Ulta Beauty, a specialty beauty retailer that operates more than 1,400 stores across 50 states, is launching Ulta Beauty World, an experiential beauty consumer event debuting in San Antonio this spring. Scheduled for April 26 at the Henry B.

The historic Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort and Spa in Waikiki, Hawai’i’, has kicked off a major renovation that features a refreshed lobby, guestrooms, and suites, a new oceanfront event space, and curated works from local artists. The project is expected to be completed in phases from summer 2025 through spring 2026, just in time for the 125th anniversary of the Victorian-style hotel, also known to locals as the “First Lady of Waikiki.”  

"We're the music makers,” said PEI Global Head of Value Creation & Strategy Lawrence Dvorchik during a recent keynote at Connect NYC. “We're the dreamers of dreams."  

As Dvorchik indicated, today’s event planners must craft journeys that are not just experiences but also immersive and memorable paths that attendees and sponsors will cherish and talk about long after the event ends. Easier said than done. 

Heather Larson’s journey into the hospitality, tourism, and events industries began at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she developed a strong passion for service, relationships, and travel. After graduating and falling in love with Chicago’s stately old grand hotels, she began her career honing her skills at iconic Windy City properties including The Allegro Royal Sonesta Hotel Chicago (formerly The Bismarck), The Whitehall Hotel, The Drake, and the Fairmont Chicago. 

This month, several event marketing agencies and DMCs have announced major mergers and acquisitions as they seek to increase their market share, expand their global reach, strengthen their capabilities, and broaden their client services. 

Splash, an event marketing technology company owned by Cvent, introduced the Event-Led Growth (ELG) Masterclass & Certification, a new online educational program designed to provide marketing and event professionals with the tools they need to make events their most powerful marketing channel.  

After completing a waste assessment through an on-site audit, two Dell Technologies Forum events were the first to achieve zero waste event certification by SCS Global Services (SCS), a third-party sustainability and environmental certification company headquartered in Emeryville, Calif.  

With more than 25 years of history, the Keller Williams (KW) Family Reunion continues to be a premier event for real estate professionals seeking cutting-edge insights, unparalleled networking, and game-changing strategies.  

The good news: Meeting and event planners are feeling generally optimistic about 2025, with 41% expecting an increase in event bookings and 65% anticipating higher attendance. The bad news: Planners are also feeling dissatisfied with rising costs, which are straining budgets and affecting the quality of events. 

The city of Austin, Texas, is about to see a change to its skyline. On February 25, the Austin Convention Center Department (ACCD) unveiled the first renderings of the new Austin Convention Center, dubbed “Unconventional ATX.” The $1.6 billion project is expected to redefine the city’s event landscape with more space, innovative design, and a commitment to sustainability.