What's New in Meetings and Incentive Travel

Meeting Trends

Get Ready for the ‘Perfect Storm’

We’ve all heard it before: dire warning about the demise of face-to-face meetings due to the latest technical innovations, such as videoconferencing or webinars. While it hasn’t happened yet, at least one industry blogger says the current environment may create a “perfect storm.” Airlines are hurting, with some going out of business and others stretched so thin there’s concern about whether they’re spending enough on maintenance. Fuel prices are climbing sky-high, making it exceptionally expensive to travel, whether by plane, car, boat, or train. The populace of the world, and especially the U.S., is finally becoming conscious of our carbon footprints, and we’re rightfully embarrassed at our abuse of the environment, say many bloggers. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration makes life unnecessarily miserable for travelers, but virtually no one feels any safer as a result of TSA efforts.

And while bloggers admit that travel isn’t a thing of the past, they do say that “association meetings are going to undergo some exceptional changes in the very near future. And association executives, meeting planners and volunteer leaders better be ready to adapt quickly or they will find that they, like the meetings they are so used to, are dinosaurs.”
Among the changes experts expect are:

• Remote meeting technology will become available in most every office.
  
  
• Planners will be required to successfully integrate multiple technologies so that participants from around the globe can have an “almost live” experience.
  
  
• Physical meetings will become much smaller and much more expensive per “live” participant, but their reach will expand exponentially via technology by drawing in a greater audience that has never been active in live meetings before.
  
  
• The fundamental skills for meeting planners will evolve and involve identifying and executing the best and most appropriate teaching methods for a disparate audience.

To read more predictions and the entire blog post, click here.

Event Marketing

Attract Audiences by Getting Greener

Staging green events is more important than ever, both from an economic and an environmental perspective. And because there’s so much conflicting information out there about what it takes to truly plan a green event, many planners are turning to government and third-party certifications to help ensure their efforts are genuinely eco-friendly.

“The most popular [certification] in the green arena is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, a green building code for permanent structures,” says a recent article in Event Marketer magazine. “That’s not much help for event marketers, because it doesn’t lend itself to short-term experiential marketing events. [However,] there are certifications that can be useful to event marketers.” Some of the certifications you might consider incorporating into your next event include:

• Veriflora certified plants
• Indoor Air Quality certification
• Forest Management certification for wood products
• Nutriclean certified food.

And when you do utilize green certified components in a meeting, be sure and publicize it to your attendees, as your environmental efforts will likely win you brownie points with the growing number of earth-conscious consumers. To learn more about these particular certifications, read the entire Event Marketer article here.

Meeting Management

What to Expect from Your Attendees

When planning an incentive or meeting, especially for a small group, you’ll often have opportunities to interact with the event’s attendees. And after you’ve done it a few times, you’ll learn that there are a few personality types you’ll see again and again. Brian Martenis, who recently wrote about the topic for Incentive magazine, warns planners to be on the lookout for the following personality types:

• The First Timer, who will be thrilled with everything and will think you’re amazing.
  
  
• The “Been There, Done That” Guy, who will know that travel snafus happen and will be able to roll with the punches.
  
  
• Mr. Entitled, who will expect (and demand) only the best for himself, and will be quick to criticize the trip and compare it to other “more successful” ones.

While some of these personality types are easier to handle than others, it’s most important that planners are aware of all of them and are prepared to serve all of them. Preparation goes a long way in creating a pleasant experience for all attendees. To read more about these attendee types, as well as the “trip fantasies” your attendees will bring with them, read Martenis’ entire article here.

Destination Update

Mississippi Gulf Coast on the Rebound

Last year, for the first time since Hurricane Katrina tore through the Gulf Coast region in August 2005, gaming revenues exceeded pre-storm levels. In 2007, gaming revenues saw a 43% increase to $1.3 billion. “The success of 2007 is attributed to the Gulf Coast rebounding after Katrina,” Larry Gregory, Executive Director of the Mississippi Gaming Commission, recently told TravelMole.com.

While the gaming business is surpassing pre-storm levels, the convention business has been slower to rebound. Before Katrina, the Mississippi Gulf Coast region boasted 17,000 hotel rooms; according to Meetings and Conventions, it now has 11,000.

But the region is on its way back: A major expansion to the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center will completed in 2009, bringing total convention and exhibition space to 350,000 square feet. The $1 billion, 800-room Margaritaville Casino & Resort, now under construction, is set to open in 2010. And new, rebuilt, or renovated museums, hotels, casinos, restaurants and shops are opening on practically a daily basis.

Local industry executives say the attractions and amenities the Gulf Coast is known for are back, bigger and better than ever, including luxurious spas, a renovated convention center, headliner entertainment, championship golf courses and tournament-style fishing. For more information about meeting on the new and improved Mississippi Gulf Coast, visit www.GulfCoast.org.

SMERF Meetings

Golf Still Offers Unique Social, Teambuilding Benefits

The golf course has long been a preferred venue for meetings, incentives and teambuilding events. But as spas and other activities become more popular among meeting groups, some planners may wonder whether golf has lost some of its luster. The truth is, golf courses are still a great focal point for meetings and events, and according to some industry professionals, no other activity offers the same social and teambuilding benefits as golf.

