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?

DePaul University in Chicago will open the School of Hospitality Leadership Fall 2009. The program will operate within DePaul’s business school as one of the few four-year hospitality programs in the country.

Students will be prepared to take on management roles in hotels, restaurants, convention facilities, and tourism ventures & spas…with two years of liberal arts schooling followed by two years of business schooling.

Long-term plans include adding graduate level courses, continuing education programs and a research center at the school.

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?

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!

If yesterday’s tech info post tickled your fancy…

…here’s some extra help to get you started:

Watch this short video from MeetingsPodCast.com on how to use Flickr Video for your next meeting or event.

Here’s some news that’s good to know -

New event management courses are now available at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA).

Meeting classes have been added to the Hospitality Management Program, which already includes courses on hotel management. Faculty members are active industry professionals.

Available Courses:

• Introduction to Meeting Planning
• Principles of Event Planning & Management
• Meeting & Exhibition Law & Ethics
• Federal Government Event Planning Strategies

Check out the full article on NOVA’s newest industry classes to learn more.