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This Just In

Convention Sales Professionals Look to New Management, Meeting Dates

TSE STAFF

Buck Hill Falls, PA – Convention Sales Professionals International (CSPI) last month announced it would shift its annual conference and general meeting to September from its traditional April time frame due to dates “too close for comfort” to Easter and Passover and other industry events. The annual conference now is set for September 9-10 at the Hamilton Crowne Plaza Hotel in Washington, DC.

In announcing the new dates, CSPI President Stacey Knoppel said the conference is “a key member benefit and … a once-a-year opportunity to network and strengthen peer relationships within our industry.” Knoppel also is director of sales and marketing for the Baltimore Convention Center.

In addition to moving its meeting to September, CSPI announced in March that it would temporarily take over daily management of the organization after its management contract with Princeton, NJ-based CMA expired. The group has issued an RFP for a professional management services/administrator to assist the board of directors in developing new directions for the future. The deadline to apply is August 1, 2015.

The board is expected to develop a strategic plan for the future targeted to increasing membership, expanding educational programs and strengthening long-term partnerships. Once that plan is complete, the group plans to once again hire a professional management firm.

The not-for-profit (501c6) organization strives to bring together sales professionals from various aspects of the meetings and trade show sectors, including convention centers, destination marketing organizations and others involved in booking group and convention business in an effort to seamlessly serve shared clients. CSPI currently represents more than100 member destinations. Its industry partners and sponsors include Trade Show Executive, IAEE, IAAM, DMAI, Ungerboeck Systems International, Smart City, PCMA Convene, Schneider Publications, Collinson Publications, and Cvent.

Reach Stacey Knoppel at (410) 649-7116 or sknoppel@bccenter.org

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