Jan 23, 2025
Inside Live Events, a new book by co-authors Freeman Board Member Bob Priest-Heck and Freeman Board Chair Carrie Freeman Parsons, debuted yesterday as a comprehensive playbook for creating and producing live events, including trade shows, corporate events, and exhibits.
Back story: With a combined 78 years of event production experience, the authors drew on their decades of knowledge to publish Inside Live Events, designed to serve as a reference for events veterans while equipping newcomers with practical insights and actionable strategies.
Need to know: Offering steps to create… more
Jan 22, 2025
In the face of people’s changing perceptions toward alcohol consumption, fueled by an increasing focus on health and wellness, the growing “sober-curious” social moderation movement appears to be picking up steam as people are re-evaluating their relationship with alcohol.
Between 2016 and 2023, the share of Americans who view moderate drinking as “good for health” dropped from 19% to 10%, whereas the share who perceive it as “bad for health” increased from 26% to 39%, according to Gallup. Americans are drinking less than they used to--with the average number of drinks consumed falling… more
Jan 21, 2025
Omni and Pendry recently renovated, restored, and unveiled two historic hotel properties in Indianapolis and Somerset County, NJ, respectively, that offer meeting and event space for small to mid-sized groups.
Omni Completes $24 Million Renovation in Indiana
The historic Omni Severin Hotel in the heart of downtown Indianapolis recently completed a $24 million renovation that honors its original architecture and classic style. A city mainstay since it was built in 1913 across from the former Indianapolis Union Station train station, the iconic hotel’s renovation was designed to evoke the… more
Jan 20, 2025
The Consumer Electronics Show brought a hotbed of innovation to 12 different venues scattered across the Las Vegas strip. The city is already busting at the seams with hotels, restaurants, and other engaging experiences vying for tourists’ attention, but during CES 2025, which ran January 7-10, these 10 activations and events won the attention of more than 141,000 onsite attendees and media outlets for their innovation, photo worthiness, and plain ‘ole cool touches of experiential.
Keep scrolling to see what we’re talking about, plus get an inside look at how the events teams behind each… more
Jan 17, 2025
As 2024 wrapped up, the corporate event industry continued to thrive, actively recruiting and promoting seasoned professionals in preparation for a promising 2025. Here’s a summary of some personnel changes that took place in December.
CEN’s take on the biggest move in the last month: Creative brand experiences agency Cheerful Twentyfirst welcomed Joe Rivers as its new U.S. brand experience director, responsible for overseeing business development and supporting the agency’s wider growth strategy for its North American division.
The big picture: Based in London, Amsterdam, and New York… more
Jan 16, 2025
Marking the latest development in the long-term strategic licensing agreement between MGM Resorts International and Marriott International, the W Las Vegas hotel recently made its debut at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. Now part of the MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy, the resort’s 1,117-suite tower––formerly known as the Delano hotel––has transitioned into the globally recognized W Hotels brand.
The W hotel is the latest in the collaboration between the two companies since first announcing their partnership in 2023 and launching the MGM Collection in March 2024… more
Jan 14, 2025
Sponsored by eShow
5 Reasons Why eShow is Your All-in-One Event Management Solution
Planning an event can quickly become overwhelming with the multitude of tasks involved—managing registrations, coordinating speakers, organizing exhibitors, and ensuring everything runs smoothly on-site. Fortunately, eShow provides comprehensive event planning software. This solution streamlines every aspect of your event, all within one platform. Here are five reasons why eShow is the ultimate solution for event organizers:
1. Integrated Suite of Tools for Seamless Event Management
The all-in-one… more
Jan 14, 2025
Hearts and minds around the world are surely with the Los Angeles area, which has experienced catastrophic damage from wildfires that started last week and have ravaged idyllic neighborhoods like the Pacific Palisades and Altadena. As of publication time, approximately two dozen people have died, and more than 12,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed. Experts say that this could become the costliest wildfire disaster in U.S. history, according to the Los Angeles Times.
In the world of events, Los Angeles is a particularly special place. Countless planners, creatives, agencies, and… more
Jan 13, 2025
If you looked up the word “versatile” in the dictionary, you just might come across a photo of Natascha Williams, HMCC (Healthcare Meeting Compliance Certificate).
Since getting into event planning in 2001, Williams has handled logistical and strategic planning for meetings hosted by pharma companies, medical-device makers, physician societies, and a group that’s close to her heart: Women of Color in Pharma (WOCIP).
Currently the account manager for events agency Touch Associates, Williams will tap her wide range of expertise for the benefit of fellow life-science event planners when she… more
Jan 10, 2025
While in college pursuing an undergraduate degree in communications and journalism, Robin Lickliter had envisioned a possible future as a magazine writer or sports broadcaster. But still unsure about her direction and feeling restless, she made the fortuitous decision to seize the opportunity to study abroad after winning a scholarship for Semester at Sea, an educational program that offers college students the opportunity to study abroad while traveling around the world on a ship.
While onboard, she met Annie Peiser, who introduced her to the vibrant world of events and live marketing and… 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