General Trust (DMGT) also appointed Suresh Kavan as Chairman of dmg world media, a role previously held by DMGT CEO Martin Morgan. Suresh is also CEO of dmg information, the Group's business information division.
VENUE NEWS
.New Orleans Ernest Morial CC
debuts exterior makeover
Brick red stripe replaced by deep blue hue
NEW ORLEANS — Two years after undergoing a $60 million interior makeover, the New Orleans Morial Convention Center turned its paint brushes to the building’s exterior for a dramatic change. Earlier this year, work crews began applying the first coats of deep blue paint needed to replace the building’s 279,000 square foot brick red stripe.
Conceived in 1981, the building’s original exterior color scheme of light beige, brick red and dark green was based on certain colors particular to the neighborhood, an area crowded with small 19th century warehouses. The palette was designed to make the new, modern building better harmonize with its old-world surroundings.
Over the years, the Convention Center’s brisk business helped spur the Warehouse/Arts District’s revitalization, dramatically transforming it to an area flourishing with fine dining establishments, hotels, art galleries, commercial and residential development.
Today, the red brick color has given way to “Convention Center Blue,” a custom color by Richard’s Industrial Coatings. “The new shade of deep blue appropriately reflects our relationship with one of the most famous bodies of water in the world, the Mississippi River,” said Bob Johnson, the Convention Center’s president and general manager.
The new color gives the building a more classic look and complements the building’s redesigned interior palette, which is exhibited in 88,000 square yards of carpet and 26,000 new meeting room chairs.
“We’ve gotten incredible feedback from our client base about the new color. It’s amazing how this one cosmetic change can make such a huge difference in our appearance,” said Johnson.
The Convention Center’s 2006 renovation was so well-received that more building improvements have been implemented to further enhance the Center’s value to clients. More than $20 million of additional interior and exterior improvements have been completed or are underway, including an aesthetically-enhanced main entrance, additional landscaping, new furniture pods and technology upgrades to debut later in the year.
With 1.1 million square feet of contiguous exhibit space, an award winning staff and first class amenities, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOMCC) is the sixth largest convention center in the nation and a consistent Top 10 host of the largest number of conventions and tradeshows annually. A leading rainmaker of the city’s hospitality industry, NOMCC event activity has produced $39.12 billion in economic impact since its 1985 opening, including $2.19 billion in new tax revenue.
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Articles this week:
Also read exhibit expert Barry Siskind’s column
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| Moving ‘fuel’ steam ahead |
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Hilton New York’s Fuel Cell Program receives Energy New York Awards nomination
The 1,980-room Hilton New York, Hilton Hotels Corporation’s NYC flagship, was nominated for an ENYA Award On April 28 at an event held at The Visionaire Building in Manhattan by the New York Energy Consumers Council’s 4th Annual New York Energy New York Awards presentation.
In August 2007, the Hilton New York installed a PureCell Model 200 Commercial fuel cell power system on the hotel’s fifth floor roof, as part of HHC’s ongoing commitment to global sustainability programs and initiatives. The South Windsor, CT.-based UTC Power commercial fuel cell power system was designed to help improve the environment and to enhance hotel operations as one of the cleanest power generating technologies today.
Pictured from left to right is Michael Smith, the Hilton New York’s Director of Property Operations accepting an award certificate from Daniel Levin, Co-President, NYECC and President of Pelham, NY-based Levin Energy Advisors. The newly-built Visionaire Building, another nominee, took the top award.
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Association News
ASAE & The Center expand scholarship program with two
new scholarships for 2009 annual meeting and exposition
New scholarships are available for
unemployed and executives with budget of $5 million or less
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In light of the difficult economic environment and increased number of association executives who have recently lost their jobs, ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership has recently expanded its Annual Meeting & Exposition scholarship program. Association executives are encouraged to apply for one of the scholarships online, at www.asaecenter.org/annualmeeting2009. The application deadline is June 19.
