News
May 27, 2020
PGi is known for its corporate audio, video and web-conferencing tools. But the Alpharetta, Georgia-based communications company is also quietly powering high-profile virtual events and helping its customers quickly launch new meetings online.
Corporate Event News chatted virtually — using PGi’s GlobalMeet conferencing tools — with CMO Mark Roberts about how COVID-19 has impacted PGi’s clients, business and outlook on events.
Virtual Event Timelines are Shorter
Roberts says many of PGi’s customers were already incorporating virtual and hybrid meetings and communications into their… more
May 22, 2020
The rules for meetings are in a state of flux. Various organizations, coalitions and task forces are working through the ramifications of holding events where addressing health and safety concerns is a top priority.
This means rethinking everything — from where to how to when you hold your meetings — within a new framework. That was the main tenet of this week’s IACC Americas Virtual Connect event, held May 18-21.
Virtual Connect sessions covered future meeting and conference venue space design, designing inclusive menus and delivering personalized food and beverage experiences, virtual… more
May 21, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has event organizers rethinking every component of live events, including food and beverage. With convention centers such as Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta winding down makeshift hospital operations as they prepare to reopen for meetings, conventions and trade shows later this year, catering companies are being forced to address every component of how they’ll serve guests again, too. But will event F&B ever be the same? What’s on the plate may look similar, but how it’s served will be forever changed.
For starters, catering teams are going to be charged… more
May 20, 2020
The word of the day in events is virtual (usually prefaced by “pivot to”) And there’s no doubt about the fact that virtual — or in future, hybrid — events will help event organizers reach a wider audience. But what are attendees looking for in their virtual events, and when it’s safe to meet again, what will attract them? Two recent studies conducted by CensusWide for PromoLeaf may shed some light.
A survey on conference attendee preferences conducted in April provides data to help event planners and marketers plan virtual events that will have a better chance at attracting an audience. It… more
May 18, 2020
The CEN event expert profile series features interviews with some of the many talented corporate event professionals who make this industry thrive.
Keri Ibbitson says she first got involved with events when she was in college — before she even was aware that careers in event management existed. She’s now worked in the field for more than 10 years, eight of which have been in a corporate environment.
What is your current role and company?
I am the lead of events for the North America and Latin America regions at Philips. I oversee the portfolio of events in those markets, and work with our… more
May 15, 2020
At least a third of event organizers have postponed all events to 2021, according to the latest report by CEIR. It makes sense, given the fact that many Americans are experiencing a growing hesitation to travel again. Data from the U.S. Travel Association and MMGY Travel Intelligence shows that as the pandemic continues, travel plans that were once postponed are increasingly being canceled. However, as industry stakeholders like hotels, convention centers and airlines are stepping up to announce new cleanliness protocols, they’re also aiming to convince travelers that it will be safe to… more
May 14, 2020
As the demand for virtual event platforms continues to increase, LinkedIn has entered the game. The social media giant has brought two of its offerings together — LinkedIn Live and LinkedIn Events — to create LinkedIn Virtual Events.
The virtual event functionality allows brands to stream video content to their LinkedIn page, targeting followers or event attendees. One benefit the company is touting is a new video tab, making it easier for brands to share and archive their video content in an accessible manner.
For video streaming, LinkedIn is partnering with third-party broadcasting… more
May 13, 2020
With many events pivoting to virtual right now, event planners and marketers are working overtime to make sure their digital event programming is packed with premium educational content. But what about those valuable extras that attendees come to an event to experience, such as high-profile speakers and entertainers? As with live events, quality keynote presentations can help transform virtual events into unforgettable experiences, too. However, working with speakers for a digital event is, in some ways, different than a live talk on stage.
We talked with two speakers bureau executives –… more
May 11, 2020
Just over a week after announcing the creation of the APEX COVID-19 Business Recovery Task Force, the Events Industry Council has released a full list of task force members.
Chair Paul Van Deventer said the EIC is seeing a number of industry-wide efforts focused on developing standards to ensure the safety and wellness of attendees and protocols essential to reinforce attendee confidence in attending live business events.
“The work of this task force is crucial to curate those efforts and present them in a comprehensive way that translates into practical solutions for professionals across… more
May 08, 2020
Visit Indy and more than 10 downtown convention hotel partners are helping to ease event planners’ uncertainty of booking large face-to-face events with a new offer. New groups that book events in Indianapolis for any 2020 dates will automatically receive zero attrition for room blocks at all of the city’s major downtown convention hotels.
“There is obviously great uncertainty about how to conduct events this year and our city, convention center and hotel partners want to help mitigate financial risks for our customers,” said Leonard Hoops, president and CEO of Visit Indy.
Participating… 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