HSMAI'S Affordable Meetings® Hosts 3,320 Planners With 3:1 Planner/Exhibitor Ratio; Cutting-Edge Content

Firmly entrenched in the meetings market, bringing buyers and sellers together to generate leads and book business, in addition to delivering education and information, HSMAI's Affordable Meetings® wrapped up the 2003 show series with attendance by more than 3,320 qualified meeting planners, 1,102 exhibitors and 47 different speakers.


"In both good and tough times, meeting planners need to stay competitive, find cost-effective venues and solutions, and perhaps most of all, continually learn about the latest and greatest ways to achieve success," explains Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI. "In just two days, qualified planners can get all that at no cost by attending any of the three HSMAI's Affordable Meetings®.

"And to best serve our exhibitors, we strive for a three to one planner to supplier ratio, which we were able to surpass for the 2003 calendar year," he adds,

Those impressive stats reflect the three shows held annually in Washington, DC (HSMAI Affordable Meetings® National), Chicago (HSMAI Affordable Meetings® Mid-America), and San Jose, which is relocating to Long Beach, CA for 2004 (HSMAI Affordable Meetings® West).

HSMAI's Affordable Meetings®, which are held over two days and are free to qualified meeting planners, consist of a trade show as well as a comprehensive line-up of educational sessions given by experts and industry professionals.

There were 252 new exhibitors at the trade shows in 2003, including the Danish Tourist Bureau, Tourism Malaysia and Skip Barber Racing School, reflecting both a growing trend towards the diversification of traditional exhibitors as well as expansion geographically. The National show in particular increased its international presence, with expanded Resort Destination and Canadian sections. And also of interest was the "Unique Venues" section at the National show, made up of 30 booths offering planners different and unusual venues to consider, such as colleges and universities, conference centers, cruise and entertainment companies.

"When it comes to meeting the right planners, HSMAI's Affordable Meetings Show truly provides the best opportunity for our team," states exhibitor Joseph Carino, Jr., president, CARINO Collection, which represents nearly 50 hotels worldwide.

Of equal importance to the sales-driven exhibit element are the seminars and workshops that provide strategies, solutions and fundamentals for both new and seasoned planners in the business of producing cost-effective meetings. With a total of 74 educational sessions at the three shows, there were 47 individual speakers presenting an extensive range of topics, from the basics of meeting planning to sponsorship, marketing and communication, Web resource, ethics, budget, negotiation, return on investment and more. Of that, 13 were new speakers to the circuit, providing fresh topics and cutting-edge content for attendees.

In 2004, the HSMAI Affordable Meetings line-up will be: Mid-America on April 14-15 at Navy Pier in Chicago, IL; West from June 9-10 at Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, CA (moved from San Jose, CA to a new venue in southern California); and National will be from Sept. 8-9 at the Washington Convention Center, Washington D.C.

For more information on HSMAI's Affordable Meetings®, contact Beth Petersen, show manager, GLM, Ten Bank Street, White Plains, NY 10606-1954, or call (914) 421-3377; fax (914) 948-2918; e-mail: beth_petersen@glmshows.com. Further information is available by calling 1-800-272-SHOW or by visiting the Show's web site at www.affordablemeetings.com.


HSMAI is an organization of sales and marketing professionals representing all segments of the hospitality industry. With a strong focus on education, HSMAI has become the industry champion in identifying and communicating trends in the hospitality industry while operating as a leading voice for both hospitality and sales and marketing management disciplines. Founded in 1927, HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprised of nearly 7,000 members from 35 countries and 60 chapters worldwide. For more information on HSMAI, contact the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International, 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300 McLean, VA 22102; (703) 610-9024; fax (703) 610-9005.

Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

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