The attendees were the stars when the San Diego Convention Center rolled out the red carpet to welcome the International Association for Exhibition Management’s (IAEM) 2006 Annual Meeting and Exhibition to sun-sational San Diego in late November.

Surrounded by costumed “ambassadors” from our city’s hottest attractions – SeaWorld, the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Padres – Mayor Jerry Sanders extended a warm welcome to the nearly 2,400 meeting professionals who organize, conduct and support conventions and exhibitions around the globe. “Without a doubt, the hospitality industry has been extremely good to San Diego and we have people like you, the members of IAEM to thank for your continued enthusiasm and support of our fine city,” Mayor Sanders said.

The three-day event sold out its 37,700 net square feet of exhibitor space and was, by all accounts, a tremendous success. Among the biggest news to emerge from the San Diego gathering was IAEM’s name change to the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE).