The Convention Industry Council and Web-based technology and services provider StarCite have teamed up in a joint initiative called "Operation Cancellation Rescue." Designed to help support the industry in the wake of September 11, the initiative’s main objective is "to rebook and fill cancelled hotel rooms and meeting space to ease the burden on those whose meeting space was booked and now cancelled," said John Pino, founder and CEO of StarCite.

"Together, we are creating an industry-wide inventory of cancelled space," Mary Power, CIC’s president and CEO said. "We are aware that anyone planning a meeting obviously has his or her choice of venues right now. We are encouraging those people to utilize this inventory, support their industry, help pick up the pieces, and fill cancelled space first."

StarCite’s part in the venture includes suspending all fees associated with its online "Cancelled Space" service through December 31, 2001 for Operation Cancellation Rescue. Any planner, hotel, conference center, or property faced with cancelled meetings will be able to enter their information, which planners and organizations in need of meeting space then can search.

Operation Cancellation Rescue can be accessed via CIC’s web site at http://www.conventionindustry.org, or at StarCite’s web site at http://www.StarCite.com. User instructions are available at both sites, and additional assistance is available through StarCite.