08/06/2020
COVID-19 has upended operations and created a “new normal.” Organizers today want technologies to help maintain social-distancing guidelines and make their events as touchless as possible. These nine tech tools below can help you get back to business.
08/06/2020
Travel editor Tyler Davidson shares some pandemic hospitality industry conviviality at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, with a bagpiper rounding out the noirish Central California Coast tableau. Read more.
08/04/2020
These individuals stepped up to help their meetings and events industry colleagues during the COVID-19 pandemic or advance the cause of social justice and fight systemic racism following the George Floyd killing. Read more.
08/03/2020
Out of necessity, the Census Bureau has been gathering small groups during the coronavirus pandemic, following strict protocols, for face-to-face training meetings. Read how they did it.
08/03/2020
Virtual meetings have been valuable tools during the pandemic, but nothing can replace the impact of face-to-face meetings. Here’s what the Myrtle Beach area is doing now to make sure we all can meet responsibly when you’re ready.
08/03/2020
THE CHOCOLATE GENIUS: Virtual Chocolate Experiences are formatted to be custom-tailored to video conferences or streaming events, with chocolate-making demonstrations, contests and delicious rewards and recipes. Read more.
07/31/2020
Groups headed to Southwest Michigan for a meeting should check out these six offsite venues that accommodate outdoor receptions, picnics and various other functions in the open air.
07/30/2020
Outdoor event options, nearby National Parks and recent renovations and openings in key cities like Billings and Missoula put Montana in a good position for future group gatherings, especially for regional drive-to meetings.
07/30/2020
Join Meetings Today and Tracy Stuckrath, meetings industry F&B expert, speaker and leader of thrive! meetings + events, for this interactive F&B 101 session. We’ll say our ABCs all the way through Z to gain knowledge and learn approaches to help create safe, delicious and inclusive events for all.
07/30/2020
Outdoor event options and recent upgrades to the convention center make Boise a compelling option for regional Northwest meetings.
07/29/2020
Together Again Expo, at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center, was the first convention held at the center since the outbreak of COVID-19. Meetings Today’s Jennifer Juergens reports on the experience.
07/28/2020
To help meeting and event planners find their bearings as they prepare to hold live meetings again, Meetings Today has launched the “Navigating the New Meeting Landscape” eHandbook, filled with resources and critical tips and strategies to keep their attendees safe and protect the financial health of the organizations they plan for.
07/28/2020
New Orleans, the quintessential party destination, is taking the COVID-19 pandemic one day at a time while preparing for the good times to roll once again. Read more.
07/28/2020
Meetings Today asked National Coalition for Black Meeting Professionals Chair Jason Dunn some key questions about his association, its role in advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion in the meetings industry, and the prevalence of systemic racism in the U.S. socially and professionally.
07/23/2020
How do our communication techniques play a role in the trajectory of our success? At every turn, we’re given opportunities to amplify others, speak our truth, and provide honest feedback. Elisabeth Diana, Vice President of Communications at Instagram, shares how practicing “real talk,” being concise and owning moments of redemption pave the way for a more rewarding professional journey.
07/22/2020
Following are seven cost-affordable and cutting-edge ways to help raise awareness, as well as build audience interest and enthusiasm, when promoting your events online. Read more.
07/21/2020
Read how CVBs in Baton Rouge, El Paso and New York City worked with planners to reevaluate and adjust 2020 meetings or events in the wake of COVID-19.
07/20/2020
Bryan Chan’s The Zoom Room engages corporate teams with a virtual environment that is entertaining for both introverts and extroverts. Read more.
07/16/2020
Buffets? Gone. And don’t even think about a donut wall! The meetings F&B environment has been disrupted flatter than a collapsed souffle, but that doesn’t mean you need to let the air out of your culinary programs.
Tracy Stuckrath, owner of thrive! meetings & events, is the foremost expert on food allergies in the meetings and conventions environment, and has extended her knowledge to operating in the COVID-19 environment. This Meetings Today Podcast with Vice President & Chief Content Director Tyler Davidson gets Stuckrath’s take on how to manage your post-shutdown culinary programs, what to ask venues and attendees, and the life-and-death matter of food allergies.
07/15/2020
Virtual events have quickly become the norm in today’s world, but as we think ahead, what will events in the near future look like? Hybrid events that provide engaging in-person experiences, while also incorporating key virtual elements, enable event professionals to offer a dynamic event for attendees however they choose to participate.
07/15/2020
Diversity, equity and inclusion experts Zoe Moore and Greg DeShields show how organizations can cast aside incorrect notions about a lack of talent in the pipeline and hire qualified professionals from underrepresented communities now.
07/14/2020
In the video, which premiered at Destination International’s 2020 Annual Convention, Black executives from destination marketing organizations around the country share their experiences with racism in their lives and in the tourism industry.
07/14/2020
Seven tips from thrive! meetings & events’ Tracy Stuckrath you can—and should—implement into your meeting menu planning to save money and foster inclusion, while also delivering a top-shelf sustainable event for all your stakeholders. Read more.
