MCLEAN, VA | The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International’s (HSMAI) Affordable Meetings® National show is pleased to announce that – for the first time – American Express is headlining the list of sponsors for the 18th annual event taking place Sept. 5-6, 2007, at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

“American Express is proud to partner with HSMAI and further our commitment to the meetings and events industry,” said Yana Gutierrez, vice president, Growth and Emerging Industries for American Express Establishment Services, adding: “We share a common goal of helping meeting professionals bring value to their organizations and plan to leverage our relationship to build the tools that best meet the needs of industry professionals.”

“We are so pleased to have American Express join the National program,” said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI. “American Express will be a tremendous asset to our sponsor line-up and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship,” he added.

The Affordable Meetings® National program, which is expected to attract 1,700 meeting planners and 475 exhibiting companies, is the largest of the three-show Affordable Meetings® program. Attendees represent 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, medical/health care organizations, trade show management and the military.

Attendance at HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® National is free-of-charge for qualified meeting planners, defined as those who work full-time, part-time, or as decision-making volunteers for corporations, associations, independent planning businesses, or other active organizations.

For exhibitor information, contact Stephanie Leon-Santiago, sales coordinator, 914-421-3213, fax-914-421-2918, e-mail: [email protected].

Attendee information is available by calling 1-800-272-SHOW. Additional information and a complete program schedule can be obtained by visiting the show’s Web site at .

HSMAI’S AFFORDABLE MEETINGS®

HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® is owned and presented by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International Americas region and managed by George Little Management, LLC (GLM).

HSMAI is an organization of sales and marketing professionals representing all segments of the hospitality industry. With a strong focus on education, HSMAI has become the industry champion in identifying and communicating trends in the hospitality industry, and bringing together customers and members at annual events, including HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings®. Founded in 1927, HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprising more than 7,000 members worldwide, with 39 chapters in the Americas Region.

For more information on HSMAI, contact the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International, 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300, McLean, VA 22102, phone (703) 610-9024; fax (703) 610-9005, or visit the web site at .

Richard S. Kahn
(516) 594-4100
HSMAI