Opus Agency, a provider of global event experiences, announced its acquisition of CRG Events on Mar. 6, 2018. Established in Seattle in 1984, CRG is known for its comprehensive event management service offering including event logistics, event registration and onsite management.

CRG specializes in corporate conferences, meetings, product launches, roadshows, recognition/reward programs and tradeshow management. CRG clients include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Microsoft, Columbia Sportswear and Unity.

As the events industry continues to be tasked with making the case for the value of face-to-face meetings and events, a new report commissioned by the Events Industry Council (EIC) has been released that will not only help the industry drive that case home but also prove what it has long known to be true: the meetings and events sector is critical to a healthy and thriving national economy.

Global brand design and brand experience consultancy Elmwood has acquired digital design agency Framework Creative. The London-based agency specializes in the design and production of virtual brand experiences using the latest immersive, simulation technologies, including augmented reality and virtual reality.

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.

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.

Eventbrite recently released The Pulse Report: 2018 Event Industry Trends, which aggregates survey data from 1,000 event professionals within the United States and Canada. Approximately one third of the respondents organize business or professional events.

Corporate Event News is pleased to announce the launch of a new dedicated blog designed to help corporate event professionals become more strategic. “Get Strategic with Christy Lamagna,” hosted on the Corporate Event News website, will feature content from industry thought leader Christy Lamagna.

On Jan. 23, Maritz Global Events announced its partnership with CPG Agency, a corporate engagement agency, as part of the company’s newly launched Design Studio. The partnership will initially focus on serving corporate clients within the company’s Maritz Travel division.

CPG Agency prides itself on designing disruptive, impactful experiences that connect top brands to the ideas that drive critical initiatives and grow business. The agency designs live events, immersive experiences and ongoing engagement strategies to inspire action and create brand advocates.

On Jan. 16, the launch of the Visit U.S. Coalition was announced. Representing a broad cross-section of industries that have come together to address the decrease in international travelers to the U.S. and resulting opportunity cost to the U.S. economy and jobs, the coalition will partner with the Trump administration to reverse the decline in U.S. competitiveness for international travel dollars.

The empowerment of women and the need to provide equal opportunities are top of mind as we go into 2018. To that end, entrepreneurs Leonora Valvo and Marie-Claire Andrews have launched Women in Event Tech, a new movement supporting women who are trailblazing new products and services in event technology.