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.

Let’s face it - you can’t escape or avoid technology, even if you tried…and as soon as you finally understand how to work your dvd player, blu-ray has become the new trend.

How are you supposed to keep up with technology trends for your meetings?

HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings National introduced a technology component to the show this year - with both exhibitors and information sessions on the understanding and using the latest trends in meetings. (ConventionPlanit.com hosted a technology information session…on search engines!)

If you attended the show, what did you think of the technology component? If not, is a technology component something you would find useful? How are you incorporating technology?

Who knew you could get rewarded just for thinking?

Meeting planners, don’t forget to participate on the blog - the most insightful blog posting will win a $100 reward!

So start talking, let’s here what you have to say…

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!

Free and often wireless internet connections are becoming more common at hotels, much to the relief of our email, facebook, bussiness-addicted society…

…but have you ever wondered how safe those internet connections are?

Some faculty at Cornell University did ask that question, and their research found many hotel networks run on outdated or old security techlology - leaving you at risk for your personal or business information to be attacked by a hacker.

The research is a helpful analysis of hotel trends, and includes some great tips on how to keep your information safe if you are connected to an unsecure network…so check it out!

The study is available for free through Cornell’s Center for Hospitality Research website.

Everyone makes mistakes - sometimes we forget things ourselves, and other times we have to pick up the slack for another’s…and sometimes these mistakes can be costly.

So this week, we want to know…

What is the biggest potential disaster you averted as a meeting planner and how did you prevent it?

Need a sample proposal or template for your meeting?

ConventionPlanit.com has you covered with our library of Sample Meeting Proposal Templates.

Access sample proposals and RFP examples from nearly every type vendor you can think of, from airlines to transportation, and everything in between…because let’s face it, we could all use an extra boost during crunch time.

Check back often for new submissions and ideas to make your meeting a success - or stay up to date with our rss feed!

With a new x-ray technology, flight restrictions may be eased in the near future…

…the new machines can detect the density of liquids, and will even create three-dimensional views of them through luggage.

This would eliminate the need for liquid restrictions on flights!

As soon as a year from now, jamming your shampoos and lotions into small plastic baggies will be ancient history. If you are a traveler who cannot part with normal sized toiletries, look forward to bringing them in your carry on and saving the extra cash from your checked bag fee.

The machines are being tested in many United Kingdom airports before widespread use will be implemented and liquid restrictions lifted.

APEX - The Accepted Practices Exchange, part of the Convention Industry Council (CIC) has instituted a new council to oversee:

1. new initiatives, including green meeting and exhibit data standards

2. relevancy of the seven existing initiatives, created with input from over 5,600 people

Since APEX relies so heavily on the input of meeting planners and suppliers, the Standards Review Council’s updates will help the industry to stay on top of changing times.

Check out APEXsolution.org to see how you can become involved!

Use your colleagues and industry peers to your advantage!

In the Refer a Meeting Professional Contest, each meeting professional colleague or peer you refer gives you a chance to win…

…a two night deluxe weekend stay, including breakfast and dinner for two, at the luxurious Trump International Beach Resort - Miami

plus-

Roundtrip airfare for two, compliments of American Airlines Group & Meeting Travel.

The contest ends September 30, 2008 - so make sure to check it out!