Aug 15, 2023
Held Aug. 6-8 at the Hyatt Regency Salt Lake, the 2023 Corporate Event Marketing Association (CEMA) Summit drew more than 500 attendees, up from 455 in 2022. Here are 10 trends we saw and heard at #CEMASummit2023, powered by PCMA.
Peer-to-peer learning. Even during sessions with panels, attendees were encouraged to discuss scenarios, as well as share challenges and solutions. For example, during the session, “Design Lab: Guiding Principles in Experience Design,” attendees shared ideas about event strategies for awareness, registration, anticipation, arrival, content, connection, activation… more
Jul 22, 2023
Promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) has become a vital aspect of organizing events – from hiring speakers to creating event content to securing sponsors and more. But what about designing the food and beverage offerings at events?
We checked in with Tracy Stuckrath, founder and president of thrive! meetings & events and host of the Eating at a Meeting podcast, who offered some keen insights on the importance of DEI in event catering.
Inclusivity is what inspired Stuckrath to start her business in 2010, when a personal health journey changed the course of her career.
“I was… more
Jul 13, 2023
The meetings industry has gone through unprecedented times in recent years, and as it transforms and moves well beyond the pandemic, the future is looking bright for a robust recovery, although predicting trends moving forward is no easy task. Enter the International Association of Conference Centers (IACC), the global association representing the top 1 percent of small to midsize conference and meeting venues, which recently released the 2023 Meeting Room of the Future Report. The findings detail top trends that will shape the future for conferences, meetings and events of up to 250… more
Jul 10, 2023
As Meeting Professionals International’s (MPI) signature annual North American event, the World Education Congress (WEC) makes a point of taking transparent and calculated risks to showcase how event professionals can deliver premium event experiences while providing them with top-notch education powered by the MPI Academy and business-building networking through its Hosted Buyer program and on-site events. This year’s WEC, held June 13-15 at the Barceló Maya Resort in the Mexican Caribbean, was no exception.
Now in its 27th year, the award-winning event showcased how business learnings and… more
Jun 19, 2023
Who doesn’t love a sweet treat at a business meeting or conference, especially after a long day of educational sessions and back-to-back engagements with clients or colleagues? Besides being pleasing to the palate, desserts, whether served at a sit-down meal or at an interactive buffet station, help create a fun and relaxed environment for attendees to mingle and network, breaking the ice, encouraging conversation and contributing to a positive and memorable event experience. And by offering a variety of sweet dishes or bites, event organizers can cater to different preferences and dietary… more
May 15, 2023
Global, full-service event and experiential marketing agency Impact XM recently expanded its large-scale meetings and event management capabilities and expertise, as well as launched a valuable new service for its clients.
On May 2, the agency announced it had acquired Denver-based MorEvents, a female-owned event management and creative agency that has been serving global audiences for more than two decades. Specializing in delivering virtual and physical events across the globe, MorEvents has partnered with Fortune 500 companies including Mastercard and Dell EMC to shape how these leading… more
Apr 25, 2023
What’s trending in the consumer space that can be adapted for trade shows and exhibits? Colorful, blacklit fabrics are being used for all kinds of consumer activations — from DJ shows and concerts to festivals and awards galas. These eye-catching backdrops and canopies allow event organizers to make an impression with a customizable product that is more sustainable and less expensive than some other graphic options, such as foam core, vinyl and other signage materials.
We talked to Glowtronics, a custom dye sublimation printer that got its start in the DJ industry but has since expanded to… more
Apr 24, 2023
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, buffets were a staple feature at most corporate meetings and events. But during the pandemic, this versatile, practical and popular meal option was basically eliminated due to health and safety concerns, as buffets typically involve guests handling shared utensils and serving dishes, thus potentially increasing the risk of virus transmission. To minimize this risk and keep both employees and guests safe, many hotels and event venues temporarily eliminated self-serve buffets and replaced them with alternatives such as plated or pre-packaged meals, or… more
Mar 13, 2023
The world’s largest meeting and event industry association, Meeting Professionals International (MPI), recently unveiled its headlining keynote speaker lineup and provided a sneak peek of what’s on tap for meeting and event planners at its upcoming World Education Congress (WEC23) in the Mexican Caribbean.
Touted as an opportunity for planners to “refresh” and focus on embracing change in an ever-changing industry, MPI’s signature, award-winning North American event will be taking place south of the U.S. border for the first time when it converges upon the all-inclusive Barceló Maya Resort… more
Feb 28, 2023
With the health and well-being of event attendees a top priority for meeting planners, especially in the post-pandemic era, Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI), the sales and marketing extension to more than 250 global hotels and resorts, cruise lines and destination management companies, recently partnered with global wellness leader Delos to bring the first Delos Wellness Certificate for Meetings and Events to the meetings and events industry.Backed by scientific research and designed to educate meeting planners on the benefits and value of wellness in meetings and events, the… 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