Aug 23, 2023
As the 13th largest city in the U.S. and one of the fastest-growing in the country, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Fort Worth, Texas, boasts a growth rate of 100,000 people every five years and a visitor economy valued at more than $3 billion, according to state officials. However, the city’s convention space currently ranks 47th in the nation, and its hotel capacity stands at less than half of neighboring cities such as Dallas and Austin. All of that is about to change with the recent kick-off of the 20-year planned expansion of the Fort Worth Convention Center (FWCC), aimed to… more
Aug 18, 2023
Two new InterContinental Hotels & Resorts properties will soon be arriving in San Antonio and the Seattle area via a massive renovation project and new development, respectively.  InterContinental San Antonio A massive renovation project to transform a shuttered Wyndham property into an InterContinental hotel has begun construction in San Antonio. Located on the San Antonio River Walk, the 21-story, 391-room InterContinental San Antonio is owned by IHG Hotels & Resorts and Scarlett Hotel Group (SHG) and will include 40,000 square feet of meeting space, premium dining and bar… more
Aug 08, 2023
With only a few weeks left of the summer season, now is the perfect time to step outside of the traditional urban conference center environment and take your event into the great outdoors! Besides allowing participants to connect with nature, hosting meetings and events at national and state parks and other natural environments offer an array of benefits to meeting planners and attendees, including reducing stress, improving overall well-being and increasing focus, creativity and productivity.  At venues surrounded by natural wonders, meetings attendees can take advantage of breaks and free… more
Aug 07, 2023
After more than nine years of planning, including a three-year feasibility period demonstrating significant demand from convention clients, the city of Indianapolis is about to get a larger convention center and a new 800-room headquarter hotel.  On Aug. 1, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and Visit Indy President and CEO Leonard Hoops were joined by community leaders, project representatives and some of the city’s largest convention clients for a groundbreaking celebration of the sixth expansion of the Indiana Convention Center (ICC) and construction of a new Hilton convention hotel.  Key… more
Aug 01, 2023
The Pennsylvania Convention Center (PCC) has earned Gold Level certification for the Events Industry Council’s (EIC) Sustainable Event Standards for venues, part of a collection of eight standards developed to assess events and industry suppliers on specific criteria for producing and delivering environmentally and socially responsible events. These criteria include organizational management; marketing, communication and engagement; climate action; water management; materials and circularity; supply chain management; diversity, equity and inclusion; accessibility; and social impact. The… more
Jul 31, 2023
Across the U.S., hospitality companies have been busy acquiring and rebranding hotel and resort properties, as well as completing renovations, to up their game as they compete for pre-pandemic levels of meetings and leisure business. Here’s a roundup of recent hotel developments. Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina   Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina in Chesapeake Bay, Md., recently completed a multi-million-dollar renovation that has transformed the 400-room waterfront resort’s more than 37,000 square feet of indoor meeting and event spaces. … more
Jul 27, 2023
Following an extensive and competitive RFP process, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) has selected global sports and live entertainment company Oak View Group (OVG) as the new private management and food service partner for Chicago’s McCormick Place, Wintrust Arena and Arie Crown Theater.  Beginning Oct. 1 and running through Sept. 2028, the management and F&B contracts were awarded to OVG360 and OVG Hospitality, respectively, following a unanimous vote by the MPEA Board.  “I am thrilled to welcome OVG360 and OVG Hospitality to our campus,” said Larita Clark, CEO of… more
Jul 18, 2023
The Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, Kan., has launched a full-service program designed to show appreciation, reduce costs and elevate the live event experience for convention and trade show producers, exhibitors and general service contractors. Aptly named the OPCC Exhibition Advantage, this first-of-its-kind, industry-leading initiative features a cashback loyalty program, 50% discount at concessions, free internet access and digital content displays, live camera feeds in the show office, time-lapse video, equipment and tool sharing, swag bags, complimentary coffee and… more
Jul 17, 2023
The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) signed an agreement with Walt Disney World to offer a new Gold Key Partnership, which provides exclusive benefits for trade shows, corporate events, exhibitors and attendees at OCCC.  Walt Disney World was a Gold Key Partner with OCCC prior to the pandemic, and the venue has existing partnership agreements with Universal and SeaWorld. “In June, one [event] had a buyout at Universal and hosted all its attendees for a reception at the park,” OCCC Deputy Director Eric Blanc told Corporate Event News. “We encourage clients to embrace being in Orlando… more
Jul 11, 2023
The Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center in Downtown Jacksonville, Fla., is currently undergoing extensive renovations designed to improve the appearance and functionality of its meeting and convention spaces while elevating the event experience for planners and groups attending events in Jacksonville.  The renovation project, which began in April, includes a full facelift of the historic venue’s more than 200,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition spaces, including the main Exhibit Hall featuring 78,000 square feet of exhibit space, 33-foot ceilings and 22 meeting rooms of various sizes… 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