Travel Services/Destination Information

• American Passport Express — U.S. passports expedited in 24 hours; (800) 841-6778; www.americanpassport.com

• Background Notes, U.S. Dept. of State — This valuable source for specific destinations around the world can be found on the Web under “Countries and Regions” at www.state.gov, or call the State Department at (202) 647-6575.

• Business Travel Net — information about business travel products and services worldwide, including airlines, hotels, car rental companies; www.businesstravelnet.com

• Embassy World — a directory and search engine for the world's embassies and consulates; embassyworld.com

• Expedia.com — info on numerous destinations, including lodging, maps, and weather, plus travel tools such as currency converter, airport information; www.expedia.com

• Flyer Talk — designed for frequent fliers; www.flyertalk.com

• Frommer's — Type in your destination and link to useful info about dining, attractions, cultural life, walking tours, shopping links, and more. www.frommers.com/destinations

• Global Edge — by the Center for International Business Education and Research at Michigan State University (MSU-CIBER), a Web-portal that connects international business professionals to information, insights, and learning resources on global business; http://globaledge.msu.edu/ibrd/ibrd.asp

• The International Trade Administration — government data on various countries, including tariff and import fee information, U.S. import duties, etc.; www.trade.gov/td/tic

• Multimap.com — This European site has maps of the U.K., Europe, and the U.S.; aerial phtots, directions; and geo-spatial searches (Where's the nearest ‥?”). There's also a London Tube map. www.multimap.com

• Nonprofit Risk Management Center — helps nonprofits with risk management; (202) 785-3891; www.nonprofitrisk.org

• Routes International — flight tracker; travel and booking info; Web links to transportation resources, including trains, ferries, city buses, and rail pass information; travel for the disabled; http://routesinternational.com

• Travelocity — detailed site and travel information in a huge destination database; www.travelocity.com

• U.S. Customs Know Before You Go — specific info for U.S. residents returning home, including duty regulations and customs exemptions; www.cpb.gov

• U.S. Embassies — Embassies abroad offer a range of information. See “Websites of U.S. Embassies and Other Diplomatic Missions” online under http://usembassy.state.gov. Americans who register in the consular section of the U.S. Embassy in foreign countries can obtain up-to-date information on travel and security in that country.

• U.S. Passport Services — where to apply for a passport; how to get passports the easy way; downloadable, printable passport applications; answers to frequently asked questions; www.travel.state.gov

Nuts-and-Bolts/Tips, Clocks, and Codes

• Digital Passport — helpful info, such as currency exchange, time zones, embassies, international deliveries, airports; www.rubicon.com/passport.html

• Earth Calendar — interactive datebook of holidays and celebrations aroundthe world; www.earthcalendar.net

• Free Translation Calendar — a site that translates English into a variety of languages; Just type in what you wish to say, and the site does the rest. www.freetranslation.com

• Interfaith Calendar — calendar with listings of religious holidays; www.interfaithcalendar.org/index.htm

• International Dialing Codes — worldwide phone codes; electrical plug info; direct-dial prefixes; world TV guides; how to make calls to and from foreign countries; how to hook up your laptop anywhere; www.kropla.com

• International Postal Calculator — United States Postal Service calculator for international letters and packages; http://ircalc.usps.gov

• Lonely Planet — lots of worldwide travel tips and guides, as well as discussions; www.lonelyplanet.com

• Postal Rates — directory, links, and resources for international postal rates and codes; www.postalrates.info

• Rudy Maxa — some great insider tips and locales for both planners and attendees; www.rudymaxa.com

• Time and Date — Web site with time zone information; www.timeanddate.com

• Time Zone Converter — www.timezoneconverter.com

• Unit Converter — feet to meters and vice versa, as well as other useful conversions; www.digitaldutch.com/unitconverter

• The Weather Channel — Click on “World” in menu bar, then type in the country. www.weather.com

• The World Clock — current local times and dates from around the world; www.timeanddate.com/worldclock

• World Weather Forecasts — weather info, satellite images around the world, national and international 10-day forecasts; www.intellicast.com/LocalWeather/World

