The Ministry of Tourism participated in the Chicago Incentive Travel and Meetings Exhibition (IT&ME 2008) to promote the DR as an ideal destination for meetings, conferences and incentives. The event took place 23-25 September at McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago. Montserrat Despradel, director of meetings and incentives for the Ministry explained that conventions and meetings are one of the most important market niches because those that attend conferences spend a lot during their stay. She said this market segment guarantees stable flows of travelers all year round. Patricia Alvarez, who attended representing the Santo Domingo Hotels Association, said that cosmopolitan Santo Domingo is an ideal destination because of its many attractions and because it has air connections to 250 US cities with direct or one-stop flights.