"New" newsletter association off to very promising start with its first conference.

The December 6-8 marketing conference at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas was a first for the newly named and newly managed Specialized Information Publishers Association, and by all accounts it was a success in both substance and style.

Our compliments go to the conference co-chairs, Phil Ash and Guy Crossley, for assembling an impressive array of speakers and roundtables. But they couldn't have pulled it off without the efficient SIPA staff, headed since November by Kerry Stackpool.

Style-wise, many commented on two new offerings. The continental breakfasts were greatly improved by having tables so delegates could sit down and talk with one another while eating breakfast. Plus, the vendors were conveniently arranged around the same room for easy interaction.

Second, the usual luncheon rubber chicken was replaced by a generous buffet, featuring four entres--beef, fish, chicken, and eggplant parmesan. And a vegetarian told us the choice of veggies was the best she'd ever seen at a conference.