News

May 06, 2019
As publicly funded destination marketing organizations across the country face increased scrutiny over budgets and spending issues, some agencies are finding themselves under the microscope of state and local legislators questioning their ROI and very reason for existing. Case in point: Visit Florida, which faced what appeared to be its imminent demise in the state legislature before receiving a nine-month reprieve earlier this week. The state’s tourism marketing agency will receive a $50 million budget through June 30 at the request of Governor Ron DeSantis, who asked that the agency stay… more
May 03, 2019
Cincinnati USA has become known in the DMO world for making strides in diversity markets over the last few years, notably with the appointment of Jason Dunn as vice president, multicultural sales and community development. This spring, he was promoted to group vice president of diversity sales and inclusion — and is stepping into a role that’s quite novel in the industry. Corporate Event News sat down with Dunn to learn more about what changes he’s striving to make, and where the industry stands as a whole on diversity and inclusion efforts. Kelsey Ogletree: In your newly expanded role, how… more
May 02, 2019
Last year was a monumental one for Informa, with the purchase of UBM in January 2018 forming the largest exhibition company in the world. Earlier this week, the London-based company announced another big change: a new brand identity for one of its divisions. Going forward, Informa Exhibitions will be known as Informa Markets. This new identity reflects the company’s ongoing development and expansion, along with its focus on enabling the success of its customers and the specialist markets in which they work, from health and nutrition to construction, pharma, agriculture and more. Informa… more
May 01, 2019
The 19-story Hilton Rochester Mayo Clinic Area, located just blocks from Minnesota’s Mayo Civic Convention Center and Mayo Clinic, opened its doors on Apr. 16. Designed to reflect nature, with tile, stone and wood elements, each of the hotel’s 264 guest rooms features Cambria countertops with a custom-designed stone pattern. The focal point of the lobby is a giant master staircase with handcrafted wooden rails and granite stairs. Guests can take advantage of the hotel’s 24-hour fitness center, heated indoor infinity pool, whirlpool, sauna and steam room. For those who prefer outdoor… more
Apr 29, 2019
When websites and web tools are properly designed and coded, people with disabilities are able to use them. However, many sites and tools are developed with accessibility barriers that make them difficult or even impossible for individuals with special needs to use. World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) asserts that the web is fundamentally designed to work for all people, whatever their hardware, software, language, location, or ability. Helping to champion the effort to make its tools more accessible, CadmiumCD has updated Abstract Scorecard, its abstracts, awards and papers submissions and… more
Apr 26, 2019
Event organizers and professionals who want to understand the environmental impact of the events they plan or attend now have a free and engaging new tool to help them do just that: My Event Footprint. Developed by sustainable conference management agency MeetGreen, this web-based app for event organizers, attendees and sustainability professionals generates sustainability facts based on user data, to help drive decisions and quantify data. With just 15 quick questions, a segment of a user’s environmental impact is measured in water, energy and emissions, with data displayed in a fun, easy-… more
Apr 25, 2019
America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis is about to get a major makeover. On April 16, the St. Louis City Council joined the City of St. Louis’ Board of Aldermen in approving the AC Next Gen Project, an estimated $175 billion plan that will update, modernize and expand the multi-venue complex to ensure its place as an economic and employment driver for the region.  The ACCC currently comprises the 42-year-old Cervantes Convention Center, St. Louis Executive Conference Center, The Dome at America’s Center and Ferrara Theater. Proposed last fall, the project will include the addition… more
Apr 24, 2019
If you’re an Aventri customer wanting to extend the value of your event management software, you’re in luck. The software platform provider now offers a curated list of its partners through the new Aventri Marketplace. The Marketplace portal, located on the Aventri platform, gives customers quick access to compatible technology and service providers to help them more easily manage all aspects of their events. Marketplace partners cover everything from event promotion and budget management to staffing, ground transportation and payment processing. One such partner is Uber for Business. We… more
Apr 22, 2019
Some days it can feel like everyone on your team is dancing to their own rhythm. While each one is creative in their individual realms, they’re not syncing well together; maybe someone’s grooving to Cardi B while another person jams to Creedence Clearwater Revival, making for a less than pleasurable mix. Sound like your team? Then it’s time to call in teambuilding master Amani Roberts. Roberts, a professionally trained DJ, is the founder of The Amani Experience, a Los Angeles-based company that specializes in bringing teams together through music. Working with corporate groups and events… more
Apr 19, 2019
Feeling powerless to make your events more sustainable? Want to make your events greener without having to ask your boss for permission or spending more money? In her recent webinar, “5 No-Cost Ways to Green Your Events,” Julia Spangler, sustainable events consultant, offered tips for accomplishing just that, providing actions that event planners can implement right away to create more Earth-friendly events. “Sustainable, zero-waste event planning can provide unexpected cost savings related to printing, event supplies, catering orders and more,” Spangler said in the webinar. “They may even… 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