Apr 25, 2025
Demand for future business events is surging back to near-record highs, with Q4 2024 request-for-proposal (RFP) activity reaching 98% of pre-pandemic levels, according to the latest Global Events Barometer from the Events Industry Council (EIC). Unveiled on April 17, the data signals a robust comeback for the global events sector—even as it navigates shifting trade policies, economic uncertainty, and geopolitical tension.
Released quarterly, the Global Events Barometer addresses the need to monitor the industry’s progress over time and by key global regions and countries. Created by EIC’s… more
Apr 24, 2025
The right speaker can have a major impact on a business event. From setting the tone of the gathering to inspiring attendees and offering new perspectives, speakers play a crucial role in corporate event programming.
To find out which speakers and what topics—such as artificial intelligence, employee connection, and sustainability—are currently most in demand at corporate events across the U.S., we asked some speaker bureaus and corporate event planners to share their thoughts on what’s hot right now.
Bonny Ghosh, editorial director of business media company Inc.:
"At Inc. we’re… more
Apr 23, 2025
Sustainability is increasingly becoming a driving force behind the way corporate events are planned and executed, and food and beverage (F&B) is taking center stage as a key opportunity for planners to reduce the environmental impact of their events. From sourcing local, seasonal ingredients and plant-forward menus to minimizing food waste and reducing single-use serve and serviceware, sustainable F&B practices can significantly contribute to an event’s overall eco-footprint.
So how can corporate event planners work with their venue’s culinary team to bring sustainability to the… more
Apr 22, 2025
As in-person events continue their post-pandemic resurgence, corporate event planners are grappling with a familiar challenge: delivering meaningful networking experiences that live up to attendees’ expectations—and drive measurable value. Now, Bizzabo is stepping in with a new solution designed to help.
The event tech company has officially launched its Integrated Networking Suite, a fully embedded feature set within its Event Experience Operating System. The goal: Make networking seamless, intelligent, and central to the event experience—instead of a fragmented afterthought.
According… more
Apr 21, 2025
TED Conference’s annual hallmark event, TED2025, took place April 7-11 with a “Humanity Reimagined” theme—which showed itself in nearly all 88 TED Talks that proved artificial intelligence is at the forefront of this reimagined future.
“We selected ‘Humanity Reimagined' because we're at a critical inflection point where technology, AI, and social transformation are converging to reshape what it means to be human,” Monique Ruff-Bell, TED's chief program and strategy officer, told CEN. “This theme invited our speakers and attendees to explore not just how we adapt to these changes, but how… more
Apr 18, 2025
A historic convention center in Louisville is getting a facelift while a new premium event facility recently opened its doors in downtown Detroit.
Kentucky Expo Center Kicks Off Multimillion-Dollar Expansion and Renovation
Demolition is underway at the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC) in Louisville, Ky. as the facility kicks off its $393 million expansion and renovation project that is expected to position it as the fifth-largest convention center in the nation, according to officials from Kentucky Venues, operators of the KEC and Kentucky International Convention Center.
On April 8,… more
Apr 16, 2025
The Annual Partner Meeting (APM), one of ConferenceDirect’s annual signature partner and associate events, recently posted record associate attendance in Philadelphia. Held March 16-20 at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown and Pennsylvania Convention Center, the event attracted more than 235 qualified ConferenceDirect associates, who met and conducted business during 4,618 trade show appointments. Total attendance was 955.
What they’re saying: “We are thrilled by the record associate attendance at this year’s APM,” said Jerry Horan, president and CEO, ConferenceDirect. “This event… more
Apr 15, 2025
Planning a meeting Salt Lake City? Attending an event or exhibiting at Salt Palace Convention Center? We’ve got the ultimate planning guide.
As Salt Lake City gears up to host the Winter Olympics in 2034, visitors will notice the infrastructure upgrades in and around the city. In addition to the Olympics, sports fans have plenty to cheer about. In 2024, the city welcomed an NHL expansion team that’s known as the Utah Hockey Club, which plays at the Delta Center, home of the NBA’s Utah Jazz.
Situated at an elevation of 4,330 feet, Salt Lake City boasted a population of 209,593 in 2023,… more
Apr 14, 2025
After searching for more than one year for a permanent replacement, Choose Chicago has tapped Kristen Reynolds, who has served as Discover Long Island President and CEO since 2015, as its new president and Chief Executive Officer, effective May 5. She will lead Chicago’s convention and tourism industry, which is a key driver of the city’s economy, generating $19.5 billion in leisure and business spending in 2023, according to the latest research by Choose Chicago.
The position has been vacant since Lynn Osmond stepped down on January 31, 2024. Choose Chicago Board Member Rich Gamble, who… more
Apr 11, 2025
Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID), celebrated annually in April, is one day of the year where meeting and event professionals around the world step out from behind the scenes to celebrate the importance of their work.
The History of GMID
What began as Canadian National Meetings Industry Day more than two decades ago expanded to include North American Meetings Industry Day in 2015 and, finally, GMID, as the day has been known as since 2016. Though initially an incentive spearheaded by Meetings Mean Business (a coalition that’s now fully integrated into the U.S. Travel Association), as… 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