Transportation improvements have put the entire globe on offer for meetings and events. And even with the world to choose from, planners are choosing some very familiar destinations in 2018.

Revolution is the norm in farming and agriculture is in the throes of the fourth revolution, involving the collection of ubiquitous data that can be analyzed and tweaked in real time for better yields with fewer resources.

Farming has always been about applied technology, from the first wooden tools to monster machinery. Today’s technology is digital and robotic and is in the process of transforming the practice of agriculture—and agricultural meetings.

Here’s a look at what’s trending from six key industry players and some of the ways planners can stay ahead of the tide.

Four industry gurus weigh in on this year’s essentials, nice to haves and other considerations.

Many of the same things that appealed to your older attendees when they were 20-somethings appeal to Gen Zers, but with a few tech tweaks.

Gen Z is coming and meeting planning will never be the same.

SMERF groups have a financial interest in keeping attendees on-site.

SMERF events return year after year, often on the same date, and sometimes for years.

This is a rough year to plan government meetings and events.