Nearly 3,000 Meeting Professionals Expected to Pump $9 Million Into San Francisco During World's Largest Meeting and Event Industry Convention

Conference for $102.3 Billion Meeting Industry One of the First at New Moscone West Convention Center

Approximately 3,000 meeting professionals from more than 20 countries will arrive in San Francisco August 3 - 5 for Meeting Professionals Internationals' (MPI) annual World Education Congress (WEC), which is expected to result in an immediate local economic impact of $9 million and generate $150 million in future business over the next five years. The WEC will be one of the first conferences held at the new Moscone West convention facility, providing a prime opportunity to showcase the new convention center and San Francisco as a destination for future meetings and incentive trips being planned by MPI members.

Traditionally the world's largest gathering of meeting professionals, MPI's annual WEC will bring together meeting professionals to learn, network and share strategic practices with a goal of making meetings a critical part of every organization's success. With 30 percent more educational sessions offered, new featured speakers and introductions of new technology for the industry, conference attendees will have the opportunity to leave the conference recharged as they bring back new strategies, research and best practices to their respective companies around the world. Onsite registration rates have been reduced by $200.

According to conference organizers, despite the weakened economy, more than $2 million in sponsorships has been raised for the 2003 WEC. MPI's Northern California Chapter, with more than 1,000 members, has served a vital role in preparing for and hosting this year's event.