Feb 07, 2025
In January, the U.S. corporate event industry kicked off 2025 with a multitude of new hires, promotions, and executive appointments. Here’s our monthly jobs report.  Corporate Event News’s take on the biggest move in the last month: Caesars Entertainment promoted seasoned hospitality professional Kelly Gleeson Smith from vice president of sales to senior vice president of sales.   The big picture: Considered a global leader in the gaming and hospitality industry, Caesars Entertainment operates more than 50 properties worldwide, including nine hotel-resorts in Las Vegas. Offering more than 1… more
gen z
Feb 06, 2025
Did you know Millennials (1981-1996) and Gen Z (born 1997-2012) combined comprise 75% of working professionals, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics? Younger corporate employees are influencing the evolution of meetings, events, and conferences like never before.  “From attending their first work conference to experiencing an off-site with their team, this new generation entering the workforce is more digitally savvy than ever, while still valuing connections and redefining the purpose of face-to-face interactions,” explained Hilton Vice President, Sales Engagement and… more
Feb 05, 2025
On January 22, Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino celebrated the official opening of the Vegas Loop – Westgate Station, providing riders with a fast and convenient way to move to and from key locations in and around the Las Vegas Strip via a one-of-a-kind express-route transportation system.  Conveniently located at Westgate’s porte-cochere, the latest Vegas Loop station is part of the more than $52 million underground tunnel transportation system being built by Elon Musk’s Boring Company that carries passengers in high-speed autonomous electric vehicles. Designed to reduce road… more
arrowhead stadium
Feb 04, 2025
As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare to make history by returning to the Super Bowl for a three-peat, Jacquelyn Carroll, director of events at Arrowhead, a division of the Kansas City Chiefs, took the stage to share her experience with attendees at Connect North, held Jan. 27-29 at the Marriott Downtown Kansas City.  Tasked with transforming a football stadium into a dynamic event venue, Carroll and her team navigate the complexities of hosting more than 300 events each year, leveraging creativity to provide exceptional experiences.   What kinds of events do Carroll and her team produce? How… more
Feb 03, 2025
Event catering is in a constant state of innovation. As event planners strive to perfect what they serve at gatherings (and how they serve it), they also incorporate food and beverage trends to create unique culinary experiences that surprise and delight guests, raise the bar for creativity, and promote corporate social responsibility (CSR).  To understand which F&B trends will impact our industry in 2025, we gathered insights from event professionals around the globe. From high-end mocktails to ultra-luxury dining to emphasizing sustainability and dietary restrictions, these 10 trends… more
Jan 31, 2025
New York City Tourism + Conventions launched Ellis, its first AI chat-planning platform for business event professionals. Developed in partnership with GuideGeek, Matador Network’s award-winning AI Travel Assistant, Ellis offers expert guidance and resources for meeting planners in 45 languages via the NYC Tourism Meeting Planner resource page and WhatsApp.    What they’re saying: “We’re pleased to unveil Ellis, the first-ever AI chat platform by a DMO designed to revolutionize event planning in New York City,” said Julie Coker, president and CEO of NYC Tourism + Conventions. “As a global… more
Hilton panel
Jan 30, 2025
What do attendees want (and expect) at meetings in 2025?   At the recent Hilton Experience Showcase, a press and client event held on Jan. 22 at Lavan Midtown in New York City, insights into these very trends were shared, with new research unveiled offering fresh perspectives on shaping the future of meetings.   “A shifting workplace, as people seek greater flexibility from work or home and clear work-life boundaries, demands in-person meetings shift in new, modern ways,” according to new research by Hilton and Ipsos, a global market research and consulting firm.  Context: Conducted in… more
Jan 28, 2025
The New York Convention Center Operating Corporation (NYCCOC) has selected 30-year convention industry veteran Joyce Leveston as the new CEO of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, following a unanimous recommendation by the executive search committee and approval from the NYCCOC Board of Directors. Joining the Javits team on February 10, Leviston will officially take the helm on March 10.  Hugh Carey, Vice Chair of the NYCCOC Board of Directors and chair of the search committee, expressed enthusiasm for her historic appointment, which marks the first time a woman has held… more
Jan 28, 2025
Sponsored by Orange County Convention Center (OCCC)    OVERVIEW   The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) redefines excellence in the event and meetings industry by seamlessly blending world-class customer service with cutting-edge industry partnerships. From a dedicated in-house rigging team to comprehensive exhibitor services, the Center works in harmony to transform ambitious visions into unforgettable experiences. With over 2 million square feet of flexible exhibit space, unparalleled resources, and a dream destination, the OCCC is where extraordinary events come to… more
Jan 27, 2025
The start of a new year is always a prime time to look ahead. In the world of hospitality and business events, that often means checking in on the hotel pipeline around the country. From luxury brand debuts to impressive restorations, these new hotels are designed to impress, with top-tier amenities and locations. Keep scrolling to see which properties caught our eye, including the first-ever Graduate Hotel in Texas and the reopening of a swanky South Florida resort. Waldorf Astoria New York A historic, transformed New York City property is expected to open its doors in spring 2025. Waldorf… more
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.    Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is more