“Golf is absolutely still important,” Cameron Ellis, Director of Sales and Marketing at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass in Chandler, AZ, recently told SMERF Meetings Journal. “Teambuilding is tough to do in another activity; it’s tough to get 50 people together for a Jeep tour or a balloon tour. Also, with golf, you can control the foursome. If you know who needs to be talking business to each other, you can make sure they’re all in the cart together all day. You can’t do that with other activities.”

To read more about how golf can be successfully integrated into a SMERF meeting or event, read the entire article here.

Association News

Want to Build Attendance? Consider a Bylaws Change

For associations that constantly struggle to grow attendance at their membership meetings, perhaps a simple bylaws change could be the answer. Ryan Tucholski, a Young Realtors Association executive in Florida, recently blogged about his association’s decision to change the required number of votes to achieve a quorum.

“Our need to change our bylaws so quickly was because of a general membership meeting that the association is holding this week,” Tucholski writes. “Our concern is that no one comes [to the membership meetings], and we had to conduct business at this meeting but wouldn’t be able to do so without a quorum.”

The change in bylaws evidently affected members’ attendance decisions: “To date, I have been informed by staff that we are going to be bursting at the seams,” Tucholski continues. “More than two times the amount that have ever attended a meeting will show up tomorrow for dried up chicken, microscopic slices of cake and a speaker ranting about property taxes.” They might be angry about the change, but at least they’re showing up.

If you’re desperate to build attendance at your association’s meeting, consider making a change that will get your members hopping. To read Tucholski’s entire blog entry, click here.

In the Current Issue of SMERF Meetings Journal

Our Annual 2008 Destination Guide

Eco-Friendly Meetings: Making Green Routine
“Greening” an event encompasses all aspects of the planning process. By making choices at every planning level – from site selection to serving condiments like ketchup and sugar from bulk containers – the environmental impact of the event can be significantly reduced. Going green means taking steps to minimize waste through recycling, composting and avoiding disposable items, to decrease energy consumption and to use products with post-consumer recycled content and food that is organic, local or fair trade. Green meetings also incorporate social aspects such as charitable donations and projects that give back to the community.

Gratuities 101: A Guide to Tipping For Meeting Professionals
What’s the difference between gratuities, tips and service charges? In the restaurant industry, the terms tips and gratuities are used interchangeably. In the catering business the difference between a tip and a gratuity is that a tip is voluntary and a gratuity is automatically added to the check. Depending on state laws, gratuities may be taxable and service charges are not. Not realizing that the gratuity is taxable can be a budget buster for a large meeting.

Best of…Bright Ideas!
A look back at some of the top ideas, products, tips and techniques that can help meeting planners do their job easier and more efficiently.

Destination Profiles
In-depth profiles of nearly two dozen states, counties, cities and properties that can help make planning a breeze, including Galveston, Gatlinburg, Naples, Rapid City, Tempe and Virginia Beach!

About Selling Communications, Inc.

Selling Communications, Inc. is a fully integrated, target marketing, media and technology agency that improves results for clients by focusing on the people who matter most. We can help your business grow and save you money by targeting key prospects, getting their permission and strategically integrating your marketing and sales communications with the specific audiences most likely to affect your business performance.

Take advantage of these SCI services to improve your business development:

• Results Marketing Agency Solutions: Identify and get permission to communicate with the people who matter most through an integrated program rooted in permission-driven databases, direct mail, e-mail, Web sites, brochures, newsletters, public relations and sophisticated telephone sales that produce results. Go beyond the traditional sales and marketing approach by providing useful information and resources to build better, more measurable relationships.
  
  
• Target media: Build your brand and bring it directly to your power buyers through our stable of established niche print and online magazines in the sales, marketing and meetings fields (including this newsletter), the Sales Marketing Network at Info-now.com and SMERF Meetings Journal.
  
  
• Integrated Communications Technology:Build permission-based databases through Solata software to effectively communicate with the people who want to hear from you and precisely track the results in real time. Solata is also available to other media companies and marketing agencies seeking to profit from integrated, permission-based marketing and communications.

For more information on Selling Communications, its products and services, contact Jim Kilmetis at 914-591-7600, ext. 229 or send an e-mail to jkilmetis@sellingcommunications.com.

Tapping new customers, and keeping those you already have, costs less than you’d imagine...

Web Sites For Meeting And Incentive Travel Planners:

Abercrombie & Kent brochures http://www.abercrombiekent.com/

Adventure Center (affordable adventures) http://www.adventurecenter.com/

Adventure Outfitters http://www.americaoutdoors.org/

Adventure travel planning
http://www.gorp.com/ 
http://www.adventurecenter.com/ 
http://www.wildernesstravel.com/

Adventure travel: American Wilderness Experience http://www.awetrips.com/

Adventure travel (Great Adventure People) http://www.gapadventures.com/.

African tour operator/groups, incentives http://www.africanhorizons.com/

Air charters for groups http://www.airchartertravel.com/

Airlines: http://www.easybiz.alaskaair.com/
http://www.aa.com/ (American )
http://www.british-airways.com/
http://www.delta-air.com/
http://www.frontierairlines.com/
http://www.lufthansa-usa.com/
http://www.nwa.com/ (Northwest)
http://www.swabiz.com/ (Southwest)
http://www.usairways.com/

AIPC (Association Internationale des Palais de Congr¶s) http://www.aipc.org/

Airports in U.S. and abroad; terminal maps http://www.quickaid.com/

Air Travel Safety http://www.airsafe.com/

Alabama Vacation Guide http://www.touralabama.org/

Alberta, Canada: travel packages, activities, and events http://www.travelalberta.com/

Alternative Hawaii http://alternative-hawaii.com/

Amazing Japan http://www.amazingjapan.info/

Amelia Island (FL) Tourism Council http://www.ameliaisland.org/
“Virtual” visit to the 18-sq.-mile barrier island
360-degree photography, Accu-Weather’s up-to-the-minute island weather reports.

