March 2009


In this issue:

The Show Must Go On
Upcoming Webinar
Image is Sending Someone to Mexico!
"Denver Meeting and Events" on Facebook
News Bites
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Scott Collinsworth
Director of Sales
Rental and Staging
Image Audiovisuals, Inc.
2130 S. Dahlia Street
Denver, CO 80222
303-758-1818
www.imageav.com
http://imageavblog.com

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The Show Must Go On

There is an alarming trend emerging from this recession. Companies are under attack for hosting travel and events, which are seen as lavish and unnecessary during uncertain economic times. This is a dire mistake in a struggling economy, since one out of every eight Americans is employed by the travel and tourism industry. Consider this: Business travel creates 2.4 million jobs, accounts for $240 billion of spending, and generates $39 billion in tax revenue for our economy. The meeting and events industry alone generates one million jobs.

Senator John Kerry has introduced legislation that would forbid the (421) companies that received funds from the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) from hosting conferences and other events. This affects the entire business travel industry - airlines, hotels, restaurants, and other service providers - as the number of meetings and conventions decline.  In reality, the vast majority of meetings and conventions are cost-efficient and well-organized tools that companies use to organize their operations, and to reward their hard-working employees.  It is simply not fair to paint a picture of extravagance and over- indulgence when this applies only to a small number of companies.

While it is understandable that our political leaders are protective over how taxpayer funds are spent, their rhetoric is not only influencing TARP recipients. It is having a chilling effect on the entire hospitality industry, as companies (that have not received any TARP funds) are canceling meetings so they don’t appear wasteful.

What can you do to protect our industry? Please contact your local elected officials and media outlets to alert them that this anti-meeting rhetoric is threatening the livelihood of millions of American workers. They must look beyond politics, and support an industry that will stimulate the economy by creating jobs, generating tax revenue, and supporting American communities.

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For more information on how you can help with this cause, please contact Scott Collinsworth at 303-758-1818, or via e-mail at scollinsworth@imageav.com.


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