New Orleans Hosts Two of the Most Influential Groups in Travel and Convention Industry

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 6, 2010

New Orleans Hosts Two of the Most Influential Groups in Travel and Convention Industry During Same Week with Potential to Bring Millions of Dollars in Future Business to the City
International Association of Exhibitors & Events™ (IAEE) and United States Tour Operator Association (USTOA) convene in New Orleans the week of December 7-12, 2010

WHAT: Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition; and USTOA’s Annual Conference and Marketplace

WHERE: New Orleans Morial Convention Center (NOMCC) and Sheraton New Orleans Hotel

WHEN: December 7-9 (IAEE) and December 10-12 (USTOA)

DETAILS: IAEE, the leading association for the global exhibition industry; and USTOA, a professional association representing the tour operator industry, will both convene in New Orleans to have their annual meeting/convention, while bringing in more than 3,100 industry decision-makers that could result in millions of leisure and business travelers coming to New Orleans for years to come.

IAEE:

Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting and Exhibition, will gather in New Orleans December 7-9, 2010 at the NOMCC. Expo! Expo! is a face-to-face networking opportunity that will reveal the latest ideas and technology in the exhibition and event industry. Nearly 2,000 attendees will experience educational sessions, build strategic business partnerships, and enhance their career resources.

Organized in 1928, IAEE is today’s leading association for the global exhibition industry. IAEE represents more than 8,500 individuals who conduct and support exhibitions around the world.

WEBSITE: www.myexpoexpo.com/index

MAJOR EVENTS FOR IAEE (All events held at NOMCC, unless otherwise noted):

• Tues, Dec. 7, 6:30-11 a.m.: The Gift of Service: Expo! Expo! attendees give back to the New Orleans Community, Kingsley House, 1600 Constance Street
• Tues, Dec. 7, 5:15-6:30 p.m.: Opening General Session and Awards Presentation featuring Roger Dow, U.S. Travel Association President and CEO, New Orleans Morial Convention Center, Hall I-2

EXHIBIT HALL: Hall H
HOURS: Wed, Dec. 8: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
PRESS OFFICE: Hall I-1
HOURS: Tues, Dec. 7-Thurs, Dec. 9: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

USTOA:
For the first time ever, USTOA’s Annual Conference and Marketplace will be held in New Orleans at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel from December 10-12, giving supplier members a chance to meet with USTOA active members with one-on-one pre-scheduled appointments. More than 600 travel industry professionals will participate in professional and social activities providing the opportunity to meet with some of America’s most renowned and respected tour operators.

USTOA was founded in 1972 by a small group of California tour operators concerned about tour operator bankruptcies. In 1975, USTOA became a national organization with headquarters in New York. USTOA members number among the top names in travel and represent the entire spectrum of vacation packages and tours available today. According to a recent survey, USTOA companies move more than 11 million passengers annually and account for an annual sales volume of more than $9 billion.

WEBSITE: www.ustoa.com/2009/conference_jump.cfm

MAJOR EVENTS FOR USTOA (All events held at Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, unless otherwise noted):

• Fri., Dec. 10, Member Opening Luncheon with Welcome Address by John Stachnik, USTOA chairman, and introduction of USTOA Board of Directors, Napoleon Room C,D, 3^rd Floor
• Fri., Dec. 10, Workshop: Travel Trends for 2010/2011, presentation by Henry Hardeveldt, Vice President of Forrester Research, Grand Ballroom D, E, 5^th Floor
• Fri., Dec. 10, 7-10 p.m. Member Welcome Evening, Grand Ballroom A, B, C, 5^th Floor
• Sat, Dec. 11, 7-11:30 a.m.: USTOA and Tourism Cares Give Back to New Orleans, sponsored by Trip Mate, Louis Armstrong Park

EXHIBIT HALL: Napoleon Room
HOURS: Sat, Dec. 11: 2:30-5:30 p.m.
Sun, Dec. 12: 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Press should check in with USTOA Registration Desk for all activities.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
IAEE: Susan Brower, 214-228-3886, sbrower@iaee.com
USTOA: Linda Kundell, 917-837-0578, lrkpr@aol.com
New Orleans CVB: Tara Letort, 504-566-5019, tletort@neworleanscvb.com; Jennifer Day, 773-909-2514, jday@neworleanscvb.com; Kelly Schulz, 504-421-0962, kschulz@neworleanscvb.com
NOMCC: Rosalie Mortillaro, 504-582-3027, rmortillaro@mccno.com

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