News

Mar 07, 2022
As the meetings and conference industry continues its momentum toward recovery, corporate event-related organizations across the U.S. are appointing new leadership, promoting hard-working staff and growing their teams. Take a look! Destinations International  Sophia Hyder Hock has joined Destinations International as chief diversity officer, responsible for providing leadership, coordination and strategic direction for the design and implementation of an overall equity, diversity and inclusion strategy within the association, across member organizations and the broader tourism industry. She… more
Mar 04, 2022
From an early age, Sarah Soliman has been inspired to lead and driven to succeed. “I am a results-driven person, so when I see how my passion can inspire others, it ignites the fire in me to do more,” Soliman said, before describing one of the first times in which that flame truly burned bright—in high school, when she created a petition after the principal of her school cancelled “seniors week.”  Soliman, along with other classmates, thought it was unfair to take away such an important experience for reasons the students had no control over, so she went from class to class collecting… more
Mar 03, 2022
According to a Marketing General Incorporated benchmarking report, 50% of associations reported that members do not renew their membership due to a lack of engagement. That’s why membership engagement has always been one of the top priorities for the leadership in associations. It’s important to recognize that different members prefer to engage in different ways, and their pattern of content consumption may vary. To help better align your engagement strategy across the multitudes of channels your members might prefer, we’d like to offer up 20 ways to boost your membership engagement across… more
Mar 02, 2022
A growing number of events industry organizations are condemning the acts of aggression on Ukraine, with some suspending business activities with Russia.  IMEX Group, Messe Frankfurt, Messe Düsseldorf, Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and Events Industry Council (EIC) are among the entities that have issued statements on the conflict showing support for the people of Ukraine and denouncing the Russian invasion. IMEX Group IMEX Group suspended Russian businesses from attending its IMEX Frankfurt show, which is scheduled for May… more
Mar 01, 2022
As the travel and tourism industry shows signs of picking up this year, global hospitality brands are opening new properties and investing in extensive remodeling projects to lure back business and leisure guests seeking upgraded hotel and conference experiences. Take a look! New Hotels Hampton Inn by Hilton and Homewood Suites by Hilton Indianapolis Canal IUPUI Hilton recently expanded its multi-brand footprint with the Hampton Inn by Hilton and Homewood Suites by Hilton Indianapolis Canal IUPUI, a new hotel in downtown Indianapolis, Ind.. Situated on the Indianapolis Canal Walk and… more
Feb 28, 2022
Rob Svedberg understands what it takes to design a convention center able to meet the evolving needs of the global events industry. As a principal at leading architectural design firm tvsdesign, where he has worked for almost three decades, the Atlanta-based architect’s projects have included the expansion of New York’s Javits Center, Mumbai’s Jio World Centre and the Puerto Rico Convention Center, as well as the expansion and transformation of Nashville’s Music City Center and the Las Vegas Convention Center, including its new West Hall.  An in-demand industry speaker known for his… more
Feb 25, 2022
Meeting Professionals International (MPI) recently published the 2022 edition of its Winter Meetings Outlook, revealing signs of positivity for the industry’s full recovery as well as complications expected as a result of societal shifts that have occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. The future-focused quarterly outlook identifies trends and innovations, allowing event professionals to budget and plan accordingly and ensuring a strong foundation for building sound strategies that keep businesses on the path to success. According to the report, a balancing market reveals signs of positive… more
Feb 24, 2022
While the industry continues to ramp up to in-person formats again in 2022, the need for technology hasn’t waned, with event professionals relying more than ever on the latest innovations to streamline planning and engage attendees, whether for in-person, virtual or hybrid gatherings. Event tech companies are delivering on the increasing demand. Check out some of the newest offerings!   Bizzabo Bizzabo, which significantly expanded in 2021 with the acquisition of four companies (Whalebone, x.ai, TeeVid and Klik), the launch of its Event Experience category and the development of an open,… more
Feb 23, 2022
Nationally recognized diversity advocate, hospitality industry veteran and former Choose Chicago sales professional W. “Bill” Williams passed away on Feb. 4. He was 82 years old.  Following more than 37 years of exceptional service to McCormick Place and the city of Chicago, Williams retired from Choose Chicago in February 2013 after holding numerous sales positions for the CVB, most recently serving as vice president, diversity sales. In this key role, he developed and covered the social, military, education/ethnic, religious and fraternal (SMERF) market. A pioneering leader in furthering… more
Feb 21, 2022
The Las Vegas hospitality community became a little greener recently with the announcement from Resorts World Las Vegas, the Strip’s newest resort, that all three of its hotel brands—Las Vegas Hilton, Conrad Las Vegas and Crockfords Las Vegas, LXR Hotels & Resorts—have earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, encompassing 3.9 million square feet of real estate. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED certification is considered the benchmark in the green building industry, providing building owners and operators with a framework… 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