Concerns Arise Over UA, Continental Merger

Central Illinois
Center Stage

by KATIE MORELL

· While Chicago is likely the first destination that comes to mind when people think of Illinois, the central part of the state has its own unique appeal, with friendly folks, deep-rooted American history and intriguing diversions.

The communities of Springfield, Peoria, Bloomington, Normal, Champaign, Urbana and Decatur brim with activity. They are centers of education with universities around every corner, lively metros of commerce with corporate headquarters in residence and meeting hot spots with convention centers, fairgrounds and hotels to fit a wide variety of groups.

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Meetings MidAmerica now available in digital format!

Meetings MidAmericas’ May Digital Edition is now available. This month’s issue features an interview conducted at the IACC-Americas Summit with Alex Cabanas, chief development and strategy officer of Benchmark Hospitality International, who talks about the company’s bullish expansion efforts, even in this down economy.

Click here to view our Meetings MidAmerica digital edition.

University Venues
Campus Culture

by PATRICIA BATES

· Often overlooked by planners, university museums are invaluable resources for meetings, both as venues and as places to engage the mind and senses.

The following are just a few of the many university museums worth considering.

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Avoiding the Top Meeting Mistakes (or How to Fix Them!) Webinar

Wenesday, May 26, 2010

Planning meetings is an exercise fraught with potential catastrophe: Losing thousands of dollars due to attrition, controlling alcohol consumption and food and beverage costs, avoiding lawsuits from your attendees, facilities and other parties who might not be on your radar, and transportation nightmares. In this webinar, three veteran meeting planners from the Vintage Industry Professionals Network (VIP)—Mimi Almeida, Jan Hennessey and Jackie Klein, will help you learn how to avoid the most common meeting mistakes.

Join Meetings Media for this free webinar Wednesday, March 26, and learn how to stop the bleeding if a negative chain of events has already been set in motion! There is no fee to register.

Visit MeetingsFocus.com/webinars to register or learn more.

Sponsored by: Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Blair County Convention Center, Galena/Jo Daviess County CVB and Norfolk CVB.

Site Scene

Minnesota

· The Mankato City Center Hotel, formerly a Holiday Inn, recently completed a months-long remodeling and rebranding effort. The image overhaul began during the summer of 2009 when the hotel commenced a $1.3 million renovation of all 150 guest rooms and the lobby. Each room was outfitted with a flat-screen television. There are also long-term plans to remodel the hotel’s banquet facilities and its restaurant and bar. The hotel offers 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting and exhibit space. For more information, call 507.345.1234 or visit www.mankatomnhotel.com.

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