The Meetings Community (MeCo) has officially opened the doors of its anticipated "MeCo Mansion", welcoming planning professionals globally to brand new opportunities in Second Life. For over a year now, MeCo has provided members across the world with free access to job boards, web seminars, chat rooms, directories, educational resources, and top-notch leadership as a way to unite and uplift the professional development of the entire planning industry.

"The MeCo Mansion presents a whole new market for planning professionals in every country," says Dan Parks, MeCo Mansion developer and MeCo co-founder. "The Second Life virtual world is expanding exponentially, so it's filled with opportunities for event planners to network and generate new business."

The business and social impact of Second Life has users from all over the world flocking to virtual conferences and workshops where they can learn new ways to explore the virtual society and live their "second life" to the fullest. With millions of dollars being generated in Linden City on Second Life each day, people are eager to join and profit. In terms of social events, there are always parties, weddings, networking events, and trade shows to attend and more importantly, to plan.

"The wonderful thing about Second Life is that you could be networking with another avatar who could very well be the CEO of a major corporation in real life," explains Parks. "The opportunities for users to expand their business here are virtually endless, pun intended of course."

Planning professionals who visit the MeCo Mansion will have the opportunity to meet and network with some of the biggest names and legends in the industry. Dan Parks designed the MeCo Mansion to evolve into an information oasis for event planners worldwide, where users have unlimited access to reliable information and at the same time relax and network with other planners or potential clients.

"Many companies and associations already are using Second Life to hold meetings, and I anticipate that this is just the tip of a coming "virtual life" meetings iceberg," explains Sue Pelletier, editor of Association Meetings. "It just makes sense that meeting planners add Second Life skills to their repertoire. Thanks to MeCo, they now have an easy way to get their virtual feet wet while accessing a mansion full of great planning information."

Whether you are a veteran planner of a young person in seeking more info about different career opportunities, the MeCo Mansion is the place to search for industry resources. As if the vanishing swimming pool in the middle of the foyer weren't enough, some of MeCo Mansion's priceless amenities include:

• The Education Station and Industry Resource Room: Guests are able to find Universities and Colleges that offer classes and degrees in Meeting Planning, and info on topics such as 'How To Get Industry Designations'
• Corbin Ball's Den of Technology: Houses the Meeting Industry Tech guru's favorite links and articles
• The MeCo Law Library: Where you can view articles, links, and websites on legal matters
• The GameRoom: A non-marketing environment with card tables, full bar, and vanishing walls that transform into an outdoor environment
• The MeCo Theatre: Includes a gigantic viewing screen and ample seating
• Conference Room: Complete with multi-media applications, state of the art equipment and luxury boardroom seating

Corbin Ball, technology wizard and renowned expert, has had the chance to tour the MeCo Mansion in Second Life. As an advocate for technological advancement within the event planning and meetings industry, he was very pleased with the layout.

"Dan Parks has put a huge effort in building the MeCo Mansion," Corbin Ball reveals. " Industry professionals can look forward to upcoming video screenings (for speakers), links, and expert rooms."

Tour the MeCo Mansion today at: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Wilmington/165/150/31 .

For more information on how to join MeCo, please visit www.meetingscommunity.org .

About The Meetings Community (MeCo)
The Meetings Community (MeCo) is a free online destination for meeting planners and suppliers to discuss the issues surrounding the meeting and hospitality industries. MeCo is a free service; membership is open to all meeting and event planners and suppliers from around the world and encompasses all aspects of the industry. MeCo was launched to educate and foster the sharing of information on issues that affect meeting and hospitality professionals.