Canceled Programs Cost Planners Millions in Fees, Suppliers Billions in Lost Revenue

Jun 10, 2009 9:51 AM, By Dave Kovaleski

The average meeting planner expects to cancel or postpone meetings worth $560,000 in room revenue in 2009 and 2010, according to a recent survey conducted by the Professional Convention Management Association, American Express, and the Y Partnership. Those canceled or rebooked meetings account for, on average, $81,000 per planner in penalty fees. Fifty-five percent of the survey respondents were association meeting professionals and 45 percent were corporate or incentive meeting pros. Read More

Educate Your Members of Congress About the Real Effects of Meetings & Events

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San Diego Flyway Cities Coalition Week

We invite you to attend one of our partner events during the Flyway Cities Coalition Launch Week, held in recognition of the Coalition and International Migratory Bird Day. This will be a wonderful opportunity to learn about local wildlife, habitat issues and what local organizations are doing to make San Diego more 'flyway friendly' for both wildlife and people. We look forward to seeing you there!

May 9 - 16, 2009

Restoration Event at a Flyway City Hotspot, Famosa Slough
When? Saturday, May 9th, 9am – noon
Where?Famosa Slough, meet along West Point Loma Boulevard, about 200ft east of the Famosa Boulevard intersection
What? We'll be restoring this important stopover by removing weeds, improving trails, picking up trash, etc.
Host: Friends of Famosa Slough, Jim Peugh, 619-224-4591, peugh@cox.net
Website: www.famosaslough.org

Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day at the Tijuana Estuary
When? Saturday, May 9th, 9am – 2pm
Where? Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center; located at 301 Caspian Way, Imperial Beach, CA 91932
What? We’ll feature the roles that birds play in the native cultures along the Pacific Flyway. Kumeyaay wildcat singer Stan Rodriguez will regale us with his native songs and stories and there will be other fun activities for the whole family. FREE!
Host: Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve; for more info call 619.575.3613
Website: http://www.tijuanaestuary.org/

Stroll for the San Diego River
When? Sunday, May 10, 8:30am
Where?Meet at Mapleview and Channel Road
What? Come and stroll the San Diego River trail, and see parts of the trail not yet open to the public.
Host: Lakeside’s River Park Conservancy, Robin Rierdan, 619-443-4770
Website: www.lakesideriverpark.org

Learn to be Flyway-Friendly at the Home Depot
When? Saturday, May 16th 11am-1pm
Where? Chula Vista Home Depot - 725 Plaza Court, Chula Vista CA 91910
What? Learn about the Flyway Cities Coalition and Chula Vista’s own NatureScape program. Staff will be on hand to explain the FCC, talk about wildlife- friendly plants, teach you how to reduce water use in your yard, and how to certify your yard as a Certified Wildlife Habitat.
Host: Chula Vista City of Env. Services; Michelle Castagnola, 619-409-5955, mcastagnola@ci.chula-vista.ca.us
Website: http://www.chulavistaca.gov/clean/SpecialEvents/Default.asp

Help Restore an Important Stopover for Migratory Birds
When? Saturday, May 16th 9am - noon
Where? San Diego River
What? We’ll be restoring this important coastal dune/strand habitat by removing invasive plants and picking up trash.
Host: San Diego Audubon Society; Shannon Dougherty, 619-682-7210, dougherty@sandiegoaudubon.org
Website: http://www.sandiegoaudubon.org/events.htm

San Elijo Lagoon Day & BioBlitz
When? Saturday, May 16, 10am - 3pm
Where?At the new San Elijo Nature Center, 2710 Manchester Avenue (for directions: www.SanElijo.org/naturecenter.html)
What? Fabulous fun for the family is on the order at San Elijo Lagoon Day, a free public celebration, where scientists will race against the clock to find and identify as many different plants and animals as possible in only 24 hours, while visitors enjoy free guided walks, children's crafts, exciting exhibits, interactive games, face painting, storytelling and much more.
Host: San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy, Ralph Achenbach, 760-436-3944, info@SanElijo.org
Website: www.SanElijo.org/bioblitz

Experience the Biodiversity of San Diego’s Urban Canyons
When? TBA
Where? TBA
What? San Diego Canyonlands hosts regular habitat restoration events, bird walks, and other canyon-based experiences.
Host: FSan Diego Canyonlands & San Dieguito Park River Conservancy
Website: http://sdcanyonlands.org/

Migratory Bird Day Festivals – North County

The events below are part of a multi-lagoon Migratory Bird Festival being offered by all 3 Carlsbad lagoons, through a collaboration known as CLAW – Coastal Lagoons and Wetlands.

Agua Hedionda Lagoon

When? Saturday, May 9th 10am – 4pm
Where? Agua Hedionda Discovery Center; located at 1580 Cannon Road in Carlsbad, at the intersection of Cannon and Faraday. Exit I-5 at Cannon Road and go 1.3 miles east to Cannon Road.
What? Join us as we explore the fascinating life of these world travelers and learn about their unique adaptations and the difficulties they face on their annual migrations. The festival will offer a variety of hands-on activities and crafts for both children and adults. We will also have live hawks and owls and an amazing bird-caller who can mimic over 150 different bird calls. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
Host: Agua Hedionda Lagoon Discovery Center; for more information call (760) 804-1969.
Website: http://www.aguahedionda.org/

Buena Vista Lagoon

When? Saturday, May 9th 8am – noon
Where? Buena Vista Audubon Society Nature Center; located at 2202 S. Coast Highway, Oceanside, CA 92054
What? We will be hosting a Birding Workshop and field trip for new and renewing Friends of Buena Vista Audubon Society. The 4-hour event is designed for beginning birders and will be a moving workshop that starts at 8:00 am at the Nature Center and will carpool around the lagoon stopping at 5 locations. The suggested donation is $25/person, which provides a 1-year Friends membership and subscription to the Lagoon Flyer newsletter.
Host: : Buena Vista Audubon Society; for more information or to reserve a spot call the Nature Center at (760) 439-2473
Website: http://www.bvaudubon.org/

Batiquitos Lagoon

When? Saturday, May 9th 8:30am – 3pm
Where? Batiquitos Lagoon Nature Center; 7380 Gabbiano Lane, Carlsbad, CA 92011
What? A variety of family-friendly events will highlight Flyway Cities Coalition themes, including a docent-led public bird walk.
Host: : Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation; 760-931-0800 or info@batiquitosfoundation.org
Website: www.batiquitosfoundation.org

May Training Opportunity: Become a NWF Habitat Steward!

When? 4 Saturdays in May (2nd, 9th, 16th, 30th) from 8:30am-3:00pm
Where? Anstine-Audubon Nature Preserve; 2437 Hutchinson Street, Vista CA 92084
What? If you'd like to learn more about how to create wildlife habitats in your yard and community, sign up for the National Wildlife Federation's upcoming Habitat Steward training. You will learn how to help local wildlife, create habitat, and teach others how to build habitats for wildlife using native plants and sustainable gardening practices. You'll be provided with a comprehensive training manual, practical training from local conservation professionals, and a hands-on, garden-based learning experience.
Cost: : FREE, we just ask that you make a commitment of providing 30 hours of service to NWF within a year of completing the training
Host:Register Today! Space is limited to the first 30 people. To sign up, call or email Becky Wilbanks, Habitat Steward Host, at beckywilbanks@cox.net or (760) 295-1548.
Website: http://www.nwf.org/volunteer/

Get involved in the Flyway Cities Coalition! Join with others in your metropolitan area to protect and restore wildlife habitat.

Carbon Free Meeting Coalition

In order to effectively drive the value and adoption of carbon free meeting technologies – be they video, audio or collaboration based – our primary focus is on the methodologies, certification and education around the development, use, implementation and measurement of advanced communication technologies, completely underwritten through our signature “Carbon Free Meeting Company” standardization program, which serve to outline key parameters organizations must meet to be recognized as a “c02 Free meeting company” program participant and to obtain the recognition, opportunities – and potential tax credits – available to companies that meet these standards.

