Now that the new year has begun, many people are probably wondering what job opportunities exist in the meetings and events world. I thought that I'd check the job boards to see what opportunities may be out there for readers. I'm highlighting Meeting Planner job openings. It seems as if there is a healthy number of opportunities as long as job seekers are flexible in their expectations. For those who are interested in pursuing new opportunities or just to explore basic responsibilities and qualifications are expected, this is an excellent way to approach the field.

Feel free to search through the links provided and enter new variable job data (e.g., title and location)::

• Meeting Planner U.S. Nationwide Jobs
• Meeting Planner Dallas, TX
• Meeting Planner Denver, CO Jobs
• Meeting Planner Philadelphia Jobs
• Meeting Planner San Diego, CA Jobs
• Meeting Planner Washington, DC Jobs
• What is an Event Planner?

Meeting Professionals International has named its North American professional education conference to "MeetDifferent". This year's program will be held in Atlanta, GA, at the Georgia World Congress Center. It includes a full range of conference programs, and some interesting highlights this year will include the following:

• Inside CNN Studio Tour
• Welcome Reception ath te Georgia Aquarium
• Multiple tracks for knowledge sessions
• Unconference sessions for peer collaboration
• Promotional lunch for Meet Different 2010 (Cauncun)

Learn more about MPI Meet Different.

Final preparations are currently being handled by event planners who are organizing Super Bowl events, but I thought it would be helpful to share some thoughts about how event planners and others can organize Super Bowl events of their own, without having to travel to Super Bowl itself. Learn more about how to plan one of these three Super Bowl party and event ideas.

Photo Courtesy of The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Raymond James Stadium)

Meeting and event planners are responsible for purchasing a lot of client gifts and promotional items for their events. From pens, notebooks and lanyards used at seminars to apparel used to outfit trade show floor staff to small welcome and pillow gifts at a major event, there's a lot of "stuff" event planners need.

Many event planners turn to a promotional products distributor to help them navigate the million different items available to imprint an event name or logo. And event suppliers who provide such services usually attend one of of several promotional products trade shows to find out the latest and greatest.

Promotional Products Association International holds an annual expo in Las Vegas each January, so I will pop my head in there one day to find out what cool items may be on the horizon this year. Learn more about the PPAI Show.