News

Oct 26, 2020
Hybrid events are key to revitalizing and sustaining our industry and mastering them will be critical to both near-term and long-term success for event marketers. This is why CEMA, the premier association for experienced event marketers for the past 30 years, has launched a campaign called Drive to Thrive. This campaign is designed to promote early CEMA membership renewals and generate new member growth in a time when event pros must all work together to deliver exceptional experiences and value. CEMA’s flagship event in Drive to Thrive is a five-week, roundtable-style workshop. “Adding… more
Oct 23, 2020
In the five months since the launch of the LinkedIn Virtual Events platform, LinkedIn has hosted more than 200,000 events. Now, after consulting with organizations on how to add more value to the platform, the company is rolling out a series of new features designed to help event professionals organically grow their attendees, collect leads from event sign-ups, and boost reach through sponsored ads and retargeting capabilities. Growing Attendees Organically To help event pros promote their events to specific audiences, LinkedIn has added new organic discovery features that include… more
Oct 22, 2020
Hyatt Regency Seattle, which debuted in December 2018 and is currently the largest hotel in the Pacific Northwest, reopened to the public on Oct. 1 for the first time since closing its doors in March when the pandemic began. Just 15 miles from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and two short blocks from the Washington State Convention Center, Hyatt Regency Seattle and sister properties Grand Hyatt Seattle and the boutique Hyatt Olive 8 are part of what is now called “A Seattle Collection.” Here are the highlights. Property Highlights The design elements throughout the property give it a… more
Oct 21, 2020
In the continuing evolution of virtual and hybrid events, the role of digital technology used to host those events has continued to evolve as well. To help sort through some of the new technology designed to aid organizers as they plan their virtual and hybrid meetings, here are four recently launched virtual event platforms. e-Attend Virtual Experience Denver-based event services company Image Audiovisuals has added a virtual event platform to its e-Attend technology. The new e-Attend Virtual Experience links broadcast-quality production, recording and live streaming services with virtual-… more
Oct 19, 2020
With the impact of COVID-19 continuing to affect the live events business, Clarion Events North America has released a new quartet of digital products. This includes Virtual Product Showcases, Episodic Content Series, On-Demand Education Membership Packages and Virtual MATCH Meetings. Through all of these virtual products, the emphasis is on fostering new, qualified relationships.  “The events industry has been overdue for a change and our teams have taken this as a time to reimagine our offerings, working with their customers to define what matters most across each of our industry sectors… more
Oct 16, 2020
The first Nest Summit — held at Javits Center in 2019 — was intended to provide an outlet for companies to hold meetings during Climate Week NYC, which had been held in the city for 11 years and focused on sustainability solutions. Spearheaded by the Javits Center and NYC & Company, it consisted of a single day of hosted meetings between companies interested in advancing sustainability and investing in the future.  This year, reimagined as a five-day virtual event held Sept. 21-24, The Nest Summit at Climate Week NYC featured nearly 50 sessions produced live-to-film out of the new… more
Oct 15, 2020
If you’ve ever stayed in a hotel such as Acqualina Resort in Miami, Waldorf Astoria in Chicago or Conrad New York Downtown, you may have noticed a fresh collection of books on the nightstand. You have a company called Bedside Reading to thank for that. Started by Jane Ubell-Meyer, this program places new books from every major publisher, as well as independent publishers and self-published authors, for guests to read (or take) for free in hotel rooms. Books change out monthly and are tailored to the hotel’s demographic, meaning guests have the opportunity to gain a fresh read every time they… more
Oct 14, 2020
With ski season fast approaching, Big Sky Resort in Montana is thinking outside the — ahem, gondola — to reimagine how guests will be able to attend meetings and conferences at ski resorts.  Thanks to a new program called Hybrid Mountain Meetings, conference organizers will be able to plan virtual events, presentations and speakers broadcasted from within the resort at Yellowstone Conference Center, while attendees remain socially distanced and comfortable inside their resort accommodations. At 55,000 square feet, the resort’s Yellowstone Conference Center is one of the largest conference… more
Oct 12, 2020
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, and SISO, the Society for Independent Show Organizers, are calling on global policymakers and governments to follow a “testing before quarantine” approach for business-related travel and activities. This approach, both organizations say — which would include activating the potentials of rapid antigen COVID-19 tests — would enable businesses to move forward out of a global recession not seen in generations. A statement signed by UFI President Mary Larkin (president of Diversified Communications, USA) and SISO Chair Doug Emslie (group… more
Oct 09, 2020
While the California Department of Public Health’s latest guidelines continue to prohibit in-person gatherings, San Diego meeting venues will be ready the moment that changes. “Our tourism industry collectively has instituted best-in-class protocols and procedures so meeting planners and attendees should feel comfortable when it is time to welcome them back,” says Julie Coker, president and CEO of San Diego Tourism Authority. As part of the new measures, San Diego’s largest venue — the 2.6 million-square-foot San Diego Convention Center — has achieved GBAC STAR accreditation after… 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