The Religious Conference Management Association’s 2011 World Conference & Exposition in January in Tampa, Fla., included dozens of networking activities, a lively trade show, a gala awards banquet, and numerous educational opportunities. Visit our photo gallery.

The combination of a recovering economy and cost pressures for hotels will lead to higher room rates for meeting planners, cautioned Michael Dominguez, vice president of global sales at Loews Hotels, at the Religious Conference Management Association World Conference & Exposition, January 25–28, in Tampa, Fla. But planners who know the true value of their group business will have an easier time negotiating better deals.

“The light at the end of the tunnel is finally not another train coming at us,” said Dominguez, talking about how the dark days of the recession are now over. Fears of a double-dip recession have subsided and the recovery is now in gear. But religious meeting planners must know the value of their business if they expect a place at the negotiating table. Read more.

Exhibitors, it’s not too early to book space at RCMA’s 40th World Conference & Expo, Kansas City, Mo., January 24–27, 2012. Fees for booth space and registration are the same as for the 2011 conference. For information on reserving exhibit space, visit rcmaweb.org.

Destination executives: If your city is interested in hosting the 2015 World Conference & Expo, contact Dr. DeWayne Woodring, RCMA’s executive director and CEO. He can be reached at rcma@rcma.org or (317) 632-1888.

RCMA’s Who’s Who in Religious Conference Management 2010–2011 won a bronze award in the directory category of Association Trends’ 2010 All-Media Contest, which recognizes excellence in media created by associations. The award was announced in February at Association Trends' Salute to Association Excellence awards banquet in Washington, D.C.