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 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
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
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