News

Apr 26, 2019
Event organizers and professionals who want to understand the environmental impact of the events they plan or attend now have a free and engaging new tool to help them do just that: My Event Footprint. Developed by sustainable conference management agency MeetGreen, this web-based app for event organizers, attendees and sustainability professionals generates sustainability facts based on user data, to help drive decisions and quantify data. With just 15 quick questions, a segment of a user’s environmental impact is measured in water, energy and emissions, with data displayed in a fun, easy-… more
Apr 25, 2019
America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis is about to get a major makeover. On April 16, the St. Louis City Council joined the City of St. Louis’ Board of Aldermen in approving the AC Next Gen Project, an estimated $175 billion plan that will update, modernize and expand the multi-venue complex to ensure its place as an economic and employment driver for the region.  The ACCC currently comprises the 42-year-old Cervantes Convention Center, St. Louis Executive Conference Center, The Dome at America’s Center and Ferrara Theater. Proposed last fall, the project will include the addition… more
Apr 24, 2019
If you’re an Aventri customer wanting to extend the value of your event management software, you’re in luck. The software platform provider now offers a curated list of its partners through the new Aventri Marketplace. The Marketplace portal, located on the Aventri platform, gives customers quick access to compatible technology and service providers to help them more easily manage all aspects of their events. Marketplace partners cover everything from event promotion and budget management to staffing, ground transportation and payment processing. One such partner is Uber for Business. We… more
Apr 22, 2019
Some days it can feel like everyone on your team is dancing to their own rhythm. While each one is creative in their individual realms, they’re not syncing well together; maybe someone’s grooving to Cardi B while another person jams to Creedence Clearwater Revival, making for a less than pleasurable mix. Sound like your team? Then it’s time to call in teambuilding master Amani Roberts. Roberts, a professionally trained DJ, is the founder of The Amani Experience, a Los Angeles-based company that specializes in bringing teams together through music. Working with corporate groups and events… more
Apr 19, 2019
Feeling powerless to make your events more sustainable? Want to make your events greener without having to ask your boss for permission or spending more money? In her recent webinar, “5 No-Cost Ways to Green Your Events,” Julia Spangler, sustainable events consultant, offered tips for accomplishing just that, providing actions that event planners can implement right away to create more Earth-friendly events. “Sustainable, zero-waste event planning can provide unexpected cost savings related to printing, event supplies, catering orders and more,” Spangler said in the webinar. “They may even… more
Apr 18, 2019
Uber is making it easy for corporations to pick up the tab for employees, clients and partners — and opening up new realms of possibilities for event transportation — with its new Uber Vouchers feature. Rather than hiring a van or shuttle service for small groups, you can offer them the convenience and flexibility of car service. Some applications for planners that immediately spring to mind are airport transportation, customer dinners and getting staff to wherever they need to go, on time. From the attendee perspective, this means no longer having to wait for a bus that only runs every 30… more
Apr 17, 2019
IBTM China, which will be held Aug. 28-29 at China National Convention Centre (CNCC) in Beijing, is now accepting applications to its Hosted Buyer program. The program is open to senior event planners who have interest in bringing their meetings, events, conferences or incentives to the China and Asia Pacific region. The 400 chosen hosted buyers will participate in over 9,000 pre-planned meetings (30 apiece) with approximately 380 exhibitors during the two-day long event. These exhibitors represent destinations and industry organizations from around the world, with the majority representing… more
Apr 15, 2019
Last month, Core-apps celebrated its 10th anniversary as a company. While a decade of success is a proud accomplishment for any company, it might as well be 100 years in the world of technology, which changes on a nearly weekly basis these days. In honor of this significant milestone for Core-apps (which was acquired by Community Brands earlier this year, but will live on as a brand under the Community Brands’ umbrella), we talked with Wayne Crawford, Core-apps’ veteran vice president of sales, to get his thoughts on the top 10 technologies that have changed trade shows over the last 10… more
Apr 12, 2019
Back in April 1970, the first-ever Earth Day was started as a way to protest the negative impacts of industrial development on the environment. Now, nearly 50 years later, Earth Day is a globally recognized event, with an estimated 1 billion people in 192 countries taking part in the world’s largest civic-focused day of action. Monday, April 22 this year is the official day of celebration, but anyone in the events and travel industry can take inspiration from these programs and events to keep a more planet-focused mindset year round. With that in mind, here’s a round-up of what hotels,… more
Apr 11, 2019
Wine regions around the country have many beautiful hotels and gorgeous convention spaces to choose from. But when you’re searching for a more unique corporate event venue, perhaps for a board retreat, more unusual locales can fit the bill. Check out these five inspiring locations — with outstanding vino, to boot. Benziger Family Winery When Heather Pilcher of Blue Spark Event Design was searching for a unique venue for a makeup/skincare client based in New York City, she turned to this winery in Sonoma for its wine cave. Held last May, the event included a happy hour, a three-course plated… 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