If you haven't checked out maps.google.com yet, it's amazing. You can find anything, from meeting planners in Lowell, Mass., to restaurants in Larimer Square in Denver. Google does it again, and planners (should, at least) rejoice!

This site promises to be a very cool tool for planners who coordinate conference calls and videoconferences--it gives you the time, down to the second, of the various locations you plug in. Thanks to ...

As CMI's editor, Barbara Scofidio, points out in this issue's editorial, incentive attendees may love the idea of exotic foreign lands, but don't forget about the attendant risks of the destination. ...

Did you know that the State Department can help with the visa issues so many international participants are having when they try to come to U.S.-based meetings? To find out how, check out this article, titled, State Department Helps Planners, from...

Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa just became the seventh hotel in Hawaii to get the Energy Star seal of approval, moving its rank in the nationwide list of top 25 percent of environmentally efficient buildings...

Yesterday, I asked some questions about how you all feel about us and our magazines. Tom Asacker, whose article got me inspired, got in touch to tell me I had it backwards, that the real question I should ask is: How do you think we (the editors...

Tom Asacker has a must-read article on his Web site for anyone who is facing increased competition--and who isn't? Maybe the nichiest of niche associations still has a fiercly loyal constituency, but most of us have more and more information...

This pdf article from Hospitality Net is a good overview of how the dreaded Sarbanes-Oxley Act is affecting the hospitality industry. I just skimmed it, but I don't think it addresses things like fams and gifts to planners. Hoteliers, how are you...

Premiere Speakers just e-mailed me a very cute promotion: They added a "phony speaker" to their catalog, and if you can pick him out (clue #1--it's a guy), you could win a $100 gift certificate to Morton's the Steakhouse. (Deadline: February 15th)...

Karen Fawcett, who spent most of her 100,000 flying miles last year in the back of the plane, offers some good tips for making it through those no-frills flights, including what she packs in her in-air survival kit and some advice for dealing with...