MCLEAN, VA.—Meeting planners looking to incorporate sustainable practices into their meetings, events, and expositions will learn about the growing green movement at the 12th annual Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Affordable Meetings West Conference and Exposition at the Long Beach Convention Center from June 11-12.
Deborah Popely, president, Green Events Source, Jesse Suglia, director of sales, Kimpton Hotels and Janet M. Cooperman, CMP, president, Green PEAS Events, will present planners with ways to “green” their meetings without causing additional stress during a general session on Thursday, June 11 at 10:30 a.m. Attendees will learn how to partner with eco-friendly meeting sites, discover why and how hotels and other venues are stepping up their investments in sustainability, and about the latest developments in green meeting standards and metrics. All attendees and suppliers are encouraged to attend.
“California is home to a large number of skilled meeting planners that continues to grow each year,” said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI. “A top priority in California and the hospitality industry as a whole is the environment. As the industry moves to use more sustainable practices, it’s imperative we provide meeting planners with the necessary resources and guidance to meet these planning challenges.”
Five In-Depth Workshops
Additionally, meeting planners can take advantage of five in-depth workshops and 15 seminars that cover a broad range of topics such as meeting contracts, site selection, negotiation skills, budgeting, effective communication, food and beverage selections, technology, marketing and more.
HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings West has more than 250 exhibiting companies participating for attendees to meet and do business with during the conference’s trade exposition which showcases venues, products and services to help planners produce various types of meetings and events. Each year, the expo serves as one of the main attractions for attendees looking to meet and network with knowledgeable suppliers.
Exhibitors represent hotels and resorts, university conference centers, unique meeting sites, convention and visitor bureaus, transportation companies, trade publications, software and audio/visual businesses, and other meeting and convention suppliers.
More than 700 attendees, representing meeting and event planners from a variety of organizations, with a majority representing corporate, association and independent sectors and the balance from government, non-profit, education, religious and medical/health care organizations, trade show management and the military, are expected to visit HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings West 2008 show.
Go to HSMAI.
