News

May 26, 2022
The highly anticipated Omni PGA Frisco Resort, located 30 miles north of Dallas, is on track to be unveiled in spring 2023 and has opened for group booking requests for events starting in June 2023 and beyond. “With group meetings and events returning quickly, we are eager to share our exciting new resort for groups to consider,” said Jeff Smith, vice president and managing director for Omni PGA Frisco Resort. “Omni PGA Frisco is excited to see the role it will play being a state-of-the-art meetings destination in Texas.” He added, “This extraordinary resort, in partnership with PGA of… more
May 25, 2022
Sponsored Exclusively by Visit California If you haven’t taken the time to fully explore Anaheim, you have all sorts of fun discoveries ahead. Eat at the Packing District Dining doesn’t get much cooler than this. Just a few miles from Disneyland, three historic landmarks—a 1919 Sunkist orange packing house, a 1925 Packard car dealership, and a 1917 orange marmalade factory—got new leases on life in 2013 as the Anaheim Packing District. The airy renovated warehouse spaces now house Anaheim Brewery, Umami Burger, Unsung Brewing Company, Pali Wine Company, plus the Packing House Food Hall—… more
May 25, 2022
Sponsored Exclusively by Visit California With more than 11 miles of sandy shorelines and sparkling bays, Long Beach is the perfect place to enjoy time both in and on the water. From standup paddleboards to sailboats, harbor cruises to romantic gondola rides, Long Beach offers waterfront activities for everyone. Family-Friendly Beaches Thanks to a protective breakwater built by the U.S. Navy during World War II, Long Beach’s sandy shores are a great choice for families. Protected from major waves and without riptides, shorelines like Alamitos Beach, Marine Park (aka Mother’s Beach), and … more
May 25, 2022
Beaches, fish tacos, and beer. San Diego could have nothing but those three things and still be a crowd-pleaser any day of the week. But this laid-back Southern California city has plenty of other layers—including world-class art, architecture, hiking trails, and even an under-the-radar wine scene. Explore these gems, hidden in plain sight around San Diego County, starting in downtown and heading both north and east. And worry not: You might also sample a few new tacos and beers along the way. Animae, Downtown Top Chef alum Brian Malarkey has turned up the volume in multiple ways for his… more
May 25, 2022
Sponsored Exclusively by Visit California Palm Springs is the best kind of party town, always evolving and never resting on its laurels. The cool crowd heads to the desert region for hip hotels with poolside DJs, al fresco cocktails, live entertainment, and energetic dance floors.   Take a dip—or just hang out poolside with a Cranky Coyote cocktail—at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club, or venture into the hotel’s Amigo Room, a quirky hipster-magnet that on any given night may host stand-up comedy, bingo, and even arts-and-crafts sessions. Serious beer aficionados need look no further than Yard… more
May 25, 2022
Sponsored Exclusively by Visit California A lifetime in San Francisco wouldn’t be enough to see the city’s countless wonders. That’s why we’ve selected experiences that everyone from the first-time traveler to the frequent visitor will love. Here’s where to shop, eat, stay, and explore in the Golden City.  Stay at The Fairmont San Francisco Named for the railroad barons (“Nobs”) who built their mansions in the area, Nob Hill is one of the most high-end neighborhoods in San Francisco. At its pinnacle sits the historic Fairmont San Francisco, a stunning expression of early 20th-century… more
May 25, 2022
Sponsored Exclusively by Visit California With its gently curved cables and deep orange hue, the Golden Gate Bridge is a total showstopper. Yes, it’s beautiful to behold, but the bridge’s charms are more than skin (or a coat of paint?) deep. On your next trip to San Francisco, try these creative ways to enjoy the bridge and the surrounding area. Stay at Cavallo Point The story of Cavallo Point is even older than the Golden Gate. Before the bridge’s construction, the army established Fort Baker as a military base in an effort to fortify the bay. Today, the lovely colonial revival buildings… more
May 24, 2022
While the trade show and meetings industry continues its steady path toward recovery, some event-related organizations remain committed to making sure that those less fortunate within the communities they operate aren’t left behind. Check out two event industry entities who recently went the extra mile to make a difference in their home cities and beyond. Music City Center Nashville’s Music City Center, in partnership with Sodexo Live! and Nestlé, recently donated 150 gallons of soup to The Nashville Food Project, a nonprofit organization that brings people together to grow, cook and share… more
May 23, 2022
When asked how she started her career in convention facility management, Peggy Daidakis chalks it up to being in the right place at the right time. The much-respected convention industry veteran started her events career in the late 70s at the genesis of Baltimore’s meetings and events industry, cutting her teeth as an event coordinator and sales representative for the newly formed Baltimore Convention and Visitors Bureau (now Visit Baltimore), tasked with attracting conventions and trade shows to the soon-to-be-opened Baltimore Convention Center (BCC).  “I was working as an aide to the… more
May 20, 2022
As an 18-year-old professional cheerleader, Thuy Diep was so joyfully immersed in the tasks of organizing dinners, hotel arrangements, welcome events and competitions for her cheerleaders association, that she just may have been belting out her own personal cheer: “5, 6, 7, 8! Who do we appreciate? Event planners!”   During college, her curiosity for event planning became more intense, along with her enthusiasm for it. “My major was public relations, and I realized that I was enjoying more of the event designing portions of PR versus writing all the press releases,” she explained. “Those… 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