The Super Bowl of Events

TCB: Are those for events specifically related to delegates?

Lesher: Yes, for primarily the delegate opportunities, but then [also for] companies that want to sponsor things or companies that want to entertain. We urge people to go through the host committee so we can make a good match, since we’ve secured the premier venue sites.

TCB: So visitors who will be holding events are going through the host committee?

Lesher: Right. They might say, ‘We want to have a party for our customers for a 100 people, and we want it to be kind of funky and edgy and this is what we’re looking at.’ And we can help them and say ‘Oh, we have a great venue. Here this might work for you.’

TCB: Is the host committee also helping connect visitors with other meeting vendors, such as caterers and meeting planners, or are visitors finding those services on their own?

Lesher: They are doing that on their own. As I’m telling everybody, there’s going to be plenty of business for everyone, because there’s going to be many, many people in town looking for help with event planning, catering, all the things that are involved in event planning. You’ve probably heard there are some entrepreneurs who’ve started up their business to do some of this. I think there’s plenty of business for everyone.

TCB: But how do you get the people together? For instance, if you’re a caterer that wants to get your name in front of that group of people . . . ?

Lesher: Then you contact the host committee and work with us. We’re [acting as] the clearinghouse and [managing] that process.

To reach the host committee, call 651-556-1813 or log onto www.msp2008.com.