APEX E-NEWS ARCHIVE: Volume III, Issue 1- April 2004

The APEX E-News is an effort to provide 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. Project Attrition Makes Recommendations for APEX Consideration
II. APEX Donor Spotlight – The MPI Foundation
III. City Discussion Groups – Upcoming Meetings
IV. APEX Education – Upcoming Presentations
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I. PROJECT ATTRITION MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS FOR APEX CONSIDERATION

Attrition remains an issue for the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry to grapple with. But thanks to Project Attrition, planners and suppliers now have a comprehensive toolbox and resources to combat the problem.

Project Attrition, an initiative of the Convention Industry Council, was born in response to the industry’s growing concerns over attrition. Launched in April 2003, this short-term industry collaboration was designed to help educate members of the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry on the issue while pursuing solutions to minimize the impact of the problem.

The Project Attrition Final Report, which details the work of the Project Attrition Task Force and includes tools developed to assist planners and suppliers alike, is now available on-line at www.conventionindustry.org. Click here for the direct link to the report.

“Project Attrition has been an exciting project for CIC to lead,” said Steven Hacker, 2003 chairman of the Convention Industry Council Board of Directors, and president of the International Association for Exhibition Management. “Not only did CIC deliver an incredibly valuable toolkit to the industry, but it demonstrated the power of industry collaboration.”

Project Attrition was possible because of generous financial support from the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry. Lead contributors included the ASAE Foundation, the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation, the MPI Foundation, and the PCMA Education Foundation.

David Radcliffe, the Project Attrition Leader, commented, “Project Attrition has a long list of accomplishments, all of which will prove to be of great benefit and value to the industry.”

The APEX (Accepted Practices Exchange) initiative will be instrumental in establishing future best practices and guidance for vital housing issues. As part of its work, the Project Attrition Task Force made a series of recommendations to the APEX Housing & Registration Panel. The recommendations will be considered as the panel continues its work of developing the best accepted practices for the industry while creating and supporting long-term solutions to attrition. The final accepted practices from the APEX Housing & Registration Panel will be released later in 2004.

Note: Additional information on APEX, the Housing & Registration Panel, and Project Attrition can be found at www.conventionindustry.org.

II. APEX DONOR SPOTLIGHT

The MPI Foundation is a supportive entity of the MPI (Meeting Professionals International) association. Founded in 1984, the Foundation focuses on visionary education and research to benefit MPI members, as well as advance the meeting industry.

The MPI Foundation is the lead donor for the APEX initiative, and supports other projects including: CIC's Project Attrition; the European Standards Initiative; and, MPI's Multicultural and Women's Leadership Initiatives. The Foundation recently completed its Envision 2003 Campaign which raised
more that $5 million which will be used to continue the work of the Foundation and the important projects it supports.

More information on the MPI Foundation and the projects it supports can be found at http://www.mpiweb.org/resources/mpif/.

III. 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.

Currently scheduled meetings include:

To RSVP for these events, and see the status of other cities, visit the official APEX City Discussion Group webpage.

If you are interested in leading a CDG in your city, contact Crystal Coté at (703) 610-0278 or ccote@conventionindustry.org.

 

IV. APEX EDUCATION – UPCOMING PRESENTATIONS

Watch for APEX-related sessions at the following upcoming industry events:

May 13, 2004
Springtime – Washington, DC, USA

May 28, 2004
2004 Annual Education Conference - Nashville, TN, USA
Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP)

June 8, 2004
Las Vegas International Hospitality and Convention Summit - Las Vegas, NV, USA
University of Nevada - Las Vegas

June 21, 2004
HITEC – Dallas, TX, USA
Hospitality Financial & Technology Professionals

July 14, 2004
Annual Meeting – Miami, FL, USA
Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives (CESSE)

July 26, 2004
World Education Congress (WEC) Roundtables – Denver, CO, USA
Meeting Professionals International (MPI)

July 27, 2004
World Education Congress (WEC) Education Sessions – Denver, CO, USA
Meeting Professionals International (MPI)

July 30, 2004
I-CHRIE Annual Conference & Exposition – Philadelphia, PA, USA
International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (I-CHRIE)

August 1-4, 2004
36th Annual Convention and Trade Show - Orlando, FL, USA
National Business Travel Association (NBTA)

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APEX is an initiative of the Convention Industry Council
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