Apr 02, 2021
Caesars Entertainment is converting Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino into a vaccination site for thousands of its employees in April. The hotel and gaming giant announced a partnership with Albertsons to administer between 1,000 and 2,000 Pfizer shots during large-scale vaccine events. Free vaccinations will be scheduled online by appointment only and are open to all Caesars Entertainment Las Vegas team members.
In total, 10,000 vaccinations will be distributed exclusively to Caesars employees through the initiative.
The move is the latest in a long line on initiatives undertaken throughout… more
Mar 29, 2021
On March 24, New York’s Javits Center hit an important milestone for the health of its community. Since opening its doors on Jan. 13 as a mass COVID-19 vaccination site, the Manhattan convention center has distributed more than 250,000 vaccines at the record rate of more than 14,000 per day.
Considered the largest vaccination center in the U.S., according to Javits officials, the site is a massive effort carried out in conjunction with the New York State Department of Health and the New York National Guard. Hundreds of medical, military and civilian teams have worked in tandem to establish… more
Mar 24, 2021
Gilberto Salcedo, vice president of tourism at ProColombia, loves to study numbers. “That’s one of my obsessions,” he admitted.
The pandemic has, naturally, curtailed the momentum Colombia had generated hosting meetings and events. But Salcedo is convinced the slowdown is temporary and has the statistics to back his case.
With travelers across the world relegated to their homes, the tourism branch of the burgeoning South American destination launched a digital campaign in 12 key markets that netted 250 million impressions.
“That allows us to tell you we are top-of-mind,” Salcedo said.… more
Mar 23, 2021
As the event and tourism industry begins its slow journey toward post-pandemic normalcy, it has become clear that hybrid events – those with both socially distanced in-person and virtual components – will be a vital part of the return of live meetings and conventions. Thus, many hospitality communities across the nation are doing their part to adapt to this new reality, including CVBs.
Case in point: Fort Worth, Texas and its tourism bureau, Visit Fort Worth, which successfully hosted its 8th Annual Meeting & Breakfast in hybrid format on February 5. Held at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel,… more
Mar 19, 2021
Add Oahu to the destinations ready to welcome groups back. Days after the island’s gathering restrictions were eased on March 11, Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu launched a campaign alerting events professionals that it is open for business.
As is the case with meeting facilities on the mainland, the center has implemented health and safety protocols for meetings and events, led by ASM’s Global’s Venue Shield program. These include:
Enhanced cleaning and sanitation and the use of electrostatic sprayers;
The installation of thermal cameras and touchless temperature checks;
The use of… more
Mar 17, 2021
Awaiting a renaissance of the events industry, Explore St. Louis turned to Michelangelo to drive customers to the America’s Center.
The international touring exhibit, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition, adorned the ceilings of a 27,625-square-foot. ballroom inside the convention center. Open Thursday-Sunday between Nov. 6, 2020-Jan. 17, 2021, the attraction sold 15,457 tickets and generated $210,000 in revenue at a time when meetings and conventions were not operating inside the facility.
“We made productive use of American’s Center,” said Brian Hall, chief marketing officer at… more
Mar 15, 2021
New eased restrictions in Nevada on large gatherings, including meetings and conventions, entertainment venues and large group gatherings, allow capacity up to 50%. The welcomed news became official on Monday after Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak announced the move on Friday night.
The state also will streamline the process for submission and approval of large gatherings.
The new directive is another step toward re-igniting the meetings and events industry. The announcement comes on the heels of the governor also expanding vaccine eligibility to hospitality and food service workers yesterday.
“… more
Mar 09, 2021
A financial incentive program created by the Utah Office of Tourism paid off with the booking of 30 events to be held in Salt Lake City in 2021. Visit Salt Lake projects that the events will fill 28,000 room nights, a remarkable feat as the country battles through the pandemic.
The bookings include myriad meetings and events among all sectors of the industry. While quite a few are sports competitions, including returning clients like USA Fencing and USA Weightlifting, there are also large expos, association meetings and medical/pharmaceutical gatherings on the books.
“I was surprised we had… more
Mar 03, 2021
Since the pandemic brought the live events industry to a screeching halt one year ago, convention center staff across the country have been working overtime to find creative ways to keep their spaces occupied and employees working. Some have repurposed their expo halls into overflow COVID hospitals or mega vaccination sites, while others have been able to host smaller, socially distanced events, depending on the health and safety criteria in their state. Then there are those venues that have been in the fortunate position of being able to attract alternative kinds of business to keep their… more
Mar 01, 2021
As the heart of South Padre Island’s meeting and event business, the South Padre Island Convention Center is accustomed to hosting an array of year-round corporate and consumer events. These range from fishing tournaments to quilt shows to college basketball tournaments.
Tourists and event groups alike are drawn to the island for obvious reasons. Situated on the coastal tip of Texas, along the southern coast of the Gulf of Mexico, the barrier island destination boasts 34 miles of white sand beaches, clear emerald waters and 300 days of sunshine per year.
But during the recent polar vortex… 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