News
Aug 28, 2019
Community Brands has launched a new suite of integrated event tech solutions designed to help organizations simplify the event management process while delivering an impactful attendee experience. The unveiling comes after months of development of new capabilities through strategic product investment and acquisitions.
Earlier this year, the company acquired event technology firms Core-apps, Attendee Interactive and TripBuilder Media, bringing in new capabilities for exhibitor management, speaker and abstract management, and mobile attendee experience. These new organizations represent the… more
Aug 26, 2019
Fall is always a busy season for event professionals. Summer vacations are over; kids are back in school; and as we get well into the second half of the year, it feels more like a new beginning. Inevitably, there are a number of industry events to help you keep your professional development going strong. If you have the education and travel funds available, and enough time to use them, here are some events to consider attending.
Haute Dokimazo – Sept. 9, Austin
A Haute Dokimazo signature event is like no conference you've experienced as an event industry professional. There are no keynotes… more
Aug 23, 2019
It’s no secret that trade shows and conferences produce a sizable amount of waste that becomes destined for the dumpster after just a few days in the spotlight. Having witnessed this problematic pattern for years, event management and production firm Decibel Event Management has partnered with Reborn Clothing Co. to help tackle event waste by upcycling signage, graphics and other single-use textiles into one-of-a-kind, durable products.
According to David Sonntag, Decibel CEO, the company’s new UpCycling Initiative is designed to not only keep surplus textiles out of landfills but also… more
Aug 22, 2019
We live in a world of data. We have the ability today to know more about our customers than ever before — their likes, their needs, their behaviors, their interactions with brands and much more. Thanks to advances in technology platforms, it is possible for event managers to connect the dots with the data they collect. Leveraging data insights can help prove the value of events as well as shape personalized marketing communications and in-person event experiences.
Alon Alroy, co-founder and CMO of Bizzabo, an event technology company that empowers event marketers to manage, measure and grow… more
Aug 21, 2019
Facility leadership and show floor trade partners of Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia have signed a five-year extension and amendment of its 10-year labor agreement. The contract builds on the competitive work rules and expanded exhibitor rights initially put in place in 2014.
Known as the Customer Satisfaction Agreement, the extended labor agreement, which went into effect Aug. 1, allows exhibitors to set up and tear down their own booths without limitations on booth size. This marks a significant shift from the facility’s previous practice, which limited exhibitors to… more
Aug 19, 2019
Center for Exhibition Industry Research has released two new reports focused on the trade show industry’s latest best practices.
A must-read for first-time exhibitors looking to better understand material handling, Unraveling the Myths About Material Handling provides a comprehensive overview of what material handling is, along with details about what expenses and factors impact charges. It also shares advice on how to plan and send shipments cost-effectively.
Written by Aaron Bludworth, president and CEO of Fern (with contributions by Neil McMullin, senior vice president of Shared Services… more
Aug 16, 2019
When it comes to meetings and conventions hotel bookings, rates are rising: The average daily rate (ADR) for groups is up 1.9 percent compared to 2018. But the higher rates aren’t slowing group bookings down. Those numbers are also trending upwards, with a 0.3 percent increase in committed room nights compared to July 2018.
The transient segment ADR is also up, though only slightly at 0.2 percent; transient business ADR was down 2 percent.
This data was part of findings released by TravelClick, an Amadeus company, in its July 2019 North American Hospitality Review.
“July’s new reservation… more
Aug 15, 2019
Artificial intelligence-powered meeting automation platform SummitSync has teamed up with Conversica, creator of conversational AI assistants for business. The goal of this partnership is to help mutual customers maximize event ROI by driving more pre-show meetings and post-event follow-ups.
By pairing SummitSync’s conference and trade show intelligence with Conversica’s AI Assistant automated lead engagement, event marketers and sales teams can take advantage of streamlined software automation to more efficiently find, book and manage sales meetings at events. The joint platform… more
Aug 14, 2019
SPINCon, the annual conference produced by SPIN: Senior Planners Industry Network, will be held Nov. 3-5, 2019 at Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa on Del Monte Golf Course. SPIN is the world’s largest association for senior-level event planners who have at least 10 years of full-time planning experience.
In honor of this year’s theme, which is “Are You Game,” gamification will be included in the event’s app, and speakers have been tasked with finding ways to make their sessions more attendee-focused and include elements of fun.
The conference also will encompass SPIN’s six core values… more
Aug 12, 2019
The luxury 515-room JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Shanghai Pudong opened Aug. 8 as the first JW Marriott Marquis hotel in China. This builds on Marriott’s brand launch momentum in the country, as it also opened the 191-room Aloft Shanghai Zhangjiang Hotel in April.
“For years, Shanghai has been deemed one of the most iconic cities in China and in the world, drawing in luxury travelers of different backgrounds that call for premium hospitality and personalized service,” said Henry Lee, chief operations officer and managing director in Greater China for Marriott International. “We are thrilled to… more
Partner Voices
Just when it seems like Las Vegas can’t get any bigger, brighter or more exciting for groups, MGM Resorts raises the bar again. The company continues to invest and innovate across its portfolio of Las Vegas resorts, with new attractions and upgraded experiences for attendees of all interests.
Remodeled Guest Rooms
MGM Grand is the largest single hotel in the world with over 5,000 guest rooms and an 850,000-square-foot conference center. It is home to the newly remodeled MGM Grand Studio Tower—700 reimagined guest rooms with a fun mid-century vibe. Nearby, the iconic New York-New York Las more