With job cuts and cost-saving measures the watchword of the day, cities like Orlando and Las Vegas are fighting their fun-loving image to attract serious-minded conventioneers.
A predicted 11% shortfall in business travelers has Orlando officials concerned. Rumors abound that a blacklist is circulating throughout the government of cities like Orlando that aren't appropriate for conventions.
"Orlando's convention-and-meetings business has been reeling for months from corporate cutbacks and negative publicity that followed the federal government's bailout of large financial-service companies last fall.
Industry leaders have complained that news reports of troubled companies continuing to spend heavily on conferences and retreats - notably insurance giant American International Group, which hosted a lavish junket for employees after receiving billions of dollars in federal aid - have put a chill on all kinds of corporate travel."
FULL STORY: Text size: increase text sizedecrease text size Is Orlando too much fun for government conventions?

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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