The Western Lodging Show(TM) makes its debut at the Santa Clara Convention Center on September 16 17, 2000. The Westin Santa Clara has been designated headquarters hotel for the show and related activities.

According to Rick Lawrance, executive vice president of CLIA, "it was almost inevitable that CLIA and CHMA find themselves reunited in the production of a single annual tradeshow. Our exhibitors have been asking for this ever since our very successful combined show in Anaheim in 1996."

The 1996 Anaheim show attracted more than 120 exhibitors and unusually high show attendance. The two associations' individual shows typically attracted around eighty exhibitors.
 

The associations expect the inaugural Western Lodging Show(TM) to attract at least 150 exhibitors. David Britton, vice president of marketing and business development for CHMA says, "when we took a good look at our separate shows, we discovered very little duplication of exhibiting companies. Knowing that we now can halve our past exhibitors' expense to reach an expanded audience -- and assuming the combined show attracts additional exhibitors new to both organizations -- an inaugural show featuring more than 150 exhibiting companies is very doable."

Both associations plan to hold events specific to their groups in conjunction with the Western Lodging Show(TM). CLIA plans a day-and-a-half annual conference program on September 15 and 16. CHMA plans to hold its annual PAC golf tournament fund-raiser on September 15 and its annual Hall of Fame dinner on the evening of September 16. Companies interested in exhibiting at the Western Lodging Show(TM) can obtain exhibitor information by contacting the show's management office by fax at 916-325-9990 or e-mail to [email protected].