In the Wake of Hurricane Katrina

Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 9/12/2005

Industry Groups Launch Relief Efforts

As New Orleans struggled with what's believed to be the nation's biggest disaster, tradeshow industry associations sprang to action to help colleagues in the affected area.

The Destination Marketing Assn. Intl. (formerly the Intl. Assn. of Convention & Visitors Bureaus) urged members to donate cash to the American Red Cross. The Federal Emergency Management Agency also has a list of charities on its Web site.

The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Assn. Intl. created a relief fund and will match all donations up to $25,000. HSMAI will extend Gulf South chapter memberships by three months.

Harrah's Entertainment provided relief supplies and money for employees of Grand Casino Biloxi, Grand Casino Gulfport and Harrah's New Orleans. The convention center at its Grand Tunica resort was being used as a Red Cross shelter.

The Intl. Assn. for Exhibition Management created a task force to coordinate efforts with other industry associations to help affected members. IAEM also offered to help find alternate arrangements for meetings and conventions slated for the affected area.

In addition, the Professional Convention Management Assn. and Trade Show Exhibitors Assn. have each set up relief funds.

As of Sept. 2:

• New Orleans Dental Conference: Canceled (Sept. 14–17, Morial)
• Natl. Hardwood Lumber Assn. Annual Convention: Looking for alternate venue (Sept. 14–17, Sheraton New Orleans)
• NAHQ Annual Educational Conference: Canceled (Sept. 17–20, New Orleans Marriott)
• The NECA Show: Canceled (Sept. 18–20, Morial)
• Marketing Research Conference: Canceled (Sept. 19–22, Morial)
• Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents & Chemo-therapy: Rescheduled to Washington D.C. CC Dec. 16–19 (Sept. 21–23, Morial)
• Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses Annual Conference: Relocated to Las Vegas Hilton, Oct. 26–30 (Sept. 21–23, French Market Exhibit Hall, New Orleans)
• *SGIA: Canceled (Sept. 28–Oct. 1, Morial)
• AARP's Natl. Event & Expo: Canceled (Sept. 30–Oct. 2, Morial)
• Natl. Catholic Development Conference: No decision yet (Oct. 1–5, New Orleans Marriott)
• Louisiana Nursing Home Assn. Convention & Tradeshow: No decision yet (Oct. 3–15, Sheraton New Orleans)
• Assn. of Millwork Distributors Annual Convention: Looking for alternate venue (Oct. 7–11, Morial)
• IEE PES Conference & Exhibition: Postponed until next spring (Oct. 10–12, Morial)
• APICS Intl. Conference & Exhibition: Looking for alternate venue (Oct. 10–12, Morial)
• American Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting: Looking for alternate venue (Oct. 22–26, Morial)
• *The NACS Show: Relocated to Las Vegas, Nov. 15–18 (Oct. 30–Nov. 1, Morial CC)
• *NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention: Being relocated (Nov. 15–17, Morial)
• *Intl. WorkBoat Show: No decision yet (Nov. 30–Dec. 2, Morial)

*Tradeshow Week 200 shows