2020 trends
Jan 10, 2020
What lies ahead for 2020 and the new decade? We talked with a few experts to find out. Take a look at their 2020 trend predictions below. Then, connect with us on Twitter to let us know your take! Food & Beverage Dana Pellicano, Marriott’s vice president of food and beverage experience for the Americas, says we’ll see: Plant-based proteins everywhere. Products from brands like Beyond Meat and Impossible Burger will continue to grow in popularity and appear more frequently on meeting and event menus. For example, the San Francisco Marriott Marquis offers a Beyond Meat pasta Bolognese… more
Jan 08, 2020
The Corporate Event Marketing Association and PCMA are partnering to extend the reach and membership of their respective organizations. The two groups announced on Jan. 6 at PCMA Convening Leaders that they will work together to develop and share educational programming and content. PCMA President and CEO Sherrif Karamat says that the main goal of the alliance is to elevate the education for both organizations. “PCMA has a commitment to bringing its members access to leading edge education and content that helps them deliver economic and social transformation through business events,” said… more
Dec 30, 2019
As the year draws to a close, we’re focused on creating new content for the new year — which also means looking back at 2019. Our top five most-read articles run the gamut from reports to venues to events and trends. Two of them were published in 2018, showing that the news lifespan isn't limited to just a few weeks! Meetings & Events Future Trends Report Predicts 2019 Market Increase Newly Reopened Westin Carlsbad and Sheraton Carlsbad Bring New Direction for Corporate Events When Healthy Conference Foods Go Wrong — and How to Fix It Uber Unveils an Attractive… more
Bizzabo Speaker Gender Pie Chart
Dec 19, 2019
The all-male speaking panel — or “manel” — has received harsh criticism, with many speakers (both male and female) pledging to not participate in events where gender diversity is an issue. There’s even a Twitter handle (@allmalepanels) that seeks to both shame event organizers and draw more attention to the issue by calling out particularly egregious manels. Yet a new study from event technology provider Bizzabo shows that the event speaking landscape continues to be male-dominated, with male speakers outnumbering female speakers 2-to-1. And in industries like information technology and… more
Dec 04, 2019
Experiential marketing and live event production agencies Gravel Experiential and GES Events are teaming up. The two companies will work together to broaden their existing client base with a focus on corporations searching for top-notch event production in new and emerging markets. While both GES Events and Gravel XP offer similar services, the two are also complementary in many ways. Gravel XP has a long history supporting U.S.-based events in specialized industries including consumer packaged goods, alcohol and spirits, pharmaceutical, technology and consultancies. Its services are… more
Dec 02, 2019
Tarsus Connect has today announced the purchase of BizBash, the iconic trade media company for event and meeting planners, further expanding Connect’s market-leading position. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition of BizBash adds four premier events — including the BizBash Live in New York and L.A. shows for event pros — to the current Connect portfolio of more than 30 national, regional and vertically focused events around the United States. Connect will now also publish two of BizBash’s popular magazines and oversee all of its digital properties. In cities where… more
Mandalay Bay
Nov 27, 2019
Earlier this month, MGM Resorts International launched a standards-driven social impact program called “Focused on What Matters: People, Community and Planet” that outlines the company’s vision for a sustainable future through environmental and corporate social responsibility initiatives. Through its impact on various aspects of the company’s operations, the program will also make it easier for planners to create meetings and events that reflect the sustainability goals and corporate values of their organizations. The new program is in line with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and… more
Nov 26, 2019
Event organizers wanting to learn and leverage exhibition sponsorship practices can take advantage of the B2B Exhibition Sponsorship Playbook series produced by Center for Exhibition Industry Research. Providing a comprehensive overview of B2B expo sponsorship practices in North America, the new five-part series compiles and compares organizer and exhibitor practices. It also includes industry benchmarks and insights on how stakeholders can refine their programs to enhance success. Unveiled on Oct. 28, Part One: What Organizers Offer Compared to What Exhibitors Buy takes a deep dive into… more
Nov 20, 2019
Who hasn’t taken home some of those mini bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion often found in hotel room bathrooms? In the past, hotels have partnered with brands like Gilchrist and Soames, Bath and Body Works, and L’Occitane, providing coveted scents in a tiny-format sizes only available in guest rooms. But those days will soon be drawing to a close — and for a good cause. In an effort to incorporate more sustainable practices, major hotel chains including Intercontinental, Marriott and Hyatt are doing away with the pocket-sized amenities you’re used to seeing in hotel room… more
Nov 14, 2019
The organizers of IBTM World are feeling pretty good going into next week’s event, set to take place Nov. 19-21 in Barcelona. This year, the event has double the number of first-time exhibitors compared to 2018, according to show officials. Of the more than 2,600 exhibitors confirmed to attend the 2019 event, at least 35 have never participated before. The countries of Mallorca, Greece, Azerbaijan, Macau, South Korea and Croatia are among the first-time exhibitors. Other new exhibitors this year include The Hoxton, Israel Ministry of Tourism, The Gleneagles Hotel, Renfe, Goyang CVB, Maison… more
Partner Voices
Just when it seems like Las Vegas can’t get any bigger, brighter or more exciting for groups, MGM Resorts raises the bar again. The company continues to invest and innovate across its portfolio of Las Vegas resorts, with new attractions and upgraded experiences for attendees of all interests.  Remodeled Guest Rooms MGM Grand is the largest single hotel in the world with over 5,000 guest rooms and an 850,000-square-foot conference center. It is home to the newly remodeled MGM Grand Studio Tower—700 reimagined guest rooms with a fun mid-century vibe. Nearby, the iconic New York-New York Las more