Jan 25, 2024
In its first deals since the $4.6 billion acquisition by Blackstone last year, Cvent has acquired Jifflenow, a B2B 1:1 and group appointments scheduling solution, and iCapture, a lead capture solution. With these acquisitions, Cvent’s goal is to offer enhanced capabilities to enable sales and marketing teams to improve trade show performance and ROI through automated appointment scheduling and universal lead capture.  Related: Blackstone to Acquire Cvent for $4.6 Billion “Over the past nearly 25 years, we’ve helped power global meetings and events programs, and these acquisitions highlight… more
Jan 24, 2024
Exclusively sponsored by Honeycomb Strategies. Start here: Take our 5-question carbon quiz! Test what you already know about carbon emissions, then scroll down to read more about our answers. 1. Freight logistics  Question: Which method of shipping to an event is the most carbon intense?  Correct Answer: Airplane.  This answer may not surprise you, but maybe you don’t know about the alternatives. Freight via container ship is 94% less carbon-intensive than air, and rail shipping is even less, though they require more transit time. For final-mile transportation, local electric fleets and… more
Jan 23, 2024
On Jan. 10, American Psychological Association Senior Director, Meetings and Events Desirée Knight, who served as 2023 PCMA Chair, officially passed the gavel to Visit Indy President and CEO Leonard Hoops on on the main stage at Convening Leaders 2024 (CL24) in San Diego.  Hoops, the first destination marketing organization (DMO) leader to chair the association, addressed the audience, which peaked at more than 4,200 during the three-day annual event – the largest ever, according to PCMA President and CEO Sherrif Karamat.  Prior to taking the stage, Hoops sat down with us at the Visit Indy… more
autism
Jan 18, 2024
In an effort to become more inclusive, more venues are offering services to accommodate the needs of autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals. In Q4, The Huntington Center and Glass City Center, both located in Toledo, Ohio, were designated as a Certified Autism Center (CAC) by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). The venue teams completed a comprehensive training and certification process to better understand and accommodate the needs of autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals.  Glass City Center offers a 75,000-square-foot expo hall, a… more
Jan 17, 2024
What do attendees want in 2024? The good news: More events, according to the latest Freeman Trends Report, “2024 Attendee Intent and Behavior.” In fact, 92% of respondents said they will attend more in-person events in 2024 than in 2023, according to a comprehensive behavioral assessment of B2B events by global events company Freeman. Building on the findings and insights of Freeman’s Q1 2023 Trends Report that identified attendee gaps, analyzed sentiment and revealed expectations, the 2024 report surveyed attendees to find out what’s changed, what’s remaining the same and what to expect… more
Jan 15, 2024
Next-level experiential brand activations, sustainability, wellness, event inspiration, new venues, the latest tech, inclusive experiences and hearing from diverse voices in leadership topped the list of most popular topics for corporate event organizers in 2023.  Many of last year’s most-read stories help corporate event organizers navigate their biggest challenges, but they also celebrate diverse and inclusive leaders and look ahead at new ideas, technologies and trends. Both a year in review and a compendium of resources and ideas, here are the 10 most popular Corporate Event News… more
Jan 10, 2024
Exclusively sponsored by Honeycomb Strategies Natural Products Expo West (NPEW) gathers industry professionals, stakeholders and consumers from the natural products and sustainable living sectors annually. The event showcases eco-friendly products, promotes sustainable practices and fosters networking opportunities within the industry. But with nearly 70,000 people expected to walk through the doors of the Anaheim Convention Center for the 2023 event, even organizers understood the possibility for their eco-focused event to generate a large amount of single-use waste. “Sustainability is a… more
Jan 09, 2024
What’s trending in group food and beverage (F&B) as 2024 begins? We asked Eric Vaughn, executive director of culinary operations for CAESARS FORUM and the Las Vegas region, to share what his F&B team is preparing for events at Caesars Entertainment venues in Las Vegas this year.  Vaughn is responsible for banquet and culinary operations at all Caesars Entertainment Las Vegas properties, which include Caesars Palace, Planet Hollywood, Paris, Horseshoe, Cromwell, Flamingo, LINQ hotel, LINQ promenade and CAESARS FORUM. Bringing more than 18 years of experience with Caesars Entertainment… more
Jan 08, 2024
The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), a coalition of professional, industry and labor associations comprising the unified advocacy voice of the business events industry, has unveiled its public policy agenda for 2024. ECA’s alliance partners and board of directors have identified five key areas of focus for the year ahead, including: Ensuring a favorable industry operating environment Growing seamless international travel and commerce Creating a welcoming environment for the industry in states and cities nationwide Championing industry-led decarbonization efforts Developing… more
contractors
Jan 05, 2024
How does the event industry compare against other industries? In part one of our series, we shared an analysis of the KPMG 2023 CEO Outlook — the annual survey of 1,300 CEOs of the world’s largest businesses conducted by KPMG International. What is the current mindset of CEOs in the event industry? In part five of our series, general service contracting leaders shared what their top business concerns are now and moving into 2024, and how they and their organization are addressing them.  Did you miss any part of our series? Catch up on critical insights from thought leaders who represent 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