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PROJECTS BIG BUSINESS AT ATLANTIC CITY CONVENTION CENTER FOR 2011 The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority (ACCVA) is projecting strong increases in attendance and business at the Atlantic City Convention Center in 2011 with the return of several favorite events and the addition of more conventions and public shows. Based on business handled by the ACCVA Convention Sales team that will actualize in 2011, projections show an increase of 10 percent of conventions and tradeshows, public shows and hotel bookings over 2010. This year, 200 events at the conven- tion center and city-wide hotel bookings by the ACCVA will take place over the 181 that took place in 2010. As a result, projected atten- dance for 2011 is 360,000, also a 10 percent increase over the previous year. Projected room nights for 2011 are 130,000, up 11 percent over 2010, and the city will see $150 million in delegate spending, an increase of 8 percent over last year. “This is great news for the Atlantic City Convention Center and for Atlantic City,” said Gary Musich, vice president of Convent- ion Development. “We all have heard recently how important con- vention business is to our destina- tion. But the results of convention business are not always seen imme- diately. Along with an improving economy, these increases we are seeing now are the result of years of hard work from our ACCVA Convention Development staff.” “As our destination grows thanks to the increase of air service at the Atlantic City International Airport and our room inventory improves, Atlantic City will continue as a top tier convention destination,” said Jeffrey Vasser, president of the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority. “In addition to a great facility, Atlantic City offers an amazing array of amenities to delegates, and more and more that is becoming realized.” For a full list of events taking place during 2011, visit www.accenter.com. IAEE SPONSORS NEW STUDY MISSION TO DUBAI, 16-22 SEPTEMBER 2011 Qualified Exhibition/EventOrganizers Invited toApplyOnline Expanding its international programs, services and presence in 2011 and beyond is one of four key initiatives contained in the strategic plan of the International Association of Exhibitions and EventsTM (IAEE). The association currently offers online information resources and education to help organizers both promote international participation in their events and explore event business expansion into overseasmarkets. Among the tactics that support these objectives, IAEE will offer its members at least two opportunities each year to visit potential sites for new launches, including an opportunity on 8-11 March for a delegation of IAEE members to visit the Singapore Exhibition and Convention Centre, one of themostmodern and efficient purpose-built venues in the world. Also, IAEEwill assemble a small group of qualified exhibition/event organizers to participate in a studymission toDubai, 16-22 September.Participation is intended for executiveswho play a decision-making role in planning exhibitions,conventions and similar events for an organization that: • Has already organized an international convention, event and/or exhibition outside of NorthAmerica in the past five years and is considering theMiddle East as a potential site for a convention, event and/or exhibition in the next five years. • Or, is in dialog with a Middle Eastern-based organization to collaborate on a Middle Eastern-located meeting and/or exhibition in the next five years. Those who are selected to participate in IAEE’s study mission to Dubai will be furnished with business class air trans- portation fromaU.S. gateway city,housing and allmeals. In addition to tours and briefing sessionswith key business and gov- ernment officials,participants can have counterpartmeetings arrangedwith persons operating in their preferred business sec- tors. Persons who wish to apply for the studymissionmay do so by completing the formon IAEE’s website. – www.iaee.com. Black Meetings & Tourism January/February 2011: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 9 ATLANTIC CITY CONVENTION & VISITORS AUTHORITY