Feb 05, 2020
Digitalization has been a boon for event marketers, providing new ways to automate processes, get work done from anywhere in the world, and gather more data to power better customer experiences. But there is also a negative: while attendees may want to focus on your content, there are so many digital distractions that it can be close to impossible for them to succeed. As a result, the desire for more human-to-human experiences at events is on the rise, according to Agency EA’s new 2020 Experiential Marketing Trends Report.   Anecdotal estimates put the average per-person conference attendee… more
Jan 27, 2020
Meetingselect and Certain are partnering to extend the reach and business value of their integrated Strategic Meetings Management (SMM) and event automation solutions. Meetingselect’s corporate booking platform, which includes global event venue and conference hotel sourcing, RFP management and event budgeting and spend tracking, will integrate via APIs with Certain’s enterprise event automation solutions. With this partnership, Certain’s enterprise customers will gain the ability to increase their control over meeting spend and maximize the efficiency of their meetings and events. “Our… more
Jan 24, 2020
The Expo Group is on a roll with acquisitions. Within the past two weeks, the exhibitions and events provider has announced the purchase of Orlando-based Allied Convention Service, commonly known as Brede/Allied, and Educe, a firm committed to adding value to the events and engagement strategy for higher education institutions. With the Brede/Allied acquisition, The Expo Group expands its footprint in the southeast and deepens operations to better serve its clients, according to company officials. “This acquisition expands The Expo Group’s service capabilities in an important region and… more
Jan 23, 2020
At PCMA’s Convening Leaders Conference in San Francisco earlier this month, the Meetings Mean Business Coalition announced its 2020 plans to promote the value of face-to-face meetings, as well as to safeguard the industry from financial and reputational threats.  MMBC’s co-chairs — Trina Camacho-London, vice president of global group sales at Hyatt Hotels Corporation, and Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company — shared the below plans detailing the organization’s approach to advocacy, engagement and continued growth. These were the five main focus areas: 1. Leveraging the 2020… more
Caesars Forum
Jan 21, 2020
Curious about the new Caesars Forum, Las Vegas’ major new conference center, opening this spring? You won’t have to travel to the Strip to see it—at least not right away. Caesars Entertainment will launch a country-wide tour called “All Roads Lead to Caesars Forum,” beginning next month. Starting Feb. 11, the five-week tour will make stops in 14 U.S. cities and offer pop-up Caesars Forum brand experiences. The goal is to give meeting and event planners a glimpse into the 550,000-square-foot conference center, which officially opens March 18. "This tour gives our team a monumental way to… more
Las Vegas MGM Grand
Jan 15, 2020
MGM Growth Properties and Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust today announced that MGP and BREIT have entered into a definitive agreement to form a new joint venture to acquire the Las Vegas real estate assets of the MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay for $4.6 billion. In addition, BREIT will purchase $150 million in MGP Class A shares. MGP will own 50.1% of the joint venture, and BREIT will own 49.9%.  At closing, MGM Resorts International will enter into a long-term triple net master lease for both properties and provide a full corporate guarantee of rent payments. MGM Resorts will continue to… more
Jan 13, 2020
By now you’ve likely read the news reports and seen the photos. Australia is being ravaged by the worst wildfires the country has seen in decades, with many areas devastated since the fires began in September of last year. Record-breaking temperatures, months of severe drought and strong winds have fueled a series of massive bushfires across the country that have torn through bushland, mountain forests and national parks. At least 24 people have died nationwide.  According to local news reports, more than 24 million acres have been burned, and even with firefighting assistance from countries… more
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
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