Resources for the Meetings, Conventions & Exhibitions Industry

This is an area of the CIC web site where industry members can find tools and resources to help them in the day-to-day and the long term future of the industry. Check back often to see what is new.

CIC does not necessarily endorse the organizations or web sites listed below. Users must evaluate, and bear the risk associated with, the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any content on these sites. CIC does not prescreen or monitor these sites. Engage in commerce online at your own risk.

Online Behavior Research Report

Other Resources:

 

 

ECONOMIC IMPACT

ExPact Direct Spending Online Calculator - The ExPact Direct Spending Online Calculator is a tool that allows you to estimate the direct spending for a particular meeting, convention or trade show/exhibition by providing direct spending projections for any event, actual or projected.

 

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Schools of the Hospitality Industry - A directory listing of hospitality and tourism programs in colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and other parts of the world. (Not inclusive)

Center for Hospitality Research - Founded to Link Cutting Edge Research With The Needs of The Hospitality Industry

DMAI's Performance Measurement Initiative - For the past several years, DMAI's Performance Measurement Team (PMT), a group of CVB professionals and industry consultants, has worked diligently to identify a program of performance reporting that accurately and comparatively assesses a CVB’s achievements.

 

EXHIBITIONS

Visit the International Association of Exhibition Management’s (IAEM) Downloadable Resource Center for information on:

 

GREEN MEETINGS

In 2003, CIC organized a task force of experts in the "Green Meetings" field. This task force was charged with developing guidelines for event organizers and suppliers on running environmentally-friendly events. The result was CIC's Green Meetings Report, which outlines best practices for planning environmentally-friendly meetings.

 

HISTORIES/POST-EVENT REPORTING

Meeting Information Network (MINT) - A tool of the International Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus, the MINT System is a shared repository of information about association and corporate meetings. The MINT System contains information on organizations and associations. These organizations may request a copy of their file from IACVB. The information contained in this database is also accessible to organizations through their local convention & visitors bureau.

 

INDUSTRY PROMOTION

Face-to-Face Coalition Campaign - In February 2002 CIC partnered with the Sky Radio Network to launch CIC’s public education campaign to promote the value of face-to-face interaction at meetings, conventions and exhibitions. Through the nationwide public relations and advertising campaign, CIC is educating and reinforcing the values of face-to-face interaction for meeting business goals. The "Face-to-Face" campaign was developed with Leverage Advertising, Inc. in response to the events of September 11, 2001 and the slowing American economy. Today, the CIC is maintaining the strength of its industry by sending the message: "Meet Face-to-Face. It's Good Business."

The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) recognized the Convention Industry Council (CIC) with a Bronze award for advertising excellence in the Adrian Advertising awards competition in 2003. Click here for a full news release.

View the award winning advertisement:

LABOR DISPUTES

What to Do If Contacted Regarding Labor Disputes

 

 

PROFESSIONAL & TRADE ASSOCIATIONS

The following organizations are not members of the Convention Industry Council. They are listed here as reference, as they are involved in the meetings, conventions, exhibitions, hospitality, and tourism industries. For a complete list of CIC member organizations, click here.

 

PUBLICATIONS

 

REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS (RFPs)

CVB Online RFP - Discover a resource to make planning and implementing your meetings less time consuming and more streamlined - use a Convention and Visitor Bureau. The CVBs across the country and around the world are ready to assist you in every detail of planning your meeting. And, most of their services are FREE. Select the cities you're interested in, fill out the RFP form or attach your already prepared RFP according to the directions.

 

SALARY SURVEYS

Meetings & Convention's 2006 Meetings Market Report

Convene's Compensation Surveys, 1998-2007

Meetings & Convention's 2007 Salary Survey

 

SPEAKERS

The International Association of Speakers Bureaus (IASB) extends a warm welcome to meeting planners with its new web page dedicated to helping planners establish good working relationships with member bureaus. It includes the searchable Bureau Locator to identify a bureau by city, state, or country. Click here for more information.

The National Speakers Association (NSA) offers advice on how to find, select, work with, promote and evaluate professional speakers. Click here for a searchable online directory of more than 4,000 professional speakers.

 

TRADESHOWS

American Trade Show Directory

Skyline Exhibits offers:
-- Trade Show Tips Page (including a library of ideas and techniques to help exhibitors increase their exhibiting ROI)
-- 4 White Papers (covering key industries)

UL2305 Standard for Safety for Exhibition Display Units, Fabrication and Installation

 

TRAVEL SAFETY

Event Security Tips: Keeping Guests Safe

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

National Business Travel Association's (NBTA) Travel Tips

Travel Industry Association

Latest News from the State Department

Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Travel Guide for the Flying Public

Also, check the following CIC member organizations' websites for travel and event safety information: