In lieu of reducing by 30 percent the amount federal officials can spend per day while traveling on official business, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) instead froze the daily spending limit at current levels for the 2013 fiscal year beginning in October – protecting an estimated $885 million in potential business for the U.S. conventions and travel industries.

The Exhibitor Appointed Contractor Association and the Trade Show Exhibitors Association have now completely merged to create the Exhibit & Events Marketing Association (E2MA). The new E2MA organization, logo and brand were introduced on July 10 at the 2012 Red Diamond Congress at McCormick Place in Chicago.

Kevin Hinton officially accepted the reins as chairman of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) at MPI WEC for a one-year term effective July 1.

Kevin Hinton (left) takes over as chairman of Meeting Professionals International and is pictured with former chairman Sebastien Tondeur.

Photo provided by MPI/Orange Photography.

Exploration of new technologies for connecting the healthcare industry with relevant education was a keystone element of the 2012 Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association (HCEA) annual meeting held June 23 through 26 in Orlando, Fla.

The rains of tropical storm Debby lashed Orlando during the Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association’s (HCEA) Annual Meeting (June 12-16), but nothing dampened the enthusiasm for education that brought approximately 650 people to this year’s annual meeting.