07/09/2020
Tyler Davidson talks with Papa about her new book, A Year of Mindfulness for Beginners: Daily Mantras, Meditations and Prompts, and her advice for all of us who are weathering these most-stressful days.
07/09/2020
With so many people in the hospitality industry either working from home, furloughed or laid off—or just worried about their future—Lee Papa developed the following 15 wellness and mindfulness techniques to help keep them in balance. Read more.
07/09/2020
With virtual meetings supplanting face-to-face meetings in the COVID-19 era, meeting planners need to select speakers for their virtual events wisely. Joan Eisenstodt asked three speaker veterans what questions they should ask and criteria to consider when selecting a virtual speaker.
07/08/2020
The coronavirus pandemic has amplified the unique challenges faced by association planners. How does this segment of the MICE industry move forward with live events in jeopardy?
07/07/2020
Experts in the incentive travel industry weigh in on the status of incentive trips amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and offer predictions for how programs will look while the world waits for a vaccine.
07/06/2020
Get your team feeling energized and cooking like a celebrity chef in under 60 minutes by enlisting the virtual cooking skills of chef Ryan DePersio. Read more.
06/30/2020
To
help ease planners’ concerns and get business back on the books, some
hotels and CVBs are offering incentives and concessions, including
waiving attrition into 2021.To help ease planners’ concerns and get business back on the books, some hotels and CVBs are offering incentives and concessions, including waiving attrition into 2021.
06/30/2020
Puerto Rico will reopen for in-bound tourism July 15, with thorough cleanliness measures in place island-wide that follow U.S. Travel Association (USTA) health and safety guidelines, along with locally enforced measures. Read more.
06/26/2020
Convention services managers, or CSMs, are a great resource for making events accessible.
06/26/2020
Meeting and event planners can discover a wealth of information about a city’s attractions from a convention services manager, or CSM.
06/26/2020
Always make sure to include a meeting facility’s chef as a key part of planning a meeting or event.
06/26/2020
Meeting and event planners should remember to provide a post-event survey to their CSM to help them better do their job.
06/26/2020
Beginning August 1, out-of-state travelers to Hawaii can avoid the state’s mandatory 14-day quarantine by taking a valid COVID-19 test.
06/25/2020
The portfolio of Gaylord Hotels from Marriott International announced that four of its five properties are now open. What will the meeting and convention spaces look like?
06/25/2020
Join Meetings Today and MaryAnne Bobrow, CAE, CMP, CMM, as she explores the relationships, wants and needs of the planner/supplier relationship in a post-COVID-19 environment.
06/25/2020
The luxury hotel chain has launched the Well-Meeting program at its five properties, where the focus will be on health, safety and open-air venues.
06/24/2020
Meeting and event planners polled by Meetings Today as part of its new monthly MeetingsTALK survey found that 35% indicated they will be ready to resume face-to-face meetings of 100 attendees or more in the first and second quarters of 2021. Read more.
06/23/2020
In this Meetings Today Podcast, Tyler Davidson check in with leading meetings industry attorney Joshua L. Grimes to see what contract clause musts planners should include going forward.
06/23/2020
With 30 years of tourism and hospitality experience, Larry Sieg takes the top slot at Meet AC following Jim Wood’s departure at the end of 2019.
06/23/2020
How will sustainable practices be impacted once physical events begin again? Leading sustainable events expert Nancy Zavada of MeetGreen breaks it down in an easy-to-reference infographic. Read more.
06/22/2020
Big Sky Country can help attendees unplug, relax and experience something new—from horseback riding through the Yellowstone Valley to meditating in the forest. Read more.
06/19/2020
Stay up to date on the latest venue openings and property renovations, including these found in the East.
06/19/2020
Stay up to date on the latest venue openings and property renovations, including these found in the West.
06/18/2020
Stay up to date on the latest venue openings and property renovations, including these found in the South.
06/18/2020
Stay up to date on the latest venue openings and property renovations, including these found around the world.
06/18/2020
Stay up to date on the latest venue openings and property renovations, including these found in Mid-America.
06/18/2020
Austin and the Hill Country region are brimming with parks, wineries and wellness resorts that give meeting and event groups abundant chances to enjoy the outdoors. Read more.
06/18/2020
What role can we play in breaking the cycle of injustice? Melissa Majors, CEO of Melissa Majors Consulting, shares how exposing yourself to difference and promoting inclusion leads to greater levels of innovation and success in this episode of Dare to Interrupt.
06/17/2020
Major hotels, convention centers and even cities have committed to earning the GBAC STAR accreditation. How can planners use it to their advantage? Which venues are committed?
06/16/2020
Meetings industry diversity, equity and inclusion experts Zoe Moore and Greg DeShields write about the critical issue of racial justice in the meetings and hospitality world and beyond. Read more.
06/15/2020
New Mexico’s beauty and diversity extends to its many wellness offerings. From Santa Fe and Albuquerque to the mountains in the south, explore the spa and activity breaks planners can arrange for attendees.
06/15/2020
Harrison Greenbaum is a nationally touring stand-up comedian who has been featured on major television shows like America’s Got Talent, Last Comic Standing and Conan. See how he can weave his magic and comedy for your virtual event.
