Sep 17, 2021
In what was perhaps the strongest argument to date calling for the full return of in-person professional gatherings, leaders from the business and travel sectors joined together Sept. 15 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. to deliver a powerful, data-driven, science-backed message: Travel for and participation in professional meetings, exhibitions and events can safely resume, and doing so will significantly accelerate America’s economic recovery.
Under the Let's Meet There initiative, the broad alliance included representatives of the American Society of Association Executives… more
Sep 10, 2021
Meetings, events, travel and tourism industry leader, Connect is gearing up to launch a second signature conference next year. Set for May 22-24, 2022 at the Puerto Rico Convention Center, Connect Puerto Rico will host more than 2,000 meeting and event professionals at a multi-track event designed to serve as a hub for networking and business development for corporate, association and sports planners. Connect will host a second large-scale conference in Detroit, Aug. 8-10.
The 2022 plans come on the heels of Connect’s successful 2021 marketplace in Tampa, Fla. Held Aug. 30-Sept. 1 at the… more
Sep 07, 2021
In an effort to showcase its health protocols and spur along the recovery of the meetings and events industry, Marriott International recently hosted its largest in-person customer event since the start of the pandemic. Held Aug. 24-27 at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin in Orlando, Florida, “The Exchange” brought together nearly 800 corporate and association meeting professionals, and Marriott executives and sales professionals.
The event, which followed a year of mostly virtual meetings for the hospitality giant, was a milestone for its “Connect with Confidence.” Launched in August 2020… more
Sep 03, 2021
As the escalating climate change crisis continues to plague the planet, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) and the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC) have teamed up to unite the events industry for a massive push to diminish its carbon footprint.
Today, UFI unveiled the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative, which is hosted by JMIC and supported by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The aim is to attract and connect major events industry stakeholders around the world, including organizers, planners, exhibitors, venues, destinations and… more
Sep 02, 2021
Event professionals and suppliers have happily descended upon Las Vegas since 2011 for IMEX America, but this year is shaping up to be an even more joyful experience for everyone involved, as they join with peers in-person again after a long and challenging hiatus due to the pandemic.
IMEX America 2021, billed as a “homecoming for the global events community,” is the 10th edition of the show. IMEX Group is marking the milestone with plenty of unique opportunities to conduct business, connect, learn and grow Nov. 9-11 at its new home: Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
“We can’t wait to see the… more
Aug 30, 2021
As the Delta variant continues to cause some hesitancy about holding events, with a few cancelling and others taking place as planned, new research may hold the key to putting the industry’s mind at ease.
According to findings from a research partnership between Freeman, a global leader in events, and Epistemix, a computational modeling software company, large in-person business events are safe and do not increase local COVID-19 case rates.
“Based on the data we’ve seen, attending an in-person event is no riskier—in fact, less risky— than essential daily activities,” said Freeman CEO Bob… more
Aug 23, 2021
The Events Industry Council (EIC), the global voice of the business events industry on advocacy, research, professional recognition and standards, has joined The Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct (The Code), a multi-stakeholder initiative to prevent the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children in travel and tourism throughout the world.
As a voluntary set of six criteria to keep children safe that its members commit to, The Code provides awareness, tools and support to the travel and tourism industry to protect children against sexual exploitation. As the world’s first and only… more
Aug 20, 2021
After 16 years as an extraordinary leading advocate for all segments of the travel industry, including meetings and events, U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow recently announced his plan to retire in July 2022.
U.S. Travel’s board of directors extended Dow’s contract after he agreed to stay for one more year, continuing to advocate for the industry as it recovers from the financial devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The board is very grateful to Roger for his steadfast leadership and profound influence on this industry and for strengthening U.S. Travel as a key… more
Aug 16, 2021
As the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry dusts itself off and emerges from the pandemic, the need to continue envisioning innovative ways of doing business has never been greater. To help event organizers rethink their offerings and operations, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) and UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, teamed up to launch a white paper titled “Reimagining Business Events—Through COVID-19 and Beyond.”
“The pandemic has emphasized the need to innovate and be nimble in the business events… more
Aug 06, 2021
In an effort to expand its catering presence in South Florida, Coconut Grove-based Bill Hansen Catering & Event Production acquired Eten Catering, a full-service catering and event company based in Fort Lauderdale. The merger not only brings two South Florida food and events brands together under one umbrella but also adds a new level of service to Hansen’s 41-year platform as an events vendor in the region.
The acquisition will expand the Hansen brand’s presence to an even larger market, specifically on large-scale yachts in South Florida, thus allowing the company’s services to span… more
Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here.
New Wave Experiences
Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, more