American Hotel & Motel Association. http://www.ahma.com/

American Hotel & Motel Association reservations online http://www.worldres.com/

American Meetings & Conventions, Inc. (destination management, trade shows, conference management support, special events, team building) http://www.amcfl.com/

America Outdoors 2002 Outdoor Directory and Family Vacation Guide http://www.americaoutdoors.org/

American Society of Travel Agents http://www.astanet.com/

Anaheim/Orange County (CA): http://www.anaheimoc.org/

Anaheim (CA) Visitor & Convention Bureau http://www.anaheimoc.org/

Anchorage, Alaska http://www.anchorage.net/

Anchorage, Alaska Convention & Visitors Bureau http://www.anchorage.net/

Arizona Tourism http://www.arizonaguide.com/
http://www.arizonavacationvalues.com/

Auction: Small independent hotel, resort stays http://www.bidtripper.com/

Austin-Lehman Adventure Travel (reservations, catalog) http://www.austinlehman.com/.

Australia http://www.australia.com/

Austrian Meetings info-@oewnyc.com

Bahamas destination management company sunsandsea_bs@yahoo.com

Banff/Lake Louise Canada Tourism Bureau http://www.banfflakelouise.com/

Bargains and travel advice http://www.1travel.com/

Bass Hotels & Resorts (Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites, Intercontinental Hotels and Resorts): http://www.basshotels.com/

Belgium Tourist Office: http://www.visitbelgium.com/

Belize http://www.travelbelize.org/

Belize Tourism Board http://www.travelbelize.org/.

Biztravel: plan travel, buy tickets: http://www.biztravel.com/

Bid4Vacations: Helps resorts, golf resorts, spas and other vacation-oriented travel providers market last-minute or low season inventory through online auction. http://www.bid4vacations.com/ (Hoteliers, e-mail Pamela Bergeson at info@Bid4Vacations.com)

Budget travel http://www.budgettravel.com/

California Association of Bed & Breakfast Inns http://media.cabbi.com/

California Tourism (more than 450 new vacation values from every region) http://www.visitcalifornia.com/.

California Travel & Tourism Commission (practical information and hundreds of discounts and special packages) http://www.findyourselfincalifornia.com/

Canada Tourism
Alberta http://www.travelalberta.com/
British Columbia http://www.hellobc.com/ 
Manitoba http://www.travelmanitoba.com/ 
New Brunswick http://www.tourismnbcanada.com/
Newfoundland and Labrador http://www.gov.nf.ca/tourism 
Northwest Territories http://www.nwttravel.nt.com/ 
Nova Scotia http://www.explorens.com/ 
Nunavit http://www.nunatour.nt.ca/ 
Ontario http://www.ontario-canada.com/ 
Prince Edward Island http://www.peiplay.com/ 
Québec http://www.tourisme.gouv.qc.ca/ 
Saskatchewan http://www.sasktourism.com/ 
Yukon http://www.touryukon.com/

Canadian art Canada House http://www.canadahouse.com/

Caribbean culture, news, and travel. http://www.caribbeansearch.com/

Carnival Cruises: http://www.carnival.com/

Car rental cos. http://www.alamo.com/
http://www.avis.com/
http://www.dollar.com/
http://www.hertz.com/
http://www.national-car.com/
http://www.thrifty.com/

Cayman Islands: http://www.caymanislands.ky/

Celebrity Access http://www.celebrityaccess.com/

Chicago (info for meeting attendees) http://www.meetinchicago.com/

Cheap Travel Listings: Farebeater (online booking that searches best price) http://www.1travel.com/

Colorado presents: “The first hospitality industry virtual trade show” http://www.coloradolodging.com/

Conference Centers of Europe (Historic) http://www.historic-centres.com/

Consolidator and Published Fares Database for Lowest International Airfares EconomyTravel.com

Convention/visitor bureaus http://www.imps.net/

Conworld (directory of meeting-related Web sites) http://www.conworld.net/dir/index.htm

Corporate Voyages at Sea http://www.corporatevoyages.com/

Cruise sites:
About.com. (Reviews, discounts) http://cruises.about.com/
Charternet http://www.charternet.com/ 
Cruise Ship Center http://www.cruise4.com/ 
Fielding’s Cruisefinder http://www.fieldingtravel.com/ 
Small Ship Cruises http://www.smallshipcruises.com/ 
The Wheelhouse (Names, addresses cruiselines) http://www.stutt.com/

Culture Finder: Find cultural events, buy tickets, anywhere in U.S.:www.Culturefinder.com

Currency converter online http://www.oanda.com/converter/classic

Custom multisport vacations for groups of up to 100 http://www.austinlehman.com/

Customized maps and door-to-door driving instructions http://www.mapquest.com/

Danish Tourist Board http://www.dt.dk/

Darwin, Australia, Northern Gateway Group of Companies (destination management): http://www.norgate.com.au/

