To say that the Computer Event Marketing Association has had a busy year is an understatement. Just consider a few highlights of the first quarter:

Meeting Planning: In March, the Summit Committee, chaired by Intel's Jackie Young, finalized the agenda for CEMA Summit 2000. Workshops at the annual meeting, which will be held July 16 to 19 at the La Costa Resort and Spa, Carlsbad, Calif., will focus primarily on the technical changes affecting event managers and suppliers. The industry's leading speakers will talk on such hot topics as "The Internet Event: Substitute or Supplement?" "What Every IT Company Needs to Know about Distributing Content on the Internet," and "Mobile Marketing: Extending Your Reach to the Point of Activity."

Seeing CeBit: For the third consecutive year, a group of CEMA members attended a midwinter International Study Tour to CeBIT in Hannover, Germany. The trip included VIP tours of the fairground, group discussions, and educational sessions such as: "Use of the Internet and its Effect on Events, plus an Overview of the German Cybersoul" and "Comparing Business and Cultural Practices at European Trade Shows."

Exhibitor Show Stopper: To insure that CEMA members and potential members understand the many association benefits, the Membership Committee, under the direction of committee chair Cregg Cannon and CEMA's new membership manager, Erik Holden, exhibited at this year's Exhibitor Show in Las Vegas. The team promoted such benefits as the "Ask CEMA" research program and the five upcoming Face-to-Face meetings.

Web Upgrade: The Exhibitor Show provided a perfect launch for another of CEMA's first quarter efforts: our redesigned Web site, www.cemaonline.com, home to another benefit of CEMA membership, the Job Bank Listing.

Although the CEMA staff is busier than ever, we are pleased by the increase in activity. After all, these services make CEMA unique and are what our members deserve and have come to expect!

Trinette Cunningham

Executive Director, CEMA

May 10 * NetWorld+Interop, Las Vegas

* "Salary Survey and Career Development"

June 27 * NECC, Atlanta

* "Through the Eyes of Attendees"

June 28 * PC Expo, New York

* "Through the Eyes of Attendees"

October 25 * Internet World Fall, New York

* "Improving the NET Worth of Your Event, Part 1"

November 15 * Comdex Fall, Las Vegas

* "Improving the NET Worth of Your Event, Part 2"