Destination Management Companies

• Euromic — consortium of two dozen European DMCs; Chicago office: (800) 621-8045, (312) 845-9734; www.euromic.com

• Global Events Partners — alliance of full-service DMCs from around the world, based in Washington, D.C.; Web site has contact information, creative themes, online RFPs; (800) 206-9055, (202) 775-5800; www.globaleventspartners.com

• Networld — connects corporations, special groups, and incentive travel planners with its overseas network of travel suppliers, The Networld Network; www.networldinc.com

• Travel Trade Marketing USA — sales, marketing, and reservations throughout North and South America for the international travel industry; www.ttmusa.com

• World of Incentives — network of 25 DMCs from 20 countries; info@woinetwork.com; www.woinetwork.com

Expositions/Exhibiting

• Canada Revenue Agency — info on customs; publishes guide on bringing meetings to Canada; www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca

• The Center for Exhibition Industry Research — Chicago-based nonprofit organization that represents the exhibition industry; provides marketing and research reports, statistics, and hard data about the industry; www.ceir.org

• The Department of Commerce — information on countries, tariffs, taxes, trade events; (800) USA-TRADE (872-8723); www.trade.gov/td/tic; www.export.gov

• E.J. Krause & Associates Inc. — long-established marketing and marketing research company for international business and trade shows; (301) 493-5500; www.ejkrause.com

• The International Association for Exposition Management — worldwide daily news and info about the exhibition industry, a search database for shows, career center, industry links; based in Dallas; (972) 458-8002; www.iaem.org

• The International Association of Professional Congress Organizers — can put you in touch with member PCOs in specific countries; IAPCO Secretariat, in London, (44) 20 87496171; www.iapco.org

• The National Trade Data Bank — export promotion and international trade data from 17 U.S. government agencies; The International Trade Library is a comprehensive collection of over 40,000 documents related to international trade. (800) STAT-USA, (202) 482-1986; www.stat-usa.gov

• Trade Show Exhibitors Association — produces TS2, the Trade Show About Trade Shows, and provides sample RFPs and helpful exhibiting information; in Chicago; (312) 842-TSEA (8732); www.tsea.org

• TSNN.com — database contains info on more than 15,000 trade shows and conferences, and through a strategic partnership, more than 30,000 seminars; www.tscentral.com

U.S. Representatives of International Shows

• Cologne International Trade Fairs — in Cologne, Germany; (49) 221 821-0; nafta.com; www.koelnmesse.de

• Hannover Fairs USA Inc. — based in Princeton, N.J.; (609) 987-1202; www.hf-usa.com

• Kallman Worldwide Inc. — based in Waldwick, N.J.; (201) 251-2600; www.kallman.com

• Messe Dusseldorf North America — (312) 781-5180; www.mdna.com

Shipping/Customs Freight Forwarders

• ATA Carnet — for a list of ATA Carnet member countries and copies of ATA Carnet forms; (847) 381-1558, (800) ATA-2900; www.atacarnet.com

• LogLink Logistics Links — Web links for customs brokers, worldwide freight carriers, business contacts, routing software; www.loglink.com

• Panalpina Inc. — based in Miami, Fla., handles freight forwarding on six continents; (305) 499-9800; www.panalpina.com

• Schenker International Inc. — has 50 offices in most major cities; www.schenkerusa.com

• TWI Global Exhibition Logistics — online downloadable international shipping guides to air freight, hand carry/courier shipping, ocean freight, insurance, online shipping cost estimate form, etc.; (702) 691-9000; www.twiglobal.com

• World Customs Organization — international customs and trade info, including Web sites, breaking customs and trade news; 159 members worldwide; based in Belgium; (32) 2 209 92 11; www.wcoomd.org

Insurance

• Event Savers — Rust Insurance Agency Inc.; (202) 776-5000; www.rustinsurance.com

• ExpoplusCCI — event cancellation insurance; (800) 323-2106; www.expoplus.net

• Showstoppers Event Cancellation Insurance — ASAE-sponsored and offered through the Travelers; cancellation, terrorism coverage, labor disputes, non-appearance, loss of personal property; request quote online; (800)424-8830, (202) 862-5333; www.asae-aon.com/aec3.php

