San Diego is pulling out all the stops to provide a warm welcome for the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) & The Center for Association Leadership when they arrive this August for their annual meeting and exposition. The San Diego Convention Center Corporation, the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau and San Diego’s entire hotel and hospitality community have formed the ASAE 2008 Host Committee to ensure ASAE & The Center are treated to San Diego hospitality at its finest.

This prestigious event, which takes place August 16-19, provides San Diego with an exciting opportunity to showcase the many reasons our city is the perfect destination for mixing business with pleasure. From start to finish, plans are being made to wow guests by highlighting our dynamic downtown, award-winning convention center, first-class hotels, and celebrated attractions.

“ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership are valued clients and we’re thrilled to be hosting their annual meeting,” said Carol Wallace, President and CEO of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation. “Our goal with each of our clients is to provide the highest quality service and convention experience that keeps them coming back to San Diego again and again.”

The committee has planned several events to introduce delegates to a myriad of San Diego’s delights. Saturday’s opening reception will be held at Embarcadero Park where guests will sample San Diego’s diverse communities and attractions. At the event, appropriately named “San Diego DiverseCity,” guests will experience the sights, sounds and tastes of San Diego’s unique neighborhoods and attractions as they enjoy a laid-back summer evening. The park features sparkling vistas of San Diego’s Big Bay and is conveniently located just behind the Convention Center.

“Meetings in San Diego always prove to be a winning combination. The city hotels, convention center and the variety of venues will help set the stage for our Annual Meeting & Exposition,” said John Graham, CAE, President & CEO, ASAE. “The hospitality community, convention center and bureau staff are geared up to deliver exceptional attendee experiences.”

Guests will have a memorable evening aboard the USS Midway Museum, an award-winning interactive, floating museum and the longest serving aircraft carrier in U.S. Navy history. The Midway Museum will host ASAE & The Center’s Food & Wine Classic, a wonderful fund raising event complete with live music, fabulous food and an impressive selection of wine.

As the convention winds down, delegates are invited to take part in a spectacular block party in downtown’s historic Gaslamp Quarter, which is home to 100 restaurants, 35 nightclubs and bars, and 100 retail shops. The Gaslamp Quarter is the  perfect spot for enjoying nightlife San Diego-style and is right across the street from the Convention Center and many host hotels. Guests will have a memorable summer evening in one of our city’s most popular hot spots eating global cuisine, dancing to an array of live music and enjoying last minute shopping at specialty boutiques, galleries and shops in the Gaslamp.   

After the convention, there’s plenty more for visiting delegates and their families to see and do. Our region’s near-perfect climate, 70 miles of beautiful beaches and unlimited outdoor activities complement a dazzling array of world-class attractions including the nearby San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld San Diego and Balboa Park.

“Our attendees are thrilled to be back in San Diego given the exceptional experience they had in 1999 for the Annual Meeting,” said Susan Sarfati, CAE, President & CEO of The Center for Association Leadership and Executive Vice President, ASAE. “Our attendees expectations are high and we know San Diego’s hospitality community will WOW us. Association executives and their staff will take full advantage of the meeting and exposition offerings and they will be sure to explore all that San Diego has to offer during the meeting and after.”

Special extended-stay vacation packages are being planned for those who want to “Come for the convention and stay for the vacation.” It’s the height of summer season and the best time to explore the many attractions San Diego has to offer.

For nightlife, downtown San Diego has evolved into an exciting urban center with an incredible showcase of stylish hotels, international dining, new sleek rooftop bars, specialty shopping and distinctive entertainment. This includes the  Gaslamp Quarter, considered the hottest dining and entertainment district by both visitors and locals alike.

Downtown also boasts attractions that are perfect for some good, old-fashioned fun. Head out to the ballgame at PETCO Park, the San Diego Padre’s new 42,000-seat ball park combining the best sightlines in major league baseball with breathtaking downtown views. And coming in spring 2008 is the new state-of-the-art Children’s Museum just across the street from the Convention Center.