Planners who designate American Airlines and American Eagle as their official carriers will now have more flexibility in fare discounts. Under the new AAssociation Fares program, planners can choose either zone fares or discounts (five percent off the lowest applicable fares; ten percent off full coach fares), or they can let attendees make their own choices.

Attendees who book early (60 days or more ahead) will receive an additional five percent discount, in order to "help associations boost preregistration," says Glenn Orcutt, product manager, First Call sales and marketing, American Airlines.

The program was developed with input from association planners. Orcutt explains that instead of offering associations the same program that other customers use, "and saying, 'take it or leave it,' we wanted to develop a product just for them." For more information, call (800) AA1-CALL.

Beyond Borders Announces 1998 Program The second annual Beyond Borders Conference for buyers and suppliers of international meetings and incentives will be held March 31 to April 1, 1998, at the New York Hilton in New York City.

Co-sponsored by Adams Business Media (publisher of this magazine and four other meeting publications), and PGI (a global events, entertainment, exhibitions, and business communications company), the education forum has been redesigned based on attendee evaluations from the 1997 event.

"More interactive programs and more discussion time have been built into the 1998 program," says Ann Boehme, CMP, conference chairperson, and president of Meetings Management and Techniques, Valley Stream, NY. The program will begin at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31 and close on April 1 at 4 p.m. It will include panels, case studies, and technical experts on topics including site selection, previewing and hiring entertainment for events, shipping, risk management, negotiations and contracts, money matters, health and safety, technology, and culture shock.

New York University has agreed to be a financial and promotional sponsor. Renewing sponsors include Shangri-La Hotels and Omni Press. Registration is $225 for planners and $350 for suppliers. For more information, call Ann Boehme at (516) 561-4223; fax: (516) 872-6397.

MPI Annual Meeting Celebrates 25 Years A heavy dose of nostalgia and a sprinkle of inspiration made for a successful 25th anniversary celebration as 2,421 Meeting Professionals International (MPI) members gathered in Baltimore in early August. The annual World Education Congress was just that--a celebration--with countless awards and ceremonies, some hilarious 25-year-old photos of MPI's leaders, and many of the organization's founding members in attendance.

For added inspiration, keynote speaker Jack Kemp, former U.S. congressman and Republican presidential candidate, spoke of the excitement of the new millennium; and Mount Everest climbers Alan Hobson and Jamie Clarke captivated the audience with the story of their unbelievable journey.

Among the other highlights of the World Education Congress:

Anna Lee Chabot, CMP, took her place as the organization's new president, replacing Kitty Ratcliffe. Chabot is head of the meetings and assemblies section for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

MPI announced that its Certificate in Meetings Management (CMM) program for industry professionals will be offered worldwide. (See story below.) The certification, which is targeted to address the needs of experienced meeting planners, was originally designed for the European market.

MPI and the Disney Institute announced that they will create an educational program to be offered exclusively to MPI members.

MPI promoted its new WEC WOW (World Education Congress WithOut Walls), a Web site ( www.mpiweb.org ) that lets browsers view the meeting highlights.

Corbin Ball, CMP, was awarded the Marion D. Kershner Memorial Chapter Leader Award (formerly the Chapter Leader of the Year Award); Margaret A. Moynihan, CMP, was awarded the Meeting Professional Award, Planner Category; Carol Krugman, CMP, and Lori Rogel, CMP, won the Meeting Professional Award, Tomorrow's Leader category; and J. William Boyd, CMP, won the Meeting Professional Award, Supplier Category.

Site Inspection Service Readers of Association Meetings can now set up their own site inspections of hotels, resorts, conference centers, and destinations, via the magazine's Web site. Go to http://www.meetingsnet.com , click on SIR (Site Inspection Register), and follow the simple instructions.