Please forward this newsletter to others involved in the meetings, conventions, & exhibitions industry.
The monthly APEX E-News is an effort to provide timely information and updates on the APEX (Accepted Practices Exchange) initiative to all volunteers, funders and general industry members. APEX is an industry-wide initiative that is developing the best accepted practices for the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry with the goal of streamlining the way the industry does business.
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CONTENTS
I.
City Discussion Groups – Upcoming Meetings
II. What Can You Do Today? Respond to the
Recommendations on Housing & Registration!
III. Upcoming APEX Presentations
IV. APEX in a Nut Shell – What is it? What is it doing?
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I. CITY DISCUSSION GROUPS - UPCOMING MEETINGS
City Discussion Groups (CDG) are a vital part of the development of accepted industry practices, providing an open forum through which industry members on the local level can participate and be heard.
Upcoming meetings include:
- September 5, 2003 – Austin, TX, USA
- September 17, 2003 – San Diego, CA, USA
- September 23, 2003 – Anaheim, CA, USA
- November 3, 2003 – Kansas City, MO, USA
To RSVP for these events, and see the status of other cities, visit www.conventionindustry.org/apex/CDG.htm
If you are interested in leading a CDG in your city, contact Crystal Coté at (703) 610-0278 or ccote@conventionindustry.org.
II.WHAT CAN YOU DO TODAY? RESPOND TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOUSING & REGISTRATION!
The deadline for industry comment on the “Preliminary Report of the APEX Housing & Registration Panel” is quickly approaching. It is imperative to the process of developing accepted practices that YOU give your input. Do it today at:
www.conventionindustry.org/apex/Panels/HR_Prelim_Report.htm.
III. APEX EDUCATION – UPCOMING PRESENTATIONS
Watch for APEX-related sessions at the following upcoming meetings. If you would like to see an APEX presentation at your next meeting, contact Juli Jones at jjones@conventionindustry.org or (703) 610-0273. Presentations have been scheduled for the following events:
September
3-4
Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International
(HSMAI) Affordable Meetings National -Washington, DC, USA
September
16-18
The Motivation Show – Chicago, IL, USA
APEX is an industry-wide initiative that is developing and implementing industry-wide accepted practices that will create and enhance efficiencies throughout the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry.
In an industry well acquainted with acronyms, APEX may sound familiar. And it should. With the unparalleled growth and technological advances witnessed by the meetings profession in recent years, there has never been a more compelling time for industry stakeholders to come together to create lasting synergies that will improve the future of the $82 billion meetings industry.
The
large and multi-faceted meetings, conventions and exhibitions
industry is composed of buyers, sellers and third parties
whose interests do not always intersect, and whose business
practices do not always translate to one another. APEX will
bring together volunteers from across the industry spectrum
to develop and implement accepted practices in seven key
areas by 2005: terminology; history/post-event reports;
requests for proposals (RFPs); resumes and work orders;
meeting and site profiles; housing and registration; and
contracts.
Launched in August 2000 by the CIC’s Board of Directors,
the APEX initiative was inspired by a three-year analysis
that underscored the absence of agreed-upon practices in
the meetings industry and its associated impact on the economic
and human resources factors driving the sector. A 1998 Deloitte
& Touche study indicated a high level of support (81%
in favor) among industry members for the development and
implementation of voluntary industry standards.
“This exciting initiative will create and enhance efficiencies throughout the meetings industry by creating unprecedented collaboration across all segments of the profession,” says Mary Power, CIC’s President and CEO. “By enlisting all parties throughout every aspect of our negotiations, we will be able to achieve in tandem what we have been unable to accomplish apart. If you envision the patterns of progress that could result through APEX, the possibilities our industry will enjoy in the future are limitless.”
“Accepted practices, once designated, will encourage industry stakeholders to maximize opportunities by improving communications, creating cost efficiencies and streamlining systems,” explains APEX Commission Chair Mickey Schaefer. “With a common language and shared tools, we will save valuable time that we can focus on creativity, improving service quality and addressing the broader issues that challenge our industry.”
The
potential advantages of APEX are infinite. When the approved
accepted practices are implemented, the industry will enjoy
eased relationships between suppliers and customers, processes
that significantly reduce duplication of efforts, improved
decision-making and a better educated, more professional
base of employees.
“APEX goes way beyond the bottom line,” explains
Ms. Schaefer. “APEX will make a statement about the
strength of our industry.”
The
CIC’s 30 member organizations represent more than
98,000 individuals as well as 15,000 firms and properties
involved in the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industries.
Formed in 1949 to provide a forum for member organizations
seeking to enhance the industry, the CIC facilitates the
exchange of information and develops programs to promote
professionalism within the industry and educates the public
on its profound economic impact.
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For comments and suggestions, or to request additional information on any topic, please contact Juli Jones at jjones@conventionindustry.org.
APEX
is an initiative of the Convention Industry Council
www.conventionindustry.org
Contact the CIC