The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) held its 17th annual Affordable Meetings National program Sept. 6 - 7, 2006 at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. and drew an impressive 1,556 qualified meeting planners and 475 exhibiting companies occupying 532 booths.

“We are very pleased with the level of enthusiasm and the quality of attendees at our recent National event, and the buzz from exhibitors is that meeting planners were intelligent, savvy and looking to do business,” said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI.

“We look forward to continuing our momentum in 2007 and plan to attract even more planners and exhibitors with a dynamic and relevant Affordable Meetings three-show series,” he added.

Evidence of its powerful ‘return on investment’ for participants, the exposition line-up for this year’s event showcased a variety of suppliers, including more than 69 new companies that joined the roster of exhibitors who impressed meeting planners attending the event.

Reputed for the quality content and diversity of programs, the free educational component is what distinguishes the shows and excites the meeting planner community.

During the National program, there were 21 seminars and six workshops (new to the National event for 2006) where planning professionals of all levels of experience came to focus on the various “need to know” key subjects of the industry.

The general session reported on a hot industry topic, “Emergency Preparedness Today: A Shared Responsibility That Meeting Planners and Facilities’ Staff Can Not Afford to Ignore,” which was presented to a packed house.

In addition to a broad selection of destinations, hotels and services at all price points, the National trade exposition featured the HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings Bookstore, a one-stop shopping source for attendees to find the most up-to-date publications and resource materials focusing on the needs of meeting planners at every level of experience.

Materials to prepare for becoming a CMP were also available.

A new feature on the exposition floor included an Internet Café, sponsored by Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts and powered by iBAHN. This allowed attendees to conveniently check e-mail and stay in touch with the office while remaining on the expo floor to do business.