News
May 09, 2023
The U.S. Travel Association, which has been diligently advocating for the end of COVID-19 restrictions along with several other tourism and events industry entities, overwhelmingly welcomed the Biden-Harris Administration’s announcement May 1 to repeal the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for inbound travel to the U.S.
“[The] action to lift the vaccine requirement eases a significant entry barrier for many global travelers, moving our industry and country forward, said Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of U.S. Travel.
However, he added, the return of international visitors should be as efficient and… more
May 08, 2023
Live events are a key driver for building brand trust, according to the Freeman Trust Report 2023, a research study on the impact of face-to-face interactions on brand loyalty and trust. Powered by Edelman Data and Intelligence, the research reveals 77% of all respondents – and more than 8 out of 10 millennials – say they trusted brands more after interacting face-to-face with them at live events.
Even better news: The halo effects from these interactions lasted at least a month for 64% of people surveyed, resulting in long-term brand trust, recognition, and sales.
Survey data from the… more
May 05, 2023
Global DMC Partners (GDP), the largest global network of independent destination management companies (DMCs) and specialized event service providers, and DMI Hotels, an authorized global sales office for a curated collection of independent hotels and resorts, have joined forces to better serve their meetings clients seeking on-the-ground support and expertise from local DMCs, hotels and event service providers.
According to DMI and Global DMC officials, the newly formed partnership will further elevate each company’s offerings while expanding their services and reach.
“DMI is extremely… more
May 04, 2023
Attendees and exhibitors participating in events at CAESARS FORUM will soon have an additional hotel room option within just a short walking distance as Caesars Entertainment is about to invest more than $100 million in a major hotel renovation project that will convert the Jubilee Tower at Horseshoe Las Vegas and integrate it into the Paris Las Vegas. To be dubbed the Versailles Tower at Paris Las Vegas, the transformed tower will feature a new exterior and interior, with 756 redesigned luxury guest rooms and a pedestrian bridge connecting it to the existing Paris resort.
Featuring some of… more
May 02, 2023
Event Tech Live (ETL), which was founded 10 years ago and has been held annually in London ever since, made a successful debut in the U.S. April 26-27 with Event Tech Live Las Vegas, held at The Expo at World Market Center.
With a mix of the latest technology from both sides of the Atlantic and beyond, in addition to a wealth of interesting sessions, Event Tech Live Las Vegas was a big hit, according to Adam Parry, co-founder of ETL.
“Getting Event Tech Live to Las Vegas and seeing the fantastic reaction to it is beyond brilliant,” Parry said. “It’s a big team effort, and I thank every… more
May 01, 2023
It can’t be easy trying to fill the shoes of a longtime, widely respected industry veteran who held your new role for more than four decades. But that’s exactly what Mac Campbell, the new executive director of the Baltimore Convention Center (BCC), has been attempting to do since taking the helm in January 2023.
Campbell replaced the legendary Peggy Daidakis, the first female director of a major U.S. convention center, who retired last fall after 44 years with the BCC. In 1979, Daidakis helped open the BBC, Maryland’s largest convention venue, ran it from 1986 to 2022, and was instrumental… more
Apr 28, 2023
Multilingual meeting technology and services provider Interprefy unveiled Interprefy Aivia, the world’s first advanced automated speech translation service for online and live events, at Event Tech Live, which was held April 26-27 in Las Vegas.
Aivia utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to pick up and translate speech in real-time, and is the first of its kind solution to be made available to the public, bringing accurate audio and captions to global audiences at the touch of a button.
The solution will be available in 24 languages and regional accents initially, with many more to come in… more
Apr 27, 2023
Global live event leader Freeman recently acquired Denver-based Impact Point Group, a technology-focused, boutique consultancy firm offering a full suite of strategic advisory and event management services. A nationally certified women-owned business, Impact Point Group’s client roster boasts market-leading tech brands, including Cisco, Atlassian and DocuSign, to name a few.
According to Adam Charles, executive vice president of Freeman’s Agency, the acquisition comes as Freeman continues to invest in growth opportunities for its agency business.
“Impact Point Group brings a proven strategy… more
Apr 25, 2023
What’s trending in the consumer space that can be adapted for trade shows and exhibits? Colorful, blacklit fabrics are being used for all kinds of consumer activations — from DJ shows and concerts to festivals and awards galas. These eye-catching backdrops and canopies allow event organizers to make an impression with a customizable product that is more sustainable and less expensive than some other graphic options, such as foam core, vinyl and other signage materials.
We talked to Glowtronics, a custom dye sublimation printer that got its start in the DJ industry but has since expanded to… more
Apr 24, 2023
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, buffets were a staple feature at most corporate meetings and events. But during the pandemic, this versatile, practical and popular meal option was basically eliminated due to health and safety concerns, as buffets typically involve guests handling shared utensils and serving dishes, thus potentially increasing the risk of virus transmission. To minimize this risk and keep both employees and guests safe, many hotels and event venues temporarily eliminated self-serve buffets and replaced them with alternatives such as plated or pre-packaged meals, or… more
Partner Voices
Just when it seems like Las Vegas can’t get any bigger, brighter or more exciting for groups, MGM Resorts raises the bar again. The company continues to invest and innovate across its portfolio of Las Vegas resorts, with new attractions and upgraded experiences for attendees of all interests.
Remodeled Guest Rooms
MGM Grand is the largest single hotel in the world with over 5,000 guest rooms and an 850,000-square-foot conference center. It is home to the newly remodeled MGM Grand Studio Tower—700 reimagined guest rooms with a fun mid-century vibe. Nearby, the iconic New York-New York Las more