IACVB Cancels 2005 PDI, Will Sharpen Its Focus on Education

By Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 5/31/2004

The Intl. Assn. of Convention & Visitor Bureaus has canceled its Professional Development Institute for 2005 as part of what it calls an effort to sharpen its focus on education. In the past, the PDI has offered hands-on training and advanced educational opportunities in smaller sessions, open only to employees of recognized convention and visitor bureaus or tourist boards.

IACVB Executive Vice President Elaine Rosquist said IACVB wants to breathe some new life into the event before bringing it back in 2006. "There is also a strong indication that some of the professionals who may have attended just PDI, and not our Annual Convention, will take advantage of this new opportunity."

Maura Gast, executive director of the Irving (Texas) Convention & Visitors Bureau and chair of the IACVB Education Committee said the cancellation was the result of Doug Price, IACVB's new head of professional development, and the committee taking a hard look at the group's educational offerings. She said that IACVB's numerous standalone meetings, along with the new Online Sales Academy, provide an array of learning opportunities.

This year's convention will be held July 14-17 in Boston. Other meetings in 2005 will include the Sales & Marketing Executive Forum and CEO Forum.