News

Mar 11, 2024
If your trade show or event organization works with independent contractors, it’s important to know how a new employment rule that takes effect on March 11 could impact labor costs for businesses that rely on contract labor or freelancers, such as trucking, manufacturing and more. The industry sector most likely to be impacted: general service contractors, AV companies, freight companies and other suppliers that rely on independent contractors.  Why it matters: Increased costs for suppliers could be passed on to event organizers or exhibitors, who were already facing increases of 7%-30% for… more
Mar 08, 2024
Ask about Visit Salt Lake (VSL) President and CEO Kaitlin Eskelson’s long and accomplished career in the travel and tourism industry and prepare to be impressed. As the organization’s youngest chief executive and only the fourth person to hold the leadership role in its 36-year history, she has made her mark through passionately crafted programs and strategies designed to secure a strong future for business events and tourism in Salt Lake City and Utah. Since taking the helm at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic on March 16, 2020, Eskelson’s achievements to build back the city’s meetings and… more
Mar 07, 2024
As the corporate meetings and events industry moves into full recovery mode this year, there are myriad industry events for event professionals to take advantage of. After all, not only are industry conferences an excellent source of professional development with plentiful educational opportunities designed to inform and inspire, but also they’re a great way to connect with peers and make new business contacts, all in one place.  Here, we’ve curated a short list of upcoming U.S.-based events that meeting and event professionals should consider adding to their schedules in 2024. Connect… more
Mar 05, 2024
Exclusively sponsored by Honeycomb Strategies. The United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals, adopted in 2015, “recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.” If that sounds like all-encompassing, world-changing rhetoric… well, it’s the U.N. That’s their job. But it’s our job as sustainability consultants to help our clients ladder up to the U.N.’s lofty goals. And in doing so, we… more
Mar 05, 2024
What’s the latest in Las Vegas? We spent a few days in Vegas in January, and here are some of the highlights about what’s new and trending for events in the ever-popular desert city.   Fountainbleau Fontainebleau Las Vegas officially opened its doors Dec. 13, 2023. Located across the street from the West Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Fontainebleau Las Vegas features a 150,000-square-foot casino with 42-foot ceilings and 3,644 hotel rooms and suites. Staying here: The 67-story resort features a bevy of high-end amenities, including a six-acre elevated pool deck, a 14,000 sq. ft… more
Mar 04, 2024
The SEARCH Foundation, a nonprofit that assists event, meetings and catering professionals in crisis, celebrated a milestone, raising more than $105,000 at its Annual Signature Event, held Feb. 14 at Skybox on 6th in Austin, Texas. Since its inception in 1997, more than $1.25 million has been distributed, and more than 300 individuals have been assisted by the SEARCH Foundation, including 45 in 2023, according to SEARCH Foundation officials. Kate Patay, SEARCH Foundation Chairperson“The support our foundation provides to individuals in crisis is only possible with the generosity of the… more
Mar 01, 2024
Event-related organizations far and wide, particularly CVBs and suppliers, are elevating staff, welcoming new industry professionals and saying farewell to long-standing team members this month. Huntington Place Detroit’s Huntington Place welcomed Heather Anderson as its new marketing and communications director. She is succeeding Mary Klida, who has headed the downtown convention center’s marketing and communications efforts since 2010 and is retiring March 31. In her new role, Anderson is responsible for leading the facility’s marketing and communications team and working closely with… more
Feb 29, 2024
Taking place each February, Black History Month is an ideal time to honor and celebrate the achievements of Black trade show and event industry professionals and renew our commitment to continue fostering diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). We want to recognize and highlight Black industry leaders and share their experiences. This week, we are featuring Julie Coker, president and CEO of San Diego Tourism and Al Hutchison, president and CEO of Visit Baltimore. Find out how their organizations are supporting the Black community and Black History Month, and how all of us can champion… more
Feb 27, 2024
What experiences do event attendees value most? During the Women in Exhibitions Network North America session, “New Audience Insights From Freeman,” on Feb. 16, Freeman Senior Vice President of Strategy Ken Holsinger provided a deeper dive into the 2024 Attendee Intent and Behavior, which garnered 3,200 respondents across a blend of events. The one-hour online meeting covered the full report, but here are the top 11 things that attendees want from in-person events, according to the Freeman survey. When planning your event or exhibit and budgeting your spend, it’s helpful to know what… more
Feb 26, 2024
Online corporate events are here to stay, so how do event organizers make them more effective and enjoyable? Priya Parker, author of The Art of Gathering, published the Virtual Gathering Guide, which offers seven steps for meeting hosts to create moments of connection in the online event space. Here are excerpts from the guide that are most relevant for corporate event managers. 1. Clarify the purpose of your virtual gathering. “Don’t assume your digital gathering shares the same purpose as your in-person one,” she advised. Ask: “What is the most important need for this group and how might… more
Partner Voices
Just when it seems like Las Vegas can’t get any bigger, brighter or more exciting for groups, MGM Resorts raises the bar again. The company continues to invest and innovate across its portfolio of Las Vegas resorts, with new attractions and upgraded experiences for attendees of all interests.  Remodeled Guest Rooms MGM Grand is the largest single hotel in the world with over 5,000 guest rooms and an 850,000-square-foot conference center. It is home to the newly remodeled MGM Grand Studio Tower—700 reimagined guest rooms with a fun mid-century vibe. Nearby, the iconic New York-New York Las more