News

Aug 08, 2019
Known for her fierce leadership, creative approach to events and impressive collection of brightly colored Tieks flats, Angie Ahrens, CMP, is a well-known face in the corporate events industry. She’s currently vice president of operations for Leadercast, a role she began in November last year. Prior to that, she worked as senior director of meetings and events with Connect, managing more than 30 shows for meeting professionals. And in all her spare time, she finds a way to give back, currently serving on Events Industry Council’s Sustainability Committee as well as MPI’s Women’s Advisory… more
Aug 07, 2019
Atlantic City has a long and rich history. The New Jersey city has been the home of the Miss America pageant since 1921, and its five-mile boardwalk, first constructed in 1890, is the oldest in the country and the longest in the world. Best known for its casinos, boardwalk and beach, the city also has much to offer in the way of teambuilding activities. From morning yoga on the beach to a spa experience, waterfront cruise, beer pairings or chocolate making, there are plenty of options to suit any group’s needs. Music, Pampering and Dining at the Hard Rock Hotel My window at the Hard Rock… more
Aug 05, 2019
GSO. DMO. DMC. CVB. Our industry is full of acronyms — and it can be challenging to figure out where to go when you’re looking to book the right hotel or venue for your event. We’ve written previously about the value of CVBs and DMOs. Now it’s time to talk about meetings and incentive representation organizations, sometimes referred to as global sales organizations (GSOs) or hospitality partner representation companies. The majority of these organizations cater to the high-end meetings market, providing complimentary sourcing services for planners. The idea is to match the planner with the… more
Aug 02, 2019
Freeman has achieved the Level 2 APEX/ASTM Environmentally Sustainable Meetings Standard Certification from the Events Industry Council. This certification pertains to the evaluation and selection of exhibits for environmentally sustainable meetings, events, trade shows and conferences for suppliers (general service contractor/venue). The APEX/ASTM Standard is awarded to companies that exceed industry standards when it comes to helping customers execute sustainable events. BPA iCompli Sustainability Assurance is the official certification provider, having worked with EIC to develop… more
Aug 01, 2019
In recent years, mobile event applications have evolved from a novel concept into a commodity. Today, attendees expect most events to have a mobile app. The question for event planners then becomes, what app features will give attendees the best experience at their events.  Alon Alroy, co-founder and chief marketing officer of Bizzabo, says it is becoming more challenging to drive adoption of mobile event apps because people have app fatigue. He believes corporate event planners need a great value proposition.     “Event apps need two main features—amazing agenda management that allows… more
Jul 31, 2019
ILEA Live 2019 will bring together event professionals in Minneapolis, Aug. 8-10. The International Live Events Association’s annual educational conference is focused on business strategies, leadership, inspiration and trends. The goal for the conference is to provide a forum where attendees can strengthen their creative output, sharpen their business strategies and find inspiration along what ILEA officials refer to as “the event horizon.” For corporate event professionals, that means taking the opportunity to learn how event planning and production works in other industries, and… more
Jul 30, 2019
The Corporate Event Marketing Association (CEMA) provides a community for senior-level strategic event marketers and industry professionals to share their knowledge and best-practices. The organization’s annual CEMA Summit event was held July 21-23, 2019 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The conference promised a lineup focused on knowledge-sharing, learning and relationship-building. This, paired with the opportunity to catch up with industry friends and participate in a host of fun activities, is something that puts the Summit on my personal “must attend” list. … more
Jul 26, 2019
With the goal of reshaping the food and beverage industry for meetings and conferences, New York Convention Center Operation Corporation (which operates Javits Center) has launched a new hospitality brand called Cultivated. Created in partnership with Levy Convention Centers and CxRA catering, Cultivated will design creative dining presentations and high-end catering for events, incorporating local ingredients from New York producers. “We are thrilled to announce the launch of this new hospitality brand, Cultivated, which illustrates our strong connection to New York and our mission to host… more
Jul 25, 2019
Haute Dokimazo, known for its “Spontaneous Think Tank” event format and eponymous Signature Events, is launching its first Secret Family Reunion this fall.  Participants will be whisked away to a secret destination, where they will spend a week engaging with and learning from peers. The all-inclusive fee covers airfare, accommodations, food and beverage as well as registration. “All attendees will know is to show up at JFK at 2:00 p.m. on Nov. 2, and the weather to pack for,” says Haute Dokimazo president Nicole Osibodu. “We’ll have the long-awaited reveal party that will bring on the Oprah… more
Jul 24, 2019
Members of Generation Z — loosely defined as people born between the years of 1995 and 2010 — are true digital natives, according to McKinsey & Company. From the time they could walk, they’ve been exposed to the Internet; they’ve hardly known a world without social media; and just like the rest of us, they’re dependent on their smartphones. Gen Z can’t relate to conversations about the “good old days” of CD players, TV without DVR and events lacking apps. It’s obvious this generation differs in many ways from the Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Gen X and even Millennials — and with Gen… more
Partner Voices
  MGM Resorts is renowned for its exceptional service and diverse venue options across Las Vegas, Detroit, Springfield, National Harbor, Biloxi, and Atlantic City, providing flexible spaces for meetings of any size. Beyond these offerings, MGM Resorts distinguishes itself through a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for your next meeting.  At the core of MGM Resorts' company values is its platform, "Focused on What Matters," dedicated to meeting customer needs while advancing socially responsible practices. This commitment is evident more