IWCE Gets Interactive

EVENT: International Window Coverings Expo (IWCE)

2008 MEETING (MARCH 26-29): Produced by Grace McNamara Inc., IWCE drew more than 6,000 interior design professionals. Pre-registration numbers had been down, but on-site attendance drew nearly even with the 2007 event.

CHALLENGE: Organizers wanted to introduce a new, interactive element to the show that could bring home ways to improve the bottom line.

INITIATIVE: Educational interactive zones debuted on the show floor. "We'll be doing them again," said Suzanne Worthley, vice president of operations, Grace McNamara.

The TrendSpot zone predicted the future buying behaviors of consumers, giving attendees the chance to gain fresh product knowledge of colors, materials, and new products. The Construction Zone was a destination for the workroom professional, with daily short presentations, the newest sewing techniques, and hands-on demonstrations. The Green Design Pavilion let attendees touch green interior design alternatives and offered information on eco-friendly products.

SHRM Encourages Networking

EVENT: Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Global Forum Conference and Exposition

 2008 MEETING (March 31 - April 2): The Global Forum targets both international members and domestic members with an interest in international planning.

CHALLENGE: The three-day conference is global in scope, and may be the only chance for some professionals to meet face-to-face. Attendance numbers climbed significantly in 2008, which organizers attributed to location and strong educational offerings.

INITIATIVE: While all SHRM conferences offer networking opportunities, according to Lisa Block, director of meetings and conferences, SHRM has "increased our structured networking opportunities so we can help get people connected early on in the conference. We believe structured networking events enhance the conference experience for attendees and exhibitors."

SHRM added a 30-minute welcome orientation immediately before the opening general session and a one-and-a-half-hour networking breakfast on the second day. The welcome orientation included having each attendee meet two new people and share their conference expectations. The earlier events supplemented the party on the last night as well as the two-and-a-half-hour exhibit hall grand opening and reception.

SPECIAL REPORT: San Diego 
With 450 hotel and motel properties representing 52,400 rooms, San Diego brings together diverse hotel products with cultural venues, a revitalized downtown, and outdoor recreation. According to Steve Schell, vice president of sales and services for the San Diego CVB, the number of corporate meetings has increased as planning timelines remain condensed; meanwhile, the number of attendees/room nights to destination holds stronger in the association market.  "For association meetings, the number of meetings remains flat, but the number of attendees is slightly off from past years," Schell said. "The booking cycle has not changed. Planners are not blocking as many rooms as in the past, as some attendees are finding accommodations through various online channels."