News

Feb 03, 2020
Mega-events such as CES and SXSW may grab the headlines, but in their shadows are the thousands of events serving specific niches. By definition, a niche event is a highly-specialized event that focuses on a narrow market segment. Their numbers have grown in recent years and the organizations producing them have their own individual reasons, but the overarching reason is our desire for personalized experiences. Nicole Bojic, senior vice president of strategic solutions at engagement solutions agency InVision Communications, says the rise of niche events correlates directly with the rise in… more
Jan 31, 2020
Coronavirus is all over the news: Airlines are reducing flights to China or grounding flights coming from Wuhan (where the virus originated); Asia trade shows are being postponed; and on Jan. 30, the World Health Organization officially declared the virus outbreak a global health emergency. It’s nearly impossible for event professionals to avoid travel during this time, making it important to take extra precautions to stay well as world health experts work to contain the virus. Here’s what you need to know. How Coronavirus Is Transmitted For the most part, the virus was transmitted… more
Jan 30, 2020
Debuted this week at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival Haute House, Proxfinity CUE 2.0 gives event attendees an easier way to network through what company officials describe as “professionally identifiable data.” Networking is one of the biggest challenges for many event attendees. It’s not always easy to introduce yourself to a stranger, or identify who the best people are for you to talk to. Sometimes you need an ice-breaker, or a cue, to get those conversations started. Proxfinity’s new smart badge is designed to help event organizers make sparking that first connection easier for attendees… more
Jan 29, 2020
Haute Dokimazo held its first-ever Secret Family Reunion in November 2019, bringing together more than 80 senior event, marketing and business professionals for a conference unlike any other. In a private screening at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival this week, The Aperture Pill debuted a short documentary film chronicling the event.  For those who aren’t familiar with the event, here’s a recap. The Concept Haute Dokimazo co-founders Nicole Osibodu, Liz Lathan and Tom Spano say that they were inspired to create an event that would show the possibilities inherent through human connection. “… more
Jan 27, 2020
Meetingselect and Certain are partnering to extend the reach and business value of their integrated Strategic Meetings Management (SMM) and event automation solutions. Meetingselect’s corporate booking platform, which includes global event venue and conference hotel sourcing, RFP management and event budgeting and spend tracking, will integrate via APIs with Certain’s enterprise event automation solutions. With this partnership, Certain’s enterprise customers will gain the ability to increase their control over meeting spend and maximize the efficiency of their meetings and events. “Our… more
Jan 24, 2020
The Expo Group is on a roll with acquisitions. Within the past two weeks, the exhibitions and events provider has announced the purchase of Orlando-based Allied Convention Service, commonly known as Brede/Allied, and Educe, a firm committed to adding value to the events and engagement strategy for higher education institutions. With the Brede/Allied acquisition, The Expo Group expands its footprint in the southeast and deepens operations to better serve its clients, according to company officials. “This acquisition expands The Expo Group’s service capabilities in an important region and… more
Jan 23, 2020
At PCMA’s Convening Leaders Conference in San Francisco earlier this month, the Meetings Mean Business Coalition announced its 2020 plans to promote the value of face-to-face meetings, as well as to safeguard the industry from financial and reputational threats.  MMBC’s co-chairs — Trina Camacho-London, vice president of global group sales at Hyatt Hotels Corporation, and Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company — shared the below plans detailing the organization’s approach to advocacy, engagement and continued growth. These were the five main focus areas: 1. Leveraging the 2020… more
Jan 21, 2020
Curious about the new Caesars Forum, Las Vegas’ major new conference center, opening this spring? You won’t have to travel to the Strip to see it—at least not right away. Caesars Entertainment will launch a country-wide tour called “All Roads Lead to Caesars Forum,” beginning next month. Starting Feb. 11, the five-week tour will make stops in 14 U.S. cities and offer pop-up Caesars Forum brand experiences. The goal is to give meeting and event planners a glimpse into the 550,000-square-foot conference center, which officially opens March 18. "This tour gives our team a monumental way to… more
Jan 20, 2020
Every successful corporate event is powered by suppliers. Once you’ve found the right agency and/or suppliers to work with you, it’s impossible to underestimate the importance of the partnerships — because that’s truly what these relationships are. Together, you can make your events greater. Siemens Digital Industries Software (DI SW) has worked with InVision Communications since 2014 to ensure consistent, high-impact performance for its portfolio of 20 global events each year. We spoke with Lynn Randall, senior solutions strategist at InVision, about the relationship between the two… more
Jan 17, 2020
Looking for a great new getaway location for your next Midwest team-building event, retreat or small meeting? There are many options in the state of Wisconsin (and you get the added bonus of abundant cheese curds).   Take Rock County. Located just over the state border from Illinois, 83 miles from Chicago O’Hare Airport and 75 miles from Milwaukee General Mitchell Airport, Beloit and Janesville offer unique locations for small meetings.   Beloit Ironworks Hotel has an almost-steampunk feel, with wood complemented by metal elements throughout. It offers 3,300 square feet of flexible event… 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