More than 2,500 people filled Indianapolis' Indiana Convention Center in early January for the 48th annual meeting of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA). Although the wintertime gathering usually takes place in more temperate climates, David Kushner, president and CEO of the Chicago-based association, said that attendance was on a par with 2003's meeting in Anaheim. And attendees found plenty of warm Hoosier hospitality as locals pulled out all the stops to demonstrate that their city was more than capable of hosting top-of-the-line events. Reactions to speakers were mixed. Many praised keynoter Karen Hughes, former counselor to President George W. Bush, as an effective presenter and excellent role model for working women, but privately others complained that her speech was too political for an industry event.Attrition-plagued planners, meanwhile, were surprised to find the general session led by executives from Travelocity and Expedia, both of which have had a hand in luring attendees away from room blocks. Unapologetic, the Web-based travel pros warned that attendees would keep booking around the block unless planners could convince them not to with incentives like free high-speed Internet access. Some thought PCMA was smart to give planners such a heads-up. "That PCMA chose [these speakers] shows its flexibility," says Wanda L. Byrnes, an independent planner in Elk Grove Village, IL.