INDUSTRY UPDATE
More Meetings Planned for 2007 
According to a survey of pre-reGistrants attending the seventh annual Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International's (HSMAI) Affordable Meetings Mid-America show in April at Chicago's Navy Pier, the majority of the respondents (66.2 percent) expect to plan more meetings in 2007 and beyond and more than half of the respondents (61.1 percent) indicated that their meeting budgets have increased from last year.
According to the fourth annual CEIR (Center for Exhibition Industry Research) Index Report, the exhibition industry is healthy, vibrant, and growing - posting a 4.8 percent increase in 2006 over 2005 levels, just slightly below the 5.8 percent gain posted by the industry in 2005 versus 2004, but marking the fourth consecutive year of industry growth. Additionally, results for the industry surpassed overall U.S. economic growth of 3.4 percent in 2006. Nearly 300 events contributed data for this report, which measures year-over-year changes in four key metrics: net square feet, attendees, exhibitors, and revenue.
The CEIR Index can be purchased through www.ceir.org.  

INDUSTRY UPDATE
The Urge to Merge
In order for two associations to successfully merge, a clear road map should be created, according to the "Investigation of Association Mergers," a research report recently released by The William E. Smith Institute for Association Research. Until now, there has been little research to help guide associations through mergers. Copies of the research report are available to the association community free of charge.
www.smithinstitute.org

INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRY UPDATE

Canada Proposes Foreign Convention & Tour Incentive Program
The Government of Canada's 2007 budget proposes a new Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program to replace the Visitor Rebate Program. This program will provide GST (Goods and Services Tax) relief for certain property and services used in conventions held in Canada. The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) and the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) have welcomed the new rebate program as good news and federal recognition of tourism as an export industry.
www.budget.gc.ca/2007

Puerto Rico Celebrates
The Puerto Rico Convention Bureau is celebrating its founding 45 years ago by a group of visionary professionals and business leaders, said Ana Maria Viscasillas, president and CEO of the bureau, during a recent visit to New York. In addition, the Puerto Rico Convention Center recently marked its first full year of operation. As a U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. citizens who travel to Puerto Rico do not need passports.
www.meetpuertorico.com