Mar. 31, 2003 - Meeting and convention contracts between event organizers and hotels are getting a lot more scrutiny these days, in the climate clouded by war and the threat of terrorism. 

The fine print is including more restrictions and explanatory language as hotels try to get more control over lost bookings in case of a terrorist attack or other unexpected event. Meeting planners, on the other hand, want flexibility if something causes them to cancel an event or face a large drop in attendance. 

In the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, "Everybody has been put on notice that these things happen and risk is part of the business and needs to be addressed," said Nathan J. Breen, an attorney with Howe & Hutton Ltd. in Chicago. 

Howe & Hutton represents many nonprofits, including Meeting Professionals International. Breen spoke recently to the trade group's greater Orlando area chapter at the Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando. 

Breen urged meeting planners to be as detailed as possible in crafting contracts for future events, noting that surprises are not always weather- or terrorist-related. For instance, he said that planners might want to add a clause that would allow cancellation of a meeting if a hotel gets hit with certain types of lawsuits. 

For example, he said that if the NAACP is planning to hold a meeting at a hotel, and that particular hotel is sued for race discrimination, the contract should have a clause that would allow the event to be canceled without penalty or with reduced penalties. In another example, he said, a contract that might allow cancellation in event of a hurricane could include a provision for cancellation if a key road to the hotel were closed. 

If costs of a cancellation are to be shared in some way, Breen said, his firm typically recommends a "sliding scale" based on time and other factors. 

For example, a hotel might share costs if an event is called off far enough in advance to allow the property to resell some of the rooms. 

"There is room for negotiation," Breen said. 

BACCHANALIA: It is one of the region's most successful nonprofit fund-raisers, open to the general public: the annual Bacchus Bash, sponsored by the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association. 

Now in its 16th year, the event, which raises money for hospitality programs at area high schools, colleges and universities, is scheduled for 6 to 11 p.m. Friday at the Orlando Premium Outlets, on Vineland Avenue just off Interstate 4. 

The outdoor festival of food and drink allows attendees to sample food prepared by local hospitality industry professionals, for $2 to $4, with all of the proceeds going to the education programs. 

There will be more than 60 booths, live music, a raffle and silent auction for travel packages. Admission and parking are free. The Bacchus Bash has raised nearly $400,000 in the past 15 years, including $85,000 last year. 

SUN 'N FUN FLY-IN: A reproduction of the Wright brothers' airplane will be a featured item of this year's annual Sun 'n Fun Fly-In at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport. 

The April 2-8 event is sort of a combination air show, fair and convention for aviation buffs featuring everything from ultralights and hot-air balloons to helicopters and jets. Pilots from throughout the country travel to the show, sponsored by the Experimental Aircraft Association, based in Oshkosh, Wis. 

The exact replica of the 1903 Flyer flown by the Wright brothers is the centerpiece of a 24,000-square-foot exhibit celebrating the 100th anniversary of powered flight. The reproduction was built by Ken Hyde of The Wright Experience in Warrenton, Va. 

General admission to the Fly-In is $30 a day for adults and free for children 12 and under. 

GLOBAL BOOST: Central Florida tourism leaders are enthusiastic about the fact that President Bush recently signed the omnibus appropriations bill containing $50 million for an international marketing program to promote travel to the United States. A newly created United States Travel and Tourism Promotion Advisory Board will oversee the program. 

The Orlando/Orange Convention & Visitors Bureau notes that international travel is particularly important to the Orlando area, which welcomed 3.7 million international visitors in 2000, the last year for which international figures are available. 

Jerry W. Jackson can be reached at [email protected] or 407-420-5721. 

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(c) 2003. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News. V,