Chief Content Director Tyler Davidson reviews the week's most interesting stories and topics, including a discussion on the joys and challenges of being an end-of-life event planner, the news that Las Vegas approved pot consumption lounges and Patti Shock's related advice for planners, and a reflection on Charles Chan Massey's The Personal Stories Project.

While participants attending a spectacular special event may be blown away by all manner of cutting-edge pyrotechnics, performances and other inspiring and attention-grabbing elements, the concepts behind staging an evocative event can be relatively simple and timeless. Following are Extraordinary Events President Andrea Michaels’ six basic key strategies.

Extraordinary Events President Andrea Michaels has taken a leading role in shaping the special events industry as we know it, but in a segment defined by the stories it imparts to attendees, she has a few of her own to share.

Chief Content Director Tyler Davidson details his story and video about Marriott's CRN's bold 48-Hour Film Challenge, shot in Vancouver and event technology expert Jim Spellos' take on a free In Case of Emergency app that could save your life. Get your week’s news in early with The Wednesday Wrap!

The Personal Stories Project, co-founded by Charles Chan Massey, promotes activism, advocacy and support for the LGBT community and its allies. This is accomplished through sharing the personal, and often heart-wrenching, stories about the journey of coming out and other aspects of life across the LGBT and ally communities.

The Las Vegas City Council voted 4-1 in favor of allowing marijuana lounges in the city. The vote will allow people to consume marijuana products on-site at so-called “social use venues.”

To broaden our horizons, Meetings Today posted on The Meetings Community, or MeCo, cyber community asking for international meeting planning advice. Following are some response highlights.