As catastrophic hurricanes, unprecedented flooding, massive fires, deadly earthquakes and even disruptive volcanoes dominate the headlines, it’s impossible to forget the indelible images and stories of personal hardship that follow natural disasters. But with every story of loss there are also uplifting stories, and in the hospitality world some of those stories have been about renewal.

Golf resorts are staying in the game for the next generation by offering innovative new ways to play and other features. Incorporating the latest technology, moving away from traditional play and even taking the game off the course are among the trends leading the way for golf events in 2019.

As any planner knows, coming up with unique decor, food, drink and overall ambience to fit the objective of a gathering is always a challenge, but a welcome one if you do it mindfully and with intention, according to Deb Gee, experience designer with Lululemon. Weaving the season into events is a great place to start. Gee shares her winter toolkit to help out with event planning around the holidays whether for business or personal gatherings.

The twisting of reality is becoming common practice in the meeting, tradeshow, event and exhibition world. By using an ever-evolving array of technology such as virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality, users can enter worlds created from scratch to entertain, provide demonstrations and eventually sell a concept or product. But how “realistic” is the implementation of this technology? What is each good at doing and what drawbacks are endemic to which specific medium?

The desert might be known for its dry climate, but garden-like venues rich with native flora and fauna thrive in regions throughout the West. Following are five spots that give groups a chance to immerse themselves in the bounty of the desert.

As a global sales organization representing more than 300 leading independent and luxury branded hotels, resorts and destination management companies around the world, Eden Prairie, Minnesota-based Teneo Hospitality Group takes pride in selecting the “right” venue for executive retreats, board meetings and high-performance incentive trips. In today’s experience-driven meetings culture, “wow” takes many forms, from overt to subtle. Right for the times and right on the money for smaller, more exclusive and more sensitive meetings, the following venues wow on every occasion.

Convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and destination marketing organizations (DMOs0 are becoming increasingly inventive in the ways they assist planners. These entities can be game-changers when it comes to helping stage outstanding meetings and events. Ventura County Coast, Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau, Destination DC and Visit Savannah share strategic ways to utilize their services and some improvements on tools.

After all New Orleans has been through following Hurricane Katrina, it’s no wonder hospitality community leaders there are so tuned in to giving back. But one would be hard-pressed to find a more dedicated community member than Michael Smith, general manager of the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, who with his team members rose to the occasion during the cataclysmic hurricane and has set a frantic philanthropic pace following the storm.

Joan Eisenstodt shares the thoughts of Jordan Rudner and PCMA's Sherrif Karamat regarding the Tree of Life synagogue and Kentucky killings.

Meetings Today LIVE! South attendees spent three days at the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa from October 28-31, 2018. The event's planner and supplier guests made up the first meetings group to visit the Southwest Florida resort as it completes a $60 million transformation.