With a growing number of companies recognizing the value of targeting a qualified group of meeting planners in a single venue, the trade expo at the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International’s (HSMAI) 15th annual Affordable Meetings® National show is welcoming several new companies into the fold, (resulting in expanded sections in the floor layout) and high praise from fellow exhibitors about the amount of business they produce.

HSMAI’s 15th annual Affordable Meetings® National show is set for Sept. 8 – 9, 2004 at the Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C., and booth space is still available.

“Participating in the trade expo at HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® National is a win-win situation for both meeting planners and exhibitors,” said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI. “Exhibitors have an excellent opportunity to showcase their products, and meeting planners can collect information about a wide variety of venues and services,” Gilbert added.

New companies joining the HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® National trade show in 2004 include Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Circle Line Cruises, Spirit Cruises, Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex in Cape Canaveral, FL, and DMI Hotels and Resorts, which represent 50 hotels and destination management companies across the U.S.

After experiencing tremendous success as a first-time exhibitor at HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® Mid-America earlier in the year, Albors & Associates Language Services signed-up for a booth at the National show.

This year’s trade expo will feature 60,000 square feet of exhibit space at the Washington Convention Center for 550 exhibitors and 600 booths representing hotels and resorts, university conference centers, unique meeting sites, convention and visitor bureaus, transportation companies, trade publications, software and audio/visual businesses, and other meeting and convention suppliers.

Prepared to provide the best services and products, exhibitors will assist planners by offering cost-effective meeting packages and enticing incentives.

Planners may choose from a variety of programs depending on their experience and interest. Topics include: meeting contracts, on-site management, the ins and outs of online registration, enhancing partner relationships, cost-saving strategies with audio-visual and other technologies, negotiating tactics, budgeting and other subjects reflective of the ever-changing meetings business.

Select sessions will be repeated so that participants have the opportunity to attend sessions that run concurrently. Also, as an added benefit, attendees will receive a complimentary bound book containing handouts from all of the seminars.