If you or someone you know works for a non-profit organization, check out the Google Grants program:

The Google Grants program supports organizations sharing our philosophy of community service to help the world in areas such as science and technology, education, global public health, the environment, youth advocacy, and the arts.

Designed for 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, Google Grants is a unique in-kind advertising program. It harnesses the power of our flagship advertising product, Google AdWords, to non-profits seeking to inform and engage their constituents online. Google Grants has awarded AdWords advertising to hundreds of non-profit groups whose missions range from animal welfare to literacy, from supporting homeless children to promoting HIV education.

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Between the upcoming elections and the national day of mourning and remembrance on September 11, U.S.-based meetings this fall are sure to be flying the flag. But before you raise Old Glory, make sure that you know your stuff when it comes to flag ettiquette.

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Just in time for fall—a Web site that links to 119 schools that offer hospitality and/or meeting planning programs.

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It was taking too long to open, so I gave up on it, but if you have better luck, check out Hampton Inn Hotels’ “comedic guided virtual hotel tour.” According to a press release:

In a divergence from the boring, straight-forward videos and brochures, Hampton Hotels teamed with comedian Frank Caeti — veteran comic from acclaimed Second City Communications — to create a comic’s-eye view video on its Web site and on TV, and within the brand’s “Come In and Win Giveaway” fall promotion, starting today, targeting business travelers.

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A forum by Avendra took hotels to task on their terrorism preparedness—a timely topic, now that “soft” targets like hotels are in the terrorists sites.

Some areas to watch for include “the drive-up areas located near hotel entrances…hotel HVAC systems are vulnerable to biological and chemical attacks, but that rooftop HVAC intakes can be secured with magnetic locks and motion detectors.”

While of course hoteliers need to be proactive in terrorism-deterrence, but what I’d really like to see is for everyone to concentrate on is risk management plans for more likely scenarios (e.g., instruct your banquet staff not to put the juice pitchers, oozing drops of condensation, behind the toasters at a breakfast buffet. I’ve seen this all-too-many times. And train your staff on using the AED to shock heart attack victims back to life—you do, of course, have AEDs in your public areas, right?).

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The MIMlist listserv is a strange and wonderful thing—today, a MIMlister pointed out a site called Las Vegas Casino Death Watch, where what appears to be a local guy tracks what’s going on with the major Vegas casinos. While I can’t vouch for the accuracy of his information, it just goes to show that these days, there’s a Web site for just about everything.

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Not only does it make conversation just about impossible, but now we have actual medical evidence that booming bass notes are bad—and not just for your hearing.

Blasting music can be hard on the ears and the neighbors, and now researchers say it can also pack enough punch to collapse a lung. Reporting in the medical journal Thorax, they describe the cases of four young men who suffered a lung collapse — technically called pneumothorax — that appeared to be triggered by loud music… [researchers] suspect that loud music may damage the lungs due to its booming bass frequency, which can be felt as a vibration going through the body. The lungs may essentially start to vibrate in the same frequency as the bass, which could cause a lung to rupture.

For some reason, tall, thin, male smokers join those with pre-existing lung problems are most at risk—but why take the chance? Just turn it down a notch, and all your attendees will thank you.

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According to Slashdot, pretty soon even the skies won’t be cellphone-free:

In a recent article from the New York Times it seems that airlines and cellphone makers are working towards allowing cellphones to be used on airplanes during flight. (free reg. required) Currently the plan is to have a mini cell tower, a picocell, on the plane that would intercept all the calls from people in the plane and relay them to satelites or ground towers. The FAA, FCC, and the airlines really want to be absolutely sure that there will be no interference anywhere. The article also says that cell use may still be banned during landings just to be safe. Changes would start in 2006.

I know that’s great news for some folks, but for me, the thought of 200 people jabbering on cellphones in an enclosed space gives me aural claustrophobia.

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Tradeshow Blues has trotted out its song again—I missed it! If you’ve ever exhibited at or organized a trade show, you can relate to the lyrics. And you can even add your own verse, should you feel so inclined.

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If you, like me, have friends, loved ones, or a meeting coming up soon in one of the areas Hurricane Frances is bearing down on, this site is a convenient way to get an up-to-the-minute look at which way she’s tracking.

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