Student Exhibit Excels OSBA’s Student Achievement Fair sees an increase in attendance each year.

the process,” Chambers said, “following more restrictions from Homeland Secu- rity. They tightened [the rules about] who could get into the loading dock and who couldn’t — our exhibitors were used to just going in and parking and having their vehicle on the dock [for hours], but they had specific time limits.” Despite the change in procedure, “everything worked well,” Chambers said, giving credit to the convention center staff. “They were keeping on top of everything and keeping everyone moving.”

INITIATIVES One of the most important efforts at the 2012 Capital Conference was to educate school districts on new changes to Ohio’s Common Core State Standards — in the process reinforcing an old elementary-school lesson: Sharing is caring. “We had a variety of different subjects on Common Core,” Chambers said. “A number of sessions were on districts sharing services, which is something that we’re trying

to promote, and the state is trying to promote — sharing transportation or a superintendent. We discussed how they can save some money while still maintaining high quality.” OSBA also streamlined the learning

process for attendees by providing a conference app for the third year in a row. “More of our attendees are using the app,” Chambers said. “Staff are now using the app to help people find sessions and answer questions. Technology continues to be a strong part of the conference.” OSBA also saw more participation

at its Student Achievement Fair, home to 100 booths showcasing the talents of various Ohio school districts. “The Stu- dent Achievement Fair went very well,” Chambers said. “There is always more and more people trying to get in there — it seems to grow every year.”

. — Sarah Beauchamp

For more information: ohioschoolboards. org/2012-capital-conference

RESEARCH Planners Speak Their Minds

Group’s eighth biennial survey of meeting professionals (see convn.org/watkins-research). Now, we’re presenting thoughts from the 730 veteran planner respondents about what makes them love — or not love — CVBs, and what meetings will look like in 2022.

L PCMA.ORG

ast month we provided a glimpse of the results of the Watkins Research

What practical support can CVBs provide to help improve the attendance at your larger meetings and conventions?

› Contact with immigration office to facilitate visa requests.

› Convince the hotels to participate fully by providing the largest possible block and then not taking reservations around the block at a higher rate. › Give us customized links to CVB pages that don’t include hotel options; that way attendees can access city information, but have to look elsewhere to find hotels that the conference isn’t promoting.

› Ground transportation (i.e., airport shuttle).

› JANUARY 2013 PCMA CONVENE 29