News

Aug 11, 2022
Event technology innovations have been transforming the industry for years now, and the plethora of developments is showing no signs of slowing down. Following is a roundup of recent happenings in event tech. Launch Shift Go DAHLIA+Agency has developed the first-of-its-kind workshop geared specifically for tech companies and agencies seeking a thorough understanding of the U.S. events and conferences industry and a solid go-to-market strategy. Launch Shift Go is a two-week online course geared toward helping event technology executives and entrepreneurs understand and advance in the… more
Aug 09, 2022
IACC, the global association representing best-in-class, small to mid-size conference and meeting venues, recently released its latest in a series of quarterly Meeting Room of the Future Barometer reports, which covers trends, opinions of operators and cross-industry research tracking the recovery of the global business events sector.  Combining research and insights into the recovery of IACC venues, demand cycles, labor influences and important trends currently impacting venues, the latest report provides a mixed bag of positivity and caution as the industry continues its post-pandemic… more
Aug 08, 2022
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Questex have teamed up to launch The Hospitality Show (“The Show”), a new annual hospitality trade show and conference scheduled for June 27-29, 2023 at The Venetian Las Vegas.  Designed to be a comprehensive one-stop-shop for hospitality leaders to meet, learn and conduct business across the entire hospitality ecosystem, the new three-day event is designed to reach AHLA’s expansive membership across all segments of the industry, including leading service providers and suppliers, hotel owners and management companies, and senior… more
Aug 05, 2022
The IMEX Group is looking to a renowned, 20-plus-year industry veteran to remodel the professional learning offerings at its two annual shows: IMEX America and IMEX Frankfurt. The group appointed Tahira Endean, author, event instructor and event producer celebrated for her expertise in experience design, sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and event tech, as its newly created head of programme.   Vancouver-based Endean comes to the IMEX Group from the Society of Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE), where she was head of events since 2018, to embrace a role that signals a new era for IMEX… more
Aug 04, 2022
As event professionals continue to contemplate how the metaverse can bring unique new opportunities to the industry, two companies have teamed up to do just that. epIQ Creative Group, a demand generation marketing agency creating multi-channel systems that drive demand to brands, and rooom Enterprise Metaverse Solutions are aiming to help associations and event professionals unlock the potential of the metaverse and bring marketable experiences to their communities and audiences. The new partnership is designed to bring to life exciting opportunities that year-round communities and virtual… more
Aug 02, 2022
While the U.S. economy may be slowing down, that hasn’t stopped meetings and event-related organizations—particularly destination marketing companies—from hiring fresh talent and placing new and experienced leadership at the helm. Check them out! Visit Baton Rouge Jill Kidder, current president and CEO of the Louisiana Travel Association (LTA), the primary voice for Louisiana’s tourism industry, has been tapped to become the new president and CEO of Visit Baton Rouge. Selected by the Visit Baton Rouge Board of Directors June 30, she will replace current President and CEO Paul Arrigo, who is… more
Aug 01, 2022
New York’s Javits Center is sharing its bounty of vegetables from its new one-acre rooftop farm through the creation of Jacob’s Harvest, a new line of pickled produce. The bottled veggies will be distributed to customers and visitors to raise awareness about the venue’s roof-to-table culinary program, which incorporates various crops being grown on the farm into customized meals served during on-site events. According to Javits Center officials, the new produce line marks the facility’s latest element of its ambitious sustainability program that includes New York State’s largest green roof (… more
Jul 29, 2022
The U.S. Travel Association launched the Sustainable Travel Coalition in an effort to help every sector of the travel industry, including meetings and events, develop and advance strategies for sustainability.  With nearly 60 member entities to start, including major DMOs, hotel groups and industry organizations such as the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), the Sustainable Travel Coalition will serve as an advisory body to inform U.S. Travel on sustainability issues, opportunities and concerns within member entities. A dedicated Policy Committee will help drive the… more
Jul 28, 2022
Riding a wave of optimism following a momentous IMEX Frankfurt 2022, held May 31 to June 2, and being honored in June with the AEO Excellence Awards Best International Trade Show-Americas for its resoundingly successful IMEX America 2021 in Las Vegas last November, IMEX Group has set its sights on its next grand gathering: IMEX America 2022. The show is set for Oct. 11-13 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center for the second year in a row. After a few tumultuous years for a global events industry reeling from the pandemic, both exhibitors and buyers have been feeling their way back into the… more
Jul 26, 2022
As part of its ongoing commitment to helping association, event and corporate clients evolve from legacy-based to data-driven operating models, mdg, A Freeman Company, has launched a new division dedicated to research, data and insights.  Consisting of data strategists, scientists, analysts and experts specializing in collecting and evaluating market research and intelligence, this newly-formed department’s mission is to help clients capitalize on technological advances to reach new audiences and create more personal and human customer journeys, from marketing campaigns to meaningful… 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