Destination Kenya http://www.desken.com/

Destination management companies in many countries: http://www.euromic.com/

Destination management, tradeshows American Meetings & Conventions Miami Lakes FL http://www.amcfl.com/

Destination Management: USA Hosts http://www.usahosts.com/

Diners Club: http://www.dinersclubus.com/

Disabilities: U.S. Dept. of Transportation site for travelers (text of Americans with Disabilities Act, guide to lodging complaints, info on Amtrak trains and Greyhound buses, cruise and tour options for people with wheelchairs) http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ada

Discount airfares and hotel specials http://www.cheaptickets.com/

Disney Meetings http://www.disneymeetings.com/

Disney World Vacation Planner http://www.disneyworld.com/
(custom or fast packages)

DMC Quick-Finder (1,856 DMC’s in 303 destinations around the world) http://www.conworld.net/quick-finder

Driving directions, info http://www.drivethere.com/

Dude ranch vacations http://www.gorpranches.com/

Durham, NC http://www.visitdurham.com/

Durham, NC
Meeting Planner info http://www.durham-nc.com/meeting/meeting_video.html 
Group Tour Overview http://www.durham-nc.com/group/overview.html 
Durham meeting venues: Magic Butterfly Wings House - http://www.ncmls.org/meetingsparties/meetpart.asp
http://www.durhamnc.com/group/features/magic_wings_butterfly.html
North Carolina Museum of Life and Science - http://www.durham-nc.com/visitor/things_to_see/nature_science.html
Doris Duke Center http://www.hr.duke.edu/dukegardens/future.html
Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University http://www.durham-nc.com/group/features/duke_gardens.html

e-mail address finder: http://dantzig.ee.ucla.edu/misc/eaddress.html.

e-mail retrieval anywhere http://www.worldroom.com/
http://www.thatweb.com/

Encyclopedia of Cities for meeting and event planners. http://www.meetingcity.com/

European Federation of Conference Towns http://www.efct.com/

Event home page http://www.event411.com/

Event management, customized Web sites, automated registration http://www.seeuthere.com/

Event Planners (Event Planners Plus software): http://www.certain.com/order.html

Event source (hotels, meeting facilities) http://www.eventsource.com/

Extraordinary Events (redone) http://www.extraordinaryevents.com/

Family travel planning info: http://www.familytravelfiles.com/

Finnish Tourist Board http://www.finland-tourism.com/

Fishing Incentives http://www.greatalaska.com/

Florida (“Culturally Florida” program) http://www.culturallyflausa.com/

Florida Keys http://www.fla-keys.com/

Florida meetings and incentive management http://www.floridatravelsolutions.com/

Florida vacation planner (Absolutely Florida and Delta Vacations and Continental Vacations): http://www.funandsun.com/

Florists worldwide: B. Brooks Fine Flowers http://www.bbrooks.com/

Foreign currency: Chase http://www.currency-to-go.com/

Foreign event planning (interact with peers) http://www.mpoint.com/

Foreign languages for travelers http://www.travlang.com/languages

Foreseeable risk analysis (includes guide to hotel safety) http://www.frac.com/

(For meeting planners) Sport fishing trips worldwide http://www.sfww.com/

Four11.Com: Find anyone, anywhere: http://www.four11.com/

Frequent flyer news and information http://www.webflyer.com/

Ft. Lauderdale, FL http://www.sunny.org/
Flash technology, simplified navigation

German Convention Bureau: http://www.gcb.de/

GES Exposition Services: http://www.gesexpo.com/

Golf Sites:
The Golf Channel Online http://www.thegolfchannel.com/ (Instruction)

Course Directories:
Golf Guide http://www.golfguide.com/ 
GolfCaddie http://www.golfcaddie.com/ 
GolfUniverse http://www.golfuniverse.com/

Amateur Golf Advisor (driving, buying clubs) http://www.tagagolf.com/ 
Bad Golf Monthly (for high handicappers) http://www.badgolfmonthly.com/ 
Caddyshack and Happy Gilmore Archive (pix, trivia, sound clips) http://www.bushwood.net/ 
Golf Online (tips, tournament reports, travel) http://www.golfonline.com/ 
Mr. Golf Etiquette http://www.mrgolf.com/ 
Tiger Woods Official Golf Web site http://www.tigerwoods.com/
Trivia Golf Country Club http://www.triviagolf.com/
United States Golf Association http://www.usga.com/

Government information for international travelers: http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook (annual fact book with basic geopolitical info)

http://www.cdc.gov/travel (info on immunizations, disease outbreaks, cruise ship health, and safety violations)

Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau (interactive; create and e-mail RFPs to 3,500 suppliers, 350 of them hotels) http://www.meetingpath.com/

Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau tours: http://www.bostonusa.com/

Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau http://www.tropicoolmiami.com/

Greensboro, N.C.CVB http://www.greensboronc.org/.

