Convention Insider (Conventions.net)

I was reading Rachel Wimberly over at Trade Show Network News about the latest in the meetings industry.  A study was done by the Professional Conventions Management Association, American Express, and the PMCA Education Foundation where they surveyed 505 professional meeting planners.  The results revealed that their was in an increase of 15% more meetings booked in 2010 from 2009 and 24% more meeting booked for 2011 over 2010.  It seems that we are climbing out of the economic hardships that the meeting industry has see over the last few years.  This seems to be a trend in other industries as well.

Deborah Sexton was quoted in the article as stating:

“While it’s been a difficult 18 months for our industry, I’m encouraged to see both actual business, as well as business sentiment improving,” said Deborah Sexton, PCMA’s president and CEO. “There continues to be caution in budgets and cost controls, which is to be expected, but if we can stay on this positive trend path there are certainly brighter days ahead for meetings.”

It appears that their is still caution going forward with the meeting industry and companies are not booking at places such as resorts and cruise ships like they once did in previous years.  This is not surprising as the industry begins to creep out of its shell.  Hotels saw the most increase of bookings in the meeting industry as they are a safe investment for any companies out there.  They tend to see the benefits first when a change occurs.

Nashville, Indiana is a former artists’ colony that has become the autumn haven for conferences, conventions, trade shows, reunions, retreats, meetings, and just plain shopping for people from all over the nation.  It’s open year-round, of course, but the fall is the prime season here.  This picture doesn’t begin to show the beauty of this place; it’s too breath-taking to be captured on film.  Or disc, as the case may be.

Nashville is the county seat of scenic Brown County, Indiana.  It’s nestled in the heart of the majestic Hoosier National Forest, and I defy any other place on earth to lay claim to being more lovely than this place!

Nashville, and Brown County in general, have many inns from which to choose for your conference. Whether you’re planning something for several hundred, several dozen, or just several, Brown County has the perfect venue for your function.  You can count on having the most modern, up-to-date facilities and technology at your disposal, even if you have chosen a venue that appears to be on the rustic side!

In your attendees’ free time, there are shops and sights the likes of which they’ll never find anywhere else: works of art, musical instruments made by hand, pottery, museums, galleries, studios, bakeries, glassware, furniture – even the kitchen (or bathroom) sink – all unique to Brown County.

When your employees or attendees find out that their convention, conference, or trade show, is being held in Brown County, Indiana, you can bet you’ll have fabulous attendance!

The Brown County Indiana Convention and Visitors Bureau, 10 North Van Buren Street, Nashville, IN 47448, can be reached by calling 1-800-753-3255.

For more information about group resources, check out the Brown County CVB website.

Be sure to put your camera in your briefcase before you leave your house.