 The scholarships are available in two different categories: unemployed ASAE & The Center members, sponsored by ASAE CareerHQ.org; and executives with a budget of or less than $5 million, sponsored by ASAE-Endorsed Partners. Scholarships will cover event registration and will give recipients access to discounted hotel rates in Toronto.
“We have offered scholarships for ASAE & The Center members who were not able to attend our flagship event in the past,” said ASAE & The Center President and CEO John H. Graham IV, CAE. “However, many ASAE & The Center members have been impacted by the current financial environment and need our assistance. That’s why we expanded our previous scholarship program to help our members the best we can. By attending our meeting, unemployed members can take advantage of networking events and learning opportunities to prepare them for their next job. And, executives will be able to continue their professional development and implement the knowledge they obtained at the event in their organizations.”
Focused on delivering results, the 2009 event, August 15-18, features 120 Learning Labs on every aspect of association management, Thought Leader Sessions, an Association Solutions Marketplace (Expo) featuring more than 600 exhibitors, and networking opportunities such as the Food & Wine Classic. Some of the world’s most influential thought leaders will speak at the event, including Gary Hamel, ranked as the “World’s Most Influential Business Thinker” and “World’s Leading Expert on Business Strategy;” Charlene Li, an independent thought leader on emerging technologies; and Fareed Zakaria, editor and columnist of Newsweek International and host of “Fareed Zakaria GPS,” a weekly foreign affairs program on CNN.
Individuals who have already applied for the original tuition assistance program will still be considered for the scholarship.
Scholarship recipients will be notified by June 30. For more information about the 2009 Annual Meeting & Exposition, including cost-cutting tips and travel information, visit www.asaecenter.org/annualmeeting2009.
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Show News
Nomadic Display, Prairie Display/Chicago co-exhibit to help exhibitors show smart, stand apart
SPRINGFIELD, Va. — Nomadic Display, a world leader in custom modular and custom portable display solutions, and Prairie Display/Chicago, located in Elmhurst, Ill., are teaming up bring the latest display innovations to TS2 2009. This annual event will be held July 20-23 at McCormick Place in Chicago.
Exhibitors looking for smart display solutions to attract audiences, to adapt to changing market challenges and to reduce their overall ownership costs will find them in booth No. 807.
Visitors to the booth will encounter an environment reminiscent of the American Arts and Crafts movement. The Prairie School of architects, originated in Chicago, designed buildings characterized by open plans, straight, horizontal lines such as flat roofs and overhanging eaves and natural materials. These elements were thought to evoke, and relate to, the native prairie landscape of the Midwest. Prairie Display/Chicago chose the theme to reinforce its roots in, and service to, the greater Chicagoland area.
TS² announces keynote series
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — TS² announced its exciting Keynote Series lineup today. For the second year, this series features a keynote session each day Tuesday, July 21 through Thursday, July 23.
 "The introduction of our Keynote Series was extremely well-received last year. Attendees really felt they walked away with valuable information. So we're excited to focus the 2009 Keynote Series on timely topics and strategies that can be implemented immediately," said Jennifer Hoff, TS² Show Manager & COO, National Trade Productions.
The Opening Keynote, presented by Cyberspace Pioneer & NBC Internet Analyst, Omar Wasow will focus on Integration of Media and Face-to-Face in the Marketing Mix, discussing an extremely hot topic in the marketing arena. Wednesday’s Power Panel, moderated by Bob Dallmeyer, CEM, President, RD International and including panelists Jim Burch, Director of Communications, Toshiba America, Michael R. Olson, Senior Manager, Trade Shows, Raytheon Co. and Francesca Lendrum, Director, Marketing Services, NAVTEQ will provide a frank and powerful discussion of face-to-face best practices today.