Greensboro, NC (hot deals/discounts) http://www.greensboronc.org/

Green Route (Incentive/meeting information on South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique) http://www.greenroutedmc.co.za/

Harrison Conference Centers http://www.harrisonconference.com/

Hawaii, Big Island http://www.bigisland.org/

Hawaii’s Big Island: Big Island Visitors Bureau http://www.bigisland.org/

Kona Kohala Chamber of Commerce http://www.kona-kohala.com/

Kona Kohala Coast Resort Assn. http://www.kkra.org/

Bishop Museum Botanical Garden http://www.bishopmuseum.org/greenwell/

Atlantis Submarines http://www.goatlantis.com/

Big Island Mountain Biking http://www.interpac.net/mtbike

Captain Zodiac Raft Adventures http://www.planet-hawaii.com/zodiac/kona.html

Destination Big Island http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ (travel section)

Flumin’ Da Ditch/HMV Tours http://www.kohalakayaks.com/

Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce http://www.gohilo.com/

Paniolo Hawaiian Cowboy http://www.rodeohawaii.com/

Parker Ranch http://www.parkerranch.com/

Hawaii: Research, comparison shop, and make reservations for Hawaii’s best attractions http://www.hawaiiactivities.com/

Helsinki-Finland Congress Bureau (site for meeting planners) http://www.hfcb.fi/

Historic Conference Centres of Europe: http://www.historic-centres.com/

Historic Palaces of London: http://www.hrp.org.uk/

Holland: http://www.goholland.com/

Hospitality Industry: http://www.hotel-online.com/

Hospitality Sales Workshops Virginia Tech http://www.conted.vt.edu/hospitalityreg.html

Hotel and meeting facilities http://www.meetingcity.com/

Hotel companies
http://www.meetings.basshotels.com/
http://www.fourpoints.com/
http://www.hilton.com/
http://www.hyatt.com/
http://www.luxurycollection.com/
http://www.marriott.com/
http://www.renaissancehotels.com/
http://www.sheraton.com/ 

Hot dates/rates http://www.hotdateshotrates.com/

Hot deals and updated info on 800 resort properties in NA and Caribbean; free monthly newsletter available http://www.resortsource.com/

Hotel de Crillon (Paris) http://www.crillon.com/

Hotel directory (destination-based); over 60,000 hotels worldwide: http://www.all-hotels.com/

Hotel discounts http://www.travelscape.com/

Hotel Sales & Marketing Assoc. Intl. (HSMAI): newly redesigned web site; new search function and design http://www.hsmai.org/

HotelView (online hotel directories with hotel video tours) http://www.hotelview.com/

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts (special corporate offer): http://www.hyatt.com/corporate/specialoffers/meeting/meeting_category.jhtml?ssnav=2

Hyatt Regency Beaver Creek (Avon, CO) live on net http://www.vail.net/hyatt

Hotel Reservations Network (buys hotel rooms in bulk; sells at discount): http://www.180096hotel.com/

IntelliTRIP engine that searches and compares fares from airlines’ own res system and FlightTRACKER, realtime info on flight arrival and departure http://www.trip.com/

International Association of Conference Centers: http://www.iacconline.com/

International SOS Assistance, Inc. (assistance for traveling abroad: pre-trip medical referral information, medical monitoring, medical repatriation, hospital admission deposit guarantee, dispatch of doctor or specialist, etc.) http://www.intsos.com/

Internet Address Finder: http://www.iaf.net/

Internet reservation service http://www.travelweb.com/

Intl. Assn. Of Convention & Visitor Bureaus http://www.iacvb.org/

Israel Ministry of Tourism: http://www.goisrael.com/
Updates on Middle East situation

Israel slide catalog (400 images) for travel trade use: http://www.goisrael.com/slides

Istanbul, Turkey Convention Bureau: http://www.icvb.org/.

Jacksonville, FL access to golf tee-times http://www.lastminutegolfer.com/

Japanese Museums http://www.dnp.co.jp/museum/icc-e.html

Japan National Tourist Org. http://www.japantravelinfo.com/

Japan National Tourist Organization (U.S/Canada info) http://www.japantravelinfo-com/

Kentucky Celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the Lewis & Clark Expedition: Filson Historical Society (significant L & C collection) http://www.filsonhistorical.org/

Re-enactment of 9 Kentucky landings of L & C Expedition http://www.lewisandclark.net/

Canoe Kentucky : Follow the re-enactments in canoes http://www.canoeky.com/

Korea National Tourism http://www.knto.or.kr/

Korea: Seoul Metropolitan Government (culture and tourism) http://www.visitseoul.net/

Lake Geneva Region of Switzerland (Montreux, Lausanne, Geneva) Lists programs with prices, programs, extras. http://www.lgrmice.com/

Lake Tahoe, NV http://www.virtualtahoe.com/meetings

Las Vegas: ( travel booking capabilities for airfare, hotel, car and golf, plus exclusive “insider tips” on everything from bachelor parties and weddings to golf, spas and shows. Even 24-hour itineraries. http://www.lasvegas.com/.

Lee Island Coast of Florida Visitors Guide. http://www.leeislandcoast.com/.

Letters sent by e-mail and mailed anywhere in world http://www.letterpost.com/

London Convention Bureau: http://www.londontown.com/

London hotels, restaurants, pubs, entertainment http://www.londonelite.com/

Looking4U Inc., Community bulletin board to find people, leave messages: http://www.looking4u.com/

Low air fares:
http://www.air-fare.com/
http://www.bestfares.com/
http://www.cheaptickets.com/
http://www.etn.nl/discount.htm
http://www.expedia.com/
http://www.frommers.com/
http://www.1travel.com/
http://www.previewtravel.com/
http://www.skyauction.com/
http://www.sys1.com/
http://www.thetrip.com/
http://www.travelocity.com/

Luxury barge cruises http://www.bvassociates.com/ (Click on “Europe’s Grand River Boats.”)

