News
Apr 15, 2024
While exhibition rates are more broadly aligning with inflation this year, specific areas, such as material handling rates, continue to outpace inflation, according to the findings of the Annual Survey of Exhibition Rates. The Exhibitor Advocate — a non-profit organization dedicated to providing industry stakeholders with expert advice, research and tools to amplify the voice of exhibitors — has released its latest survey that analyzes labor and equipment costs across 24 major U.S. cities.
This year’s report demonstrates that while corporate events continue to be a valuable sales and… more
Apr 12, 2024
What are the top trends expected to have the biggest impact on the meetings and events industry in 2024 and beyond?
Meeting planners are expecting live event attendance to grow over the next three years, but they are also facing rising costs, a wider impact on destination selection due to politics and a growing importance of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) of meeting attendees and speakers, according to the 7th Annual State of the Meetings & Convention Industry.
Conducted by creative insights firm Future Partners in collaboration with travel and tourism strategic marketing… more
Apr 10, 2024
Exclusively sponsored by Honeycomb Strategies.
Thinking of a sustainability certification? Many events and venues are. Certifications legitimize your organization’s efforts, and there are many worthwhile programs to consider. One notable and popular program, the Events Industry Council's (EIC) Sustainable Event Standards assess organizations in detailed, points-based criteria and awards applicants with a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum rating for their percentage of compliance. Events, venues, general service contractors, vendors/suppliers can certify, with slightly different criteria for… more
Apr 10, 2024
Visit Anaheim, the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for Anaheim, Calif., has appointed Mike Waterman as its new president and CEO, effective April 29. A hospitality industry veteran with more than 30 years of leadership and sales experience, Waterman comes to Anaheim from Visit Orlando, where he previously served as chief sales officer.
Upon assuming the helm of Visit Anaheim, Waterman will be responsible for developing, directing and overseeing the CVB as well as leading its efforts to draw conventions and visitors to the Anaheim area to bring economic growth to the… more
Apr 09, 2024
Three travel, tourism and event organizations and two leading hospitality companies recently announced strategic alliances and partnerships to benefit their members and audiences. Take a look!
Destinations International Forms New Partnerships
Destinations International (DI), a leading resource for destination organizations, has been establishing collaborative relationships with event and tourism organizations to spearhead business development efforts for its members.
Connect
The organization recently formed a multi-year partnership with Connect, a leading business-to-business events… more
Apr 08, 2024
A historic Hawaiian resort nears the completion of a major guest room makeover, while a luxury beachfront Florida hotel unveiled upgraded rooms and curated community experiences for meeting and event groups.
Sandpearl Resort Unveils New “Seaside Chic” Guest Rooms
Just in time for the spring and summer beach-going seasons, Sandpearl Resort in Clearwater Beach, Fla., completed a total makeover of its guest rooms and suites.
The new “Seaside Chic” guest rooms and living spaces have been upgraded with new flooring, carpets and rugs, paint, couches (all pull-outs for extra sleeping space),… more
Apr 05, 2024
After a nearly 20-year tenure at NYC Tourism + Conventions, Fred Dixon has been appointed president and CEO of the U.S.’s official destination marketing organization, Brand USA, effective July 15. He is succeeding Christopher Thompson, who announced his retirement in July 2023 and has held the role of president and CEO since 2012.
Bringing more than 30 years of experience along with a proven track record of leadership in the travel industry to his new role, Dixon currently serves as president and CEO of NYC Tourism + Conventions, New York City’s official destination marketing organization, a… more
Apr 04, 2024
Spring kicked off in the corporate events industry with organizations and suppliers announcing key staff promotions, new hires and expanded executive teams. Check out all the seasoned industry professionals on the move in this month’s People News.
Impact XM
Impact XM elevated James Morris from senior vice president of client services to executive vice president of growth, responsible for spearheading strategic growth initiatives for the full-service event and experiential marketing agency.
In his new role, Morris will play a pivotal role in shaping Impact XM’s trajectory, spearheading… more
Apr 02, 2024
As an annual international day of advocacy that showcases the incredible and undeniable value that business meetings, trade shows, incentive travel, exhibitions, conferences and conventions bring to people, businesses, communities and the global economy, Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) will once again gather event industry professionals virtually and in person on Thurs., April 11 to communicate and celebrate the importance of the events industry.
An initiative of Meetings Mean Business (a division of U.S. Travel), the event is again being hosted virtually by Meeting Professionals… more
Apr 01, 2024
As wellness comes to the forefront for some corporate leaders, planners may be tasked with producing a retreat for their organization.
In fact, the corporate wellness market was valued at an estimated $61 billion in 2023, and this number is expected to rise to $85 billion by 2030, according to Fortune Business Insights.
Where are companies spending on wellness?
In 2024, employers are anticipating a greater investment in mental health solutions (91%), stress management and resilience tools (66%), telemedicine (65%), mindfulness and meditation programs (55%) and lifestyle spending accounts… more
Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here.
New Wave Experiences
Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, more