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TSEA advocates for trade show housing policy changes
CHICAGO — The Trade Show Exhibitors Association announced a formal position statement urging show organizers that changes should be made to many trade shows’ housing guidelines and rules. Exhibitions are setting rules that put pressure on exhibiting companies to stay in show housing or otherwise face penalties and fines. These rules are placing additional burdens on exhibitors that increase the difficulty with which exhibitors justify their continued participation in the convention.
“TSEA has had a high level of concern from its members and the exhibition industry as a whole with reference to the subject of convention housing,“ said Margit Weisgal, CME, President and CEO of TSEA, “and show management, meeting organizers, hotels, housing bureaus and ‘housing brokers’ need to realize that they are partners in the success of their exhibitors and not a hurdle they need to overcome.”
“It is becoming apparent that most attendees and exhibitors want to find the most budget-friendly place to stay while at a show. When you demand that exhibitors stay at a high-priced hotel with no alternative options, the increase to their housing costs squeezes the budget for the show. They may have to cut back on the number of booth personnel, promotion, size of the booth, sponsorships or other tools that will enable them to generate new revenue and exposure and would actually help show organizers’ bottom line. This practice needs to come to an end.”
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Exhibitor training
Marketech joins forces with major trade show organizer to help exhibitors achieve maximum results
Exhibit staff training expert conducts educational webinars
for exhibitors who participate in AEM-managed events
WESTBORO, Mass. — Exhibitors who participate in trade shows sponsored by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers are better equipped to maximize their exhibiting efforts, thanks to a collection of web-based training sessions which include key contributions from Marketech.
The first session — “Successful Demonstrations” — was conducted recently for trade show managers and others who are exhibiting at upcoming AEM-managed shows.
 “AEM has conducted exhibitor education for many years,” said Mary Bukovic, director of meetings and education programs for AEM. “Education is part of our commitment to help our exhibitors prepare for a successful show experience and maximize the return on their trade show investment. We are very pleased to have Marketech with us to help present various web-based workshops that help exhibitors enhance their exhibiting performance and results.”
“Successful Demonstrations” was presented by Susan Brauer, senior training associate for Marketech. Brauer will conduct two additional sessions in the AEM webinar series in the coming months. These programs are part of Marketech’s collection of live and web-based seminars, tools and services — called “Exhibitor Experience” — designed to help exhibitors hone their pre- and at-show marketing efforts. More information is available at www.marketech360.com/exhibitorexperience.
Marketech’s “Exhibitor Experience” offerings are available to show sponsors who want to increase the value they deliver to their exhibitor base. Although valuable for all trade show participants, the collection is especially beneficial for smaller exhibitors who often generate significant revenue for show organizers but don’t have the opportunity to participate in programs like “Exhibitor Experience” unless provided by a show sponsor.
“Today’s economic climate is especially challenging,” said Mim Goldberg, president for Marketech. “Savvy show organizers know they are more successful with exhibitor retention if they help exhibitors improve the outcomes achieved through their exhibiting efforts. ‘Exhibitor Experience’ is a great solution for organizers who want to move in that direction.”
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Industry News
AVMA selects GES as its official services contractor
 LAS VEGAS — GES Exposition Services, Inc., a subsidiary of Viad Corp and a leader in exhibition and event services, announced that the American Veterinary Medical Association has selected GES to be the show’s new official services contractor. The contract begins this year with AVMA’s 146th Annual Convention, which will be held July 11 through 14 in Seattle. The contract also includes AVMA’s 2010 convention in Atlanta and its 2011 convention in St. Louis.
“The American Veterinary Medical Association is pleased to select GES as our shows’ new official services contractor,” said Interim Director Malyssa Sopko, CMP. “AVMA is impressed by the resources GES offers from exhibitor service and technology programs to its national network, marketing initiatives and creativity.”
“GES is proud to be selected as the official services contractor for the American Veterinary Medical Association,” said GES President and CEO Kevin Rabbitt. “We look forward to providing AVMA and its exhibitors with world-class customer service and industry-leading technology that will help exhibitors optimize their resources and increase show success.”
