In 2023, when Destinations International (DI) announced the selection of Tampa Bay as the site of its 2024 Annual Convention, some of the association
November 20, 2024
9 Ways Planners can Collaborate With Event Service Profs
Coordinate schedules, confirm site visits, manage budgets, review every layout—it’s a lot. Every detail, every choice, makes an impact.Now, pull it
January 19, 2023
5 Ways to Deliver on DEI at Your Next Meeting
Editor’s note: Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO of Destination DC, is a leading proponent of
July 29, 2022
Associations Are Increasingly Emphasizing DEI
Associations are often like a microcosm of larger society. They have governing bodies, commerce-producing units, educational institutions
May 09, 2024
Zoe Moore on Why DEI Is Under Fire in the Meetings Industry and Beyond
Zoe Moore, proprietor of Zoe Moore Consultancy, is
April 04, 2022
Why DC Is the Nation’s Capital of DEI Tourism and Events
DEI, or diversity, equity and inclusion, has become an issue of paramount importance in the meetings and events industry and throughout U.S. business
May 11, 2023
Event Service Professionals Publish Meetings DEI Guide
The knowledge and duties of event service professionals (ESPs), aka convention service managers, is where the rubber meets the road in the meetings
April 21, 2022
8 Objectives to Help Align Your DEI Strategy and Business Needs
The demand for hospitality, events and tourism companies to take accountability for their social footprint is not solely for the benefit of one group
January 24, 2022
Philadelphia's Top-Down Focus on DEI Paves the Way Forward for Meetings
In 1987, two African-American directors on the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) board, A. Bruce Crawley, a prominent marketing
January 12, 2024
The State of DEI in the Meetings Industry and Beyond
Roughly four years ago in the wake of the George Floyd murder, influential African-American leaders in the meetings and hospitality industry took a
October 31, 2023
Tourism Diversity Matters’ The Collective Experience Conference Brings DEI Leaders Together
Following a pandemic hiatus, Tourism Diversity Matters’ (TDM) The Collective Experience
April 18, 2023
DEI Update: Meetings Diversity Leaders Greg DeShields and Sheila Alexander-Reid Share Their Perspectives
DEI, or diversity, equity and inclusion, is an unstoppable force in the meetings and tourism industry and beyond.Meetings Today touched base with two
August 24, 2020
Why Learning Your DEI Certifications Can Promote Supplier Diversity
While summer draws to a close and fall approaches, business leaders continue to combat rapidly changing health concerns, safety issues, economic
May 28, 2024
Where Are We Four Years After the Murder of George Floyd? Elliott L. Ferguson II Offers Perspective.
On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who kneeled on Floyd’s neck even after pleas from the
March 21, 2023
New ESPA President Denise Reid on DEI, New Member Acquisition–and a Show-Stopping 'Ave Maria'
Denise Reid, new president of Event Service Professionals Association (ESPA), shares how event service professionals are on the front line of
November 05, 2024
How the Results of the 2024 Election May Impact Meeting and Event Planners
By the time election day arrives, most are sick of hearing about politics no matter their political leanings.But the policy positions of candidates
April 13, 2023
3 California Tourism DEI Leaders Who Are Making a Difference
Always ahead of the curve, California is taking a leading role in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the tourism and meetings and
January 19, 2023
Destination DC's Elliott Ferguson II on the Role of DMOs on DEI
In the run-up to his keynote address at Event Service Professionals Association’s 2023 annual conference, meetings industry leader and DEI champion
July 30, 2021
The Difference Between DEI Certifications and Certificates of Completion
One year ago, we started this series of articles for Meetings Today by explaining
September 08, 2022
Kevin Iwamoto: My Journey Advocating for DEI and Belonging
I was recently honored to be recognized by Meetings Today as one of its 20