• Squaremouth.com travel insurance — Web site compares major travel insurance products. Can also research insurance carriers and make purchases; www.quotetravelinsurance.com

• Travel Guard — travel insurance provider in a variety of categories; (800) 826-4919, (715) 345-0505; www.www.travel-guard.com

• TWI Global Exhibition Logistics — freight insurance; (702) 691-9000; www.twiglobal.com

• Worldwide Emergency Services — a value-added reseller of MEDEX service; (340) 776-5793, (888) 999-9553; www.tosafety.com

Safety and Security

• 21st Century Security Inc. — professional security services; based in Brooklyn, N.Y.; (800) 649-4827, (718) 891-7550; www.21stcenturysecurity.com

• Air Security International, L.P. — offers a spectrum of security options, from on-site safety to secure travel; based in Houston, Texas; (713) 430-7300; www.airsecurity.com

• Federal Emergency Management Agency — Web site includes an extensive disaster preparedness list; www.fema.org/library

• Global Hotspot Information — available free on the Web site of Sheldon Little, a U.K.-based firm specializing in security and crisis management; country-by-country information with details on severe weather, flash medical reports, transport-related strikes likely to cause delays, and demonstrations and security incidents of concern to travelers; www.sheldonlittle.com

• The Overseas Citizen Services — 24-hour emergency hotline for overseas travelers to leave with people who may need to contact them in an emergency; (202) 647-5225

• U.S. Department of State Travel Warnings and Bureau of Consular Affairs Information Sheets — the latest headline warnings for every country of the world, including the location of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, unusual currency and entry regulations, and crime and security facts. Info on passports and visas, lists of attorneys, doctors, and hospitals abroad; www.travel.state.gov

Medical Services/Information

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's International Travelers Health Site — health info on countries worldwide, including vaccinations, health risks, infectious diseases, health requirements, emergency preparedness, safe food and water instructions; www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm

• GlobalCare and Global Emergency Medical Services Inc. — offers the MedPass program; on the Web: overview of medical services and support, including a help desk staffed by registered nurses 24 hours a day, who can provide telephone assistance and make referrals to English-speaking providers or arrange medical evacuations; includes online enrollment form; Alpharetta, Ga.; (800) 860-1111; www.globalcare.net

• InHouse Physicians — offers on-site medical care, support, and risk management consulting for meetings and events worldwide; Naperville, Ill.; (800) 356-3627; www.inhousephysicians.com

• International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers — nonprofit organization that advises travelers about health risks, geographical distribution of diseases, and immunization requirements for all countries; makes available to travelers around the world competent medical care by Western-trained doctors who speak English; publishes directory of 850 English-speaking doctors in 130 countries; (716) 754-4883; www.iamat.org

• International SOS Assistance Inc. — provides medical clinics worldwide, emergency assistance, insurance plans; A plan called Global Premier provides individual and group medical coverage, death and disability insurance, emergency evacuation, 24-hour access to multilingual operators, and monitoring of medical problems abroad by SOS specialists; based in Philadelphia; alarm phone: (215) 245-4707, (215) 244-1500; or (800) 523-8930; www.internationalsos.com

• MEDEX Assistance Corp. — medical assistance; insurance including evacuation, repatriation coverage, trip cancellation with direct payment to foreign providers; 24-hour professional multilingual assistance with medical, travel, and personal emergencies, including medical transportation; Services range from doctor referrals to the coordination of complex medical evacuation assistance; based in Towson, Md.; (800) 527-0218, (410) 453-6300; www.medexassist.com

• Worldwide Assistance Services Inc. — Washington, D.C.-based subsidiary of Europe Assistance Holding S.A., headquartered in Paris; provides medical assistance around the globe; corporate memberships or event-specific coverage available; (800) 777-8710; www.worldwideassistance.com

VAT/Tax Reclaim

• Corporate VAT Management — numerous links;www.corporatevat.com

• FEXCO Tax Reclaim Services — www.fexco.com/ctax.php

• Global Refund — www.globalrefund.com

• Meridian Reclaim Services — www.meridianvat.com

• Revenue Canada Visitor Rebate — www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/visitors

