If you’re looking to bring some excitement to your next Florida meeting, the Orlando CVB has you covered.

The 2008-2009 Creative Meeting Planners Guide is now available…

…it’s full of over 280 pages of ideas and options to help you bring meetings, conventions & tradeshows to life in Central Florida.

Get your own copy of the guide by calling 800-662-2825 or emailing Orlando CVB Convention Sales representative, Karen Maureen, at karen.maureen@orlandocvb.com.

For a great overview of upcoming activities and events in the Orlando area, be sure to read this article.

Start saving for your plane ticket now - the Fontainebleau Las Vegas is opening Fall 2009 and it’s very green and very cool…

…with features from ECO-Mode Personal Thermostats to iMac laptops in all of the guestrooms, to 300,000 square feet of upscale retail space, an in-house destination management company and 58 meeting rooms!

The hotel is on track to become Silver-Certified by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Program.

Be sure to check out the rooftop pool, the Fontainebleau Las Vegas boasts the world’s largest!

Die-hard Democrats and Republicans alike can celebrate their candidates while staying at one DC hotel - The Liaison Capitol Hill, an Affinia Hotel.

The Liaison is offering a “Pick Your Party” package for guests -

choose the “red” dining and nightlife guide to mingle with local McCain supporters and receive a copy of the Washington Times…

…or opt for the “blue” dining and nightlife guide to find Obama’s fans and get a copy of the Washington Post.

The packages also come with picnic baskets and “Not for Tourists” Washington city guides.

You can even buy a “Demodog” or “Republipooch” t-shirt for your dog!

Sheraton installed Microsoft Surface units in the lobbies of 5 of their hotels this week…

…Microsoft Surface is a 30-inch display built into a table top. There’s no mouse or keyboard - it uses touch.

It’s like a giantic iPhone, only better!

Hotel guests can browse pictures of the hotel, create playlists with the jukebox, and even find restaurants, bars, and entertainment in the city with 365-degree satellite maps.

Check out the Surface at these hotels:

• Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers – 811 7th Avenue 53rd Street, New York

• Sheraton Boston Hotel – 39 Dalton St, Boston

• Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers – 301 East North Water Street, Chicago

• Sheraton Seattle Hotel – 1400 6th Ave, Seattle

• Sheraton Gateway San Francisco Airport Hotel – 600 Airport Boulevard, Burlingame

Have you been watching the Beijing Olympics? Beijing is a fascinating place.

Have the Olympics inspired you to consider Beijing or China for an upcoming meeting?

Orlando is making it easy to get a great meal for not a lot of cash…September is Orlando’s third annual Magical Dining Month.

Guests can dine at some of Orlandos’ most popular restaurants and get a three-course dinner for as little as $19!

Here are some of the over 50 participating restaurants:

Emeril’s Tchoup Chop
Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Restaurant
Graze Restaurant
The Oceanaire Seafood Room

I’m getting hungry already! Get more information on these great meal deals and read the full article.

Check out the roofless sand “hotel” in England that’s been built right on the beach…made from 1,000 tons of sand!

It took a combined total of four men 98 hours to create the project. Even the beds are made of sand!

There’s no roof, so guests can stargaze at night, and in the morning the tide laps at the entrance. Now that’s a real beachfront property!

Road warriors like meeting professionals can tell hundreds of stories about their travel experiences and properties they have visited.

What are some of the best experiences you’ve had at hotels or resorts? Maybe it was great customer service, outstanding facilities, special amenities, or other features.

Inquiring minds want to know so please let us know!

The Berlin Convention Office is the newest recipient of the Pinnacle Award for Convention Bureaus - congrats!

The award is based on a number of categories, including quality of information and diversity of services…

…if you’re planning an international meeting, the Berlin Convention Office will provide you the best information and the most expansive services.

Check out the Berlin Convention Office’s listing on ConventionPlanit.com to find out more about their services.

Just a weeks ago, Indianapolis’ newest hotel - the Renaissance Indianapolis North Hotel - officially opened…

Hotel Highlights:

- Local community feel and flavor: located near the Arts and Design District

- 263 guest rooms & 4 executive suites: 32″ LCD HD TV’s, wireless internet, iPod jacks standard

- 15,000 sq ft of meeting space: use the Plum Perfect event planning program for the smoothest-run meeting

Check out the ConventionPlanit.com Newest Members page for a list of our most recent members and newest hotel openings.