News
Nov 05, 2018
Have you ever photographed your food? Since Instagram, the phenomenon of documenting and sharing what we’re eating has exploded. While presentation has always been important — we eat with our eyes first — people now choose restaurants specifically for their “Instagrammability.”
In an Instagram world, restaurant chefs aren’t the only ones adapting their menus to maximize visual appeal — corporate event planners are also getting in on the action. One of the biggest trends in event food and beverage right now is visual impact.
Amy Conrad, operations manager at Enclave in Las Vegas, says… more
Nov 02, 2018
We all want to have experiences that we feel are worthy of sharing with others and that we look back on with positive feelings. While a good place to get business done, the standard model of trade show (which also applies to any conference with a sizeable exhibit hall) – aisles of pipe and drape and dozens of lecture rooms – is not as strong when it comes to creating a lasting impression. Today, however, the model is changing at events of all sizes and types.
Krista LeZotte, senior manager of conferences at ASAE, says that making an event memorable is the best way to capture attendees’… more
Nov 01, 2018
The more things change, the more some things stay the same. A new report from Development Counsellors International (DCI) highlights the changes, challenges and trends taking place within the meetings and events industry while showing that the power of face-to-face interactions remains strong.
“A View from Meeting Planners: Winning Strategies in Destination Marketing” collates data from 181 North American decision-makers and influencers with global meeting planning responsibilities. Respondents span the corporate, incentive and association segments and nearly half have more than 20 years of… more
Oct 30, 2018
The finalists for the 2018 IBTM World Technology Watch award have been selected. The shortlist comprises technology companies with innovative new products or services relevant to the meetings, incentive, conference and events (MICE) industry.
This year’s finalists are:
Kubify — Learning Toolbox interactive e-poster system
CadmiumCD — Meeting room scheduling/resource management system and event logistic management platform
RadarioAI — Event marketing and analytics platform
Event Tech Tribe — A collaborative ensemble of best-in-craft event technology providers who have chosen to work… more
Oct 29, 2018
While many incentive trips focus on activity and team building, there are many ways to incentivize and rejuvenate your team. A new trend is developing on this front – the idea of a stillness tour. Bringing quiet and stillness into an incentive trip or meeting focuses on removing technology and high stimulus.
Scottsdale, Arizona offers multiple ways for groups to unwind and experience stillness.
The feeling of sound
Yes, you read that right. You can experience the feeling of sound through bowl and gong vibrations by booking a Yoga and Sound experience at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa.… more
Oct 26, 2018
The new $226 million Sycuan Casino Hotel and Resort will open in late spring 2019, and is now ready to book group meetings.
The 12-story luxury hotel tower will include 302 guest rooms with 57 suites. The new event space features over 42,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor space, including an 11,297 sq. ft. event center with a 2,136 sq. ft. stage.
“We are excited to be able to offer the best meeting and event experience with our 42,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor space,” said Amy Galusha, director of catering at Sycuan Casino. “The variety of event venues, creative… more
Oct 25, 2018
Event management technology provider Hubb has raised $6.3 million in a Series B funding round, bringing Hubb’s total funding to $10 million. The funding round was led by Five Elms Capital and includes follow-on investment from Oregon Venture Fund and Elevate Capital.
Hubb plans to use this new capital to better support its customers, further scale its business and develop additional event content and meeting management solutions, along with powerful business intelligence tools. The funding will also be used to hire staff in development, sales, customer support and marketing.
As a part of… more
Oct 24, 2018
The Corporate Event News Event Expert Profile series features interviews with some of the many talented corporate event professionals who make this industry thrive.
Stefanie Maragna, or Stef, as she prefers, has been involved in sales, marketing and events for more than 20 years, but has a special place in her heart for the events portion of her roles. Her diverse background has allowed her to better understand the needs and motivations of all the stakeholders who are involved with events, from marketing to sales to partners and executives.
Maragna was recently named as one of SmartMeetings… more
Oct 23, 2018
Plans are in the works to update, modernize and expand the America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis. Dubbed the “AC Next Gen Project,” the goal of the $175 million project is to secure the facility’s place as an economic and employment driver for the entire region.
According to St. Louis City and County officials, the need to expand the Complex has become critical as cities across the U.S. are making substantial investments in their convention centers as well as taking aggressive steps to lure lucrative meetings and conventions to their communities and regions.
“I’m excited to… more
Oct 22, 2018
IMEX America 2018, billed as the industry’s largest trade show in the United States, broke its own records for success. Held Oct. 16-18 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, this was the show’s eighth year in Las Vegas.
The show statistics, provided by IMEX, are impressive:
13,000 estimated participants
6,000 attendees
3,300 hosted buyers
More than 3,500 exhibitors
More than 150 countries represented
70,000 estimated appointments
Economic impact of $19.1 million
Smart Monday, the MPI-powered day of education immediately prior to IMEX America, also broke its previous… more
Partner Voices
Just when it seems like Las Vegas can’t get any bigger, brighter or more exciting for groups, MGM Resorts raises the bar again. The company continues to invest and innovate across its portfolio of Las Vegas resorts, with new attractions and upgraded experiences for attendees of all interests.
Remodeled Guest Rooms
MGM Grand is the largest single hotel in the world with over 5,000 guest rooms and an 850,000-square-foot conference center. It is home to the newly remodeled MGM Grand Studio Tower—700 reimagined guest rooms with a fun mid-century vibe. Nearby, the iconic New York-New York Las more