News
May 18, 2018
Meeting Professionals International (MPI) has published its Meetings OutlookTM 2018 Spring Edition.
Meetings Outlook presents future industry trends and predictions from MPI members, including meeting professionals on MPI’s Business Research Panel. The report, based on survey data collected within the last quarter by research firm Association Insights, provides insights on current business conditions and future outlooks.
According to the report, event industry professionals are focusing on cultivating the entire meeting experience, with an emphasis on enhancing interaction and immersion.… more
May 17, 2018
Videos at events are nothing new. Corporations have made advances in when and what they show, now often mixing video and photos captured during the course of a conference to create a “recap” video shown on the final day.
These videos are typically produced by a small team or even a single individual, using carefully curated content. But what if all your attendees had the opportunity to participate in creating a real-time, interactive, mutable experience?
eObjx, the first artificially intelligent mixed media DJ, promises to do just that.
eObjx CEO and co-founder John B. Graham describes the… more
May 16, 2018
The Hôtel Martinez, Cannes recently reopened as part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, following major renovations and a complete redesign. Located on Boulevard de la Croisette, the 409-room hotel is one of the most recognizable hotels on the French Riviera.
Parisian architect Pierre-Yves Rochon has combined the hotel’s original Art Deco style with contemporary design that takes inspiration from the colors of the French Riviera and the Mediterranean way of life.
“We are thrilled to re-open Hôtel Martinez as part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, delivering story-worthy experiences for… more
May 14, 2018
Today marks just over one month since Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) 2018, which was held Apr. 12. This international day of advocacy for the meetings and events industry brought our community together to showcase the real, measurable impact of events.
According to recent data released by Meetings Mean Business, this year’s GMID received more widespread attention and participation than ever before.
“This year was our best and biggest GMID yet,” said Julie Coker Graham, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau and co-chair of Meetings Mean Business.… more
May 11, 2018
Have you ever held your incentive program – or considered holding it – in an unusual venue? Unique, unusual, and unexpected are all words used to describe venues that fall outside the boundaries of the typical hotel, ballroom or convention center facility. Many incentive planners are looking to develop programs that can provide unique, immersive and exceptional experiences to their groups.
One such unexpected location is aboard a cruise ship. River cruising is a hot new trend for meetings and incentives. Companies spanning industries including finance, tech, healthcare, auto, and… more
May 10, 2018
Exhibiting is a key part of the B2B marketing mix. However, standardized lead capture and follow-up processes are notoriously challenging for most organizations.
Most events these days offer lead scanning technology, but there is no consistency from event to event. Some smaller events may not even have badge scanners, requiring organizations to fall back on the tried-and-true method of business card collection, or physical lead cards for attendees to fill in.
Even when you are able to get badge scan data close to real-time, getting it formatted to upload into a CRM and/or marketing… more
May 09, 2018
Transform USA has lined up an impressive array of event industry leaders to lead panel discussions and break-out sessions at its upcoming event, set for July 18 at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.
Senior leaders of association, for-profit and corporate exhibitions and venues who are in attendance will have a chance to hear and engage with thought leaders from Clarion/UX, ReedPOP, National Kitchen & Bath Association, Reed Exhibitions and North American Veterinary Conference who will be focusing on how show organizers will be using data, analytics and digital to shape their events,… more
May 07, 2018
On Apr. 24, 2018, the newly remodeled and rebranded Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort opened its doors to guests.
Formerly known as The Fess Parker, A DoubleTree by Hilton Resort, the hotel has undergone a complete renovation and will remain managed by Hilton (NYSE: HLT) and jointly owned by Park Hotels & Resorts and the Fess Parker family.
“We look forward to this next chapter for the property and to continuing our long-standing partnership with Hilton,” said Eli and Ashley Parker, son and daughter of Fess Parker. “The resort may have a new look and a new name, but will continue… more
May 04, 2018
The new dual-branded AC Hotel and Residence Inn Dallas by the Galleria opened its doors on Apr. 26, 2018.
Located in the heart of Dallas Midtown, the 256-room property contains more than 17,000 square feet of combined meeting space that can accommodate events for up to 200 attendees.
AC Hotel Dallas by the Galleria offers 140 guest rooms that feature a European-inspired design along with workstations and flat-panel TVs.
Residence Inn Dallas by the Galleria offers 116 suites designed for longer-stay guests. Every guest room is a suite with studio, one- and two-bedroom options that afford… more
May 03, 2018
While planning an event in an industry, show organizers quickly learn the leading voices of that industry. These voices influence large communities and offer a type of credibility brands themselves cannot. As a result, marketers have quickly engaged in “influencer marketing campaigns.”
“Influencers are a class of individuals who naturally attract emulation by their behaviors, relationships or opinions,” said Tamar Beck, CEO of Gleanin, an influencer marketing platform.
Ed Several, senior vice president of Reed Exhibitions-Americas, defines event influencers as any attendee or exhibiting… 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