News

Jul 27, 2023
Following an extensive and competitive RFP process, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) has selected global sports and live entertainment company Oak View Group (OVG) as the new private management and food service partner for Chicago’s McCormick Place, Wintrust Arena and Arie Crown Theater.  Beginning Oct. 1 and running through Sept. 2028, the management and F&B contracts were awarded to OVG360 and OVG Hospitality, respectively, following a unanimous vote by the MPEA Board.  “I am thrilled to welcome OVG360 and OVG Hospitality to our campus,” said Larita Clark, CEO of… more
Jul 25, 2023
While some industries are known for slowing down in the summer months, the corporate event industry has been doing anything but resting idle, as evidenced by the extensive array of event-related organizations and suppliers continuing the industry’s ongoing hiring and promoting trend. Read on for all the latest People News you need to know! Associated Luxury Hotels International Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI), a luxury global sales organization catering to the hospitality industry, has appointed Jim Perrin as vice president of sales for the Mid-Atlantic region. Boasting an… more
Jul 24, 2023
Destinations International (DI), the leading global resource for official destination organizations and convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs), recently announced significant growth in its membership. The organization now represents 26 countries and territories, with more than 700 members worldwide.  The announcement was made on July 18 at the Destinations International Annual Convention by DI President and CEO Don Welsh, who highlighted the importance of a strong member community and the power of travel in fostering connections across the globe. “Destinations International exists for the… more
Jul 22, 2023
Promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) has become a vital aspect of organizing events – from hiring speakers to creating event content to securing sponsors and more. But what about designing the food and beverage offerings at events? We checked in with Tracy Stuckrath, founder and president of thrive! meetings & events and host of the Eating at a Meeting podcast, who offered some keen insights on the importance of DEI in event catering. Inclusivity is what inspired Stuckrath to start her business in 2010, when a personal health journey changed the course of her career. “I was… more
Jul 20, 2023
Bizzabo, the Event Experience Operating System (OS), unveiled new offerings with Klik, the onsite wearable technology that the company acquired in 2021. The additions include two major updates to Klik Experiential, its wearable event technology for B2B conferences and flagship events: The Edge, an innovative update to its SmartBadge™, and Klik à la Carte, a new individual option for non-Bizzabo customers. “We’re excited about The Edge because it’s the sleekest SmartBadge™ yet,” said Alon Alroy, co-founder and CMO of Bizzabo. “The Edge offers the same data collection, engagement and… more
Jul 18, 2023
The Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, Kan., has launched a full-service program designed to show appreciation, reduce costs and elevate the live event experience for convention and trade show producers, exhibitors and general service contractors. Aptly named the OPCC Exhibition Advantage, this first-of-its-kind, industry-leading initiative features a cashback loyalty program, 50% discount at concessions, free internet access and digital content displays, live camera feeds in the show office, time-lapse video, equipment and tool sharing, swag bags, complimentary coffee and… more
Jul 17, 2023
The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) signed an agreement with Walt Disney World to offer a new Gold Key Partnership, which provides exclusive benefits for trade shows, corporate events, exhibitors and attendees at OCCC.  Walt Disney World was a Gold Key Partner with OCCC prior to the pandemic, and the venue has existing partnership agreements with Universal and SeaWorld. “In June, one [event] had a buyout at Universal and hosted all its attendees for a reception at the park,” OCCC Deputy Director Eric Blanc told Corporate Event News. “We encourage clients to embrace being in Orlando… more
Jul 14, 2023
On the heels of posting its strongest fiscal year in nearly a decade for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions — and many more to come this year and in 2024 — Discover Puerto Rico is further stepping up event marketing efforts with groundbreaking virtual reality (VR) technology. Through a strategic partnership, Discover Puerto Rico has become the first destination marketing organization to partner with CyberDyme, a leading provider of virtual reality sales and marketing solutions, to provide an immersive sales presentation experience for prospective event clients through its… more
Jul 13, 2023
The meetings industry has gone through unprecedented times in recent years, and as it transforms and moves well beyond the pandemic, the future is looking bright for a robust recovery, although predicting trends moving forward is no easy task. Enter the International Association of Conference Centers (IACC), the global association representing the top 1 percent of small to midsize conference and meeting venues, which recently released the 2023 Meeting Room of the Future Report. The findings detail top trends that will shape the future for conferences, meetings and events of up to 250… more
Jul 11, 2023
The Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center in Downtown Jacksonville, Fla., is currently undergoing extensive renovations designed to improve the appearance and functionality of its meeting and convention spaces while elevating the event experience for planners and groups attending events in Jacksonville.  The renovation project, which began in April, includes a full facelift of the historic venue’s more than 200,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition spaces, including the main Exhibit Hall featuring 78,000 square feet of exhibit space, 33-foot ceilings and 22 meeting rooms of various sizes… 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