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!

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!

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!

Check out this great ConventionPlanit.com video tutorial!!!!

It’s really short, and you’ll be an expert on the site when you finish watching it - which means you’re going to save lots of research time!

Keeping it simple today -

What incentives are you offering members to keep them coming to your meetings in an uncertain economy where travel costs are increasing?

If your budget is suffering from the economy, it’s most likely the food & beverage that will be cut down first.

Bonnie Wallsh, CMP, CMM, and Sean Curry, executive chef at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel in Baltimore, have developed a list of cost-savings food & beverage tips, including…

• Dutch treat networking dinners – attendees join together for dinner according to topics of interest

• Evaluate costs savings of small groups eating in the hotel restaurant rather than a catered function with minimum charges

• Negotiate complimentary reception or refreshments at registration

Read the rest of the cost-saving f&B tips on ConventionPlanit.com and really get the most bang for your buck!

ASAE & The Center’s Annual Meeting & Exposition is just a few weeks away - August 16-19 in sunny San Diego.

Here are a few of the great information sessions you can attend:

-The Annual Meeting as a Measure of Success
-Social Media Marketing
-Knowledge Strategies for Better Meetings
-Assessing the ROI of Meetings Marketing

You can also earn 2.4 certification or 24 re-certification points toward your Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation!

ConventionPlanit.com will be there…will you? Visit us at Booth #1553!