Casandra Matej has been tapped as the next president and chief executive officer of Visit Orlando, effective Feb. 1. She assumes the same position she most recently held with Visit San Antonio.

One of the biggest challenges facing event planners as the world reopens are the inconsistencies between states regarding health and safety guidelines. The difference between say Florida and California are worlds apart. Trying to keep it all straight adds to the already stressful job of putting on meetings, conferences and trade shows.

Convention centers across the country are making way for hybrid meetings and events. Renowned facilities looking ahead to 2021 and beyond have repurposed spaces to become virtual studios, complete with state-of-the-art AV equipment for digital and in-person presentations.

Shy Coleman, Sales Executive for W Scottsdale, is accustomed to relatively short turnarounds, from groups booking to use the Arizona property to the actual event. Three months lead-time is typical normally.

All of us could use some reasons to smile these days. Exhibitpro, a New Albany, Ohio-based creative experience company, has come up with a clever way to turn frowns upside down while supporting small businesses in its local community. 

Swapcard, an AI-powered engagement and matchmaking platform for events, announced the launch of their second in-house 3-day virtual event and show, Evolve 2.0, which will be held from February 23-25, 2021.

To attend, please register HERE.

If the goal of the IBTM World Virtual 2020 was to provide momentum going into next year, it’s mission was accomplished.

About 8,300 event professionals convened online to hold nearly 13,000 business meetings during the three-day event. Thirty percent of hosted buyers were new to IBTM’s slate of events.

Most impressively, early indications are that the experience was seamless despite challenges of uniting attendees from across the globe in different time zones.

'Tis the season for holiday work parties! In line with most of 2020, the festivities are going to look and feel quite a bit different. Why not one last Zoom call to ring out the year?

The challenge facing event planners is overcoming the most complicated aspect of virtual events—creating engaging teambuilding activities—so the party feels…well, like a party. After all, the ROI on a virtual gala is quite a bit different than an in-person event.

The Corporate Event Marketing Association, the premier community for event marketers, has been acquired by PCMA as a new, wholly-owned division.

The deal between the two organizations was signed after CEMA members voted overwhelmingly in favor of the acquisition. According to PCMA officials, the move will propel both organizations into an exciting new chapter as businesses and organizations adjust to the evolving role of business events in an omnichannel world.

Trade Show News Network (TSNN) a thrilled to welcome Matt Swenson on board as editorial director.

Swenson will be overseeing TSNN, the top online news source in the trade show industry, as well as Corporate Event News, for corporate event planners.

“Matt has a strong background in not only journalism, but also the meetings and events industry,” said EVP of Business Development, Tarsus US and Tarsus Media President Rachel Wimberly.