Canada, China, Mexico, Japan and Germany.

The US economy is the world's largest, most technologically powerful and diverse. Distinct benefits arise from a unique combination of mass immigration, technological and marketing innovations, vast natural resources, expansion of international trade, historical fortune and an economic system designed to reinforce professional and personal enterprise.

The enormous influence of US-based multinational companies within the world economy affords unparalleled global influence and allows its currency unique international status.

Large areas of the USA, particularly in the Midwest, are under cultivation and produce a wide range of commodities: important are cotton, grain and tobacco, all exported on a large scale. Principal mining operations produce oil, gas, coal, copper, iron, uranium and silver. US industry leads in steel production, automotive manufacturing, aerospace technology, telecommunications, chemical engineering, electronics, computer-based commerce and manufactured goods.

The largest employment is in the service sector, finance, leisure and tourism. The unemployment rate in 2011 was 9.1%, with growth at 2.5% and inflation at 3%.

If for no other reason than its role in the world economy, the USA is an important conference destination; there are state, city and regional travel and convention organisations in every part of the country, each actively promoting its own assets. There are several magazines aimed at helping the conference organiser; they include Meeting & Conventions Magazine (www.meetings-conventions.com) and Successful Meetings Magazine (www.successfulmeetings.com).

Three of the largest convention and trade show venues in the USA are Las Vegas, New York and Chicago, with Las Vegas holding the top position for a number of years.

Organisers interested in US venues should contact the US Travel Association (www.ustravel.org) or the travel organisations listed in the individual state sections. In addition to the state organisations, addresses of travel and convention organisations for cities and counties are also included.

Businesspeople are generally expected to dress smartly. Western business courtesies should be observed, although Americans tend to be less formal than Europeans. Appointments and punctuality are expected procedure and business cards are widely used. Dates in the US are written month-day-year.

It is quite common for meetings to be held over lunch, although the prohibitive cost of eating out in major cities at traditional business venues means that some companies bring in outside caterers to the office for important, large-scale lunch meetings. For lunch meetings, alcohol, in moderation, is acceptable. Business dinners tend to take place in restaurants rather than at home. Cocktails after work are commonplace.

Business hours are officially Mon-Fri 0900-1730, although an extended working day is very common in certain sectors and it is not unusual for people to be working well into the night or over the weekend.