06/12/2020
From a wildlife retreat where koalas hang outside your window and a new hotel that doubles as an impressive art gallery to a secluded luxury resort anchored in sustainability, these three venues will deliver one-of-kind Australian experiences to your attendees.
06/11/2020
How professionals in the meetings and events industry are lifting each other up during the hard times brought on by COVID-19. Read more.
06/10/2020
The latest show cancellation victim to the coronavirus is IMEX America 2020, one of the year’s highly anticipated shows for meeting and event professionals. Read more.
06/10/2020
Business development expert and speaker Scott Steinberg shares some positive survey results regarding planner optimism about a face-to-face meetings revival by the end of 2020, with a few caveats thrown in, of course.
06/09/2020
Casino and entertainment giant MGM Resorts International is set to reopen the doors on several of its major Las Vegas Strip properties following the June 4 reopening of many top Las Vegas meetings and events hotels. Read more.
06/08/2020
Sarah Kloepple is the new Content Developer, Destinations and Features for Meetings Today, a familiar face officially joins its content team.
06/08/2020
Southeast destination and hotel experts offer their advice for how to make your next beach event a big success and stand out from the rest. Read more.
06/05/2020
Two accessibility experts chime in with their top concerns about how attendees with disabilities can be equitably served after major hotel and meeting facility COVID-19-related changes are implemented.
06/04/2020
From cinema and music to literature and art, New Jersey’s arts and culture venues make impressive sites for meetings and events. Here are five we love.
06/04/2020
Las Vegas’ largest tradeshow plans to return in January 2021, with both in-person and virtual programming. Read more on some of the tech event’s new health and safety protocols.
Keywords: CES, CES 2021, Las Vegas meetings, Las Vegas rebookings
06/04/2020
June 4, 2020, marked the day when Las Vegas awakened from its coronavirus shutdown slumber, with major casino-resorts reopening their doors at least for leisure travelers. Caesars Entertainment is joining the party by reopening its Caesars Palace and Flamingo properties, with more set to join them shortly.
Meetings Today’s Tyler Davidson caught up with Michael Massari, chief sales officer for Caesars Entertainment, to get updates on the casino and entertainment giant; his team’s reaction to having the shutdown hit right before the launch of its crown jewel CAESARS FORUM conference center; what visitors to Las Vegas can expect when they arrive; and his take on how the meetings industry will fare in the next year.
06/03/2020
These virtual teambuilding activities and strategies can foster meaningful connections and develop important professional skills while individuals meet with one another remotely. Read more.
06/03/2020
Edward Harris, chief marketing officer of the Philadelphia area’s Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board (VFTCB), has left the tourism promotion organization to accept the job of president and CEO of Discover Lancaster, located in Pennsylvania Dutch Country.
06/03/2020
Acts of support and good deeds were in great supply this spring when the meetings, events and hospitality faced some of its most trying times yet. Read how Las Vegas properties did their part to help.
06/02/2020
Wolfgang Puck Catering offers potential low-risk solutions for dining at events in the age of COVID-19 and social distancing. Read more.
06/02/2020
When business resumes, The Edge and other new and classic outdoor, rooftop and high-altitude event venues will have both destinations in take-off position for sky-high celebrations. Here’s the venues planners should consider when looking ahead to future New York City and Long Island meetings.
06/02/2020
Outspoken Orlando hotel icon Harris Rosen believes constant guest and staff screening is critical to getting the meetings industry out of its deep depression.
Hear what the firebrand independent hotelier told Vice President Pence and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at a coronavirus hospitality industry roundtable at his Rosen Shingle Creek property.
In this Meetings Today Podcast, Tyler Davidson engaged Rosen on the deep funk coronavirus has put the meetings industry in, the state of tourism in Orlando and his Rosen Plan for getting back to business pronto.
06/01/2020
As an alternative or augmentation to face-to-face events, Scott Bloom can bring his television hosting experience to any of your live digital events, including internal webcasts, live streaming and prerecorded videos. Read more.
05/29/2020
Historically, women have been left behind in the male-dominated culinary industry—but no longer, especially in Las Vegas, whose female culinary leaders bring serious dimension to menus. Read about the stories behind their success and options for group dining.
05/29/2020
Wisconsin Dells’ huge range of event options and after-hours activities make the city a favorite for return events. Learn why attendees keep coming back.
05/28/2020
Meeting venues like the Javits Center have been pulled into service as field hospitals and other spaces for healthcare delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jim Henry, healthcare sector leader at CallisonRTKL, walks us through what it takes to transform hospitality and meeting spaces into sophisticated healthcare facilities.
05/28/2020
Caesars Entertainment announced it will reopen its flagship Caesars Palace hotel and Flamingo Las Vegas June 4, following stringent sanitation and social distancing protocols. Read more.
05/28/2020
What will the meetings and events F&B experience look like after the COVID-19 shutdown ends? Meetings Today’s Tyler Davidson sat down with Mary Cline, regional director, catering sales-East Coast for Wolfgang Puck Catering to get an idea of what the meetings cuisine scene will look like when we all start meeting face-to-face again.