Currency Information and Services

• CNN's Financial Network Currencies Market — charts of currency values compared to the U.S. dollar, showing the latest trade dates; money.cnn.com/markets/currencies

• ConvertIt.com — just about everything by way of conversion tools, from currency to measurements to time zones; www.convertit.com

• Foreign Exchange Currency Converter — currency exchange rates for any of 164 currencies for any date; interbank rates, currency codes; www.oanda.com/convert/classic

• Ruesch International — international payment solutions for cross-border transactions worldwide; www.ruesch.com

• Travelex Financial Services — comprehensive range of corporate and commercial payment services for companies doing business internationally; www.travelexusa.com

• The Universal Currency Converter — interactive chart that converts U.S. dollars into a selected currency, and vice versa; www.xe.com/ucc

• Visa Expo — click on ATM Locator to pinpoint the exact location of ATM and bank machines in cities and airports around the world; international.visa.com/main.jsp

Publications on Cultural Protocol

• China in Motion: 17 Secrets to Slashing the Time to Production, to Market, and to Profits in China, Japan, and South Korea — by Mia Doucet, Bankerman Press, 2005

• Chinese Business Etiquette: A Guide to Protocol, Manners, and Culture in the People's Republic of China — by Scott D. Seligman, Edward J. Trenn; Warner Books; 1999

• CulturGrams — from Brigham Young University and the Millennial Star Network, 4-page CulturGram briefings on greetings, dining , courtesies, gestures, lifestyles, and attitudes of a nation's people; available for 175 countries, updated annually; (800) 528-6279; www.culturegrams.com

• Do's and Taboos Around the World; Do's and Taboos of Hosting International Visitors; Do's and Taboos of Using English Around the World; Do's and Taboos of Preparing for Your Trip Abroad; and Gestures: Do's and Taboos of Body Language Around the World — by Roger E. Axtell, John Wiley & Sons Inc.; Do's And Taboos Around the World for Women in Business — by Roger E. Axtell, Tami Briggs, Margaret Corcoran, Mary Beth Lamb, John Wiley & Sons Inc., 1997

• Dun & Bradstreet's Guide to Doing Business Around the World — by Terri Morrison et al., Prentice Hall Press, 2000

• Europublic — intercultural consultations on Europe; books; training courses; speakers; www.europublic.com

• ExecutivePlanet.com — online, up-to-date info on international business culture, customs, and protocol, gift-giving, negotiating tactics, business entertainment, cross-cultural communication, more; www.executiveplanet.com

• The Global Etiquette Guide to Asia; The Global Etiquette Guide to Europe: Everything You Need to Know for Business and Travel Success — by Dean Foster, John Wiley & Sons

• The Global Road Warrior — by Jeffrey Curry, Sibylla Putzi, World Trade Press, 3rd ed., 2001

• Going to Japan on Business : Protocol, Strategies, and Language for the Corporate Traveler — by Christalyn Brannen, Stone Bridge Press; 3rd ed., 2002

• The Intercultural Press — offers many cross-cultural communication guides. For more information: (207) 846-5168, (866) 372-2665; www.interculturalpress.com

• International Business Etiquette Europe: What You Need to Know to Conduct Business Abroad With Charm and Savvy and International Business Etiquette Latin America: What You Need to Know to Conduct Business Abroad With Charm and Savvy — by Ann Marie Sabath, Career Press, 1999

• Japanese Etiquette & Ethics in Business — 6th ed., by Boye Lafayette De Mente, McGraw-Hill, 1994

• Kiss, Bow or Shake Hands: How to Do Business in Sixty Countries — www.getcustoms.com, by Terri Morrison et al., Adams Media, 1995

• Korean Etiquette & Ethics in Business — by Boye Lafayette De Mente, McGraw-Hill, 2nd ed., 1994

• Multicultural Manners: New Rules of Etiquette for a Changing Society — by Norine Dresser, John Wiley & Sons Inc., 1996

• Professional Meeting Management: A European Handbook — 35 authors, available through Meeting Professionals International; www.mpiweb.org/resources/bookstore

