‘VIP Quest’ Coming to Dover For Meeting and Event Planner Showcase

350 Regional Meeting Planners Expected to Attend DOVER, DE – For the first time in its 25-year history, Meetings Quest will locate one of its trade shows for meeting and event planners in Delaware. The event, set for Dover Downs Hotel and Casino March 13-14, is expected to rally approximately 350 industry professionals from the Mid-Atlantic Region. “When the flag drops, the race for business will begin,” said Kimberly Bailey-Thomas, Director of Convention Sales and Marketing for Kent County Delaware Convention and Visitors Bureau (KCDCVB), also known locally as Kent County Tourism. “This is perhaps the best opportunity that Delaware has ever had to showcase the state as a good value and a great venue for meetings and conventions,” she added. “Meeting facilities, our three convention and visitors bureaus, restaurants and attractions statewide will participate as vendors at the event in an effort to attract more meeting and event business to Delaware.” One of the highlights of the event will be a special guest appearance by “The Love Chef?,” Francis Anthony, whose appearance is being sponsored by Kent County Tourism, is a favorite in the world of television cooking. Chef Anthony is known as the grandfather of foodie shows and a pioneer who married cooking and entertainment. He is the author of four cookbooks and writes a weekly newspaper column titled “Cooking With Love.” He has been a regular on “Live with Regis and Kelly” for more than 20 years. Planning for the event began two years ago, and will culminate in a two-day event with a racing theme. The event will kick off with the “Victory Lane” reception, which is being sponsored by the Delaware Tourism Office. Day two of the event will include educational seminars sponsored by George Washington University, a racing theme tradeshow, and wrapping with a presentation by The Love Chef. Attendees can earn credits toward their certifications with three potential seminars: Risk Management, Green Meetings and Successful Events through Technology. The seminars will be taught by staff members from George Washington University. VIP Meetings Quest is a production of JTDunn Enterprise. In addition to the new show in Delaware, others are held in Washington D.C., Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, Minneapolis, Dallas, Austin, St. Louis, Kansas City, Charlotte, Raleigh, Tampa, San Mateo and Anaheim. The shows are considered by most in the industry as the number one regional tradeshows in the country. JTDunn Enterprises and Meeting Quest is a driving force in the hospitality tradeshow industry. For more information about the show, visit the show’s website, www.vip-quest.net, or Kimberly Bailey-Thomas at 302-734-8309.

The Springtime™ Expo Comes Early This Year!

The Premier Meetings and Association Industry Event to Take Place April 3 WASHINGTON, DC – Along with the cherry blossoms and baseball’s Opening Day, the signs of Springtime™ are everywhere in the Nation’s Capital this year! Springtime™, the premier one-day meetings expo in Greater Washington, is a full 10 weeks early this year, taking place April 3, 2008 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in downtown Washington.Meeting professionals and other decision-makers are descending on Springtime™ to connect with more than 700 top providers of meetings, business and technology solutions in our Expo Hall, and learn something new in our morning education sessions. “While the show continues to grow and we continue to make enhancements based on participant feedback, the overall goal of Springtime™ has stayed the same: to help meeting and association professionals make their organizations more successful while advancing their own careers,” said Susan Sarfati, CAE, president and CEO of The Center for Association Leadership and executive vice president of ASAE. “Springtime™ is also a great place to reconnect with friends and peers, and form new relationships.” Enhancements to this year’s Expo include a re-drawn trade show floor, more Expo seating and a Connection Central area equipped with staff, resources and products. Registrants can also download a new online meeting planner toolbox with sample RFPs and tips for working the trade show floor. The Springtime™ Expo is one-stop shopping for meeting professionals. Exhibitors include airlines, convention & visitor bureaus, hotels and resorts, speaker bureaus and more. For a list of exhibitors and a virtual map of the Expo floor, visit http://www.asaecenter.org/SpringtimeExpo. Before the Expo, participants can attend a wide variety of education sessions on topics such as planning “green” meetings, exceeding customer’s expectations, and negotiating with hotels. Springtime™ offers sessions for professionals of every experience level, from those just starting out to the seasoned, senior planner. Springtime™ this year also includes a general session on how to Transform Yourself for Success with Jack Canfield, “America’s Success Coach” and founder and CEO of Chicken Soup for the Soul Enterprises, Inc. Canfield’s book The Success Principles teaches the skills people need to realize their dreams. The full day’s registration for Springtime™ is only $95 for members of ASAE & The Center, or $110 for non-members if you register before March 21, 2008. Register online at http://www.asaecenter.org/SpringtimeExpo or 888.950.2723. Registration is complimentary for working press. To obtain a press badge for Springtime™, please contact Chris Vest at 202.626.2798 or email cvest@asaenet.org.