To help exhibitors prepare for a successful show, GES is providing AVMA’s exhibitors with a complimentary exhibitor training webinar, which will help AVMA exhibitors with cost-containment tips and will familiarize them with GES' exhibitor resources and programs.
Healthcare community awareness
MC2 serves lemonade at HCEA to aid in fight against childhood cancer
Effort supports Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation
and
National Lemonade Days
CHESTNUT RIDGE, N.Y. — To help raise funds for pediatric cancer research, MC2 is hosting Alex’s Lemonade Stand during the Healthcare Convention and Exhibitors Association’s Annual Meeting taking place June 13-16 in Tampa, Fla. at Booth No. 511.
MC2 will provide free lemonade and make a donation on behalf of each visitor to its booth during the show.
 The event coincides with National Lemonade Days, an annual fundraising effort that grew out of Alexandra “Alex” Scott’s front yard lemonade stand. During Lemonade Days, dedicated volunteers host thousands of Alex's Lemonade Stands across the country, annually raising more than $1 million for childhood cancer research – all in one weekend.
“Fundamentally, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation is about building something that unites families and their communities to work towards a common goal and make a difference. These are the core values that drive how MC2 engages with our customers, employees and within our local communities,” said Scott Williams, Division President, MC² Chicago. “We are pleased to support Alex’s Lemonade Stand and to help in the fight against childhood cancer.”
Industry report
New report confirms emerging link between exhibit industry and digital marketing
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. and DALLAS — A comprehensive new report reveals that corporate exhibitors and exhibition management professionals are committed to integrating digital media into their exhibitions and similar event marketing programs.
Adapting to the changing information consumption habits of customers and the increasing role of technology in the decision-making process, leveraging digital media is enabling the multi-billion dollar exhibition industry to reach and engage audiences more effectively than ever before.
The report, entitled Digital + Exhibit Marketing Insights 2009, was produced through a collaboration between industry research powerhouse, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research and George P. Johnson, a worldwide event and experience marketing agency, and funded in part by a grant from the Exhibition Industry Foundation. It is based on the responses of 287 senior marketers and exhibition management executives, who took an online survey on their use of digital marketing between April and May 2009.
Destination News
Fontainebleau Vegas receives approval of first-day motions
Courts sets date to schedule briefing in summary judgment motion in lawsuit against banks
LAS VEGAS — Fontainebleau Las Vegas, LLC announced that it received Bankruptcy Court approval today of its first-day motions, including permission to pay employees wages, salaries and benefits incurred before and after the company voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 on June 9, 2009.
The Company also received interim authorization to use up to $8.2 million to fund post-petition obligations in the ordinary course of business. A final hearing on the issue has been set for June 30.
Bankruptcy Judge A. Jay Cristol also scheduled a hearing for June 17 to consider the Company’s request for the establishment of a fast track schedule in respect of its lawsuit against a group of banks that reneged on their contractual commitment to provide $800 million of construction funding, including consideration of the Company's motion for partial summary judgment which was filed in the Bankruptcy Court yesterday. The Company’s lawsuit requests the judge to order the banks to fund $656 million they had refused to fund on March 2, 2009. That failure ultimately led to the decision by Fontainebleau Las Vegas to file for Chapter 11.
Marketing optics can cloak reality
By Barry Siskind
When I was young my parents told me to study hard, I would sit at my desk with a pile of books on one side, an open workbook book in front of me. When my parents would peak into my room they would say ”It’s nice to see you so busy.” That’s optics.
Making decisions based on optics alone can catch up with you sooner or later resulting in bad grades, foiled campaigns and lost opportunities.
One of the concerns that many marketers face in these troubled times is a reduction in marketing budgets. The knee jerk reaction is to chop the number of shows and events. Other marketers are reluctant to reduce their face-to-face marketing exposure, continue their program, albeit with a reduced budget, for fear of creating a negative impression on potential buyers.
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