05/28/2020
Rosen Shingle Creek Executive Chef Jorge Oliveira relishes the independence working for Orlando independent hotel icon Harris Rosen affords, and also shares his thoughts on what hotel F&B may be like following the COVID-19 shut down. Read more.
05/27/2020
We are all navigating what a world beyond virtual events will look like, and while we don't have all the answers, we will explore together from a variety of perspectives what shape it may take. Bring your questions, thoughts and ideas and let's shake this down!
Join Meetings Today and Tahira Endean, head of events at SITE Global and author of Intentional Event Design, Our Professional Opportunity, for this free one-hour webinar that will put you and your organization on firm footing.
05/27/2020
The state-approved reopening plans include temperature screenings, limited capacities on rides and in restaurants, and a face mask requirement.
05/27/2020
Meetings Today's Sarah Kloepple talks with Chip Rogers, president and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), about the organization's Safe Stay guidelines, supporting hotel workers as these new healthy and safety protocols are put in place, and how technology will play a critical role in future live meetings.
05/26/2020
While coastal Mexico destinations such as Los Cabos and Cancun are targeting June as a post-coronavirus reopening date, Los Cabos has used the shutdown period to offer signature destination experiences virtually. Read more.
05/22/2020
There’s a connection between meetings and event professionals and the locations they choose. Here are some messages from some of these areas.
05/22/2020
Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino both announced June 1 reopening dates with COVID-19 safety guidelines in place. Read more.
05/22/2020
Coastal Virginia’s Hampton Roads, Newport News and Virginia Beach destinations are steeped in U.S. military history and to this day are home to major armed forces bases. See how your group can utilize its many offsite venues for meetings and events. Read more.
05/21/2020
Major hotel chains and meetings industry associations are releasing comprehensive policy and protocol statements in preparation for when face-to-face meetings resume.
They are covering everything from sanitary procedures to social distancing measures; even thermal readings of attendees/guests and denial of entry guidelines.
Is this the “new normal”—especially in the short term—meeting and event planners and the organizations they work for will have to adapt to? How will any regulations be applied in different locations?
Join Meetings Today and facilities, meetings and hospitality industry thought leaders in a video panel discussion to explore the post-shutdown possibilities and how you should prepare for them.
05/21/2020
Success is not measured by how many times you have been knocked down, but by how many times you get back up. Industry trailblazers Sarah Soliman Daudin, President & CEO of Soliman Productions and Carrie Abernathy, Founder and Executive Director of the Association for Women in Events, share how they practiced tenacity in the face of hardship to build something bigger.
05/20/2020
These state-of-the-art facilities offer high-end audiovisual components and are inherently multifunctional. We break down two major esports arenas in Texas and Las Vegas as well as one opening soon in Philadelphia. Read more.
05/20/2020
These event-ready old school classics, resort ristorantes and world-class pizzerias showcase Las Vegas’ historic love affair with Italian food. Read more.
05/20/2020
Senior Contributor @jeffheilman sat down with Las Vegas’ Oscar and Carolyn Goodman to talk about leadership styles, what they love about Las Vegas meetings and more.
05/20/2020
Casino resorts are sure bets in Biloxi, but for something off the beaten path, consider Biloxi’s incredible museums to host an offsite meeting or event.
05/20/2020
Being purpose-built facilities—and fundamentally for the primary purpose of learning—conference centers hold a winning hand for groups itching to meet face to face but still wary of large gatherings and travel difficulties. Read more.
05/19/2020
As we reach mid-May, Meetings Today's Sarah Kloepple checks in with Stephanie Glanzer, chief sales officer and vice president of MGM Resorts International, who delves into MGM's new Seven-Point Safety Plan for enhanced health and sanitation protocols at its properties.
Glanzer also explains how meeting and event spaces specifically will look different, from exploring pre-packaged F&B, coordinating foot traffic flow, to helping planners put on a virtual component.
05/19/2020
The meetings infrastructure in both Omaha and Council Bluffs are built on pillars of accessibility, affordability and Midwestern hospitality. Here are five charming venues for your next small group meeting or event.
05/18/2020
As early as February, Digital Deception began to see their clients move events online, as worries about COVID-19-related travel bans began to take effect. Read how their act was changed for the digital medium.
05/18/2020
Mouthwatering barbecue and abundant craft brews are some of the must-try food and drink of Missouri’s two largest cities.
05/14/2020
Meeting and event professionals across the globe are adapting to the “new normal” during these challenging times, with many making the move to virtual events. While this is a new frontier for some, the good news is that the fundamentals of great in-person events also apply to virtual events: promotion, registration, driving and capturing attendee engagement, gathering feedback, etc.—but there are some unique differences and details you should be aware of if you want to make the successful transition to virtual.
In this live webinar, we’ll share tips and best practices on how to accelerate your pivot to virtual, so you can deliver great virtual events when you need them the most.
