Proponents of Fax Bill Look Ahead to 109th Congress


Late last week before adjourning, the Senate passed S. 2603, the "Junk Fax Prevention Act of 2004," by unanimous consent. This was a result of months of hard work by ASAE and the Fax Ban Coalition, in addition to the grassroots efforts of all our organizations’ members. However, due to some tag-along provisions, including Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) "Boxing Bill," the House was unwilling to accept the Senate-passed bill. With the 108th Congress now concluded, ASAE and the coalition will work to get final legislation approved early in the 109th Congress.

ASAE believes that last night’s action is a positive step in our efforts to pass this legislation before next July 1, when the FCC’s proposed regulations are scheduled to take effect. The compromise language in S. 2603, which would restore the "established business relationship" (EBR) provision so that appropriate faxing can remain a viable method of communication for associations and businesses, could provide an excellent starting point for renewed discussions in January, in particular since the House leadership indicated that they would have been willing to accept S. 2603 if the extraneous provisions had not been attached. ASAE will continue early next year to work with Congress to pass this important legislation.

ASAE thanks everyone who in the past 18 months made calls and wrote letters to their Members of Congress on this issue. While we are disappointed that Congressional passage of this important issue was not secured during this legislative session, we could not have gotten this far without your efforts.

The 2005 Hotel Operations Program: Your Key to Excellence in Meetings Management

Join your colleagues for an up close and personal look at the business of hotel operations!  This hands-on training course takes you beyond “behind the scenes.”  During this three-day program, you’ll explore every facet of the business -- from check-in, to BEO management, to housekeeping to billing, and more!  Made possible by the generosity of our hotel partners, this program is a MUST ATTEND for all meeting planners. Limited space is available—register at www.asaenet.org now to secure your seat.

Check out these operational areas that will be covered at EVERY program:

• How your RFP is evaluated-revenue projections;
• The reservation process;
• Contract negotiations, attrition and other hot-button clauses;
• Menu planning, liquor liability and purchasing;
• Security, housekeeping, and union policies;
• Telecommunications and audiovisual;
• Financial management.

Click here for the monthly listing of available Hotel Operations programs!

Upcoming 2005 Dates:
January 27-29, Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA
February 3-5, Swissotel Chicago, Chicago, IL
March 10-12, Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT
April 14-16, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, Lake Buena Vista, FL
May 5-7, Hyatt Regency San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
June 9-11, Fairmont Hotel Dallas, Dallas, TX
July 28-30, Hilton New York, New York, NY
August 4-6, Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, Kissimmee, FL
August 25-27, The Mayflower, Washington, DC
September 22-24, Hilton Americas-Houston, Houston, TX
October 27-29, Hilton Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN
November 17-19, Renaissance Washington DC Hotel, Washington, DC
December 8-10, Loews Philadelphia Hotel, Philadelphia, PA
December 15-17, Hyatt Regency Albuquerque, Albuquerque, NM

The 2005 Hotel Operations Program is made possible by the generosity of our hotel partners.

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How much do you know about your members?

How do members perceive your association? How much do you know about their needs and wants? 

Answer these tough questions through the State of Community Assessment (SOCA), a paper or electronic survey that allows your members to respond to statements such as:

• Being a member of this association makes it easier for me to be successful;
• It is important to me to be a member of this association;
• This association’s staff does its job well. 

SOCA will accurately predict whether you should expect membership growth or decline, and the strengths and weaknesses of your community.

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Come to Phoenix This February!

February 13–15, 2005
The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort, Phoenix, AZ
Presented by The Center for Association Leadership and
The American Society of Association Executives
 

"The New Great Ideas conference exceeded my personal and professional expectations. The sessions were timely, topical, focused, and relevant to the issues facing my association. I was able to walk away with ideas that I will immediately put to use and others that will be woven into our long-range strategic planning. Well done!" - Paul Bellantone, vice president marketing and business development, Promotional Products Association International

WHAT to Expect…
The following collaborative learning formats are all conducive to cultivating new relationships and igniting dozens of practical ideas that you can use immediately:

• Three outstanding general sessions
• Idea Labs—concurrent, specialized sessions tailored to various practice areas
• Lunchtime conversation café—the opportunity to discuss your problems and solutions with your peers
• Business solutions response labs—hear from our business partners on the solutions they can provide to your challenges
• Sunset Solutions, the chance to grab a cocktail and head into the Phoenix sunshine to reflect on the great ideas discovered throughout the energetic day! 

WHO should attend?
Sessions are designed for CEOs, senior staff, association managers, and directors looking for practical, easy to implement ideas that help you work differently. This conference offers superior content that is specifically targeted towards numerous practice areas including finance, marketing, membership, technology, meetings, communications, professional development, and much more! 

  Visit www.greatideasconference.org to register today!

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Innovation and Excellence Case Studies

The Center for Association Leadership's Web site, www.centeronline.org presents a wealth of information for association professionals.  To help you navigate this information, the ASAE Weekly Bulletin takes a closer look at one of the many opportunities that association professionals have to expand their knowledge through The Center's Web site.

This week, check out "Innovation and Excellence Case Studies" under the Knowledge Resources section of the Web site.

This is an extensive collection of real associations employing innovative strategies and solutions to address real-world challenges. This collection combines the in-depth case studies with the tools, documents and resources used by the associations. All primary resources are available onsite at the Results Direct Knowledge Center located at The Center for Association Leadership.

You'll find Innovation and Excellence cases covering:

• Analysis and Research
• Branding
• Career Development
• Change Management
• Communications and Public Relations
• Diversity & Community Service
• Education and Learning
• Executive Leadership and Governance
• Finance and Administration 
• Fundraising and Development
• Government Affairs 
• International Activities and Globalization
• Marketing and Advertising 
• Meetings Tradeshows and Special Events
• Membership and Community Development
• New Product Development
• Organizational Management
• Partnerships
• Staff Management
• Strategic Planning
• Technology

www.centeronline.org

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ASAE Career Headquarters—Take Your Next Professional Step Today

Realize your professional potential in association management through www.careerhq.org—the best source of association jobs and resumes. Advertise your resume free of charge to hundreds of association employers and search CareerHQ.org’s targeted job database for the position that’s right for you. CareerHQ.org offers career development services, including job coaching, resume writing, and a career knowledge database. Numerous services are free, including resume review, interviewing guidelines, and a behavioral style analysis. You’ll also find helpful tips and resources to assist in your job hunt.

Click on the newest positions available for a sample of what you’ll find at www.careerHQ.org:

Project Manager/Examinations Manager
American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM)–Lakewood, CO

Assistant Marketing & Meeting Manager
Property Loss Research Bureau–Downers Grove, IL 

Education Director
American Culinary Federation–St. Augustine, FL

Association Sales Manager
Radisson Riverfront Hotel Complex–Atlanta GA

Convention Sales Manager
Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau–Arlington, TX

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Take Advantage of Your ASAE Membership by Registering for Upcoming Events Offered by The Center for Association Leadership
For a full listing, visit www.centeronline.org.

The NEW Great Ideas Conference
February 13–15, 2005 Phoenix, AZ

Question of the Week—International Meetings
What are some issues you encounter when you host an international meeting or bring international visitors to meetings in the U.S.?

Have a question?  Contact Information & CEO Central: 202-626-2742 or infocentral@asaenet.org
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Does your organization engage in e-marketing?
Find out how MagnetMail, the ASAE-sponsored e-Marketing Program that powers the ASAE Weekly, can help you achieve record-breaking results. Call MagnetMail at 877-488-2666, or visit us on the Web at www.realmagnet.com/commpartners. To request additional information complete our online form.