MCLEAN, VA | Planners attending the 13th Annual Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International’s (HSMAI) Affordable Meetings® West Conference & Exposition meant business. Attendees used their time to meet with exhibitors on the convention floor and take advantage of 24 educational sessions that made up the conference program June 10-11 at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center.

“Attendees wanted to make the most of their valuable time at the conference and exposition and seemed to walk through the doors with a game plan,” said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI. “Many of our exhibitors reported having a very positive show and were able to make qualified leads and connect with important clients.”

Planners representing corporate, association and independent sectors visited exhibitors representing hotels, resorts, CVBs, convention centers, airlines, conference centers, transportation companies, trade publications, DMC companies, unique meeting sites, software providers, entertainment companies, event rental companies, audio visual companies and other suppliers who service the industry.

“The show went amazing,” said Denise Gigoux, director of national sales with Destination Hotels & Resorts. “On the first day from our many booth visitors, we developed two very qualified leads. Honestly, just by making those two connections, it was well worth attending Affordable Meetings West…. and I still had day two to develop more!”

The more than 450 meeting planners that attended were looking for reliable and affordable partners to help them produce high-quality events while working within the smaller budgets allotted to them during the economic downturn. Many were searching for partners that could help them be more efficient in their own operations, while seeking venues that offered value to their clients and delivered on customer service.

Attendees also benefited from the 24 educational sessions, including a panel session on “Meetings Mean Business,” and Event Technology Expo preview educational sessions, including “Get More Done! A Productivity Workshop with the Email Coach” and “Technology Trends Meeting & Event Planners Need to Know.”

As in years past, HSMAI also honored exhibitors with Affordable Meetings’ Booth Awards:

Best Booth Overall (for the outstanding creation of an effective, attractive environment that communicates their message.)

  • Beach House Hotels – Half Moon Bay – Hermosa Beach – Best Single Booth
  • Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority – Best Multiple Booth

Best On-site Booth Promotion/Marketing (for original and effective promotional and marketing materials.)

  • Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau – Best Single Booth
  • Marriott, Renaissance & J.W. Hotels & Resorts – Best Multiple Booth

“The quality of leads at HSMAI'S 13th Annual Affordable Meetings West was very good” said exhibitor Bob Hamm, Senior Account Manager, Omnipress. “We found more director, CEO and executive director titles this year than in the past with a very nice mix of corporate, association and independent planners. We are looking forward to another great show at Affordable Meetings National and Event Technology Expo in September.”

HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® remains a top exposition and conference for meeting planners to attend each year. The final show of 2009 is HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® National and Event Technology Expo™, Sept. 9-10, 2009, Walter E. Washington Convention Center – Washington, D.C. More than 1,700 meeting and event planners are expected to attend the 20th Anniversary of HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® National, where the program will include More than 40 educational sessions and an exhibition featuring more than 450 top industry meeting facilities, destinations and suppliers. For additional information and a complete program schedule, visit .

About HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® West | HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® West once again offered attendees the opportunity to meet and do business with more than 200 exhibiting companies during a unique exposition that showcased venues, products and services to help produce various types of meetings and events. Year-after-year, the highly-acclaimed trade exposition is a main attraction for attendees looking to meet and network with knowledgeable suppliers who are determined to help produce valuable meetings and assist with purchasing decisions. Exhibitors represented 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. HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® is owned and presented by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International Americas region and managed by J. Spargo & Associates, Inc. Visit for more information.

About HSMAI | HSMAI is the hospitality industry source for knowledge, community, and recognition for leaders committed to professional development, sales growth, revenue optimization, marketing, and branding. 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 40 chapters in the Americas Region. For more information on HSMAI, contact the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International, 1760 Old Meadow Road, Suite 500, McLean, Va. 22102; (703) 506-3280; fax (703) 506-3266, or visit the website at .

Rachel Rosenberg
+1 404-832-7711
HSMAI

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