Brad Lewis has been named executive director, PCMA Education Foundation and Head, PCMA Education and the new 2011-2013 strategic plan becomes more member and education focused.

The Travel Buyers Survey, released by Maxvantage, shows that 60 percent of respondents think the meetings industry is gradually improving and feel it is stable. The survey also shows that since January 2010, the drop in hotel rates started to level off and in second quarter hotel rates showed signs of stabilization.

The software lets meeting planners solicit online bids from multiple hotels across multiple brands.

Don't let real business slip through your hands because of lack of follow up.

It's good when an amenity is a win-win for the hotel and the guests. Coffee usually is one of those amenities in group and meetings business.

Don't give in too readily to people who push for discounted room rates. Just do a better job of selling and find out the prospect's real needs and how you can meet them. Then ask yourself some tough questions.

The hotel will now receive dedicated national sales services and support by ALHI's sales team throughout North America.

The group hopes the results of this study will provide data and tell the story about the economic, business and human value of face-to-face meetings and events.

The 'AIG' effect has meeting planners looking for measurable ROI.

The battle between hotels and online travel companies is heating up, as OTC supporters pursue legislation that would give OTCs a permanent tax advantage over hotels when guests book through third-party intermediaries instead of through a hotel directly.