MADSearch (puts meeting planners in touch with hotels and conference services worldwide; “access 90 percent of information needed to plan an event” at no charge): http://www.madsearch.com/

Malta (meetings and incentive travel management) http://www.demajo.com/sit

Manhattan Hotel Rooms (midtown) - discounted http://www.hotres.com/

Marriott Village at Little Lake Bryan (Orlando, FL) http://www.marriott-village.com/

Mauna Kea Resorts, Hawaii http://www.westinhapunabeachprincehotel.com/
http://www.westinmaunakeabeachhotel.com/.

Medtronic Physio-Control (manufacturers of external defribrillators for hotels, airlines, conference centers, etc.) http://www.physiocontrol.com/

Meeting guide (entry level; tools) http://www.mmaweb.com/meetings

Meetings Industry Mall http://www.mim.com/

Meeting locations http://www.meetinglocations.com/

Meetings organizations
(American Assn. Of Assoc. Execs.) http://www.asaenet.org/
(Intl. Assn. Exposition Mgmt.) http://www.iaem.org/
(Intl. Congress & Conv. Assn.) http://www.icca.nl/
(Dest. Mgmt. Cos.) http://www.dmc-net.com/
(Meet. Professionals Intl.) http://www.mpiweb.org/
(Prof. Conv. Mgmt. Assn.) http://www.pcma.org/
(Trade Show Exhib. Assn.) http://www.tsea.org/.

Meeting Planning on the Web http://www.mpoint.com/.
"Virtual" site inspections.
View over 50,000 facility and supplier profiles. Compare facilities side by side.

Meeting Planning, site selection http://www.eventsource.com/

Meeting planner tips http://www.meetingplannertips.com/

Meeting Professionals International: http://www.mpiweb.org/

Meeting venues in New England http://www.meetingpath.com/

Meetings by Internet MyPlaceWare http://www.placeware.com/biztravel2

Melville Exhibition Services of London: http://www.melville-exh.co.uk/

Messe (Tradeshow) Dusseldorf http://www.mdna.com/

Mexico: http://www.mexico-travel.com/. Also, for tourists to check out safety precautions being taken by Mexico: http://www.safemexico.com/.

MGM Grand Hotel and Casino (redone) http://www.mgmgrand.com/

Miami Beach Marriott at South Beach http://www.miamibeachmarriott.com/

Micato Safaris http://www.micato.com/

Microtel hotels http://www.microtelinn.com/

Monaco Tourist Office: http://www.monaco-tourism.com/

Motivate with incentives http://www.incentivecentral.org/

MPIWeb: MPI Foundation Multicultural Initiative — Online forum to promote and expand business among multicultural markets; educate meeting professionals about multiculturalism. Research and demographics for untapped, yet economically viable, markets such as Hispanic, African-American and Asian. http://www.mpiweb.org/

Napa (CA) River Inn http://www.napariverinn.com/

Nassau/Paradise Island http://www.bahamas.com/

National Geographic Trip Finder http://www.nationalgeographic.com/explore

National hotel booking by state American Hotel & Motel Assoc. http://www.gotrooms.com/

Netherlands Tourist Office: http://www.incentiveholland.com/ or http://www.nlcongress.nl/

Nevada Carson City http://www.carson-city.org/

Extraterrestrial Highway (Nevada test site) http://www.aleinn.com/

Humboldt Chamber of Commerce http://www.winnemucca.org/

Lake Tahoe Incline Village & Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau http://www.gotahoe.com/

Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce http://www.virtualtahoe.com/tdchamber

Eastern Nevada http://www.state.nv.us/stparks

Great Basin National Park http://www.nps.gov/grba

Northeastern Nevada http://www.elkocva.com/

Scenic Byways http://www.renotahoe.com/, http://www.redrockcanyon.blm.gov/

Norwegian Cruise Lines http://www.ncl.com/

Online City Guide w/discounts http://www.onlinecityguide.com/

New York City Special event venues http://www.paintthetownred.net/

Exciting things to do http://www.events-nyc.com/.

New York City Convention & Visitors Bureau http://www.nycvisit.com/

Norfolk VA (online booking, RFPs) http://www.norfolkcvb.com/

North American Partnership for Responsible Hospitality (April 26 and October 25, online issue forums) http://www.hospitalityweb.org/naprh/forum/1-26

Northern Kentucky (Cincinnati area) online packages http://www.staynky.com/

Northern Lights: Kayaking Trips http://www.seakayaking.com/

Northwest/KLM Airlines: http://www.klm.nl.alliance/ Click either’s Seal.

