News

Feb 27, 2018
ARIA Resort & Casino has completed the expansion of its convention center, adding 200,000 sq. ft. of space over four floors of the hotel. The new space incorporates features including views, natural light, outdoor areas and non-traditional meeting areas. The $170-million-dollar construction project began in May 2016, and the expansion was completed in Feb. 2018, increasing the footprint of the convention space to 500,000 sq. ft.  The new space officially opened on Feb 15. I asked Tony Yousfi, ARIA’s vice president of sales, why meeting organizers might choose ARIA when there is such a… more
Feb 26, 2018
Guidebook, Inc. has launched new Integrations and an Open API that enables event planners and organizations to seamlessly connect CRM, event registration and marketing automation software with their mobile event apps. A self-service event app builder platform, Guidebook makes it easy for users to create, customize and manage mobile apps for events of all types and sizes using simple, built-in features and templates. According to Guidebook officials, the company’s plug-and-play Integrations further extend the mobile app platform’s ease of use without the need for developer resources to… more
Feb 23, 2018
The San Diego Convention Center has selected ON Site, a division of ON Services, as its preferred provider of audio-visual services and its exclusive provider of production rigging and in-house sound. The contract will begin May 1, 2018. Owned by GES, ON Services is a leading provider of global live event audio visual services that include AV design, lighting, projection mapping and scenic design services. ON Site provides in-house audio-visual and technology services to convention centers, hotels and resorts across the United States. The San Diego Convention Center hosts conventions, trade… more
Feb 22, 2018
The GDPR is currently among the top concerns for marketers at organizations across all industries. As technology continues to advance, data breaches are inevitable, so more and more security measures will be put in place in the effort to keep personal data safe. Event marketers who may not have technology backgrounds still need to know the many aspects of digital and data security that should be considered both internally and in their organizations’ contracts with suppliers, vendors, and partners. However, figuring out where to start and exactly how data security and related regulations… more
Feb 21, 2018
Concept3D, provider of location-based software and 3D services, including 3D modeling, virtual reality (VR), interactive maps and virtual tour software, has launched the Colorado Convention Center’s new interactive 3D map and virtual tour platform. On the new platform, the CCC’s 584,000 square feet of meeting and event space are mapped in highly detailed 3D renderings atop interactive software, offering event attendees, visitors, employees, exhibitors, vendors and event planners the ability to easily navigate the facility as well as find their way to and from nearby and regional locations… more
Feb 19, 2018
If you are considering taking your event to The Netherlands – most people likely would focus on Amsterdam, but there are two other affordable and easy-to-access cities to look at as well: Rotterdam and The Hague. “We think that Rotterdam is the new and exciting choice for event organizers, with the same level of service and quality that can be expected from all cities in the Netherlands as a destination country,” said Catherine Kalamidas, account manager for Rotterdam Partners Convention Bureau. She added, “The good thing is that the Netherlands is such a small country that you can actually… more
Feb 15, 2018
The Association for Women in Events (AWE) is an inclusive community dedicated to the professional advancement of women in all facets of the events industry. AWE was founded in 2015 by five women who are also event professionals: Carrie Abernathy, CMP, CEM, CSP; Mary Higham, CEM; Tamela Blalock, MBA, CMP, DES; Mas Tadesse and Kiki Janssens Fox. The co-founders’ vision was to help women find resources, mentorship, and career guidance/enhancement. They put a board together to help bring this vision to life, and in January 2016, launched enrollment. One year’s membership in the Association for… more
Feb 14, 2018
A founding group of event technology companies has joined Fuzion, Freeman’s open product ecosystem designed to make technology more accessible for event organizers. Introduced last fall, the new platform aims to help solve industry-wide integration challenges between digital solutions by connecting data across all points of the event lifecycle, thus creating a more seamless experience for organizers and attendees. “In putting on a successful event, organizers may find themselves working with many different technology companies,” explained Richard Maranville, executive vice president and… more
Feb 13, 2018
Chicago’s Theater on the Lake complex, on the shores of Lake Michigan, reopened in January 2018 after a multi-million-dollar renovation. Built in 1920, Theater on the Lake was redeveloped to convert the historic lakefront venue into a year-round cultural institution, with an adaptable event facility featuring the latest technology and amenities. Located in Lincoln Park, near the Lincoln Park Conservatory and the Chicago History Museum, Theater on the Lake is just two miles north of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. The fully enclosed event space is surrounded by six acres of green space and… more
Feb 12, 2018
AlliedPRA, Inc., one of the nation's largest event planning and full-service destination management companies, on Feb. 7 announced that it will acquire Destination Nashville, the DMC leader in the Nashville market. This acquisition provides AlliedPRA with an increased presence in the Nashville market, which in 2017 attracted 14.5 million visitors, an increase of 4.6 percent from 2016 which set a new record. As a leading event management and solutions firm in the nation, AlliedPRA serves many of the most respected brands within every major industry sector. Tony Lorenz, CMM, chief executive… more
Partner Voices
  MGM Resorts is renowned for its exceptional service and diverse venue options across Las Vegas, Detroit, Springfield, National Harbor, Biloxi, and Atlantic City, providing flexible spaces for meetings of any size. Beyond these offerings, MGM Resorts distinguishes itself through a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for your next meeting.  At the core of MGM Resorts' company values is its platform, "Focused on What Matters," dedicated to meeting customer needs while advancing socially responsible practices. This commitment is evident more