The expansive growth of the meeting, exposition, event and convention (MEEC) industry within the hospitality industry, communities and college faculty, demands this current, comprehensive introduction to the various segments of the MEEC industry. This broad overview takes advantage of the expertise of many active industry experts. It is the most up-to-date text available and covers a wider range of MEEC topics than any other book on the market. The author examines all aspects of the history and impact of MEEC, career opportunities, planning and managing a convention, meeting, exposition or event, MEEC and hospitality, MEEC and the community, MEEC and academic programs. For practitioners, academics and the general public involved in meetings, expositions, events and conventions.