<B> Web Cites</B>
<I>Sites Worth Bookmarking</I>
By Mary Ann McNulty, Technology Editor
<B>IACC Enhances Site</B>
In the fourth iteration of its Web site, the St. Louis-based International Association of Conference Centers now is allowing meeting planners to create, edit and save requests for proposals and send them to IACC member centers.
The site uses "cookie" technology to remember and identify planners when they return to the site, according to Rod Marymor of Cardinal Communications, which redesigned the site. Planners can request promotional materials from any or all facilities, or access information about conference centers or the group's code of ethics.
Through an affiliation with amazon.com, the site also features books for meeting planners and members. Those looking for a job can search the IACC Job Board, or the Meeting Matters MIMlist, www.mim.com/mimlist, hosted by industry education guru Joan Eisenstodt, thanks to a reciprocal agreement that links the two job sites.
<a name="2"><B>CRS, ARC Advice On PositiveSpace</B>
An eclectic mixture of legal advice on CRS contracts and agency appointments, online survey results, hotel video tours and travel industry directories now is available at PositiveSpace.
Designed as a resource for travel agents, the site obviously is of interest for ARC's new corporate travel department designees or rent-a-plate operations.
Besides listing more than 1,000 vendors--from airline and hotel to technology--PositiveSpace.com also features hotel video tours through a link to HotelView of Pompano Beach, Fla. Legal, contractual, marketing and even job placement advice is being offered by half a dozen industry veterans specializing in the various topics.
PositiveSpace is owned by Travel Technology &
Magic, an online marketing and software developer based in Evanston, Ill. It acquired the rights to Hyde's Travel Agent Resource in 1998, ran a contest to rename the site and has been enhancing it ever since. Although travel agents and suppliers must register to access the site, it is free.
<a name="3"><B>Resort Site Lists Hot Deals</B>
Meeting and incentive planners can learn of the hottest deals available at 800 resort and hotel properties in North America and the Caribbean at the recently redesigned ResortSource Web site, www.resortsource.com.
As part of the redesign promotion, planners can register to receive free monthly e-mails detailing special pricing, according to site owner Tim Wayman of Sports Travel Services Inc., Arlington Heights, Ill. Planners also can use the site to research destinations and properties, as well as book.
<a name="4"><B>New York CVB Teams With CitySearch</B>
Teaming with Ticketmaster Online-CitySearch, the New York Convention & Visitors Bureau debuted a new Web site that features continually updated hotel, restaurant, special events, entertainment and cultural attractions, as well as the latest in site technology. The CVB's URL remains www.nycvisit.com, but the site now can be accessed directly from CitySearch's www.newyork.citysearch.com.
"The new site provides information about New York City that is compelling, comprehensive, and up-to-the-minute. In addition, by working with CitySearch, we are able to access their large and growing audience of domestic and international travelers," said Fran Reiter, president and CEO of the CVB.
Other new site features include detailed maps of all five boroughs, meeting planning help, sample itineraries and a photo gallery of major attractions.