• IACVB Launches New Study: The International Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, Washington, D.C., has launched a new Convention and Expenditure Impact Study it hopes will standardize industry economic impact calculations and provide updated measures of the meetings and conventions industry. Beginning in March 2002, the study will survey event organizers, meeting delegates, and exhibiting companies in the U.S. and Canada, with final results to be published in the summer of 2003.

• CIC Gets with the Times: The Convention Industry Council, an umbrella organization representing 30 associations in the meetings, conventions, exhibitions, and travel industries, has selected The New York Times to launch its public education campaign promoting the value of face-to-face meetings and expositions. “Beginning the week of May 20, and over the next six months, 3,200 CEOs and CFOs, representing Fortune 100 companies, will receive certain issues of the Times with an advertising insert including a message from Tom Peters about the importance of meeting face-to-face,” says Mary Power, president of CIC. Peters is a well-known author of business books such as Thriving on Excellence and A Passion for Excellence.

CIC and the Times have also made arrangements so that industry suppliers can reinforce their message with announcements of their own products and services for the meeting, convention, and exhibition industry through sponsored copies of the newspaper at conventions. Special reduced rates are available.