• Put Your Best Foot Forward: Asia; Put Your Best Foot Forward: South America; Put Your Best Foot Forward: Europe; Put Your Best Foot Forward: Mexico/Canada; and Put Your Best Foot Forward: Russia — Mary Murray Bosrock, International Education Systems

• Riding The Waves of Culture: Understanding Diversity in Global Business — by Fons Trompenaars and Charles Hampden-Turner, McGraw-Hill Trade, 1997

• Rules of the Game: Global Business Protocol — by Nan Leaptrott, 1996

• Russian Etiquette & Ethics in Business — by Drew Wilson, Lloyd Donaldson, McGraw-Hill, 1996

• Speaking Globally: Effective Presentations Across International and Cultural Boundaries — by Elizabeth Urech, National Book Network, 2nd ed., 2002

Travel Clothing, Products, Phones

• International Cellular Services — cell phone rental throughout the world; (800) 897-5788, (212) 736-7368; www.internationalcellular.com

• Magellan's — travel supplies, clothing, luggage, security items, health and hygiene, info center; www.magellans.com

• Travelanimal.com — travel supplies, security items; www.travelanimal.com

• Travel Gizmos — all sorts of travel gizmos, gewgaws, and stuff to make traveling easier, including luggage and travel accessories; www.travelgizmos.com

• Travel Products.com — travel supplies, security items; (800) 917-4616, (310) 917-1250; www.travelproducts.com

• Travel Smith — travel clothing, luggage, security items, “shop by destination,” free travel guides, packing lists; www.travelsmith.com

• Travel Tools — items designed and sold for the business traveler; store.yahoo.com/traveltools1/index.html

More Organizations and Associations

• The American Society of Association Executives — has an international department to support association execs and their suppliers who are operating globally; maintains relations with 13 other societies of association executives worldwide; in Washington, D.C.; (202) 371-0940; www.asaenet.org

• The Asian Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus — provides information and contacts in Asia; contact the association c/o Macau Government Tourist Office, Gomes, Macau; (853) 798-4156/57; www.aacvb.org

• British Association of Conference Destinations — represents 80 conference destinations and more than 3,000 venues throughout the British Isles; venue location service; news; conference support; education and training; in Birmingham, England, (44) 0 121 212 1400; www.bacd.org.uk

• Convention Industry Council — represents more than 30 national and international organizations in the meetings, conventions, exhibitions, and travel and tourism industries; Certified Meeting Professional offered in Europe and Asia; McLean, Va.; (703) 610-9030; www.conventionindustry.org

• The European Federation of Conference Towns — many services to U.S. meetings planners; directory of more than 100 European convention destinations in 34 countries that can handle 300 or more delegates; based in Brussels, Belgium; (32) 2 732 69 54; www.efct.com

• ICCA — about 600 members in 80 countries representing specialists in handling, transporting, and accommodating international events; extensive database on more than 7,300 international meetings; in Amsterdam, Netherlands; (31) 20 398 1919; www.iccaworld.com

• International Association of Congress Centres — publishes AIPC and ICCA “General Conditions for Contracts with Congress Centres,” which have been adopted by nearly 200 congress centers worldwide; defines keywords and offers quality standards for congress, conference, and convention centers worldwide; Brussels, Belgium; (32) 2 534 59 53; www.aipc.org

• The International Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus — publishes a directory listing 1,000 cities and member bureaus around the world; (202) 296-7888; www.iacvb.org; CVB Help Line/Directory Web: (800) 208-8661; www.officialtravelguide.com

• Meeting Professionals International — offers a global network of colleagues, continuing education, and a resource center that sells literature; maintains a European and a Canadian office; in Dallas; (972) 702-3000; www.mpiweb.org

• Meetings & Events Australia — 1,600 members in Australia and the Asia/Pacific region; P.O. Box 1477, Neutral Bay NSW 2089, Australia; (61) 2 9904 9922; www.miaanet.com.au

• The Professional Convention Management Association — continuing education on international meeting planning; in Chicago; (877) 827-7262, (312) 423-7262; www.pcma.org

• The Society of Incentive & Travel Executives — educational conferences and workshops on international business challenges; constituents in key international destinations can be consulted or linked into a developing incentive program; in Chicago; (312) 321-5148; www.site-intl.org