News

Jun 07, 2018
The Eliza Jane, a 196-room hotel located just two blocks from the French Quarter, opened on Apr. 24, 2018 as the newest member of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand. The Unbound Collection by Hyatt launched in 2016 as a unique collection of new and existing luxury and upper-upscale properties offering unique stay experiences and story-worthy moments. The hotel is contained within nine historic warehouses that appear distinct on the outside but have been united inside. The Eliza Jane’s design team drew inspiration from many of the buildings’ original occupants: The Daily Picayune, the Gulf… more
Jun 06, 2018
Carlson Wagonlit released its latest CWT Safety & Security Study on May 31 – and the results might surprise you. Based on survey results, the lure of hotel rewards and incentives trumps safety concerns for three out of ten business travelers globally. To participate in the study, travelers were required to have made more than four business trips within the past 12 months, increasing the likelihood of their having preferred hotels or hotel chains. Forty-seven percent of the more than 2,000 travelers surveyed said they would choose hotel points over personal safety. Only 35 percent of… more
Jun 05, 2018
SPIN:Senior Planners Industry Network is encouraging meeting planner “veterans” to apply for SPIN:40 Over 40 2018, which recognizes and honors planners who are industry role models, influencers, innovators and pioneers. SPIN is the world’s largest association for senior-level planners. All hospitality professionals who have at least 10 years of experience are eligible to join. SPIN:40 over 40 was introduced in 2017, and the inaugural list of honorees was announced at SPINCon 2017. Nominations are being accepted from Jun. 1 to Jun. 25, 2018. Applicants must be at least 40 years old, have… more
Jun 04, 2018
A “pep rally,” according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is an event before a school sports event that is meant to get students and fans excited and to encourage the team to win; also: a similar event in which speakers try to get a group of people excited and enthusiastic about something. Meeting Professionals International (MPI) drew upon both of those definitions when designing its 2018 World Education Congress (WEC), held in Indianapolis. Indianapolis, or Indy as it is affectionately called, is of course known for sports. The conference Pep Rallies replace the traditional keynote with… more
Jun 01, 2018
Have you been focused on creating better attendee experiences and changing the physical design of your events to do so? If so, you aren’t alone: those are two of the main issues venue operators and agencies reported that they have been facing this year, according to the June 2018 IACC Meeting Room of the Future report. While return on investment (ROI), education and networking are still top-of-mind, attendee engagement, satisfaction and personal development are becoming more and more important. From customizing menus to ensure dietary needs are managed to personalization of experiences,… more
May 31, 2018
Bringing a brand story to life within a physical location is the ultimate goal of all corporate events. Bespoke, a custom fabrication and full-service production support shop recently launched by SET Experience Group, aims to do just that. SET Experience Group is a full-service brand experience agency that also includes SET, SET Live, and ASK. Launched in partnership with New York-based Project Visual, Bespoke was created to address clients’ growing needs for a fabrication shop that includes services such as project management, production, digital experiences and installation all under one… more
May 30, 2018
International virtual marketing and communications incubator, Event Tech Lab, is continuing to do its part to mentor and develop the next generation of event technology companies by growing its start-up partnerships.  “There is a global remit to work with start-ups worldwide that specialize in production and logistics technology, marketing and management technology and attendee engagement technology – three areas that cover almost all event technology types,” explained James Morgan, who founded UK-based Event Tech Lab in January of 2015 as a partnership community for event tech providers and… more
May 29, 2018
The Summit, a Dolce Hotel opened in Cincinnati in April 2018. The brand new 239-room hotel is the latest addition to the Wyndham Hotel Group’s Dolce Hotels and Resorts brand. The Summit offers 32,600 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, with an emphasis on group conferences and collaborative spaces. The modern Madisonville Ballroom, a rooftop terrace and 17 customizable meeting rooms with built-in tech and lighting provide ample options for meeting planners to creatively utilize the space. In addition to meeting and event facilities, guests at the hotel have access to… more
May 25, 2018
In the wake of movements such as #MeToo and #TimesUp, every industry must act to end sexual harassment and create positive, lasting change. The exhibitions and meetings industries are no exception. A new coalition recently was formed to eradicate sexual harassment in the events industry and workplace; a task force that will identify tools and develop new resources to assist in educating individuals and the events industry about sexual harassment.  Comprising leaders and executives from organizations including the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE); Association for Women in… more
May 24, 2018
The Corporate Event News Event Expert Profile series shines a spotlight on some of the many talented corporate event professionals who make this industry thrive. This month, I spoke with Aila (pronounced “Eye-la”) Brookins. Brookins has been in the events industry for more than 20 years. She got her start as an executive assistant with a supportive vice president for a boss. He saw her potential and encouraged her to move into marketing. While learning the ropes as a marketing coordinator she had the opportunity to assist with the company’s trade show participation – and got hooked. As she… 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