News
May 29, 2024
There’s no better case study in fan engagement than live sporting events. Take it from sports merchandise giant Fanatics, which tapped Komo Technologies to measure its level of fan engagement as part of a new partnership that’s set to debut at the first-ever Fanatics Fest in New York City this summer.
Komo Tech, which has hubs in New York and Australia, is set to capitalize on the Fanatics Fest’s positioning at the nexus of sports fandom and culture by infusing the event with the immersive gamification, polls, user-generated content (UGC) and badge-earning opportunities—among other features… more
May 28, 2024
Two convention and event venues in the southeast recently announced a new partnership and preparations for the kick off of a long-awaited expansion project. Here’s our latest roundup of venue news to keep you up to date.
OVG Makes Moves in Mobile
The City of Mobile, Ala. approved plans to upgrade its meeting and event venue offerings with the help of venue development, management and hospitality company Oak View Group (OVG) and live entertainment company Live Nation.
Why it matters: In March, Mobile City Mayor Sandy Stimpson announced plans to demolish the aging Mobile Civic Center and… more
May 23, 2024
During a recent trip to Nashville, we visited six Hilton properties across their collection of brands – from luxury brands like the Conrad Nashville to boutique brands in the Curio Collection like Hotel Fraye.
We toured meeting spaces, hotel rooms and suites, lobbies, bars, restaurants and gyms (stay tuned for complete rundown), but here are eight cool trends we noted and experienced during our site visit.
Hydration station. At the Tempo by Hilton Nashville Downtown, guests can fill up their water bottles with complimentary sparkling, still or alkaline water. Partnering with Planet Water,… more
May 22, 2024
Event-related organizations, especially industry suppliers, have been welcoming new leadership and growing staff as the number of meetings and business events continue picking up pace nationwide.
Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority
The Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (RSCVA) has selected a new president and CEO: Mike Larragueta, who for nine months has served as the CVB’s interim president and CEO since Charles Harris left the position in 2023.
Bringing nearly 30 years of travel and tourism industry experience, including15 years of local executive experience,… more
May 21, 2024
Imagine stepping into a ballroom and being instantly transported to the streets of London, the beaches in Rio or the enchanting gardens of Kyoto.
With the latest 360-degree mapping technology that debuted last fall at Miami’s W South Beach, planners can recreate any ambiance and experience for their events — from a fully immersive underwater oceanic environment to the backdrop of any city around the world.
As part of a $6 million renovation of its 4,300-square-foot ballroom and meeting space, the oceanfront property also became the first meetings hotel in North America to implement the 360… more
May 20, 2024
Organizations set lofty goals for their in-person meetings: educating participants, building business relationships, enhancing brand visibility, recognizing excellence, boosting business momentum and so on. The problem is that accomplishing any one of these objectives within the typical three or four days of an in-person conference is a challenge, even with the most engaging agenda.
And it’s no secret that many conference attendees suffer from the “out-of-sight, out-of-mind” syndrome. As one event planner puts it: “Clients spend all this money on a three-day event and get everyone excited,… more
May 17, 2024
After more than three decades of operating on the Las Vegas Strip, the Mirage Las Vegas will be shutting its doors on July 17. The landmark 3,044-room resort will undergo a three-year renovation and construction project that will transform the tropical-themed property into the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Guitar Hotel Las Vegas.
Expected to open in spring 2027, the new hotel-casino will feature a guitar-shaped, 660-foot hotel tower, similar to its sister property in Hollywood, Fla.
“We’d like to thank the Las Vegas community and team members for warmly welcoming Hard Rock after enjoying… more
May 16, 2024
What’s trending in corporate events from the third-party planner perspective?
Microdosing content, bespoke experiences and renting with cause, said MCI Group Vice President Corporate Agnès Canonica (AC), who produces internal and external events for corporate clients across diverse industries, including healthcare, technology, financial and automotive.
MCI Group, which touts itself as a global next-gen platform for marketing innovation and breakthrough communication in the digital age, has 1,650 employees across offices in 60 countries, according to its website.
The 35-year-old global… more
May 15, 2024
Exclusively sponsored by Honeycomb Strategies
In today’s world, exhibiting at events sustainably is not a trend but a responsible choice. From eco-friendly carpets and flooring to recycled furniture, innovative signage and creative balloon alternatives, we delve into how sustainable choices can elevate your event’s style while reducing environmental impact.
Carpet
Event carpet has become a standard way to transform large, impersonal spaces into intimate environments. Unfortunately, carpet production requires petroleum-based chemicals for backing and adhesives, substantial water for dyeing… more
May 14, 2024
This spring, ASM Global-managed convention and event venues in the U.S. are announcing new and expanded partnerships, as well as sustainability and cultural achievements.
Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center Ditches Plastic
During the Acura Grand Prix, ASM Global Acts kicked off its partnership with r.World to introduce reusable service ware in venues throughout the ASM Global’s North American portfolio of 93 convention centers. Debuting in April at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, the initiative will soon spread to other venues across the country.
Big… 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