After years of seeing technology revolutionizing the meetings industry and accelerating the rate of change in how people live and work, there will be a return to a focus on humanity in 2018, according to IMEX Group.

UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, released this month its full 2017 report on the World Map of Exhibition Venues.

The report analyzes indicators on key regional trends and includes the largest venues for all 28 markets whose total capacity exceeds 200,000 square meters of gross indoor exhibition space.

It has been six years since UFI last produced this global exhibition venue census. This year’s release shows an increase of capacity in the majority of markets around the world.

‘Tis the season to be jolly, festive, and full of good cheer - and we want to see how you celebrate. Share a photo of what the holiday season looks like for you as an event professional and you’ll be entered into the contest. The public will decide who wins, by popular vote! 

This is your chance to show us your holiday spirit, whether it’s hosting or attending an event (holiday or otherwise), in your office, with family and friends, or anywhere else that makes you happy.

The Senior Professionals Industry Network (SPIN) has announced the 2017 recipients of the industry’s first recognition for veteran meeting planners - SPIN:40 Over 40. This initiative was created to recognize and honor planners who are industry role models, influencers, innovators, and pioneers.

“We had a great response to this call for nominations. The depth and breadth of what these individuals have achieved is amazing,” said Shawna Suckow, SPIN founder.

For the sixth consecutive year, Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has rated MGM Resorts International as among the nation’s leading companies for workplace equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) employees.

Based on the company’s policies and practices relating to LGBTQ employees, MGM Resorts earned a perfect score on the 2018 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), an annual HRC survey that evaluates major companies for their non-discrimination and benefits policies and practices with respect to LGBTQ employees.

Corporate Event News, an online hub for industry news, insights and original content serving corporate meeting and event planners and marketers, and CEMA (Corporate Event Marketing Association), the premier community for event marketing professionals, association peers and partners, today announced a partnership to develop and share additional content for the corporate marketing professional community.

“Maximizing Attendance” is a new meetings industry collaborative research effort that builds on the Decision to Attend Study, analyzing event attendee behavior and the factors that influence their choices of meetings, events and exhibitions.

The initiative is led by six industry-leading organizations: The EXPERIENCE Institute (TEI), the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), Meetings Professionals International (MPI), the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and Destinations International.

MCI Group, professional conference organizer and provider of strategic planning and association management consulting for the international market, and Wyndham Hotel Group, one of three hospitality business units of Wyndham Worldwide, have announced a global strategic partnership agreement.

The IACC has released the results of its Trends in Nutrition & Delegate Wellbeing survey, which asked venue respondents a series of questions regarding health choices available to attendees through menus and types of event spaces.

The results, officially released on Oct. 4, reveal that nutrition and wellbeing are high priorities for event delegates, and the demand for food that improves mental clarity and concentration levels is growing.

Leaders representing the meetings, travel and hospitality sectors gathered Oct. 10 during IMEX America at the Sands Expo & Convention Center to support #VegasStrong, the hashtag that represents the resiliency of Las Vegas after a mass shooting occurred at the Route 91 Harvest Festival 10 days earlier.

The Sands Showroom was packed for the press conference with individuals from the Las Vegas hospitality community, as well as media and executives from industry associations, including IAEE, SISO and ASAE.