Norwegian Cruise Line http://www.ncl.com/

Offsite: New, downloadable software that helps planners gauge airfare, hotel, and misc. costs for meetings. http://www.dscr.dla.mil/dorra/offsite/homepage.htm

Ohio tourism http://www.ohiotourism.com/

Online conferencing services (all fee) http://www.astound.com/
http://www.caucus.com/
http://www.clipscom.com/

Online events: Edu. News & Entertainment Network http://www.enen.com/
Intervu Netpodium http://www.netpodium.com/
Placeware http://www.placeware.com/

On-line registration services http://www.b-there.com/
http://www.eventregistration.com/
http://www.houseol.com/
http://www.register123.com/
http://www.isignupnow.com/

Orlando Convention & Visitor Bureau Meeting Planners http://www.orlandoinfo.com/cvb/meet/index.cfm

Orlando, FL (comprehensive) http://www.orlandoinfo.com/

Orlando, FL, CVB (meeting facilities) http://www.orlandoinfo.com/cvb

(restaurants) http://www.dineinorlando.com/

Orlando, FL, vacations http://www.orlandoinfo.com/

Orlando World Center Marriott Resort and Convention Center (comprehensive meeting and convention information, virtual tour, interactive floor plans, client testimonials, "RFP express" (request for proposal), 24-hour customer response) http://www.marriottworldcenter.com/

Other Kentucky sites:
Greater Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau http://www.gotolouisville.com/.
Kentucky Bourbon Trail (free tours of 7 distilleries) http://www.kybourbon.com/ 
Bourbon dining at Seelbach Hilton, Louisville http://www.seelbachhilton.com/ 
New $2.5 million Louisville Extreme Park (skateboarders, bladers, bicyclists) http://www.louky.org/skatepark 
Restored home of late Bill Monroe, "Father of Bluegrass" http://www.billmonroefoundation.com/ 
International Bluegrass Museum, Owensboro http://www.bluegrass-museum.org/

Oxnard, CA: Destination Guide oxtour@west.net

Visitors Guide http://www.ventura-usa.com/

Pan Pacific Hotels & Resorts: http://www.panpac.com/

Party planning sites; managing beverage service http://www.hospitalityweb.org/partyline

Passenger rights for airlines http://www.passengerrights.com/

Pennsylvania Travel Planner http://www.experiencepa.com/

Perfect Meeting (Designs Event Consulting) http://www.perfectmeeting.com/

Perry Golf Travel Research http://www.perrygolf.com/

Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau http://www.libertynet.org/phila-visitor

Poipu (HI) Beach Resort Association (visitors can plan their daily activities prior to arriving on Kauai, using Flash technology to view 56 activities; print out daily schedule) http://poipuadventure.com/.

Ponchartrain Hotel, New Orleans http://www.pontchartrainhotel.com/

Portugal meetings, incentives: http://www.mice.portugalinsite.com/

Portuguest Tourist Office: http://www.portugalinsite.pt/

Post your meeting specs online, at no cost, without using an RFP http://www.mpbid.com/

PRA Destination Management, Inc. http://www.pra.com/.
( Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Orange County, Palm Springs,
Phoenix-Scottsdale, San Antonio, San Diego, San Diego

PrestigeEvents (events management), NYC http://www.prestigevents.com/

Princess Cruises; nearly 1,000 electronic pages. Itineraries, destinations, downloadable screen saver, cruise-themed icons, on-board experiences, and BridgeCam: live views of scenery seen by ships’ officers, updated every 60 seconds. http://www.princess.com/

Promomart (business gifts): http://www.promomart.com/wsj

Public relations: Nadine DeGenova Public Relations Group http://www.prproof.com/

Puerto Rico Convention Bureau (complete a meeting accommodations criteria form, get list of properties that meet criteria, do online Requests for Proposal, e-mail your own RFP forms, download brochures, find complete member hotel information, meeting room layouts and photos): http://www.meetpuertorico.com/

Queensland, Australia: http://www.qttc.com.au/

Quirky guidebooks to interesting places http://www.lonelyplanet.com/

Radisson Cable Beach Resort groups@radissonbahamas.com

Railroad incentive trips:
Verde Canyon Railroad, Arizona http://www.verdecanyonrr.com/ 
Georgetown Loop, Colorado http://www.georgetownloop.com/ 
Royal Gorge Rte Railroad, CO http://www.royalgorgeroute.com/ 
River Odysseys West http://www.rowinc.com/

Reno/Tahoe International Airport http://www.renoairport.com/

Rent LCD projectors and laptop computers nationwide http://www.rentquick.com/

Riverboat cruises (European) http://www.bvaassociates.com/
(click on Europe’s Grand River Boats)

Safaris, backpacking, mountain biking tours http://www.wildadventures.com/

Sales Marketing Network: www.info-now.com

San Jose (CA) Convention & Visitors Bureau Housing management system http://www.passkey.com/

San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau: http://www.sandiego.org/mpg

See America, sponsored by Travel Industry Assn. of America (links to all state and territorial travel offices, city visitor bureaus, attractions, and travel companies in the U.S.) Search by name, desired activity, mode of transportation, or type of accommodation. http://www.seeamerica.org/

Select Registry (Trip Planner Itineraries created by innkeepers from the East and West Coasts) http://www.selectregistry.com/

Sheraton Centre Toronto: http://www.toronto.com/sheratoncentre

Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers: http://www.sheratonchicago.com/

Showtix: Group sales theater ticket agency for Broadway shows. http://www.showtixinc.com/

Singapore (animated graphics, multi-media http://www.meet-in-singapore.com.sg/

Skymall catalog online plus airline and other booking services, including Frequent Flyer management tool, tips on best use of earned miles http://www.skymalltravel.com/

Small ship cruises all over world: http://www.smallshipcruises.com/

Snoozeland (Group travel auctions) http://www.snoozeland.com/

Sonoma (CA) Wine Country Meetings http://www.winecountrymeetings.com/

South African Incentive Services: http://www.unwiniwinafrica.com/

Southern California Visitors Guide http://www.21stcenturyvisitorguide.com/

Southern Coastal Rhode Island 1999 events listing. http://www.southcountyri.com/

Speakers: Nationwide Speakers Bureau, Inc. http://www.nationwidespeakers.com/

Sports Empire (moderately priced land packages to sports and special events in North America) http://www.sports-empire.com/

Sports events incentive packages:

Roadtrips Inc. http://www.roadtrips.com/:
Established relationships with online reward programs like SalesDriver.com, Netcentives, and Company DNA.

