The
Express
Conferences
SMERF

SMERF Express

America’s most unique trade show!

Attention C.V.B.’s, D.M.O. ’s, suppliers, and vendors!

Unlike other industry conferences, The Express Conferences are centered towards maximizing your interactions with the industry’s most active meeting planners and event rights holders. Our proven model brings you and keeps you in front of these high-level decision makers to assure you receive the highest Return on your Time and Money Investment.  Our unique format is focused around limiting attendance to assure a 2 to 1 ratio of sellers vs. buyers and from this enhancing the relationship building opportunities including quality 8-10 minute appointments, multiple casual social functions and abundant interaction opportunities over the course of four days.

Key Highlights:

  • Accommodations Included!!!
  • All meals included!!!
  • 2:1 Buyers to planners’ ratio (between 25-30 planners)
  • 2 waves of 1 on 1 appointments, eliminating education or breakout sessions
  • Transportation to and from local airport.
  • Opening Night Welcome Dinner
  • Community Service project
  • Activity day – each attendee can choose one of several options.
  • Team Building
  • Closing Lunch
  • Optional guest package (to include registration and all social events)

The Express Conferences promises to bring great relationship building and to provide you the ability to maximize your conference productivity! Thank you for your interest and we hope to see you soon!

Sample Schedule

Monday

Registration
Afternoon-Mini Fam (Planners only)
Opening Dinner

Tuesday

Breakfast
Community Service Project
Lunch
Appointments
Dinner
Late Night Lounge

Wednesday

Breakfast
Activity choice
Lunch
Team Building
Dinner
Late Night Lounge

Thursday

Breakfast
Appointments
Lunch
Depart

Upcoming SMERF Express Events

SMERF

SMERF Express 2026

The Elizabeth Hotel

October 26 - 29, 2026

Testimonials

Industries

Military & Veterans Affairs

* Veteran organizations (e.g., American Legion, VFW, DAV) * Military memorabilia and uniform retailers * Military travel and reunion planners * Defense contractors (community outreach) * Military history publishers and museums * Veteran healthcare and benefit services

Education

* K-12 and higher education institutions * Educational publishers and curriculum developers * EdTech companies * School tour operators and student travel firms * Youth leadership and scholarship organizations * Teacher and administrator associations

Religious Organizations

* Faith-based nonprofits and missions groups * Religious publishers and bookstores * Church travel and pilgrimage companies * Religious retreat and camp facilities * Clergy apparel and religious gift retailers * Denominational conferences and ministries

Fraternal Organizations

* Masonic lodges and affiliates (Shriners, Scottish Rite, etc.) * Elks, Moose, and Eagles lodges * Greek-letter societies (college fraternities/sororities) * Hereditary and lineage societies (e.g., DAR, SAR) * Fraternal insurance and financial services * Uniform and regalia suppliers

Social Groups & Associations

* Family and class reunion planners * Ethnic and cultural heritage organizations * Community clubs and affinity groups (e.g., Lions, Rotary, NAACP chapters) * Social dance, hobby, or performance groups * Festival and fair organizers * Alumni associations and legacy societies

Medical

Doctors, Staff