News

Jul 31, 2019
ILEA Live 2019 will bring together event professionals in Minneapolis, Aug. 8-10. The International Live Events Association’s annual educational conference is focused on business strategies, leadership, inspiration and trends. The goal for the conference is to provide a forum where attendees can strengthen their creative output, sharpen their business strategies and find inspiration along what ILEA officials refer to as “the event horizon.” For corporate event professionals, that means taking the opportunity to learn how event planning and production works in other industries, and… more
Jul 30, 2019
The Corporate Event Marketing Association (CEMA) provides a community for senior-level strategic event marketers and industry professionals to share their knowledge and best-practices. The organization’s annual CEMA Summit event was held July 21-23, 2019 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The conference promised a lineup focused on knowledge-sharing, learning and relationship-building. This, paired with the opportunity to catch up with industry friends and participate in a host of fun activities, is something that puts the Summit on my personal “must attend” list. … more
Jul 26, 2019
With the goal of reshaping the food and beverage industry for meetings and conferences, New York Convention Center Operation Corporation (which operates Javits Center) has launched a new hospitality brand called Cultivated. Created in partnership with Levy Convention Centers and CxRA catering, Cultivated will design creative dining presentations and high-end catering for events, incorporating local ingredients from New York producers. “We are thrilled to announce the launch of this new hospitality brand, Cultivated, which illustrates our strong connection to New York and our mission to host… more
Jul 25, 2019
Haute Dokimazo, known for its “Spontaneous Think Tank” event format and eponymous Signature Events, is launching its first Secret Family Reunion this fall.  Participants will be whisked away to a secret destination, where they will spend a week engaging with and learning from peers. The all-inclusive fee covers airfare, accommodations, food and beverage as well as registration. “All attendees will know is to show up at JFK at 2:00 p.m. on Nov. 2, and the weather to pack for,” says Haute Dokimazo president Nicole Osibodu. “We’ll have the long-awaited reveal party that will bring on the Oprah… more
Jul 24, 2019
Members of Generation Z — loosely defined as people born between the years of 1995 and 2010 — are true digital natives, according to McKinsey & Company. From the time they could walk, they’ve been exposed to the Internet; they’ve hardly known a world without social media; and just like the rest of us, they’re dependent on their smartphones. Gen Z can’t relate to conversations about the “good old days” of CD players, TV without DVR and events lacking apps. It’s obvious this generation differs in many ways from the Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Gen X and even Millennials — and with Gen… more
Jul 22, 2019
Corporate event professionals are often too busy getting things done to focus on creativity. But innovative event design and event marketing is what helps businesses stand out from the crowds. That’s why CEMA and Corporate Event News have teamed up to bring you an exclusive event that will help spark your creativity, ignite new ideas, and provide networking opportunities with your peers — in a "no selling" environment.  CEMA Roadtrip: The Theory of Creativity will be held on October 10, 2019 (with an opening networking reception on October 9) at the Sheraton Grand Chicago. This one-day… more
Jul 19, 2019
Greater Columbus Convention Center, managed by SMG, is now Certified Sensory Inclusive — the first convention in the convention center to earn this certification. KultureCity, which issues the certification, is a non-profit organization based in Birmingham, Alabama, that works toward creating sensory-inclusive venues. It’s meant to assist individuals with sensory challenges, such as those with autism, dementia, PTSD and similar health concerns, navigate such venues often affected by excess noise. Sensory-sensitive guests of the GCCC can now enjoy events in the venue, thanks to this effort… more
Jul 18, 2019
To help draw attention to the serious issue of human trafficking, ECPAT-USA, part of ECPAT International — a global network working to eradicate sexual exploitation of children — is launching a new campaign called 20BY20. The year-long initiative aims to train 20,000 business events professionals on what they can do to prevent and respond to human trafficking by July 2020. It officially kicks off on July 30, coinciding with World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, an awareness day designated by the United Nations.  Participation by the business events community is especially important, as… more
Jul 17, 2019
IMEX America, IMEX’s worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events, will be held Sept. 10–12 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas. Now in its ninth year, IMEX America will bring together 4,000 buyers and 3,500 suppliers from across the events industry and around the world. The IMEX Group’s aim is to unite and advance the meetings industry through education, innovation, and fostering connections and at its event, provides multiple opportunities for those interactions to happen. Each year, IMEX America features an annual talking point that explores a single… more
Jul 15, 2019
Event marketing technology firm Bizzabo recently won the SIIA CODiE award for best technology company, for the second year in a row. Bizzabo has raised $27M in new funding and more than doubled its revenue in the last year, with clients like Forbes, HubSpot and The Wall Street Journal. And Bizzabo’s Vice President of Marketing, Alon Waks, says it’s all because of account based marketing — an approach that he believes should be integral to event marketing. For more than a decade, inbound marketing — a methodology designed to draw visitors and potential customers in, rather than pushing a… 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