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
Sep 25, 2023
A new luxury hotel is gearing up to debut in Fort Worth, Texas, later this fall, and an existing Aloft property recently reopened in downtown Denver following a property-wide upgrade. Take a look!  The Crescent Hotel  Companies and executives traveling to the Dallas-Fort Worth area will soon have a new premium hotel option to take advantage of in Fort Worth’s downtown Cultural District, just 2.5 miles from the Fort Worth Convention Center.  Debuting in late fall 2023, The Crescent Hotel will offer 200 premium guest rooms, including 12 suites, two chef-forward restaurants, a lobby bar, a… more
Sep 19, 2023
The wildfires that tore through the island of Maui and the historic town of Lahaina, destroying more than 2,500 acres of land and claiming the lives of 115 residents ­– and counting – will go down in history as one of the worst national disasters in Hawaii’s history. In response to the devastation, Hilton has pledged substantial support to relief efforts, including a nearly $500,000 contribution, emergency housing and essential supplies for the affected community.  Hilton, which has a long-standing presence in Hawaii, recently gathered more than 9,000 of its sales and operational leaders in… more
Sep 11, 2023
Neurodiverse, autistic and sensory-challenged attendees who may feel overwhelmed and overstimulated by the convention center environment while participating in events at Pittsburgh’s David L. Lawrence Convention Center (DLCC) now have several new resources available at the venue. DLCC, which hosts a full calendar of major trade and consumer events in the Northeast region, has embraced accessibility via its recent partnership with KultureCity, a national nonprofit that works to improve the quality of life for individuals with sensory needs.  The new initiative features a certification… more
Sep 07, 2023
Combating food waste is a hot topic in the meetings and events industry these days — and for good reason. The average event wastes 15% to 20% of the food it produces, according to a recent Beyond Food Report.  The U.S. discards more food than any other country in the world — nearly 60 million tons (120 billion pounds) every year, which is estimated to be nearly 40% of the entire U.S. food supply – equating to 325 pounds of waste per person, according to Recycle Track Systems. With corporations and organizations increasingly prioritizing sustainability practices at the venues in which they… more
Aug 29, 2023
For decades, on-site tours of meeting and event facilities have played an essential role in helping event planners make well-informed decisions about venue and space selection and logistics. But with event professionals facing increasing time, budget and travel limitations, digital site tours using virtual reality (VR) technology have become an increasingly helpful tool in enabling planners to explore venues from anywhere in the world without having to leave the office.  Today’s VR tours offer immersive and realistic experiences, allowing planners to navigate through event spaces, view… more
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 16, 2023
The devastating wildfires that tore through western Maui and destroyed much of the historic town of Lahaina has been named the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a 100 years, and one of the top 10 deadliest wildfires since 1871, according to research from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).  Starting in the early morning hours of Aug. 8, the deadly blaze was the result of a perfect storm of drought conditions and strong winds from Hurricane Dora as it passed south of the islands. More than 100 people have died, up to 1,000 people are still unaccounted for, approximately 2,200… 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
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.    Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is more