Apr 04, 2025
The allure of all-inclusive resorts can often seem dreamy and distant, but more corporate events are discovering the appeal for business. Case in point: In March, DHL hosted a corporate event at the Hilton Cancun, an all-inclusive resort, buying out all 715 guest rooms of the hotel and convention center with 68,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space that opened in November 2021.
At the forefront of this vibrant industry lies Nicole Tilzer, Hilton’s vice president of All-Inclusive and Resort Strategy, who plays a lead role in shaping the unforgettable experiences that guests enjoy… more
Apr 03, 2025
Since February, event industry suppliers across the country have been welcoming new leadership, growing their teams, as well as saying goodbye to industry veterans who are moving on to new ventures.
CEN’s take on the biggest recent move: Visit Baltimore President and CEO Al Hutchinson will be stepping down from his leadership role, effective June 30. Hutchinson will stay on in a consultant role to assist with the transition until his successor is identified, and a committee comprised of several members of the Baltimore Convention & Tourism Board (BCTB) has been established to help… more
Apr 02, 2025
A contractor, an AI tech company, and an event website creation platform recently launched new solutions and upgrades to elevate the event planning and onsite experience for show organizers and attendees, respectively.
Freeman Launches Generative AI Tool to Elevate Attendee Education
Global events company Freeman launched Key Takeaways, powered by Snapsight (a Freeman technology partner), a new web-based tool designed to help event organizers increase session impact and enhance attendee learning. Leveraging generative AI, Key Takeaways connects to event audio feeds to transcribe a speaker… more
Apr 01, 2025
Workday Rising, the annual customer conference for the public company that sells an AI platform for managing people and money, earned the highest possible level of sustainable event certification from the Events Industry Council (EIC) for its 2024 event. The platinum-level certification is the first awarded to a technology company.
Workday Rising 2024, organized in partnership with George P. Johnson (GPJ), Freeman, Allegiant Stadium, and Mandalay Bay, was the company’s biggest gathering yet, with more than 30,000 in-person and digital attendees.
Backstory: Held Sept. 16-19 at Mandalay… more
Mar 31, 2025
A major resort brand and an independent boutique hotel recently finalized meeting space and guestroom renovations that meeting planners will want to keep on their radar when considering hosting events in Maryland.
Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Unveils Renovated Meeting and Event Spaces
Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina completed the final phase of an extensive meeting and event space renovation that has upgraded the 400-room property’s onsite venues, following the transformation of the resort’s ballrooms in 2023.
Completed in March, the latest renovation phase… more
Mar 28, 2025
As Women’s History Month draws to a close, we’re proud to spotlight nine extraordinary women who are reshaping the corporate events landscape—leading with innovation, integrity, and unstoppable energy.
Not so long ago, the view of leadership in our industry looked different. Women were fewer at the top, often working twice as hard for a seat at the table. Today, that table is full of bold voices, visionary thinkers, and compassionate leaders who are not just in the room—they’re shaping the future of the room itself.
From global conferences to intimate leadership gatherings, these women… more
Mar 27, 2025
Nvidia, the world's third-most valuable company by market cap at $2.871 trillion, fulfilled its promise that its 2025 GTC event would be bigger and better than ever, prompting its CEO, Jensen Huang, to call it "the Super Bowl of AI." After all, the five-day conference was packed with 1,000 on-stage sessions, 400-plus exhibits, hands-on training workshops, and no shortage of networking opportunities for the greatest minds in tech.
AI chip developer Nvidia hosted its annual global artificial intelligence conference, Nvidia GTC (short for GPU Technology Conference), March 17–21 at the 520,000-… more
Mar 26, 2025
The Events Industry Council (EIC) unveiled its Futures Landscape Report 2025, which offers a comprehensive analysis of the factors poised to shape the global business events industry in the coming years. Released on March 10, this forward-looking report synthesizes insights from a global survey of business event stakeholders, as well as a series of think-tank workshops consisting of leaders from EIC’s more than 60 members, strategic partners, and volunteer leaders sharing their unique insights and perspectives.
Developed in collaboration with the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (… more
Mar 25, 2025
"Accessibility is a mindset," said Kyle Shearer, director of Event Operations at TED, from the main stage at the recent Connect New York 2025. He stressed to the audience of event planners that accessibility must be integrated into the early design process.
With years of experience under his belt, Shearer shared invaluable strategies for making events more inclusive, drawing from personal experiences and industry practices. Accessibility is an opportunity, not a burden, he said.
"The goal is progress, not perfection," he added.
Context: Shearer has worked at TED for more than 14… more
Mar 24, 2025
Food waste is a massive issue in the U.S., with 51% of food waste from retailers like convention centers and hotels ending up in landfills, contributing to methane emissions that make landfills the third-largest source of methane in the country, said Nancy St. Pierre, director of communications for Denali, an organic waste disposal and recycling services company.
To combat this growing problem, Denali is partnering with convention centers across North America to divert food waste from landfills and turn it into compost and other reusable materials. One of its latest collaborations is with… 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