News
Sep 06, 2018
The International Live Event Association (ILEA)’s annual ILEA Live conference, held Aug. 16-18 in Denver, Colo., brought together 505 creative event professionals from around the globe for two and a half days of educational content and networking.
“The event continues to be a rich setting for live event professionals to exchange ideas about managing their event business, build relationships and learn from education sessions addressing relevant industry trends and the business of creativity,” said Sara Grauf, CSEP, ILEA International president.
During a special evening gala event held on Aug… more
Sep 04, 2018
As the exhibitions industry continues to surge full speed ahead, more and more destinations are recognizing the need to upgrade, revamp and expand their convention centers in order to compete for major trade shows and events.
These days, myriad facilities are celebrating ground breakings, undergoing new construction projects or anticipating grand openings, while others have put their plans on hold.
Here are some of the major U.S. convention centers proposing, building and completing bigger, better, state-of-the-art spaces.
Caesars Forum
On July 16, Caesars Entertainment broke ground on … more
Aug 31, 2018
While a reopening of one hotel is always interesting, the reopening of two sister properties is doubly so. The adjacent Westin Carlsbad Resort and Spa and Sheraton Carlsbad Resort and Spa recently reopened after extensive renovations, offering new opportunities for corporate events.
“These hotels each stand on their own or can be combined for an event that will set the bar for your organization,” said Katie Goldberg, marketing manager for the Westin Carlsbad Resort and Spa and Sheraton Carlsbad Resort and Spa.
“Each property has distinct features that provide many options to event managers… more
Aug 30, 2018
Exhibiting internationally is a big opportunity for many marketers looking for global awareness. But for even the most experienced trade show managers, exhibiting in another country can bring unexpected challenges.
Exhibitors can’t simply replicate what they’ve done in the United States. It’s important to understand the differences in meeting experiences in different countries and know the best strategies and tools to use to address these nuances.
There are three key areas to focus on to prepare for international exhibiting: exhibit stand space, construction and services; budget and… more
Aug 28, 2018
The International Live Events Association (ILEA)’s annual conference, ILEA Live, was held Aug. 16-18 in Denver, Colo. The event, and the association itself, brings together creative event professionals from across all industries.
The common theme across all these event disciplines is the need to provide transcendent, immersive experiences. People today are looking for more than just an old-school event with a single screen and classroom-style lecture presentation. They want their event to stand out from the crowd and are looking for ways to turn that idea into reality.
The featured keynote… more
Aug 27, 2018
Springfield, Mass. has a rich history of innovation. From Webster’s (now Merriam-Webster’s) dictionary to the first American gasoline-powered automobile to basketball, the city has spawned numerous inventions during its 375-year history — in fact, its nickname is “The City of Firsts.”
Now, the city has another first to add to the books, with the opening of the state’s first resort and casino. MGM Springfield ushers in a new era for Massachusetts, not too long ago a state with blue laws prohibiting the sale of alcohol on Sundays.
The 250-room MGM Springfield takes up three city blocks in… more
Aug 24, 2018
Hyatt Regency Zhenjiang, in East China’s Jiangsu province, opened in late July. The 318-room hotel is located atop the East Tower of Suning Plaza, the highest skyscraper in Zhenjiang.
“We are very excited to welcome guests and the local community to our new hotel,” said general manager Irwin Bao. “With a prime location, fantastic views, premier meeting facilities and intuitive service, we are confident that Hyatt Regency Zhenjiang will provide one-stop convenience to guests during their travels.”
Hyatt Regency Zhenjiang’s guest rooms are located on the 59th to 76th floors. Guest rooms… more
Aug 23, 2018
Event success cloud solution Bizzabo has launched a next-generation agenda feature for conferences and events designed to help event organizers create attendee-facing agenda experiences that boost audience engagement, increase discoverability of sessions and speakers, and provide actionable insights for marketers to maximize event success.
“In-person events have continued to scale at an increasing rate over the past year,” said Eran Ben-Shushan, co-founder and CEO of Bizzabo, which provides marketers with a modern suite of tools designed to create more impactful and rewarding events.
He… more
Aug 22, 2018
The fifth annual Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) and Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Global Travel Forecast was released in late July. According to the report, travel prices are expected to rise sharply in 2019 — something planners should be aware of when contracting hotels and planning for travel.
Globally, hotel prices are expected to rise by 3.7 percent and flights by 2.6 percent. In North America, hotel prices will go up 2.1 percent – 5 percent in Canada and 2.7 percent in the United States.
The report states that airfares are likely to become more expensive due to rising in… more
Aug 20, 2018
Dual-branded hotels are becoming more and more prevalent. What can beat a dual-brand? A triple brand! Hilton has made new advances in the market, opening the world’s first tri-branded Hilton in Chicago.
The new property, which includes Hilton Garden Inn Chicago McCormick Place, Hampton Inn by Hilton Chicago McCormick Place and Home2 Suites by Hilton Chicago McCormick Place, is connected to McCormick Place, adjacent to Wintrust Arena.
Located just minutes from downtown Chicago, McCormick Place is North America’s largest convention center, featuring 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space… 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