Academic

The WSJ reports today that government agencies have been warned against holding meetings in places that seem too much like spas or resorts or gambling meccas.  So, Orlando, FL and Las Vegas, NE are off the list!  Obviously, after the AIG retreat fiasco, a little circumspection is warranted, but Vegas and Orlando are also pretty cheap to fly to and usually offer good hotel packages.  The cities that the government agencies are being steered toward -- St. Louis, Denver, Milwaukee -- may not offer the savings, although they have the benefit of sounding more Midwestern, more plain.  (Hey, I love Milwaukee, so before all you St. Louis people yell at me, lay off!)

Funniest quote:  "Do you want to take everyone to Fargo in the middle of winter?" said the Department of Agriculture employee. "Just because they're federal employees you don't need to mistreat them."