Rose Bowl/Rose Parade http://www.sports-empire.com/html/footballold.html#toprose
Jan. 3, 2002 (For the first time, the Rose Parade will not be held on the morning of the game.)

Super Bowl, New Orleans http://www.sports-empire.com/
NBA and NHL All-Star Games Daytona 500

St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & the Beaches http://www.myfloridameetings.com/

St. Croix Hotel and Tourism Association (USVI) http://www.stcroixhotelandtourism.com/

St. Croix, USVI: Small Inns http://www.smallinnsstcroix.com/.

St. Louis (new Web site) http://www.explorestlouis.com/

St. Louis Visitors Guide http://www.explorestlouis.com/

St. Thomas’ Marriott Beach Resorts (secure online reservations and information) http://www.marriott.vi/

Stars and attractions for your meeting (Gordie Brown, the Pointer Sisters, Tony Bennett, The Four Tops, Jay Leno). John Bernardoni Production Group. http://www.bernardoni.com/, click on "Stars and Attractions."

Stay in touch while on the road http://www.myfamily.com/

St. Thomas USVI: Live footage from St. Thomas http://www.st-thomas.com/
(select "live video)
Weather conditions: http://www.st.-thomas.com/view

Sun International: http://www.sun-international.com/

Sun Valley/Ketchum Chamber of Commerce: http://www.visitsunvalley.com/

Swarovski Crystal Worlds http://www.swarovski-crystalworld.com/

Switzerland CD ROM: PocketWeb™
size of a business card; contains 50 links, video, pix Fax 212-262-6116

Switzerland Tourism http://www.myswitzerland.com/

The Reefs, Southhampton Bermuda resort http://www.thereefs.com/

Tickets for sporting events http://www.wstickets.com/

Top business events and restaurants, arts, sport events, museum exhibits, by city http://www.ontheroad.com/

Toronto, Canada: Gay Toronto Guide http://www.torontotourism.com/; go to link: http://www.gayguidetoronto.com/

Toronto Star CitySearch: http://www.toronto.com/

Trade Show Advisor http://www.tradeshowadvisor.com/

Trade Show Central http://www.tscentral.com/

Tradeshow services: Bekins Tradeshow Services http://www.bekinstradeshows.com/.

Trails (hiking, biking, skiing) http://trailfinder.gorp.com/

Travelogs (tapes with educational tours of many areas, including updates on special events and attractions, road construction and detours http://www.travelog.com/

Travel Advisories U.S. Dept of State http://www.stolaf.edu/network/travel-advisories.html

Travel management http://www.austintravel.com/
http://www.balboa.com/
http://www.carsonwagonlit.com/
http://www.garber.com/
http://www.maritz.com/
http://www.nwtm.com/
http://www.strattontravel.com/

Travelers Health U.S. Centers for Disease Control http://www.cdc.gov/travel/travel.html

Travel price auction site http://www.priceline.com/

Travel safety: Airport and plane security http://www.airsafe.com/

Auto safety http://www.drivers.com/

Hotel security http://www.frac.com/

National Center for Infectious Diseases (travelers’ health) http://www.cdc.gov/travel

U.S. State Department (traveler warnings and consular information sheets) http://www.travel.state.gov/travelwarnings.html

TV on the Web http://www.tvontheweb.com/

United Touring Co. (DMC services in East Africa, South Africa, Dubai) http://www.unitedtouring.com/

Unusual vacation properties http://www.vacationspot.com/

USA Hosts (destination management): http://www.usahosts.com/

V Associates -meetings & incentives industry consultants e-mail: associates@home.com

Venue search: http://www.allmeetings.com/
http://www.businessmeetings.com/
http://www.hotelsonline.com/
http://www.industrymeetings.com/
http://www.meetingauctions.com/
http://www.meetngcity.com/
http://www.mtonline.com/
http://www.meetingvelocity.com/

Virginia (Coastal): http://www.coastalvirginia.com/

Virtual Bellhop will pick up your luggage or other items, airfreight them, and deliver them to your hotel.
http://www.virtualbellhop.com/

Visit Britain (global) http://www.visitbritain.com/

Visit Britain (info for U.S. travelers) http://www.usagateway.visit/ britain.com

Webcast Central http://www.webcastcentral.com/

WebSentric (conferencing/telecasting) http://www.websentric.com/

Web site creation http://www.hway.com/expresstart

Weekend bargains newsletter http://www.weekends.com/

Westin Hotels & Resorts: http://www.westin.com/

Women on Their Way (Wyndham Hotels & Resorts) http://www.womenontheirway.com/

World Golf Village (includes World Golf Hall of Fame) http://www.wgv.com/

World Weather - NBT News Intellicast http://www.intellicast.com/weather/intl

Send Your News

Send your meetings and incentive travel news to dspencer@info-now.com .