MCLEAN, VA | The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International’s 20th annual Affordable Meetings® National capped a successful year for the tradeshows that saw solid meeting planner attendance and steady exhibitors at all three shows in 2009.

At Affordable Meetings National and Event Technology Expo, Sept. 9-10 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., the nearly 1,400 attendees benefited from over 40 educational sessions covering everything from meeting planning fundamentals to social media network set-up, and they were able to connect with more than 300 exhibiting companies. Across the three shows, including HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® Mid-America and HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® West, almost 2,700 meeting professionals and over 800 exhibiting companies took part in 2009.

“We’re very happy that we were able to connect so many meeting planners and exhibitors at the three shows this year in a tough economy,” said Robert Gilbert, CHME, CAE, president and CEO of HSMAI. “We heard great things on the show floor from exhibitors who were excited about meeting so many potential new customers and from meeting planners who were glad to be able to talk to properties and destinations from different areas of the country and at different pricing levels.”

On the first day of the National show, attendees heard a keynote address from Jonathan Tisch, chairman and CEO of Loews Hotels, who rallied the group and talked about the importance of the travel industry and keeping it at the forefront of the nation’s minds.

“The theme is partnership, and we have to put aside our individual concerns and work together for the greater good,” Tisch said. “We need to provide a better understanding and appreciation for what we do for the working people of America as an industry.”

Attendees also benefitted from the Event Technology Expo™ (ETE), making its second appearance at National. With ETE, meeting planners could mingle with companies offering technologies specific for meetings and events producers. Attendees also took advantage of the ETE Pavilion Theatre, where exhibitors talked about the latest innovations during 15-minute Technology Spotlights, and heard from Leading Authorities keynote speaker Scott Klososky, an Internet and technology expert, who talked about ways to use social media to increase attendance at meetings and measure online impact.

Several attendees won getaways sponsored by the Huntsville/Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau (Alabama), Natural Bridge of Virginia, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Choice Hotels International, Turf Valley Resort (Maryland), Beaches of South Walton (Florida), Gaylord National, and Hershey Resorts. Roundtrip airfare was sponsored by JetBlue Airways.

HSMAI also selected Exhibitor Booth Award winners in the following categories:

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

• Travel Portland – Best Single Booth
• Myrtle Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau – Best Multiple Booth

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

• Visit Milwaukee – Best Single Booth
• Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority – Best Multiple Booth

HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® start up again in 2010 with HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® Mid-America, April 14-15, 2010, Chicago’s Navy Pier – Chicago, Ill.; Affordable Meetings® West, June 16-17, 2010, Long Beach Convention Center – Long Beach, Calif.; and HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® National and the Event Technology Expo™, Sept. 08-09, 2010, Walter E. Washington Convention Center – Washington, D.C. For more information, visit .

About HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® | 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 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. HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® is owned and presented by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International Americas region. Visit for more information.

About HSMAI

The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is committed to growing business for hotels and their partners and is the industry's leading advocate for intelligent, sustainable hotel revenue growth. The association provides hotel professionals and their partners with tools, insights, and expertise to fuel sales, inspire marketing, and optimize revenue through programs such as the Commercial Strategy Conference, Sales Leader Forum, and Adrian Awards. Founded in 1927, HSMAI is a membership organization comprising more than 5,000 members worldwide, with 40 chapters in the Americas Region. Connect with HSMAI at hsmai.org.

Rachel Rosenberg
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HSMAI