Dates in the Valley

Santa Clara, Calif.'s convention bureau Web site has added a Hot Dates function for short-term event booking. At www.santaclara.org, users who click on “meetings” will find a “view hot dates” button and then have the option to fill in a few event demographics. The search engine returns availability at many Santa Clara hotels and the Santa Clara Convention Center.

Got a Safety Plan?

The International Association of Conference Centers recently published a 55-page white paper on emergency procedures at its member centers. The survey unearthed a number of best practices, but it also pointed up a surprising truth: “We assumed all our members had written safety procedures,” says IACC spokesman Steve Smith. “But one of the things we discovered is that they don't.” IACC now recommends that member centers have an emergency plan in place. The white paper, which covers emergency procedures in health emergencies, natural disasters, facility emergencies, and deliberate disruption/acts, is free to IACC members; nonmembers can order a copy (including future updates) for $50. For information, contact IACC at (314) 993-8575.

Get Specific

Site Selection Web site www.MPBid.com has added several options in a recent upgrade. Planners can now specify the number of breakout rooms needed (in addition to main meeting space) and their food and beverage requirements. The upgrade also improves the way planners indicate special needs.

Events, Too

Chicago-based Live Marketing, best known for trade show marketing and presentation services, is more aggressively promoting its event capabilities with a new tag line: “The Tradeshow and Events Agency.” The new message, playing up the company's experience with site selection, logistical management, food and beverage, product launches, and other meeting details, won't be news to clients such as Gateway, for which Live Marketing recently managed a 41-city road show.

Passkey Signs PGI

PGI Inc., the Arlington, Va. — based event and communications agency, has inked an agreement with Quincy, Mass. — based Passkey, an applications services provider for online group housing management. PGI, which already has a relationship with b-there, another online housing provider, now offers clients a choice. Commenting on the new agreement, PGI Chairman and CEO Darryl Hartley-Leonard says, “By making PGI HRT [Housing, Registration and Travel] Passkey-enabled, planners and CVBs currently operating on the Passkey platform can now take advantage of PGI's service while maintaining the continuity of their favorite technology platform.”