Sep 04, 2018
As the exhibitions industry continues to surge full speed ahead, more and more destinations are recognizing the need to upgrade, revamp and expand their convention centers in order to compete for major trade shows and events.  These days, myriad facilities are celebrating ground breakings, undergoing new construction projects or anticipating grand openings, while others have put their plans on hold.  Here are some of the major U.S. convention centers proposing, building and completing bigger, better, state-of-the-art spaces. Caesars Forum On July 16, Caesars Entertainment broke ground on … more
Aug 30, 2018
Exhibiting internationally is a big opportunity for many marketers looking for global awareness. But for even the most experienced trade show managers, exhibiting in another country can bring unexpected challenges.   Exhibitors can’t simply replicate what they’ve done in the United States.  It’s important to understand the differences in meeting experiences in different countries and know the best strategies and tools to use to address these nuances.  There are three key areas to focus on to prepare for international exhibiting: exhibit stand space, construction and services; budget and… more
Aug 16, 2018
If you’ve ever received an online invitation to an event, chances are high it was created using Evite. Now, corporate event planners can also use the invitation service to design, send and manage invitations to professional events. For corporations that host a number of small, by-invitation-only events such as breakfasts, dinners, receptions or outings, Evite’s new service can help streamline the process. Evite was launched in 1998, and has grown to become the market leader in the field of online invitation services. The company’s free, easy-to-use invitation designs and a private sharing… more
Aug 03, 2018
Creating experiences that appeal to multicultural audiences and meeting the logistical challenges of planning in a foreign country are becoming more routine than ever for corporate meeting planners. In recent years, corporations are investing more in events of all sizes in locations around the globe. In the 2018 Global Meeting and Events Forecast, Issa Jouaneh, senior vice president and general manager at American Express Meetings & Events wrote, “Looking ahead to 2018, the meetings and events industry is thriving. We are seeing steady and increasing investment as meetings are viewed… more
Jul 06, 2018
MCI has added the Middle East-based ONE Communications and Marketing Group (ONE CMG) to its portfolio of brands. ONE CMG is formed of industry leading agencies across advertising and brand communications, digital marketing, content marketing and video production, public relations, events and publishing. The acquisition brings Turret Media, Saluki Media, tmh, ONE PR and ONE Digital under the MCI umbrella. Ajay Bhojwani, managing director of MCI Middle East, believes that the collaboration with ONE CMG will further strengthen MCI’s presence within the region.  “It not only increases our… more
Jun 12, 2018
The Corporate Event Marketing Association (CEMA) advances strategic event marketing and marketing communications for senior-level event marketers and industry professionals.   CEMA strives to offer programs to its members and the industry that help bring the community together through a spirit of sharing information and best practices. One such offering is the CEMA Study Tour program. CEMA Study Tours are truly unique. “It’s not a fam (familiarization trip) and it’s not just ‘fun’,” said Olga Rosenbrook, CEMA’s director of member services. “It’s education, networking and getting the… more
Jun 04, 2018
A “pep rally,” according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is an event before a school sports event that is meant to get students and fans excited and to encourage the team to win; also: a similar event in which speakers try to get a group of people excited and enthusiastic about something. Meeting Professionals International (MPI) drew upon both of those definitions when designing its 2018 World Education Congress (WEC), held in Indianapolis. Indianapolis, or Indy as it is affectionately called, is of course known for sports. The conference Pep Rallies replace the traditional keynote with… more
May 31, 2018
Bringing a brand story to life within a physical location is the ultimate goal of all corporate events. Bespoke, a custom fabrication and full-service production support shop recently launched by SET Experience Group, aims to do just that. SET Experience Group is a full-service brand experience agency that also includes SET, SET Live, and ASK. Launched in partnership with New York-based Project Visual, Bespoke was created to address clients’ growing needs for a fabrication shop that includes services such as project management, production, digital experiences and installation all under one… 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
Apr 18, 2018
When disaster strikes, people need to know what is happening and how they should proceed. In late February, I attended a workshop at the MPINCC Annual Conference & Exhibition entitled “Crisis Communications: The Most Important Tweet.” Alex Plaxen, MTA, president and founder of Little Bird Told Media, initially asked three questions of the event professionals in the room: “Do you have a crisis communications plan in place?” “Who executes your plan?” “What are your vulnerabilities?” You are responsible for the safety and well-being of your attendees. In the event of an emergency, people… 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