April 2009 Issue

Meetings & Events News

· Headlines from the meetings industry.
· Top news from the Virginias, the Carolinas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida.
· Top news from Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

BREAKING NEWS:

Widfire In North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Get the latest information on how this may impact meetings from Marlane's Blog: http://www.conventionsouth.com/board.home.cfm

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE DIGITAL EDITION OF CONVENTIONSOUTH. 

What's Inside ConventionSouth's April 2009 Digital Edition

COVER STORY:

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20 Meet Green Ideas: Simple Solutions That Make A Big Difference 

From finding hotels and meeting sites that promote environmental stewardship to calculating your event’'s carbon footprint, we've compiled 20 ways to orchestrate eco-events.

SPECIAL REPORT:

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’09 Trends Report Update

Last November, ConventionSouth released the annual Meeting Trends In The South Report. Last month, we re-surveyed those meeting professionals who responded in 2008 to find out just how their meetings have changed over the last six months. While responses show a more pessimistic view toward the health of the industry, planners say they are finding new ways to cut costs and hold successful events.

FEATURE:

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The Corporate Meetings Diet

There's no doubt that in this economy corporations have to watch every dime—including how much they spend on meetings. Their clients, investors and the public are demanding accountability. So, just how are corporate meeting planners limiting their events' expenses? We talked to industry leaders and corporate meeting planners to find out.

ADVICE:

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15 F&B Cost-Cutting Secrets

Meetings industry veteran Judy Williams shares her insight on negotiating food and beverage (F&B), especially when budgets are slim.

INSIDER'S GUIDE TO THE SOUTH'S MEETING HOT SPOTS:

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Click here to read what's happening at the following destinations. Plus, click on each city named below to get a detailed list of their sites and venue capacities.

• Northwest Florida (pictured here)  
• The Beaches Of Fort Myers & Sanibel, Florida 
• Oklahoma City 
• Austin, Texas 
• Huntsville, Alabama 
• Charlotte, North Carolina  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE DIGITAL EDITION OF CONVENTIONSOUTH.

EXCLUSIVE ONLINE CONTENT!

Online Exclusive: Hotel Incentives For Meeting Planners

A number of hotel companies have launched special incentives to meeting planners and groups. CLICK HERE for more details.

ConventionSouth On The Road

Throughout the year, ConventionSouth writers and editors travel to destinations throughout the Southeast and report on their unique meeting offerings. This month, read about our traveling journalist's experiences:
—Valdosta, Ga.
—Raleigh, N.C.
—Fairfax County, Va.

Planning Directory

We are pleased to provide you with this up-to-date database of meeting sites in the South. This service is funded by ConventionSouth's advertisers who are aggressively seeking group events and are most likely to truly earn your business. [Search numerous meeting sites throughout the south.]

Feedback Live:

Give us your input! Click here to answer this month's Feedback Live question!

Planner Forum:

Share your thoughts! Click here to post a comment on our planner forum.

Site Solutions:

Looking for the perfect location for your next event? Tell us what you're looking for (be as general or specific as you like) and we'll connect you with suppliers that meet your site selection criteria. Plus, you'll automatically qualify to win a $200 American Express gift card! Click here.

Hot Dates/Deals

Looking for a last-minute site or an extra special value for your next meeting? Search our database of "hot dates" at Southern meeting sites. Click here.

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