The fifth and sixth panels of the APEX (Accepted Practices Exchange) initiative have submitted reports for industry review, according to an announcement from the Convention Industry Council on Monday. The "Preliminary Report of the APEX Meeting & Site Profiles Panel and the Preliminary Report of the APEX Requests for Proposals (RFPs) Panel" are available online at www.conventionindustry.org.
APEX, a CIC initiative, is developing and implementing industry-wide accepted practices designed to create and enhance efficiencies throughout the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry.
These reports outlines the work to-date of the panels and describe the process by which members of the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry can provide input on the panels' preliminary recommendations for accepted practices in these topic areas. Comments and suggestions can be made via online forms accessible through the preliminary reports.
The APEX Meeting & Site Profiles Panel has been charged with "developing recommended industry accepted practices for consistent and thorough profile formats for sites, as well as meetings, conventions, and other events, which include both core and unique information." Led by co-chairs Joan Eisenstodt, chief strategist for Eisenstodt Associates in Washington, and William F. "Bill" Reed, CMP, national sales director for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts in Washington, this panel of 20 volunteers worked to develop a series of revolutionary recommendations to improve the efficiency and professionalism of the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry, the association said.
The APEX Requests for Proposals (RFPs) Panel was charged with "developing recommended industry accepted practices for consistent and thorough Requests for Proposals (RFPs) that address core information and unique needs." This panel was led by co-chairs Joyce Inderbitzin, CMP, vice president of meetings & convention services for the Hilton Hotels Corporation in Beverly Hills, Calif., and Serena E. Leiser, CMM, director of conferences & meetings for the Northeast Human Resources Association (NEHRA) in Wellesley, Mass.
In order to develop accepted practices, members of all facets of the industry are asked to review the preliminary findings and provide input at this point in the panels' work. Comments should be constructive to the process of developing feedback. Therefore, any criticism of a panel recommendation should be accompanied by a rationale and suggested solution.
All comments and suggestions will be delivered to the panel for consideration in "Phase II" of its work toward submitting final recommended accepted practices in 2005.
Volunteer-led City Discussion Groups throughout the U.S. and Canada will address the reports at their meetings.
