So reads the Web site for the TED conference, a phenomenally successful event that attracts some of the world's most intriguing thinkers and doers. (Learn more about TED and another innovative meeting in this issue's cover story on p. 44.) While not all of our meetings can claim to have TED's stellar lineup of speakers and participants, its message speaks to all of our meeting attendees. After all, who doesn't benefit when they step away from their day-to-day tasks and join together with peers to learn; grow; share goods, services, or ideas; or simply interact with others who share challenges and goals?

At PCMA, we're always working to bring you an educational and inspiring annual meeting experience. The 2008 event, Jan. 13-16 in Seattle, is no different. With "Creating Possibilities" as our theme, we're building on our education leadership by introducing new ideas, connecting you to your peers, and incorporating new approaches to enrich your learning experience.

Here's an example of the latter. Our opening general session speakers are Joseph Pine II and James H. Gilmore, authors of the bestselling The Experience Economy and the newly published Authenticity: What Consumers Really Want. But this duo (in a rare joint appearance) will not just be making their speech and then their exit. Attendees will have the opportunity to take Pine and Gilmore's self-guided audio tour of some of Seattle's most engaging sites (think Pike Street Market and the original Starbuck's). Or, they can join Pine and Gilmore in person for a tour of the PCMA Annual Meeting and share observations about the attendee experience - registration areas, signage, and special "sites" such as the bookstore - at the convention center. These are the "experience gurus" so their insights are bound to be thought provoking.

We're also trying alternative learning formats, including a book club-type discussion, and a Pecha Kucha session. That's a way of presenting in which speakers get only six minutes and 40 seconds to talk; they need to keep up with their 20 PowerPoint slides, which automatically advance every 20 seconds.

We are working closely with all of our speakers and panelists, so that regardless of the format they use, they start with an understanding of who you are and what you want.

Education is always our focus, and we know that also takes place outside of the meeting rooms. So we're offering new ways to network and build a sense of community at our annual meeting. We're helping to get the conversation going with our online networking tool, PCMA Connect. Start the process of meeting new colleagues before you actually get to Seattle.

Once here, you can share a laugh with your peers at lunch on Wednesday as you enjoy actor Jason Alexander's hysterical send-up of moti- vational speakers in the character of Donny Clay. Or you can feel good about joining fellow attendees in a Hospitality Helping Hands community service project in a local neighborhood. We're also connecting you to the next wave of meetings and hospitality stars through the first-ever PCMA Education Foundation Student Career Fair. So next month, on behalf of our spectacular host city, I encourage you to set aside your shovels, climb out of your trenches, and join us. I promise an experience that will be anything but everyday.