Without standards, even simple basic standards, buyers can not make effective purchase decisions when evaluating “green “ solutions and products. In turn, sellers and producers can not effectively differentiate and even determine which “green” products the market needs. Green Technologies as a category can be misleading through buyer confusion and savvy marketers –
- It is important to be able to measure the value you are receiving out of your carbon free meeting initiatives.

• C02 reductions• Cost savings.• Time savings.
What is Carbon Free Meeting Certified?
• C02fmc certified is an organizational certification programproviding a baseline standard that enables hardware, software and other products to be measured against their environmental savings.

- Why do we need to be c02fmc certified?
• No other standards body exists to certify companies who meet the stringent requirements needed to be recognized for using advanced communication technologies to reduce their carbon footprint.• Carbon Tax Credits.

- What is the application process to become c02fmc certified?

• Fill out c02fmc certified application• Illustrate proper measurement and tracking tool.• Illustrate a defined period of use that illustrates measurablesavings in carbon emissions
- Need Help – We’re here to help you , especially with measurement, tracking and reporting tools.

- Is there a logo we can use?
• Yes, in fact there are three different variations.
- Are there different levels of certification?
• Yes – Audio, video or collaboration --- or a combination of allthree.
- Is there a fee associated with Certification?
• Yes, there is a minimal fee based size of your organization and level of certification.
- Can we submit a product to be certified?
• Yes – we have already begun accepting applications for our product certification program and we are processing them in a timely manner.

Visit Carbon Free Meeting Coalition for more information

“Gaining the Edge” Technology for the Meetings and Event Professional

Join San Diego Meeting Professional International
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Omni Hotel San Diego
A four diamond luxury hotel nestled in the heart of San Diego’s historic Gas Lamp
Register Today

Are you frustrated trying to keep up with new devices, software and online tools?
Where can you learn about the trends transforming our industry and our world?
How can you use technology to improve your efficiency instead of bog you down?
In this tough economy, what tools are available to help you do more for less?

This program will provide you with an interactive, educational experience that includes hands-on learning, exposure to the latest technology, and offers instruction from experts working in our field. Attend informative general sessions and dynamic breakouts specifically delivering skills and tools for all industry professionals. A full day or half day program is available.

PROGRAM

Full Day Program (7:30am - 6:15pm)
• Continental Breakfast
• Opening General Session with Corbin Ball
• Four Breakouts Sessions (two in the morning and two in the afternoon)
• Lunch
• Closing General Session
• Reception

Morning Half Day Program (7:30am - 1:00pm)
• Continental Breakfast
• Opening General Session with Corbin Ball
• Two AM Breakouts Sessions
• Lunch

Afternoon Half Day Program (12:00pm - 6:15pm)
• Lunch
• Two PM Breakouts Sessions
• Closing General Session
• Reception

* New & Prospective Member Orientation from 7:30 am - 8:15 am

REGISTRATION FEES
* Early-bird registration rates are available through March 20, 2009

Member Rates start at $75.00 for full day and $60.00 for half day
Non-Member Rates start at $95.00 for full day and $80.00 for half day
Student rates start at $55.00
Tabletop exhibits are available starting at $150.00 and include the full program!

BREAKOUTS OFFERED
Online Social Networking as a Marketing Tool
Taming the Email Beast
Make your Blackberry Your Best Friend
Technology for SOHO (Small Office Home Office)
Microsoft Office Tips and Tools
Software Trends for Today’s Meeting Planners
Reach Your Audience Through Webcasting, Video Conferencing, Tele-conferencing and Podcasts
Meetings 2/0: The Impact of Web 2.0 on Meetings

LOCATION, PARKING AND DIRECTIONS
Omni Hotel San Diego
675 L Street
San Diego, California 92101

$10 valet parking at the Omni. Self parking available across the street. Rates vary.