05/12/2020
Thinking about launching virtual meetings as a standalone event option or augmentation to a live event? Amanda Ma, founder and CEO of Innovate Marketing Group, dove into the virtual events pool headfirst after COVID-19 hit, and offers her expert tips on how to pull them off, from pre- and post-event preparation and follow-up to technical issues to look out for and how to put that little personal touch on them that the digital world often lacks.
05/12/2020
ASAE canceled its Annual Meeting & Exposition, which was scheduled for August 8-11 at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, in the wake of the COVID-19 shutdown, and will instead present the meeting virtually the week of August 10.
05/12/2020
The Philadelphia CVB Board of Directors hired Gregg Caren as its new president and CEO, replacing Julie Coker, who accepted the position of president and CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority. Read more.
05/07/2020
Led by exhibitions and event management giant Freeman, Go LIVE Together put together and advocacy group with hundreds of member organizations at breakneck speed.Being on the ground—literally—at meetings, conventions and exhibitions also gives the Dallas-based company a unique perspective on what the “new normal” will look like when we start gathering again.
05/06/2020
From food tours to interactive classes, here are some of the best ways groups can take advantage of Palm Beach and Treasure Coast’s diverse cuisine.
05/05/2020
We break down what you need to know as hotels release new information on their cleanliness protocols in the wake of COVID-19.
05/05/2020
As Providence weathers the COVID-19 crisis, its celebrated, group-ready restaurants should stay top of meeting planners’ minds for future bookings. Read more.
05/01/2020
The Myrtle Beach Convention Center has made some significant changes at its facility in an effort to make meetings more eco-friendly. Read more!
05/01/2020
Live event entertainment promoter Michael Cerbelli is ramping up his company to operate in today’s virtual world, and The Passing Zone may be just the perfect example of how it’s done. Read more.
05/01/2020
Event service professionals, aka convention services managers, can save meetings and events planners time, aggravation and money because of their intimate knowledge of destinations and facilities. Here are 10 ways to tap into that expertise. Read more.
05/01/2020
The new Broadmoor Exhibit Hall has opened up Colorado Springs’ five-star TheBroadmoor to the tradeshow and exhibit meetings segment and will offer an upscale environment that requires minimal decorating for tradeshows and exhibits.
05/01/2020
Meeting planners must carefully consider some very important questions when making the move toward virtual meetings as a replacement for face-to-face events. Read more.
04/29/2020
Join Meetings Today blogger and meetings industry consultant and educator Joan Eisenstodt, principal of Eisenstodt Associates, LLC for this free one-hour webinar that will help you develop a site inspection and RFP strategy to avoid costly surprises.
04/29/2020
The Myrtle Beach Convention Center (MBCC) should be one of the first places you consider for a trade show or convention in the sunny Southeast. Rita Harrell, sales manager for Myrtle Beach Convention Center, breaks down the top five reasons why.
04/28/2020
Hosted in the Dallas Metroplex, MPI WEC 2020 will feature updated content to discuss COVID-19 and a virtual component for those who are unable to attend in person. Read more.
04/28/2020
Groups meeting in Louisiana will find an array of teambuilding activities that show off the state’s unique culture and encourage rapport among attendees. Read more.
04/27/2020
Alarming initial statistics reflecting the massive loss of employment and revenue in the U.S. travel industry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic have only gotten worse. Tyler Davidson talks with Roger Dow, president and CEO of U.S. Travel Association, about how bad it is and where we go from here. Read more.
04/24/2020
A great way to increase your contacts when job searching is to volunteer at an industry association event, such as PCMA Convening
04/24/2020
Already done the tour of theme parks, beaches and golf courses in Florida? There’s still plenty of only-in-Florida activities you can organize for your meeting group. Read more.
04/24/2020
Galveston, Texas, has a lot to offer for business travelers looking for entertainment, too. One-of-a-kind activities range from incredible historical experiences to great fun in the sun. Read more.
04/23/2020
The Philadelphia CVB’s Julie Coker has postponed her start as head of the San Diego Tourism Authority—and salary—to help Philadelphia’s tourism community navigate the COVID-19 crisis. Read more.
04/22/2020
Marriott International launched the Marriott Global Cleanliness Council to help establish new cleanliness standards in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, including using electrostatic sprayers with hospital-grade disinfectant.
04/22/2020
How does your venue’s sustainability effort measure up? Read this checklist, compiled in honor of Earth Day 2020, to see if your green game is up to the challenge, or how to catch up if you’re behind the sustainable buildings curve. Read more.
04/21/2020
Wynn Las Vegas has unveiled a health and sanitation plan for a slow reopening, including using thermal cameras and implementing physical distancing. Will this be the “new normal” for meetings and other public facilities moving forward? Read more.
04/21/2020
After COVID-19 is in the rear-view mirror, how will the meetings and hotel industry have changed forever? Meetings Today Contributing Editor Robert Nieminen discussed what this new world may look like with top designer Michael Suomi, founder of Suomi Design Works. From social distancing to a hyper-aware focus on cleanliness, hospitality design and the meetings and conventions experience may never be the same.
04/20/2020
When it comes to the top live music destinations, Raleigh, North Carolina, has been garnering attention for its diverse live music scene and festivals. Find out why.
