Macy's and SFCVB Foundation Co-host Annual Flower Show Preview
Mark your calendar for Friday, March 26 from 8:45 to 10:15 a.m. when the SFCVB Foundation and Macy's co-host a members only preview breakfast of Macy's 64th Annual Flower Show celebrating, "Spring is in the Air." Spring will be in full bloom at Macy’s Union Square as it transforms into an incredible floral wonderland filled with brilliant colors, textures and the sweet smell of spring. This one of a kind event raises funds for San Francisco hospitality management student scholarships funded through the SFCVB Foundation. Tickets are $35 each, which includes breakfast catered by Taste Catering, Espresso Subito, and DBI Beverage San Francisco. Registration is available online at the Bureau's member Web site.

President Signs Travel Promotion Act Into Law
It's official - the Travel Promotion Act is now law. On March 4 President Obama signed into law the first-ever national travel promotion and communications program to attract more international travelers to the U.S. Because of this law we will now be able to welcome millions of new visitors and in the process create thousands of American jobs. Visit the U.S. Travel Association Web site for the latest travel industry news.

2009 Visitor Industry Figures Released
The SFCVB has released its annual estimate of the economic impact of the tourism industry in San Francisco. In 2009 San Francisco welcomed 15.4 million visitors, a decrease of six percent from 2008. These visitors spent $7.8 billion in 2009, a decrease of 8.2 percent from the previous year. Nationally, the U.S. Travel Association forecasted a drop in total travel expenditures of 8.8 percent for 2009. Visit the Bureau's statistics and research page for full details.

How Green Are You?
San Francisco is the first U.S. city to ban plastic bags. For more information on green initiatives, travel and to see what others are doing visit onlyinsanfrancisco.com/green. You can do a little bragging on your own and submit and submit a 250-word description of eco-tourism packages, green offers, or simply what your business is doing to be environmentally friendly. Submissions will be posted on the Eco 411 blog. The SFCVB reserves the right to edit copy and space is limited. Send materials to green@sanfrancisco.travel.

Meetings/Conventions at Moscone This Week
The Game Developers Conference Conference will be held at Moscone Center March 9-13. The meeting will draw 18,000 attendees.

The American Chemical Society will hold its Spring National Meeting at Moscone Center March 14 - 17. The meeting will draw 15,700 attendees.

For instant real-time convention information bookmark the convention calendar in your browser. Member ID and PIN required.

CABLEGRAM EXPRESS
Published weekly for members of the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau. For questions contact the communications manager. To update contact information or add or remove names from Cablegram Express distribution list contact the data entry assistant.