HSMAI'S AFFORDABLE MEETINGS(R) WEST WRAPS 9th ANNUAL EVENT ATTENDED BY 679 PLANNERS; 8% RISE OVER 20

Industry Experts Delivered 25 Educational Seminars of Timely Topics and Cutting-Edge Content

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. October 14, 2008

SAN JOSE, CA, June 29, 2005. Meeting planners and exhibitors came out in full force to experience two days of face-to-face meetings, business generating and learning at the ninth annual Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International's (HSMAI) Affordable Meetings(R) West show, held June 15-16, 2005 at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, CA. Next year, the show will be held in Long Beach, CA as part of its west coast rotation.

This year's show marked an impressive eight percent increase in meeting planners with 679 attendees, as well as 248 exhibiting companies and 617 exhibit personnel. Huge draws were the trade show and the extensive program of educational seminars led by prominent industry professionals addressing pertinent issues facing the meetings industry today, ranging from the basics of meeting planning to marketing ideas, logistics, web resources, and communications skills.

The HSMAI Affordable Meetings(R) concept was created in 1990 to provide a business exchange for planners and hospitality sales executives and suppliers in challenging times. Today, that formula is as relevant as it was a decade ago as it offers cost-effective solutions, ideas and tactics for meeting planners.

"What also makes HSMAI's Affordable Meetings(R) such a powerful event is the opportunity it provides both buyers and suppliers to meet face-to-face to establish relationships. For planners, the exposition offers one-stop-shopping for a first-hand look at future venues as well as related suppliers, systems and support materials to do their job more effectively," said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI.

"Furthermore, the free educational component offering 25 seminars is a huge draw for planners, many whom find tremendous value in learning the fundamentals of the business, as well as identifying ways to be more creative, cost-minded and ahead of the curve," he added.

A significant change in this year's HSMAI's Affordable Meetings(R) West was a shift in trade show hours to 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. each day, which was exceptionally received as it allowed planners to get an early jump on the show floor.

In addition to an excellent selection of destinations, hotels and services at all price points, the West trade exposition featured a Speaker's Booth where meeting planners liaised with industry experts, and the HSMAI's Affordable Meetings(R) Bookstore, a one-stop shopping source for attendees for the most up-to-date publications and resource materials focusing on the needs of meeting planners at every level of experience.

PRIZE WINNERS

Drawings of getaway and cash prizes were held on the exhibition floor. The winners follow:

Vacation Prizes

Winner: Henry Agonia, executive director, California Association Recreation & Parks Districts, Sacramento, CA

Prize: Endless Entertainment at the Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas

Sponsored by: Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas

Airfare by: HSMAI

Winner: Marie Ziegler, meeting and conference specialist, EDD, Sacramento, CA

Prize: Let Marriott Lodging Design A Memory

Sponsored by: Marriott Lodging

Airfare by: ATA

Winner: LaDonna Curteman, community relations manager, UWCA of Silicon Valley, San Jose, CA

Prize: A Luxury Retreat at Luxe Hotel Sunset Blvd

Sponsored by: Luxe Hotel Sunset Blvd

$2,000 Cash Prize winners, sponsored by HSMAI:

. Maurene Catto, corporate travel meeting and event manager, Borland Software, Cupertino, CA

. Gabriella Hajdu, independent planner, Danube Conference Management, San Jose, CA

. Maralynn Adams, meetings manager, Open wave Systems Inc., Redwood City, CA

The remaining show for 2005 is HSMAI's Affordable Meetings(R) National, Sept. 7 - 8, 2005 at the Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C.