May 29, 2024
There’s no better case study in fan engagement than live sporting events. Take it from sports merchandise giant Fanatics, which tapped Komo Technologies to measure its level of fan engagement as part of a new partnership that’s set to debut at the first-ever Fanatics Fest in New York City this summer.
Komo Tech, which has hubs in New York and Australia, is set to capitalize on the Fanatics Fest’s positioning at the nexus of sports fandom and culture by infusing the event with the immersive gamification, polls, user-generated content (UGC) and badge-earning opportunities—among other features… more
May 23, 2024
During a recent trip to Nashville, we visited six Hilton properties across their collection of brands – from luxury brands like the Conrad Nashville to boutique brands in the Curio Collection like Hotel Fraye.
We toured meeting spaces, hotel rooms and suites, lobbies, bars, restaurants and gyms (stay tuned for complete rundown), but here are eight cool trends we noted and experienced during our site visit.
Hydration station. At the Tempo by Hilton Nashville Downtown, guests can fill up their water bottles with complimentary sparkling, still or alkaline water. Partnering with Planet Water,… more
May 22, 2024
Event-related organizations, especially industry suppliers, have been welcoming new leadership and growing staff as the number of meetings and business events continue picking up pace nationwide.
Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority
The Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (RSCVA) has selected a new president and CEO: Mike Larragueta, who for nine months has served as the CVB’s interim president and CEO since Charles Harris left the position in 2023.
Bringing nearly 30 years of travel and tourism industry experience, including15 years of local executive experience,… more
May 20, 2024
Organizations set lofty goals for their in-person meetings: educating participants, building business relationships, enhancing brand visibility, recognizing excellence, boosting business momentum and so on. The problem is that accomplishing any one of these objectives within the typical three or four days of an in-person conference is a challenge, even with the most engaging agenda.
And it’s no secret that many conference attendees suffer from the “out-of-sight, out-of-mind” syndrome. As one event planner puts it: “Clients spend all this money on a three-day event and get everyone excited,… more
May 17, 2024
After more than three decades of operating on the Las Vegas Strip, the Mirage Las Vegas will be shutting its doors on July 17. The landmark 3,044-room resort will undergo a three-year renovation and construction project that will transform the tropical-themed property into the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Guitar Hotel Las Vegas.
Expected to open in spring 2027, the new hotel-casino will feature a guitar-shaped, 660-foot hotel tower, similar to its sister property in Hollywood, Fla.
“We’d like to thank the Las Vegas community and team members for warmly welcoming Hard Rock after enjoying… more
May 16, 2024
What’s trending in corporate events from the third-party planner perspective?
Microdosing content, bespoke experiences and renting with cause, said MCI Group Vice President Corporate Agnès Canonica (AC), who produces internal and external events for corporate clients across diverse industries, including healthcare, technology, financial and automotive.
MCI Group, which touts itself as a global next-gen platform for marketing innovation and breakthrough communication in the digital age, has 1,650 employees across offices in 60 countries, according to its website.
The 35-year-old global… more
May 13, 2024
Tasked with a lofty vision to create equitable healthcare for all, National Medical Association Director of Conventions & Events Derrick Johnson is doing everything in his power to help the organization change the world through connection, ensuring that physicians and partners share and learn in creative and meaningful ways.
At Connect Spring Marketplace 2024 in Las Vegas, Johnson joined us in our podcast booth on the show floor at the Venetian Convention & Expo Center to share his experience and passion for adult learning and connecting people.
The 122nd Annual Convention and… more
May 10, 2024
After taking the stage at Connect Spring Marketplace 2024 in Las Vegas, Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) President Michael Dominguez joined us in our podcast booth on the show floor at the Venetian Convention & Expo Center to share his experience as the leader of a global sales organization for independently operated or owned hotels and resorts, cruise ships and destination management companies.
With more than 250 members, ALHI oversees a wide range of luxury brands – ranging from the Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas to Turtle Bay Resort in Hawaii. ALHI’s member hotels… more
May 09, 2024
For corporate event groups wishing to conduct their meetings in the most environmentally responsible way possible, sustainable hotels are a no-brainer venue option. Dedicated to reducing their environmental impact and carbon footprint, green hotels are properties that promote sustainability and work to protect the environment via sustainable practices, such as improving energy efficiency, mitigating carbon emissions and solid waste, and improving the well-being of their guests and staff through various corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
As the demand for green venues… more
May 07, 2024
Viad Corp., a global provider of business event management and experiential marketing services, reported first quarter (Q1) 2024 revenues of $273.5 million, an increase of $12.7 million or 4.9% from Q1 2023.
For Q1, GES, which includes Spiro, reported revenues of $236.3 million, compared with $228.1 million in the same period last year. GES reported an increase of $8.1 million or 3.6% year-over-year, which the company attributed to continued underlying growth that more than offset a $4 million decline due to the timing of major non-annual shows.
Context: GES is a global exhibition… more
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is renowned for its exceptional service and diverse venue options across Las Vegas, Detroit, Springfield, National Harbor, Biloxi, and Atlantic City, providing flexible spaces for meetings of any size. Beyond these offerings, MGM Resorts distinguishes itself through a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for your next meeting.
At the core of MGM Resorts' company values is its platform, "Focused on What Matters," dedicated to meeting customer needs while advancing socially responsible practices. This commitment is evident more