News

Feb 14, 2025
The Events Industry Council (EIC)––the global voice of the business events industry on advocacy, research, professional recognition, and standards––recently released an update to the Certified Meeting Professional International Standards (CMP-IS), the body of knowledge that forms the foundation of the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) program and exam.   Typically updated every three to five years to ensure they remain relevant in the modern event landscape, the CMP-IS Standards define and categorize the skills, competencies, and abilities an individual needs to be successful in the… more
Feb 13, 2025
On February 11, Google announced its annual developer conference, I/O 2025, is set for May 20-21 at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, Calif., near the company’s headquarters.  With 98 days from the announcement to its opening, the two-day event, which typically features a mix of both public and developer content, is expected to draw thousands in person (attendance figures are not released publicly) and potentially millions more to its livestream and on demand broadcast. Shoreline Amphitheatre has 6,500 permanent reserved seats and capacity for another 16,000 fans on its lawn,… more
Feb 12, 2025
Looking to up your game when it comes to experiences and activations at your next event?   Recently, we attended Connect North, a regional event for association, corporate, and independent planners and organizers. Held Jan. 27-29 at the Marriott Downtown Kansas City, Connect North brought together planners and suppliers for three days of industry insights, one-on-one meetings and high-impact networking.   Here’s our curated list of 14 engaging event ideas you can adapt, test and try at your next corporate event.  1. Regiception. When registration meets reception, it creates a fun,… more
Feb 11, 2025
A Las Vegas hotel-resort announced a major room and amenities upgrade while a new Marriott property opened its doors in Ohio.    MGM Grand in Las Vegas Upgrades Rooms, Adds Suites    MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas is embarking upon a $300 million remodel of its 4,212 guestrooms and suites within its main tower. The transformation, which is expected to be completed in December 2025, will feature modern, sophisticated design elements joined by a fresh lineup of new dining and entertainment experiences set to open later this year.  A collaboration between Gensler and MGM Resorts… more
Feb 10, 2025
At Connect North in Kansas City, seasoned professional Carla Wheeler, meeting broker for Meetings Made Easy, took the main stage to share her expertise on negotiating contracts—skills she's honed over an impressive 15-year career.   Back story: Some of Wheeler’s top clients have included tech, insurance, and sports marketing firms from across the U.S., so she is familiar with negotiating tough entertainment contracts. During her career, Wheeler she has earned Top Producer awards by Marriott Hotels and Four Seasons Hotels, along with several Presidents Awards during her nine years with… more
Feb 07, 2025
In January, the U.S. corporate event industry kicked off 2025 with a multitude of new hires, promotions, and executive appointments. Here’s our monthly jobs report.  Corporate Event News’s take on the biggest move in the last month: Caesars Entertainment promoted seasoned hospitality professional Kelly Gleeson Smith from vice president of sales to senior vice president of sales.   The big picture: Considered a global leader in the gaming and hospitality industry, Caesars Entertainment operates more than 50 properties worldwide, including nine hotel-resorts in Las Vegas. Offering more than 1… more
Feb 06, 2025
Did you know Millennials (1981-1996) and Gen Z (born 1997-2012) combined comprise 75% of working professionals, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics? Younger corporate employees are influencing the evolution of meetings, events, and conferences like never before.  “From attending their first work conference to experiencing an off-site with their team, this new generation entering the workforce is more digitally savvy than ever, while still valuing connections and redefining the purpose of face-to-face interactions,” explained Hilton Vice President, Sales Engagement and… more
Feb 05, 2025
On January 22, Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino celebrated the official opening of the Vegas Loop – Westgate Station, providing riders with a fast and convenient way to move to and from key locations in and around the Las Vegas Strip via a one-of-a-kind express-route transportation system.  Conveniently located at Westgate’s porte-cochere, the latest Vegas Loop station is part of the more than $52 million underground tunnel transportation system being built by Elon Musk’s Boring Company that carries passengers in high-speed autonomous electric vehicles. Designed to reduce road… more
Feb 04, 2025
As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare to make history by returning to the Super Bowl for a three-peat, Jacquelyn Carroll, director of events at Arrowhead, a division of the Kansas City Chiefs, took the stage to share her experience with attendees at Connect North, held Jan. 27-29 at the Marriott Downtown Kansas City.  Tasked with transforming a football stadium into a dynamic event venue, Carroll and her team navigate the complexities of hosting more than 300 events each year, leveraging creativity to provide exceptional experiences.   What kinds of events do Carroll and her team produce? How… more
Feb 03, 2025
Event catering is in a constant state of innovation. As event planners strive to perfect what they serve at gatherings (and how they serve it), they also incorporate food and beverage trends to create unique culinary experiences that surprise and delight guests, raise the bar for creativity, and promote corporate social responsibility (CSR).  To understand which F&B trends will impact our industry in 2025, we gathered insights from event professionals around the globe. From high-end mocktails to ultra-luxury dining to emphasizing sustainability and dietary restrictions, these 10 trends… more
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.    Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is more