I signed up for this site and newsletters because I do a lot of Tradeshows and this year a majority of my focus is on conventions and Expos. I was always told
if you want to do it like they do in the big leagues you have to think like a big leaguer.
So, I happened upon this site when I did the Home and Garden Expo this year and though it is a tad bit more robust than what I need right now, I think it is a great jumping off point for seeing how others in teh the industry higher up are doing it.
Here is the site
http://www.meetings-conventions.com/
I alos like this Group from LinkedIn
Party Plan Companies Networking Club
I am waiting to be approved by a group that I think will also help, but someone of these groups are very private so not sure if I will get in