News
Sep 16, 2024
If you watched the Olympics closing ceremony in mid-August, you might have noticed some unique lighting displays happening in the crowd. That was the work of wireless lighting technology company PixMob, which distributed high-powered X4 LED wristbands to each of the event’s 70,000 fans and athletes. PixMob’s Moving Visual Transmitter technology essentially transforms audiences into interactive canvases, allowing for the projection of moving graphics onto crowds.
At the closing ceremony, PixMob’s Moving Visual Technology cast animated effects illustrating the long history of the Olympics,… more
Sep 13, 2024
In a boon for more sustainable corporate events, full-service venue management company ASM Global recently unveiled the country’s first fully electric conference center in Ithaca, N.Y. The new Ithaca Downtown Conference Center (IDCC) is powered by the New York State electric grid, which receives energy from a large portion of renewable sources such as hydroelectric power, nuclear, solar, and wind, according to IDCC officials.
With cooking, heating, air conditioning, hot water, and the building’s backup systems running off the electric grid, sustainably minded event planners can rest… more
Sep 12, 2024
Learning. Innovation. Community. Those are the key words cloud-based CRM software company Salesforce uses to describe its annual flagship conference, Dreamforce, touted as the world’s largest AI event and enterprise tech conference. Hosted every year in San Francisco and set for Sept. 17-19 at Moscone Center, Dreamforce is considered an essential business gathering for the global Salesforce community, aka “Trailblazers,” that attracts thousands of attendees worldwide for three days of learning, networking, innovation sharing, philanthropy, and fun.
In 2023, the 21st annual event drew an… more
Sep 10, 2024
At this year’s Connect Marketplace in Milwaukee, it wasn’t just the deal-making and networking that had the 3,000 attendees buzzing. The 2024 iteration of Connect’s largest event upped the game when it came to experiential moments—and they might’ve even stolen the whole show (hey, Lil Jon!).
In late August, event planners and suppliers spent three days exploring a lively trade show floor, participating in one-on-one appointments, sitting in on valuable education, and enjoying after-hours fun in Brew City. And each of those cornerstones came with its own creative, innovative experiences,… more
Sep 09, 2024
In general, attendees go to conferences based on content, potential contacts, and convenience, not the attributes of the host convention center. However, the conference experience, which is strongly influenced by the venue, can be an important factor in an attendee’s decision to return to that event in the future.
So, what do attendees want and expect in a conference experience?
Convention center management company ASM Global recently explored that question, specifically looking at preferences of Millennial and Gen Z attendees. The growing under-40 audience, ASM says, represents 42… more
Sep 06, 2024
A record number of business event professionals are now working full-time as freelancers, according to a recent study designed to highlight the motivations, demographics, and work values of independent workers in the events industry.
In fact, across all industries, the independent workforce trend has significantly increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, with 36% of the U.S. workforce across all industries engaging in freelance work in 2023, an increase of 4 million total professionals from 2022, according to a December 2023 study conducted by leading online freelance marketplace Upwork. … more
Sep 06, 2024
Celebrating its centennial anniversary in 2024, Ace Hardware Corp. hosted its largest Fall Convention in history, attracting more than 18,000 retailers, employees, and vendors to McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, according to Ace. Held Aug. 8-10—just prior to the Democratic National Convention—the Ace Hardware Fall 2024 Convention not only set records in total attendance but also in total representation from retailers and stores.
As the company turns 100, Ace continues to grow—not shrink—the number of retail locations. "During the quarter, we added our 5,000th store and are on… more
Sep 05, 2024
New meetings hotel properties are continuing to pop up on the Kansas City hospitality scene, offering upscale accommodations, dining, amenities, and plentiful meeting space for event planners to choose from. Since October 2023, two new meetings hotels have opened in the destination, with two more set to open this fall—for a total of 652 new hotel rooms.
These new rooms are a welcome addition to Kansas City’s hotel inventory that features myriad upscale accommodations available to meeting and event groups across the city, said Nathan Hermiston, senior vice president of convention sales and… more
Sep 04, 2024
Multi-year contracts with labor union UNITE HERE have expired at hotels across the country, and repercussions are starting to be felt. At least 10,000 unionized hotel employees—housekeepers, front-desk clerks, kitchen and restaurant staffers, bartenders, and bellhops—from 25 hotels in 10 cities stayed home from their jobs between August 29 and September 3.
First, more than 700 employees at the Virgin Las Vegas stood outside the hotel on August 29 to chant and picket in support of a new five-year contract. The workers had also walked out for 48 hours in mid-May to protest not having a new… more
Sep 03, 2024
At events, capturing memorable moments is more important than ever. In a recent interview for Tech Talk, CEN’s Danica Tormohlen sat down with Jonathan Jow, director of strategy for BoothEasy, to delve into how the company is elevating event experiences with its instant photo and video services.
For event organizers looking to not only raise the bar on the attendee experience but also create FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) on social channels, photo and videos services like BoothEasy offer a compelling blend of technology and creativity to make every moment count.
At the recent DMC Network… 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