HelmsBriscoe can be the Starbucks of the meeting industry,” said Roger Helms, president and CEO of HelmsBriscoe, in a speech to the company's associates in early December. “Our long-term goal is to become a brand name with every person who has...

The one-two punch of September 11 and the stagnant economy has slashed the number of hotel development and renovations projects scheduled for 2002. Marriott will open 125 properties this year versus 170 in 2001; Renaissance Hotels & Resorts...

We may be traveling again, but that doesn't mean that there still aren't plenty of concerned — even fearful — flyers out there...

Like the famous definition of pornography, “I know it when I see it,” many meeting planners have a similarly intuitive definition of conference centers. There are, however, clear criteria that define the conference center concept...

For the skinny on the conference center business, Dave Arnold's your man. Arnold, an executive vice president with PKF Consulting in Philadelphia, spends his days tracking trends in conference center development and operations. We asked him to...

I've been fortunate over my years in meeting planning to miss out on the road-tour scene — that is, until this year. I am now just finishing the 11th stop on a 22-city road tour in which our new senior leadership team is briefing our independent...

Walt Disney World kicked off its “100 Years of Magic” celebration in October to celebrate Walt Disney's birth 100 years ago. A series of special events takes place through the end of 2002 at each of the four theme parks. Here are our top six picks...

Hospitals are one of the most difficult places to work. But they're also one of the most fulfilling. Why? Because helping others is an extremely powerful motivator...

International meeting cancellations, virtual meetings replacing live ones, diminished air service — the post-September 11 realities dominated the spotlight at Meeting Professionals International's Professional Education Conference, held in late...

Like every facet of the hospitality industry in the post-September 11 era, gaming destinations across the U.S. have worked hard to return to a semblance of normalcy. After the initial flood of meeting cancellations and postponements in September...