04/20/2020
Pizza spinner Scott Volpe from Fiamme Pizza in Tucson, Arizona, will astound your event attendees with his pie-throwing magic, and then get their mouths watering with a slice of his authentic pizza. Read more.
04/20/2020
While most services offered by CVBs and DMOs are free, some planners still go directly to hotels and other suppliers when they set up their events. These Florida CVB and DMO professionals explain why meeting planners should rethink that approach.
04/20/2020
Plant-based and vegan cuisine is a “growing” trend in meetings and events catering. See how Victor Miguel, executive chef at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott, is serving this clientele with a variety of cuisine options and substitutions.
04/17/2020
We’ve compiled a complete list of articles, podcast episodes and other COVID-19 coverage we have created to help you do your job with hopefully a little less stress in this trying time. See it now.
04/17/2020
Stay up to date on the latest venue openings and property renovations, including these found in Mid-America.
04/17/2020
Stay up to date on the latest venue openings and property renovations, including these found in the South.
04/17/2020
Stay up to date on the latest venue openings and property renovations, including these found in the West.
04/17/2020
Stay up to date on the latest venue openings and property renovations, including these found in the East.
04/17/2020
For attendees keen on spending time in the fresh air in Lake Tahoe (and who isn’t?), consider these outdoor venues, from a beachfront retreat to a terrace nestled in the mountains.
04/17/2020
From dinner on stage at the Grand Ole Opry to a birds-eye view of the Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, these Tennessee banquet views are a feast for the eyes.
04/17/2020
Stay up to date on the latest venue openings and property renovations, including these found in the Caribbean and Mexico.
04/16/2020
Hear from thought leaders in the industry on how they have learned and shifted their tactics during COVID-19 in the Meetings, Hospitality and Tourism Spaces.
Meetings Today and the GCB German Convention Bureau partner to bring you this exciting panel discussion.
04/16/2020
In this episode of Dare to Interrupt, Anne Hamilton, Vice President of Global Travel and Expense Management at The Walt Disney Company, shares her incredible story and explains how determination, courage and paying it forward creates the foundation for impact and legacy.
04/15/2020
The coronavirus crisis has led to a revolution in the workplace—at least temporarily—in which the office is now in workers’ homes.
Meetings Today’s Tyler Davidson spoke to Heather Mason, founder and CEO of Caspian Agency, to get her insights on the best strategies to implement if you’ve found yourself working in this “new normal” environment.
04/15/2020
Internal events matter. From company-wide meetings to annual sales kick-offs, organizations host internal events to drive company culture, relay important business goals, and keep their employees engaged. Yet, internal events typically don’t get the same level of attention when compared to external events.
Join us for this webinar where we will dive into the internal events ecosystem and show you how to maximize these events to not only increase employee engagement but more importantly drive your organization’s culture.
04/15/2020
Meetings Today has teamed with the German Convention Bureau to offer a free one-hour “COVID-19 and the Meetings Industry” video panel webinar April 16, featuring speakers from major U.S.-based organizations that have had their meetings and events impacted by the pandemic. Read more.
04/13/2020
Luxury hotels look different than they did 20 years ago. With different approaches to travel and business, the focus is shifting from material luxe to experiences, sustainability and wellness. Read more.
04/13/2020
These seven Florida chefs hail from all over the world, and bring their home cooking traditions with them. Read how their roots inspire the menus that they create for groups today.
04/13/2020
Read what two hot Florida event spots, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin and Ocean Prime, think the up-and-coming dining trends are for meeting groups in 2020 and beyond.
04/13/2020
Across Florida, there are many distilleries serving spirits made from local ingredients with creative spaces to match. Here are five spots meetings groups will love.
04/13/2020
From celebrated vintage theaters to world-renowned concert venues, Boston arts venues put on quite the show. Read more.
04/10/2020
From storied theatres to a Colonial-era garden, see where the past lives in the Georgia towns of Savannah, Atlanta, Macon, Athens and Sea Island.
04/09/2020
Marriott International launched its Rooms for Responders program, which provides about $10 million worth of hotel stays at no cost to frontline healthcare workers. Read more.
04/09/2020
The Midwest holds many agriculture colleges and universities. Learn how you can tap them as a resource for your next ag-related event, whether on-campus or off. Read more.
04/09/2020
Whether via paddlewheeler, schooner or a car that can float like a boat, these Florida cruises make for unforgettable group outings. Read more.
04/08/2020
The hospitality and meetings industries are at a standstill as the COVID-19 crisis levels its crippling effect on travel and public gatherings of any size. Its top market, Las Vegas, is always a bellwether of the health of an economic segment that is one of the top drivers of the U.S. economy.
Meetings Today’s Tyler Davidson talks with Stephanie Glanzer, chief sales officer and senior vice president of MGM Resorts International, about the status of meetings and events in Las Vegas and the city’s substantial inventory of MGM properties.
04/08/2020
The changing demographics of the business world and evolving customer preferences have resulted in a trend of “ad hoc” meeting spaces being included in new convention center projects and retrofitted into renovations and expansions by global design firms such as Populous and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. Read more.
