Have we told you about us? Insurance Conference Planner is on-line with an article archive, breaking news, and a searchable database that is complete, easy to use, and a great tool for the early stages of site selection.

Here's how the database, called SiteSELECT, works: Let's say your CEO has an inkling to head to Maine with a small group of top achievers. Even if you don't know Down East from Down Under, your job is to find the perfect site.

When you click on SiteSELECT, the first thing you do is enter your criteria. Site: if you don't know, leave it blank; City: ditto; State: Maine; Number of rooms: fewer than 300 (the CEO likes to keep things intimate). Submit your search, and in 20 to 30 seconds the system sorts its files to find (in this case) 13 meeting-oriented properties that fit your parameters. Each property name that appears can be clicked on to learn more, including address, phone, fax, e-mail and web addresses, number of rooms, number of meeting rooms (including the capacity of the largest), exhibit space, and recreation facilities.

SiteSELECT can be searched in three different areas: hotels and resorts, convention centers, and convention

bureaus. Once you locate some hotel options, try a search for Maine's convention bureaus, then leave the database area and check our archives for articles about meeting in New England. You're on your way.