EVENT: National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU) Annual Conference and Exhibition

2007 MEETING (JULY 17-21): Attendance was a record high at the Honolulu conference, and NAFCU expected the large numbers. Accom­panying the attendance jump, however, was a decline in the number of exhibitors, due to the cost of shipping to Hawaii and the cost of travel for exhibit staff. That drop was expected as well, and the exhibitors present gave the show high ratings.

INITIATIVES: Exhibit hours were scheduled between general and breakout sessions, which seemed to capture the majority of the attendees: NAFCU anticipated they might head to the beach if exhibit sessions were scheduled after the education sessions. The conference schedule started at 6:30 a.m. each day since all attendees were adapting to a three- to six-hour time difference. The early start meant that the day ended by 2 p.m. so attendees could enjoy the destination. "We were surprised by the commitment of our delegates to be there at sessions, exhibitions, and social events," said Jerome Bruce, CEM, CMP, senior manager of exhibits and sponsorships. "Hawaii has many distractions, and we were glad that our attendees stayed with us from the beginning to end."

SPECIAL REPORT: Fort Worth, Texas
The 17th-largest U.S. city and still growing, Fort Worth is being transformed by the city's downtown accommodations. By 2008, the number of guest rooms will double to 13,000 citywide including new and renovated hotels. Ground has been broken on the convention center headquarters Omni Fort Worth Hotel. Expected to open in late 2008, the luxury property will feature more than 600 rooms and nearly 68,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. The 290-room Hilton Fort Worth and 500-room Renaissance Worthington Hotel have both completed extensive renovations. The new Embassy Suites Hotel offers 160 two-room suites along with small event meeting spaces. In 2008, the Sheraton Fort Worth Hotel and Spa will offer 430 guest rooms and 22,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

More Attendees Bring Families
EVENT: Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) Annual Convention

2007 MEETING (JULY 11-14): A central location and an increase in promotion and marketing led to a well-attended Ottawa meeting.

TRENDS: Attendance numbers at the convention have been climbing each year for the past several years. "There's a trend of bringing families to conventions, incorporating a vacation with a CE trip," said Linda Huskins, CMP, manager of conventions and special programs, CVMA.

Events targeting niche groups have flourished as well: Specialty workshops - hands-on wet labs - given the day before the convention are increasingly popular. Veterinarians Without Borders has drawn a strong following of veterinarians.

INITIATIVES: When she joined CVMA, Huskins initiated changes in the exhibit format starting with the 2005 meeting. She moved all coffee breaks to the exhibit hall and increased the price of a booth to include lunch for the exhibitors. One general lunch is held in the exhibit area. And at each meeting CVMA now reserves a private room for exhibitors. "They can use it for client meetings and be able to sit and have lunch properly," Huskins said.