04/06/2020
As the coronavirus pandemic roiled the industry, we decided to reach out to see how that issue is impacting the planners who took our annual Meetings Today Trends Survey, and to see if risk management is now an increased priority. Read more.
04/06/2020
A cappella group DCappella launched the Disney’s flagship a cappella experience in 2018 with a TV debut on American Idol, when the group performed classics from The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King and Aladdin. Learn how to book them for your event.
04/03/2020
How are you coping with the coronavirus pandemic? Meetings Today’s Tyler Davidson talks with Kristine Iverson, owner and founder of wellness company CROW Practice, about strategies all of us can incorporate to calm the mind and ease the body while we navigate the global pandemic and resulting economic turmoil.
04/03/2020
Not since 9/11 has the meetings and events industry faced a crisis as severe as coronavirus, the impact of which is surpassing that national nightmare. With meetings and events cancelled on a massive scale, I thought an example of how to communicate effectively was in order. Read more.
04/02/2020
Springfield, Illinois, is home to more than Abraham Lincoln attractions. Iconic Route 66 is famous for its Americana relics, and groups can explore a few of them. Read more.
04/01/2020
The live events community formed the Live Events Coaliton and launched a petition that currently has more than 400,000 signatures, calling for the Trump administration and Congress to establish a special task force to address their concerns and provide an aid package. Read more.
04/01/2020
Daring to dream is a defining New York quality, making the Empire State a cradle of imaginative venues and experiences for a wide range of group encounters. Read more.
04/01/2020
Los Angeles is home to the most unique, top-tier venues in the country. The county has over 300 museums, blockbuster entertainment centers, numerous outdoor venues and terrain that varies from the mountaintops to the beach. For an “Only in L.A.” experience that is sure to impress, check out just a sample of these spectacular meeting venues in Los Angeles.
03/31/2020
Innovate Marketing Group produced an event at the start of the coronavirus outbreak that featured President Trump and key members of his administration. Here is what they learned and how meeting and event planners can apply it. Read more.
03/31/2020
For groups looking to escape the lights and noise of L.A., three main areas in the Inland Empire offer sunny respites packed with unique meeting spaces and a trove of group activities.
03/28/2020
Las Vegas has rebooked three events that cancelled their dates following the outbreak of COVID-9, or coronavirus, in the U.S. The expos have confirmed dates in the city for late summer and fall 2020. Read more.
03/27/2020
Tyler Davidson checks in with meetings risk management expert Brenda Rivers to talk about the free on-demand Risk Management Primer: How to Protect Your Attendees and Organization From Disaster webinar she presented for Meetings Today. Brenda talks about the current state of coronavirus meetings and events readiness as well as lessons to apply for future events.
03/27/2020
03/26/2020
Las Vegas News Bureau Archivist Kelly Luchs walks Meetings Today through the Bureau and the history of Vegas through images—plus explains how your group can partner with the Las Vegas News Bureau to cover your events present day. Read more.
03/26/2020
Join Meetings Today and Brenda Rivers, JD, certified crisis management expert and author of The Meeting and Event Risk Management Guide,* who will share the most critical yet practical steps to developing a risk management strategy for all types of events, and also critical information about dealing with the current coronavirus pandemic.
03/24/2020
Throughout Colorado’s meetings-friendly destinations, groups have many restaurants to choose from where they could unwind over a great meal. Here are eight standouts.
03/21/2020
COVID-19 has rocked the travel and meetings industries. Meetings Today's Tyler Davidson talks to Dare to Interrupt podcast host Courtney Stanley about how she and those she's talked with in the industries are navigating these turbulent times, and resources you can tap to help you cope.
03/20/2020
Meetings Today's Tyler Davidson talks with Seema Jain, director, multicultural affairs for Marriott International about the hotel giant's Culture Days program. Jain travels the world training Marriott staff on how to best serve the cultural needs of its very diverse clientele, and offers critical information to meeting planners on how they can do the same for their attendees.
03/19/2020
Get some fresh air in between meetings in Michigan. Here are some quick group activities outdoors in Detroit, Lansing, Grand Rapids and Traverse City.
03/19/2020
Stay up to date on the latest venue openings and property renovations, including these found in the East.
03/19/2020
Stay up to date on the latest venue openings and property renovations, including these found in the West.
03/19/2020
Stay up to date on the latest venue openings and property renovations, including these found in the South.
03/19/2020
Charlotte, North Carolina, is a meetings destination on the move, welcoming a convention center expansion project that will add a significant amount of meeting spaces, new meetings hotels and a variety of intriguing offsite venues within its convention district. Read more.
03/19/2020
What is the real secret behind “doing it all”? Event technology and marketing entrepreneurs Dahlia El Gazzar of DAHLIA+Agency and Shannon DeSouza of DeSouza on Demand discuss the importance of showing up, practicing gratitude, servanthood and self-care while balancing family life and running their own growing businesses.
03/18/2020
Stay up to date on the latest venue openings and property renovations, including these found around the world.
