Sep 12, 2023
Corporate event planners and trade show organizers now have a new service that can assist them in their quest to achieve net zero carbon events: Reduce 2, Saving the Planet by Degree, an independent third-party sustainability assurance practice.
Founded and launched in August by Glenn Hansen, who served as president and CEO of auditing organization BPA Worldwide for more than 40 years, Reduce 2 focuses on standards writing, carbon footprint calculating, certifying companies and events to industry and international standards (such as ISO 20121, 14001 and 14064), as well as assuring companies… more
Sep 06, 2023
The Net Zero Carbon Events initiative has published "Best Practices for Decarbonization Pathways" to provide actionable insights and strategies that can be implemented immediately by event organizers, venues, exhibitors and suppliers. The document is available free to download here.
The interim document provides best practices for venue energy, smart production and waste management, food and food waste, logistics and travel and accommodation. The document highlights actions to help event organizations gain a head start on their decarbonization journey. Full guidance documents are set for… 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 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 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 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
Aug 15, 2023
Held Aug. 6-8 at the Hyatt Regency Salt Lake, the 2023 Corporate Event Marketing Association (CEMA) Summit drew more than 500 attendees, up from 455 in 2022. Here are 10 trends we saw and heard at #CEMASummit2023, powered by PCMA.
Peer-to-peer learning. Even during sessions with panels, attendees were encouraged to discuss scenarios, as well as share challenges and solutions. For example, during the session, “Design Lab: Guiding Principles in Experience Design,” attendees shared ideas about event strategies for awareness, registration, anticipation, arrival, content, connection, activation… more
Aug 11, 2023
The American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) Foundation has established the No Room for Trafficking (NRFT) Advisory Council as part of its No Room for Trafficking program, which works to prevent human trafficking and support survivors.
NRFT Advisory Council efforts include the development and oversight of the NRFT Survivor Fund, which provides community-based organizations with the resources they need to engage and support the survivors of human trafficking.
Council members will help champion and shape the hotel industry’s unified efforts to support human trafficking survivors with… more
Aug 07, 2023
After more than nine years of planning, including a three-year feasibility period demonstrating significant demand from convention clients, the city of Indianapolis is about to get a larger convention center and a new 800-room headquarter hotel.
On Aug. 1, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and Visit Indy President and CEO Leonard Hoops were joined by community leaders, project representatives and some of the city’s largest convention clients for a groundbreaking celebration of the sixth expansion of the Indiana Convention Center (ICC) and construction of a new Hilton convention hotel.
Key… 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