Mar 17, 2020
In response to the growing health crisis in the U.S., large convention centers and hotel/casino properties across the country are temporarily suspending hosting events in an effort to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus. This comes as the CDC issued guidance on March 15 discouraging any gatherings of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks.
Although this list is expected to grow in the coming days and weeks, here are some major facilities that have shuttered their event operations thus far:
Anaheim Convention Center
As of March 12, Anaheim Convention Center in California shut… more
Feb 28, 2020
Two major convention venues in the Southeast U.S. have been expanding their event spaces to accommodate more trade show business. Here’s how things are developing with Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center and Florida’s Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center.
Georgia World Congress Center Completes Exhibit Hall BC
Georgia World Congress Center’s new $55 million Exhibit Hall BC project has been completed ahead of schedule and under budget. With the 100,000-square-foot expansion creating more than 1 million square feet of contiguous exhibition space, the GWCC’s total exhibit space… more
Feb 26, 2020
As the importance of lessening the environmental impact of meetings, trade shows and events only continues to grow, here’s what two Midwestern convention centers are doing to help make sustainable planning easier.
McCormick Place
With nearly 3 million visitors each year, McCormick Place, North America’s largest convention center, has a large environmental footprint. However, for more than a decade, the 2.6 million-square-foot facility has been actively creating a more sustainable campus. In the last few months, the campus has taken two major steps forward.
With installation of the… more
Feb 18, 2020
In the past year, San Jose has seen a significant amount of expansion, rebranding and new growth — including plans for a new Google campus that could house up to 25,000 employees — but it isn’t leaving its history behind. From the San Jose McEnery Convention Center to hotels, arenas, auditoriums, mansions and a wide variety of unique spaces and attractions, the city boasts a plethora of historic and modern venues for event planners to choose from.
“When you think of San Jose, you think of innovation, robots meeting you at the airport and futuristic offerings,” said Matthew Martinucci, vice… more
Feb 13, 2020
Deadly earthquakes have been rattling the island of Puerto Rico in recent weeks, causing devastation in the area around Guanica on the southwest coast. On the other side of the island, however, in San Juan (which is celebrating its 500th anniversary this year!), things are looking up.
After experiencing a decline in meetings and events business leading up to and following Hurricane Maria in 2017, the northeast portion of Puerto Rico is not only open for business, but well-positioned to attract more meetings and events than ever — especially in the luxury segment.
The 5-acre El Distrito, a… more
Feb 07, 2020
Upping their games to attract more meeting and convention business in an ever-more-competitive market, major U.S. convention centers are busy with renovation and expansion projects. Here’s what to watch for.
Las Vegas Convention Center District Taking Shape
The 1.4 million-square-foot, $1.5 billion Las Vegas Convention Center District expansion and remodeling project is moving along on schedule. Last fall, the convention center announced it had completed more than 60 percent of the project’s Phase Two expansion, which broke ground in January 2017 and began construction in fall of 2018.… more
Jan 21, 2020
Curious about the new Caesars Forum, Las Vegas’ major new conference center, opening this spring? You won’t have to travel to the Strip to see it—at least not right away. Caesars Entertainment will launch a country-wide tour called “All Roads Lead to Caesars Forum,” beginning next month.
Starting Feb. 11, the five-week tour will make stops in 14 U.S. cities and offer pop-up Caesars Forum brand experiences. The goal is to give meeting and event planners a glimpse into the 550,000-square-foot conference center, which officially opens March 18.
"This tour gives our team a monumental way to… more
Jan 17, 2020
Looking for a great new getaway location for your next Midwest team-building event, retreat or small meeting? There are many options in the state of Wisconsin (and you get the added bonus of abundant cheese curds).
Take Rock County. Located just over the state border from Illinois, 83 miles from Chicago O’Hare Airport and 75 miles from Milwaukee General Mitchell Airport, Beloit and Janesville offer unique locations for small meetings.
Beloit
Ironworks Hotel has an almost-steampunk feel, with wood complemented by metal elements throughout. It offers 3,300 square feet of flexible event… more
Jan 07, 2020
Philadelphia’s walkability, history and culinary ingenuity make the city appealing to corporate groups. Not just a historic meeting location, it’s also a foodie’s paradise, perfect for hosting memorable group meals.
The city is known for having one of the top restaurant communities in the U.S. In 2019, Israeli small-plate-driven Zahav took the James Beard Award for outstanding restaurant. And Cadence, an upscale American prix fixe BYO eatery, was named best new restaurant by Food & Wine magazine.
“Philadelphia has been a captivating destination for meetings, conventions and events for… more
Jan 03, 2020
PCMA Convening Leaders, the annual PCMA conference for event planners, is coming to San Francisco on Jan. 5-8, 2020. Not only does this mark a 20-year anniversary for the city — the last time Convening Leaders was held in San Francisco was 2001 — it is also perfectly timed to showcase the revamped and expanded Moscone Center.
Convening Leaders draws approximately 5,000 attendees with a nearly even split between event planners and industry suppliers. The majority will be seeing the new version of Moscone for the first time. Meanwhile, the San Francisco Travel Association intends to show… more
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