News

Oct 13, 2023
Sheraton Waikiki, an oceanfront resort nestled along the world-famous Waikiki Beach, has completed a $200 million renovation project, which included upgrades to all 1,636 rooms and suites. This multi-year endeavor has transformed every facet of the resort, promising guests an unforgettable Hawaiian experience against the backdrop of Diamond Head and Waikiki's enchanting waters. Revamped rooms A standout feature of the revamped rooms is the tailored, curated closet, providing travelers with much-needed organization and convenience. Washlets have been added to each room for an extra touch of… more
Oct 12, 2023
A leading event technology company and a full-service global event agency recently unveiled new service offerings to help show organizers and meeting planners produce more impactful events and elevate the attendee experience.   Bizzabo Bizzabo, the Event Experience OS, recently launched Bizzabo Studios, a premium event creative and production service that merges event technology with creative and operational expertise to produce more innovative and compelling digital or in-person events.  The new offering is the result of a successful multi-year partnership between Bizzabo and award-… more
Oct 10, 2023
In 2023, Huong Nguyen, CEO and founder of Shiloh Events, celebrated 10 years in business as a full-service agency that specializes in managing large-scale corporate events for global brands. Established in 2013, Shiloh Events will produce 25 events in 2023 for a variety of clients, including Fujitsu, Hitachi, Sanford, Redis and Culture Amp — to name a few. Today, the company has 12 employees with people based in the Bay Area, Philadelphia, Austin, Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles and San Diego. With an MBA in marketing and more than 15 years of experience in the events sector, Nguyen has… more
Oct 09, 2023
The Events Industry Council (EIC), the global voice of the business events industry, recently unveiled its Q2 2023 Global Events Barometer, which reveals a second consecutive quarterly uptick in hotel room nights and business event requests for proposals (RFPs). The 2023 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study, which EIC released in May, demonstrated the ongoing recovery of global business events from the impact of the pandemic. A vital aspect of this study involves understanding the industry’s recovery trajectory and its future direction, according to EIC officials.  A… more
Oct 05, 2023
Omni Hotels & Resorts is continuing to expand into new U.S. cities while elevating existing luxury properties to meet the ever-changing needs of leisure and business guests, including corporate meetings groups. Take a look! Omni Raleigh Hotel Omni Hotels & Resorts will soon be debuting in Raleigh, NC. On Sept. 19, the Raleigh City Council voted to direct staff to enter into negotiations with the hotel and resort company to develop a much-anticipated convention hotel in the city’s downtown. Expected to open in 2027, the Omni Raleigh Hotel will be built on a more than one-acre lot… more
Oct 05, 2023
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg kicked off the 10th annual Meta Connect developer conference on Sept. 27 at the company’s headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif. At the company’s first in-person conference since the start of the pandemic, Zuckerberg told the audience of developers, employees and journalists that Meta is “focused on building the future of human connection.” Registration for the in-person Connect conference was limited, but the event was open to the public virtually. The in-person experience included access to the networking events and demos. As mentioned, this year’s Connect is an in-… more
Oct 03, 2023
Las Vegas welcomed a groundbreaking addition to its bustling entertainment landscape with the official opening of the Sphere on Sept. 29, kicking off with a performance by the iconic band U2. Sphere is a next-generation, immersive state-of-the art entertainment medium and venue, as well as the world’s largest spherical structure, according to officials from live media and entertainment company Sphere Entertainment. Sitting 336 feet tall and 516 feet wide, the eye-catching orb features a wraparound exterior spanning 580,000 square feet that can be programmed to create dynamic and massive LED… more
Oct 02, 2023
“There's an old saying that goes … if it's measured, it's managed,” said Oliver Bailey, head of Interaction Design for IMEX Group. “So the opposite is also true. If you're not measuring something, you can't be expected to manage it effectively.” But how do you measure event design and experiences? Bailey and his team are working with Zenus to measure attendee sentiment, as well as traffic, dwell time and demographics in several locations at the upcoming IMEX America, taking place Oct. 17-19 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Always looking to experiment and try new event tech,… more
Sep 29, 2023
Simpleview, a CRM, CMS and marketing solutions company for destination marketing organizations (DMOs), has teamed up with Viator, a subsidiary of Tripadvisor, to bring an online marketplace offering more than 300,000 tours, activities and attractions to destination websites.  Event organizers will have a new tool to help attendees and exhibitors book experiences in the host city before, during or after their meetings, trade shows and conventions. By offering Viator's trusted platform, DMOs can provide visitors with a secure and reliable booking experience. "At Simpleview, our mission is to… more
Sep 27, 2023
On Sept. 26, members of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165 voted 95% in favor of authorizing a citywide strike at 22 casino resorts properties on the Las Vegas Strip, operated by the three of the largest gaming employers: MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment Corporation and Wynn and Encore Las Vegas.  The strike authorization attracted tens of thousands of hospitality workers, who packed in two sessions to cast their votes at the Thomas and Mack Center at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. According to union officials, 53,000 Las Vegas workers were eligible… 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