What is APEX

1
What is APEX?   The Accepted Practices Exchange
(APEX) is an initiative of the Convention
Industry Council that has brought together all
stakeholders to develop and implement
industry-wide accepted practices to create and
enhance efficiencies throughout the meetings,
conventions and exhibitions industry.
2

• What is APEX?
•  
• Implementing industry-wide accepted practices
  will lead to
• Time and cost savings
• Better communication between business partners
• Streamlined systems and processes
• Less duplication of effort
• Increased operational efficiencies
• Enhanced customer service

3
Who formed APEX?   The Convention Industry
Council formed APEX. What is the Convention
Industry Council? A 34-member organization
representing more than 103,00 individuals in more
than 19,000 companies involved in the meetings,
conventions and exhibitions industry. ESCA is
one of the 34-member organizations of the
Convention Industry Council.
4

• Who are APEX Commissioners?
•  
• Terri Breining(Chair), representing Meeting
  Planners
• Mike McCool, representing Exhibit Service
  Contractors
• Maura Gast, representing Convention Tourism
  Bureaus
• Shawn Pierce, representing Show Organizers
• Tom Ackert, representing Facilities
• Leslie DeVries, representing Food Service
  Vendors
• Rhonda Marko, representing DMCs
• Christie Hicks, representing (Starwood) Hotels
• Joyce Inderbitzen, representing (Hilton) Hotels
• Teri Tonioli, representing Registration
  Contractors
• Phil Cavanaugh, representing Corporate Customers

5

• Why is APEX important?
•  
• Industry developed standards provide many of
  todays conveniences
• Ability to plug your computer into any
  electrical outlet
• Ability to get cash from any ATM when you needed
  it
• Ability to pump gas into your car from any gas
  station
• Other industry developed standards
• GSM for mobile phone users
• HTML for viewing information on the Internet

6

• What has APEX accomplished?
• Established Business Norms
• Industry Glossary
• RFP Template
• Housing and Registration Guidelines
• Event Specification Guide
• Meeting and Site Profile Reports
• Post Event Report
• Green Meetings Event Practices
• Defining Data Exchange Standards

7
Where is APEX headed? Defining Data Exchange
standards focused on 1) Defining the standard
format for the interchange of Exhibitor data
between show management and the various service
contractors that need access to this data 2)
the interchange of Attendee data between various
vendors/systems (i.e. registration companies) and
show management. .
8
Current (As-Is) Situation
Enter Data
Run Rooming List
Prepare Event Resume
Double-check accuracy
Planner
Back to Hotel
Send to Hotel
Enter Data
Enter Data
Enter Corrections
Create BEOs
Run Hotel List
Create BEOs
Supplier
9
Where is APEX headed? When data standards are
built into software, will allow systems
(applications) to talk to systems
(applications)
10
Where to stay up to date? www.apexsolution.org
11

• What is the next step?
• Speak with the person in charge of your data
• Send me their contact information or have them
  send me an email (mike.mccool_at_freemanco.com)
• Include your current exhibitor data
  specifications