"Accessibility is a mindset," said Kyle Shearer, director of Event Operations at TED, from the main stage at the recent Connect New York 2025. He stressed to the audience of event planners that accessibility must be integrated into the early design process.  

Food waste is a massive issue in the U.S., with 51% of food waste from retailers like convention centers and hotels ending up in landfills, contributing to methane emissions that make landfills the third-largest source of methane in the country, said Nancy St. Pierre, director of communications for Denali, an organic waste disposal and recycling services company.  

The next generation of event attendees isn’t just looking for networking or education—they’re searching for connection.

Did you know that incorporating wellness into events can significantly improve attendee satisfaction and net promoter scores without necessarily increasing budgets? By weaving tailored wellness experiences into events, planners can not only create more engaging and impactful event experiences that drive engagement, elevate attendee wellbeing, and foster a greater sense of community but also address the growing demand for wellness in professional settings.

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.