HSMAI Announces Affordable Meetings 2011 Conference Series

Thousands of planners expected at shows in Chicago, Washington, Long Beach

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. January 04, 2011

The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) announces the dates of its 2011 Affordable Meetings® Conference & Expositions and Event Technology Expo™ (ETE) at Affordable Meetings® National. This highly acclaimed event series attracts more than 3,000 motivated planners and vendors from all sectors of the meetings and incentive travel industries, who attend looking for quality resources and education to enhance their meetings and events.

The 2011 HSMAI Affordable Meetings® series schedule is as follows:

• Affordable Meetings® Mid-America
April 13-14, 2011
Navy Pier
Chicago, Ill.

• Affordable Meetings® West
June 15-16, 2011
Long Beach Convention Center
Long Beach, Calif.

• Affordable Meetings® National and Event Technology Expo (ETE)
September 7-8, 2011
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Washington, D.C.

Registration for HSMAI's Affordable Meetings® comes with a number of benefits for meeting and event planners, including educational seminars lead by industry experts on top-of-mind subjects, the opportunity to research and secure venues and destinations, networking opportunities and the ability to pre-schedule face-to-face meetings with exhibitors. For exhibitors, the conferences offer the opportunity to connect with an exclusive group of decision-makers. Nearly 60% of the planners only attend HSMAI's Affordable Meetings®, and more than 87% of attendees would recommend Affordable Meetings to others. Many top destinations and properties have already committed to take part in 2011 Affordable Meetings shows, including Vail Resorts/Rock Resorts, Myrtle Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, Visit Seattle, and the Wildwood Convention Center.

For 2011, HSMAI's Affordable Meetings® will also be expanding its popular options for appointment setting. HSMAI's One-to-One Meeting Concierge works individually with planners to schedule appointments with exhibitors they are most interested in meeting with during the shows. The personal service was a tremendous success leading up to the 2010 shows and was responsible for arranging hundreds of pre-scheduled appointments between the three shows.

"We were very pleased with the One-to-One Meeting Concierge service. HSMAI and Affordable Meetings took the time to source appropriate planners who want to meet with us, which makes the show very profitable," said Affordable Meetings West exhibitor Patrick Wilson of Avi Resort & Casino.

Exhibitors and attendees will also be able to arrange appointments through the networkNow program prior to each show.

Booth space is available. Interested exhibitors may contact Craig Baker, account manager, exhibition sales, J. Spargo & Associates, (703) 679-3942 or [email protected], or visit www.affordablemeetings.comfor more information on HSMAI's Affordable Meetings.