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2010 Conference Summary
ACME -- All About Networking
Many professional organizations claim to be interactive and conducive to networking, but the Association for
Convention Marketing Executives truly is all about networking. The organization, now in it's 19th year was
formed so that convention sales and marketing professionals from convention bureaus and convention centers
could come together and discuss issues that affect both parties and learn to work more effectively together.
During the recently completed ACME Annual conference, 100 attendees from convention bureaus and convention
centers around the country gathered to hear best practices and talk to each other about what is happening in
their cities. In a session called "Valuing Your Business" panelists including Ronnie Burt, Senior Vice President
of Sales from Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Bureau, Charlie Beirne, General Manager, Atlantic City
Convention Center, Matt Pizzuti, Director of Sales and Marketing, Portland Convention Center talked about how
they gage what a piece of business is worth to the city, and Gennice Cater, Senior Manager, Meeting Operations,
Academy Health shared her thoughts on the value a planner brings to a destination.
In a lively session on "Green Meetings", Billy Warden, founder of Communications and Imagination Group moderated
a panel that included, Greg Behr, Figurative Hats Consulting Group, Daniel Whittaker, Managing Partner, Green
Planet Catering, Kumi Anzalone, National Convention Sales Manager at Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors
Bureau, and Kathy Schultheiss-Kramer, Deputy Director of Sales and Marketing for the Phoenix Convention Center.
The session included a discussion on what tactics destinations can take to become green and encouraged everyone
to think about sustainability. Rick Hughes, President and CEO of the Kansas City Convention and Visitors Bureau
conducted a session on the TAP (Trends Analysis Projections) Report. Attendees learned what competing
destinations are doing and how their city measures up regarding market share, pace and conversion performance.
Click here for a copy of the TAP presentation.
A tribute to the key founding member of ACME, Carroll Armstrong was given at the Annual luncheon. Claude Legris,
a founder member of the board shared a few stories about the beginning days of ACME. The Shawn Corwin Myland
Award was presented to Cathy Keller, (photo on right)) Director of Sales for Omaha Convention and Visitors
Bureau. Cathy was recognized for her dedication to ACME and helping to bring in 25 new members this year. Past
President Jeff Holcomb, Senior Sales Manager for Greater Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau turned over the
reigns of Presidency to Tracey Kegebein, Vice President of Convention Sales & Services, Syracuse Convention
and Visitors Bureau. 
ACME Board 2010-2011(Left to right) President, Tracey Kegebein, CDME, Vice President of Convention Sales & Services, Syracuse
Convention & Visitors Bureau; Yulita Osuba, Senior Director, Sales Marketing Event Management and Exhibitor
Services, Orange County Convention Center; Linda Erickson, Director of Sales, Walter E. Washington Convention
Center; Jeff Holcomb, CMP, Senior Convention Sales Manager, Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau;
Cathy Keller, Director of Sales, Omaha Convention & Visitors Bureau; Laurie Okun, Director of Sales and
Marketing, Raleigh Convention Center, Terry Kopp, Director of Sales, Boise Convention & Visitors Bureau
Christine Shimasaki, Managing Director of empowermint.com presented a session on Navigating the world of RFPs,
Hotel Proposals and Online marketing. She emphasized the need for a central RFP process as more and more
planners are going on line to find resources. She stated that there are currently 9 different online RFP
systems, which all require different passwords and login information.
A highlight of the day was the General
Store and open forum. This includes an hour where attendees can freely discuss any topic that comes to mind.
The session began with questions about third parties, delved into convention rates and wound up with
discussions on economic impact.
Next year will be ACME’s 20th Anniversary conference. Stay tuned - we have great plans in store!
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