contents

August 2013 Volume 27, Issue 8

COVER STORY The Envelope, Please 42

‘All these other networks of people are learning about the conference. It’s a great way to create interaction with your audience without it having to cost a lot.’

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Cover illustration by Benja Harney

2 PCMA CONVENE AUGUST 2013 PCMA.ORG “ ”

Another year, another 50 great things happening in meetings and conventions around the world — venues and services, initiatives and innovations — as determined by Convene readers and editors. Presenting our 2013 Best in Show winners. The Editors ofConvene

Features CMP SERIES

As Good As It Gives It’s time to think differently about charities — and the way the meetings industry supports them. Michelle Russell

Continuing Medical Conversation What did we learn from our exclusive roundtable of senior- level medical meeting planners? That they’re worried about compliance and exhibitor attrition, coming around to the power of Strategic Meetings Management — and excited about the fact that “our meetings are a way to engage people throughout the whole year.” Christopher Durso

Up in the Air Massive consolidation and rising fuel prices have resulted in fewer flights and higher fares at destinations across the country. Second-tier cities are absorbing the brunt of cuts in airline capacity and competition — and some of them are better off for it. Jennifer N. Dienst