Mar 25, 2025
"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.
With years of experience under his belt, Shearer shared invaluable strategies for making events more inclusive, drawing from personal experiences and industry practices. Accessibility is an opportunity, not a burden, he said.
"The goal is progress, not perfection," he added.
Context: Shearer has worked at TED for more than 14… more
Mar 21, 2025
The next generation of event attendees isn’t just looking for networking or education—they’re searching for connection. Gen Z and Millennials are forging new pathways between their digital lives and in-person experiences through "Fourth Spaces”—events that turn online interests into in-person engagement opportunities, according to a new cultural intelligence study by Eventbrite. For corporate event organizers, this shift presents a unique opportunity to rethink event design and programming to better meet evolving attendee expectations.
Backstory: Eventbrite, a global events marketplace that… more
Mar 20, 2025
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. After all, when attendees feel physically and mentally balanced, they are more engaged, focused, and open to new ideas.
Possibly no… more
Mar 19, 2025
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. Gonzalez Convention Center, the one-day immersive beauty experience priced at $160 will allow ticketholders to discover the best in makeup, skincare, hair care, and wellness. Ulta anticipates 1,500 guests to attend Ulta Beauty World, according to Ulta officials.
From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT (doors open at 8 a.m. CT), Ulta Beauty will offer beauty… more
Mar 17, 2025
"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.
Context: PEI produces more than 50 meetings annually for financials communities who are part of its subscriber-member network. The company runs peer-to-peer networking events for… more
Mar 12, 2025
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.
Created to equip participants with strategies and techniques used by industry experts and leading organizations to create revenue-generating event programs, the ELG Masterclass teaches participants how to develop effective event strategies that drive business growth, optimize event budgets for… more
Mar 11, 2025
After completing a waste assessment through an on-site audit, two Dell Technologies Forum events were the first to achieve zero waste event certification by SCS Global Services (SCS), a third-party sustainability and environmental certification company headquartered in Emeryville, Calif.
Organized by Kestone Global and in consultation with Saahas Zero Waste, these two Dell regional events in India were held in Mumbai and Bangalore and achieved 98.64% and 92.88% diversion, respectively.
From New York to Bangkok, Dell Technologies produces a number of these regional B2B conferences that… more
Mar 07, 2025
The good news: Meeting and event planners are feeling generally optimistic about 2025, with 41% expecting an increase in event bookings and 65% anticipating higher attendance. The bad news: Planners are also feeling dissatisfied with rising costs, which are straining budgets and affecting the quality of events.
“The outlook for 2025 is optimistic, with more than 40% of meeting planners expecting bookings to increase and 65% anticipating higher attendance even as rising costs remain a significant challenge for planners,” said Michael Bennet, president of Cendyn. “Finding a balance between… more
Mar 04, 2025
When asked to share her perspective on what the Donald J. Trump presidency might mean for the business events community, former U.S. Representative from Wyoming Liz Cheney said: “Nobody should assume that this is a permanent change in American politics.”
In a fireside chat with Emcee Holly Ransom at PCMA Convening Leaders, Cheney shared her insights on leadership, courage, and the challenges facing democracy today. Known for her steadfast dedication to principled leadership, Cheney's discussion highlighted the importance of courage and the responsibilities that come with leadership roles… more
Feb 26, 2025
In a riveting session at the recent 2025 PCMA Convening Leaders, renowned researcher, storyteller, and author Brené Brown took the stage to share her insights on leadership, vulnerability, and courage. Known for her pioneering work on the power of vulnerability, Brown engaged in a fireside chat with the Emergent CEO Holly Ransom, who has served as PCMA Convening Leaders EmCee and Moderator for the past several years, providing attendees with a treasure trove of actionable ideas.
Backstory
Brown’s TED talk on the Power of Vulnerability is one of the top five most-viewed TED talks in the… 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