When asked to share her perspective on what the Donald J. Trump presidency might mean for the business events community, former U.S. Representative from Wyoming Liz Cheney said: “Nobody should assume that this is a permanent change in American politics.” 

What does it take to launch and run a successful event planning company? In a captivating fireside chat with us at Connect North 2025, MJMeetings Founder and CEO Missy Johnson shared her inspiring journey of building a successful event planning business that recently celebrated its 11-year anniversary—despite event industry shutdowns during COVID.  

A signature Las Vegas hotel-resort recently joined a branded collection of premium meetings properties, and an expansive property in upstate New York completed a property-wide renovation. 

London, U.K.-based creative event design and production agency Event Concept (EC) is expanding into the U.S. market with a new division in North America. The new division brings EC’s unique blend of creative agency thinking and production expertise in brand-led B2B event experiences to the U.S. 

The Savannah Convention Center (SCC) in Savannah, Ga., has completed a massive, $276 million expansion that has positioned the venue to not only serve long-standing events wishing to grow but also attract new and larger-scale meetings and conventions to the historic coastal destination. 

In a riveting session at the recent 2025 PCMA Convening Leaders, renowned researcher, storyteller, and author Brené Brown took the stage to share her insights on leadership, vulnerability, and courage. Known for her pioneering work on the power of vulnerability, Brown engaged in a fireside chat with the Emergent CEO Holly Ransom, who has served as PCMA Convening Leaders EmCee and Moderator for the past several years, providing attendees with a treasure trove of actionable ideas. 

Following the unprecedented growth and momentum of its open source Llama collection of models and tools, Meta announced it is launching LlamaCon, its first-ever developer conference dedicated to generative AI that will take place

Think event email marketing is dead? Think again, said Jay Schwedelson, founder of GURU Media Hub and podcast host of Do This, Not That: For Marketers, during a recent Women in Exhibitions Network (WIEN) North America meeting in January.  

Nashville’s Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center recently unveiled plans to add approximately 108,000 square feet of meeting space to the resort via a $131 million expansion. Already underway, the project is expected to be completed in Spring 2027, just in time for the resort’s 50th anniversary. 

Black History Month marks a significant moment to celebrate Black leaders in the business events industries as well as spotlight the strategies, experiences, and insights of Black industry professionals—especially during a time when attacks on DEI programs are becoming more prominent across various business sectors.