March 2011 Issue: Live!

With April looming at the end of the week, it's probably time to get around to our March issue -- the digital edition of which you'll find here. It's a fat, data-packed issue with a fat, data-packed cover story on the landmark Economic Significance of Meetings to the U.S. Economy study (unveiled just last month), whose big magic number is emblazoned on our cover. You'll also find pages of sharply designed tables and charts that track exactly how much the meetings industry contributes to the economy in terms of direct spend, taxes, room nights, full- and part-time employment, and more. Also in this issue:

Meetings Market Survey: Our 20th Annual Meetings Market Survey is a perfect complement to the Economic Significance study, with hard info about the state of the industry based on a comprehensive survey of meeting professionals. In a nutshell: They feel pretty good about things.

Plenary: Senior Editor Hunter Slaton is our man in Las Vegas, filing a live report from the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), during which he spent a day shadowing a member of CES's planning team. His behind-the-scenes account leads off a strong Plenary section that also includes a Pre Con look at the 2011 National House Directors Conference, a Post Con look at Pacifichem 2010, and a There's a Meeting for That? look at the International Paper Doll Convention.

CMP Series: Also known as International Meetings: CMP Series this month, our CEU-enabling feature finds James F. Hollan III, CAE, continuing the dialogue on "Cross-Cultural Expectations" he began last year, this time with a piece on international site visits.

Working Smarter: Want to make your very own app for your very own meeting? So did the International Association for Dental Research's Leslie Zeck, CMP, CMM. Senior Editor Barbara Palmer interviews her about the whole process.

Other Duties as Assigned: The American Bar Association's Martin Balogh remembers tying one on -- every day, for a week.

You can also find the text-only version of March on our homepage.