More and more, colleges and universities are competing with outside venues and vendors to attract special events to their campuses. According to Chuck Salem, president of Unique Venues, planners predict a 7 percent increase in the number of meetings planned industry-wide for 2006. Expenditures per meeting are also expected to increase 7 percent. This is good news for universities willing to open their doors: “[Meeting planners] are able to spend more money on your campus,” Salem says.