1999 - 4th Annual International Association of Hispanic Meeting Professionals Conference & Trade Show
"Hispanic Meeting Professional: "A Connecting Link to the Hispanic Market"
Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino
April 29 - May 2, 1999 - San Juan, Puerto Rico

If your are bound for the Caribbean, you'll go straight to its heart at the Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino. Conveniently located just 15 minutes from the airport, 10 minutes from historic Old San Juan and 5 minutes from the cruise lines' docking pier. This luxury ocean front hotel is the only one to overlook both the Atlantic Ocean and picturesque Condado Lagoon. The Hotel continuously receives the prestigious 4-star rating by AAA and recently underwent a 40 million dollar renovation.

The Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino is the only hotel on the Condado strip located directly on both the Atlantic Ocean and Condado Lagoon. It is also conveniently located:

• Five minutes from Old San Juan and El Morro Fortress
• Fifteen minutes from Luis Munoz Marin International Airport
• Forty Minutes from El Yunque Rain Forest
• 5 minutes from the cruise lines' docking pier

FACILITIES:

• 570 exquisite guest rooms and suites in two separate wings
• Exclusive Plaza Club • Modern Business Center
• 27,000 sq. ft. of meeting and conference facilities
• Fine dining in a variety of 5 international restaurants
• Lavish Casino, the largest in Puerto Rico
• Three bars
• La Fiesta Lounge for live entertainment and dancing
• Beachfront terrace with a saltwater pool and an activity pool, complete swim-up bar, shallow area for children's pool
• Lap pool overlooking Condado Lagoon
• 2 tennis courts, lit for night play
• Complete Water sports Complex
• Fully Equipped Fitness Center

The International Association of Hispanic Meeting Professionals (IAHMP) and supporters enjoyed the beautiful island of Puerto Rico during the group’s fourth annual conference. Joyce Martinez, with the Puerto Rico CVB was responsible for planning a beautiful evening at the "Convento." Conference attendees tasted delicious "tapas" featuring the islands ethnic cooking. After enjoying the music and ambiance of the "Convento" everyone returned to the Condado Plaza Hotel and visited the Casino, while others danced until the wee hours in the hotels popular club that is frequented by the locals. The Condado Plaza Hotel is an excellent place to meet the people who call Puerto Rico "la isla bonita." The four day conference featured a panel presentation on the conference theme, "Hispanic Meeting Professionals: A Connecting Link to the Hispanic Market" and Hot Issues in the Meetings Industry. Walt Disney hosted the opening breakfast and Thomas Flewellyn, Director Minority Business Relations for the Walt Disney World Company was the featured speakers. Dr. Nate Booth with Five Star Speakers & Trainers was a popular speaker presenting "The Diamond Touch: How to Get What You Want by Giving People What They Uniquely Desire." Lawyers Jeff Glassie and Jonathan Howe presented "How to Identify Trouble Before You Get Into It" including liability issues in all phases of meeting planning. All attendees were invited to lunch by the Westin del Mar Hotel Puerto Rico and given a tour of their fabulous property following the group’s tour of the El Yunque Tropical Rain Forest.

Thanks a Million to all our Sponsors:

• Walt Disney Resorts & Hotels
• American Airlines
• Hilton Hotels Corporation
• Caribe Hilton Hotel, Puerto Rico
• Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino
• Continental Airlines
• San Antonio Convention & Visitor Bureau
• Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau
• Puerto Rico Convention and Visitors Bureau
• Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce
• Texas Monthly Magazine
• FIVE STAR Speakers & Trainers
• Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau

Participants:

• Vista Convention Services South Inc., Miami Beach, Florida
• US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Washington D.C.
• Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• The Conference Connection, Scottsdale, Arizona
• Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, Houston, Texas
• Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau, Denver, Colorado
• Amigo Meeting Solutions, Tucson, Arizona
• GVR Public Relations Agency, Houston Texas
• Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Council, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, California
• Crowne Plaza, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Visit Florida, Miami, Florida
• Media State Inc., San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Marriott International, McLean, Virginia
• Anaheim Marriott Hotel , Anaheim, California
• Pioneer Productions Caribbean, Inc., Santurce, Puerto Rico
• Amistad Visitors Service San Antonio Texas
• Southwest Research Institute San Antonio, Texas
• Destination Quebec, Canada
• Connected International Meeting Professional Association, Fairfax, Virginia
• Curacao Tourist Board, Miami Florida
• The American Occupational Therap Association, Inc., Washington, D.C.
• Sheraton Valley Forge Hotel and Convention Center, King of Prussia, PA
• Holiday Inn Independence Mall, Philadelphia, PA
• Hispanic Meetings & Travel Magazine, Houston, Texas
• Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Bureau, Las Vegas, Nevada
• Miami Air International, Miami Florida
• Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau , Phoenix, Arizona
• Palm Springs Desert Resorts , Palm Springs, California