03/18/2020
Stay up to date on the latest venue openings and property renovations, including these found in Mid-America.
03/18/2020
U.S. Travel Association predicts the hit on the U.S. economy from COVID-19 will be more than six times the impact of 9/11. Leaders are asking for a government bailout. Read more.
03/17/2020
From a vintage motorcycle museum to a 33-acre garden, Birmingham, Alabama, boasts a variety of interesting meeting and event venues—and it’s ready to be your next southern destination.
03/17/2020
Meetings Today blogger Joan Eisenstodt has been participating in many of the thrice-weekly COVID-19 press conferences from the World Health Organization (WHO). Here's what she found out from the experts fighting the spread of the virus, how it impacts the meetings and events industry, and what the industry needs to learn from the crisis.
03/16/2020
Meeting in Madison? These farm-to-table restaurants bring Midwestern wholesomeness and incredible dining. Learn more.
03/16/2020
100 Course Meal is an immersive experience for up to 200 guests that is sure to leave meeting and event attendees surprised and satisfied. Read more.
03/13/2020
Matt Steffen's Garden Gulf Prawn Cocktail Recipe.
03/13/2020
Meeting schedules can be complemented by spa services that give attendees a taste of a resort’s signature treatments. Reenergize them to participate in the business at hand by bringing treatments into meeting environments and out of the spa. Read more.
03/12/2020
Many of us active in the meetings industry have faced the decision about whether to move forward with a meeting, proceed at a reduce size or cancel it altogether. Here are some essential legal, and practical, tips and strategies to better inform your decision. Read more.
03/12/2020
Understanding event success is complicated. One important factor that shouldn’t be overlooked? Attendee feedback. While budget and leads directly relate to event ROI, attendee opinions are key. But, when gathering attendee feedback, it can be challenging to figure out how to take feedback and make it have an impact. We’ll show you how to align feedback with event goals to provide actionable insights.
Attendee feedback is only as good as the questions asked. Learn the different types of feedback and what questions to ask based on event type and goals so that you get the data you need to take action.
03/11/2020
IMEX Group cancelled its IMEX Frankfurt exhibition, which was scheduled for May 12-14 in Frankfurt, Germany, due to German federal and state government concerns over the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Read more.
03/10/2020
Railroad roots, the Cuban cigar business and rich museums and gardens give the Tampa Bay, St. Pete/Clearwater and Sarasota areas unexpected charm and culture. Read more.
03/09/2020
Chefs at prominent meetings and events properties are noticing a consistent uptick in plant-based alternatives requests from attendees. Read why and dishes they’re serving.
03/08/2020
Western Canada has many industry specialties and intellectual capital that it can offer specific groups for in-depth learning and connections. Read this guide to choose the best city for your group.
03/06/2020
The Society of Independent Show Organizers partnered with UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry to launch a “This Show Is Open” campaign in an effort to stem the wave of event cancellations in the wake of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, outbreak. Read More.
03/06/2020
Danielle LeBreck and President & CEO of VISIT Milwaukee Peggy Williams-Smith talk about the event-packed year ahead for Milwaukee, new developments in the city, and all the best venues and offsites for meetings and events.
03/06/2020
Convention service managers and event managers are the glue that keeps meetings running, facilitating the relationship between sales and meeting planners. Here are some stories from veteran CSMs on their challenges, successes and why they deserve our respect. Read more.
03/05/2020
COVID-19 is fluid and complex, and due to the speed of information, there are many important pieces to the overall story that are being left out of the conversation. ALHI President & CEO Michael Dominguez shares some of the facts to battle the hysteria that is upending the meetings and events industry. Read more.
03/05/2020
Whether or not you intend to cancel your event due to the coronavirus outbreak, it's important to understand that this impacts every event right now. Here are 10 tips you can use to ensure that you are communicating effectively to those who matter. Read more.
03/04/2020
Attendee satisfaction is consistently a top metric used to measure the success of events. But do you consider the event app a key factor in determining attendee satisfaction? Attendees rate a mobile app as the third most important factor contributing to a positive attendee experience. Using an event app ensures the digital experience supports the overall event and enhances the attendee journey, while providing greater insights into attendee behaviors.
03/03/2020
Chicago’s McCormick Place—the largest convention center in North America—now diverts almost 100% of its food waste. Read on to see how.
03/03/2020
Editor's note: This information was accurate at the time of the recording, February 28, 2020. We are monitoring and updating as new information is available.
Top meetings industry attorneys Joshua L. Grimes and Tyra Warner discuss the legal issues involved with cancelling a meeting due to coronavirus. Learn how to protect your organization and what your options are—from outright cancellation to attrition—from two of the top legal minds in the industry.
03/03/2020
The spread of COVID-19, or coronavirus, has upended the travel industry as well as any facility where public gatherings are held or where a large amount of people congregate. That includes office buildings, airports and meeting and convention spaces. Implement these procedures to protect everyone in the environment.
03/03/2020
From vineyards to Mount Vernon, add to your meeting or event with these noteworthy group activities in Fairfax, Loudoun County, Alexandria and Richmond.