News
Sep 01, 2023
Beyond leads, it’s always been a challenge for exhibiting companies to measure ROI from trade shows. While leads generated is an important metric for evaluating the value of a specific trade show vs. the overall costs, it’s not the only objective when it comes to exhibiting. However, it’s way more difficult to measure marketing goals like brand awareness, engagement, sales conversions, customer satisfaction and thought leadership from face-to-face.
More and more, chief marketing officers and key stakeholders want data. How are exhibit managers measuring impressions, meetings, quality of… more
Aug 31, 2023
Choosing to eat a more plant-based diet has been one of the biggest trends among consumers in recent decades, as it’s been proven to have health benefits and be better for the planet, offsetting the carbon emissions generated by the meat and dairy industry.
As event professionals grapple with catering to the various dietary needs and restrictions of attendees, one of the best perspectives to take is a plant-forward yet balanced view that is nutritious and inclusive to all attendees while also being sustainable and leaving the planet in a healthier place, according to Tracy Stuckrath,… more
Aug 29, 2023
For decades, on-site tours of meeting and event facilities have played an essential role in helping event planners make well-informed decisions about venue and space selection and logistics. But with event professionals facing increasing time, budget and travel limitations, digital site tours using virtual reality (VR) technology have become an increasingly helpful tool in enabling planners to explore venues from anywhere in the world without having to leave the office.
Today’s VR tours offer immersive and realistic experiences, allowing planners to navigate through event spaces, view… more
Aug 28, 2023
While leisure travel rebounded at a much faster pace coming out of COVID, business travel has picked up momentum in 2023, according to the 9th CWT Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Travel Price Forecast 2024.
The report helps businesses understand market pricing for airfares, hotel room rates, ground transport and meetings and events. The forecast also explores where prices are heading, as well as the drivers of change.
“For business travelers as well as for the travel industry, 2023 and 2024 will present a dynamic environment characterized by economic uncertainty and heightened… more
Aug 24, 2023
Google has introduced sensory event kits for its own corporate events, and the company is making them available for purchase to other events through the Google Merch Shop.
“As we rolled these out internally in a series of other efforts, we wanted to make them accessible to other event professionals who want to be more inclusive for more than 20% of attendees who are neurodivergent or experience sensory sensitivities,” said Megan Henshall, global events strategic solutions lead for Google.
Henshall is the force behind Neu Project, a community that began at Google, working to inspire safe,… more
Aug 23, 2023
As the 13th largest city in the U.S. and one of the fastest-growing in the country, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Fort Worth, Texas, boasts a growth rate of 100,000 people every five years and a visitor economy valued at more than $3 billion, according to state officials. However, the city’s convention space currently ranks 47th in the nation, and its hotel capacity stands at less than half of neighboring cities such as Dallas and Austin.
All of that is about to change with the recent kick-off of the 20-year planned expansion of the Fort Worth Convention Center (FWCC), aimed to… more
Aug 22, 2023
In August, multilingual meeting technology and services provider Interprefy debuted a major upgrade to its artificial intelligence (AI) real-time translation solution, which translates live speech from 45 languages and regional dialects into AI-generated audio and captions in 74 languages.
Interprefy’s solution now supports two-way translation and can simultaneously translate multiple spoken languages during live events and meetings — the first and only live translation solution capable of doing so, according to Interprefy officials.
“As global communication continues to expand, so should… more
Aug 21, 2023
The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) applauds the introduction of the Visa Processing Improvement Act, bipartisan legislation that was introduced on July 27 by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS). The legislation addresses the long visitor visa appointment wait times that are impacting the business events sector.
The Visa Processing Improvement Act proposes to improve visa processing within the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs in four ways:
Increasing consular office flexibility and capacity
Improving transparency and accountability… more
Aug 18, 2023
Two new InterContinental Hotels & Resorts properties will soon be arriving in San Antonio and the Seattle area via a massive renovation project and new development, respectively.
InterContinental San Antonio
A massive renovation project to transform a shuttered Wyndham property into an InterContinental hotel has begun construction in San Antonio. Located on the San Antonio River Walk, the 21-story, 391-room InterContinental San Antonio is owned by IHG Hotels & Resorts and Scarlett Hotel Group (SHG) and will include 40,000 square feet of meeting space, premium dining and bar… more
Aug 16, 2023
The devastating wildfires that tore through western Maui and destroyed much of the historic town of Lahaina has been named the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a 100 years, and one of the top 10 deadliest wildfires since 1871, according to research from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Starting in the early morning hours of Aug. 8, the deadly blaze was the result of a perfect storm of drought conditions and strong winds from Hurricane Dora as it passed south of the islands.
More than 100 people have died, up to 1,000 people are still unaccounted for, approximately 2,200… 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