Sep 24, 2018
In July, Corporate Event News conducted a reader survey which asked corporate event professionals to select and rank the top challenges they face on the job.
Event professionals are still being asked to do more, with less. The number one challenge reported by the majority of readers was “low budget, high expectations.”
Most event managers work far more than 40 hours a week. Early mornings, evenings, weekends — all par for the course. Between deadlines, meetings and travel it can seem impossible to take time off. Therefore, it’s not surprising that trying to find enough time to get… more
Sep 19, 2018
The MPI Academy provides certificate programs for meeting and event professionals that are designed to enhance critical job skills on a wide variety of topics. The organization's educational portfolio has been growing at a rapid pace. In addition to certification courses in meeting and event management, courses are now available on the business value of meetings, emergency preparedness, sustainability, experiential events and more.
Now, the academy is bringing its high-level certificate programs to Las Vegas for IMEX America this October. Three courses will be offered in conjunction with the… more
Sep 07, 2018
IMEX America, America’s worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events, will be held Oct. 16 – 18 at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. Now in its eighth year, IMEX America 2018 will bring together more than 12,000 event professionals from around the world.
The event is free for event professionals to attend. If you regularly plan or manage large events domestically or globally, there are also options to apply to attend as a hosted buyer. All expenses are paid, and in return, planners commit to a minimum number of scheduled meetings with the suppliers of their choice.… more
Sep 06, 2018
The International Live Event Association (ILEA)’s annual ILEA Live conference, held Aug. 16-18 in Denver, Colo., brought together 505 creative event professionals from around the globe for two and a half days of educational content and networking.
“The event continues to be a rich setting for live event professionals to exchange ideas about managing their event business, build relationships and learn from education sessions addressing relevant industry trends and the business of creativity,” said Sara Grauf, CSEP, ILEA International president.
During a special evening gala event held on Aug… more
Aug 28, 2018
The International Live Events Association (ILEA)’s annual conference, ILEA Live, was held Aug. 16-18 in Denver, Colo. The event, and the association itself, brings together creative event professionals from across all industries.
The common theme across all these event disciplines is the need to provide transcendent, immersive experiences. People today are looking for more than just an old-school event with a single screen and classroom-style lecture presentation. They want their event to stand out from the crowd and are looking for ways to turn that idea into reality.
The featured keynote… more
Aug 06, 2018
SPIN:Senior Professionals Industry Network has announced the 2018 recipients of the industry’s first recognition for veteran meeting planners - SPIN:40 Over 40. This initiative was created in 2017 to recognize and honor planners who are industry role models, influencers, innovators and pioneers.
“It was tough selecting only 40 people from the nominations,” said Tracey Smith, CMP, CMM, SPIN’s Executive Director. “The variety of work experience, volunteer efforts and industry advocacy this year’s group represents is truly outstanding.”
“It’s an honor to be one of the recipients of SPIN’s 2018… more
Jul 31, 2018
The Corporate Event News Event Expert Profile series features interviews with some of the many talented corporate event professionals who make this industry thrive.
This month, I spoke with Wendy Laugesen, the director of global events for MarkLogic, a privately-owned enterprise database company with over 500 employees and 14 offices worldwide. Laugesen initially dreamed of becoming the general manager of a hotel, but after several years in the hospitality industry and earning a bachelor’s degree in hospitality administration, decided that event management was a better fit.
Danalynne… more
Jul 26, 2018
The Corporate Event Marketing Association’s CEMA Summit 2018 was held July 22-24 at the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
Prior to the event, each CEMA board member was assigned as an “ambassador” for a group of first-time registrants, reaching out via email. A special first-timers reception onsite helped ensure that everyone felt welcomed. Despite the fact that I already knew quite a few of the attendees, as a first-time Summit-goer I very much appreciated that extra level of care.
Angie Smith, CEMA Chairwoman, opened the CEMA Summit educational program by talking about… more
Jul 16, 2018
Registration is now open for SPINCon, the annual conference produced by SPIN: Senior Planners Industry Network. SPIN is the world’s largest association limited to senior-level planners with at least 10 years full-time planning experience.
SPINCon 2018 will be held Nov. 11-13, 2018 at The Don CeSar, a landmark hotel affectionately known as “The Pink Palace," in St. Petersburg, Florida.
“Each year SPINCon focuses on the whole person: brain, body, being and business," said SPIN’s executive director, Tracey Smith.
She added, “This year, we are excited that the content has been curated by… more
Jun 19, 2018
The Corporate Event News Event Expert Profile series features interviews with some of the many talented corporate event professionals who make this industry thrive.
Nick Cottone has been involved with events and event marketing for 17 years and is based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (although he will soon be moving to Austin, Texas). His LinkedIn profile describes him as a “conference producer/project manager by day and wedding/special event planner by night,” which immediately piqued my interest.
Danalynne W. Menegus: How did you get into the events industry?
Nick Cottone: When I… 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