News

Nov 07, 2017
The larger the organization and revenue stream, the more likely it is that the procurement or purchasing group will be involved with event spending. Large corporations typically have policies in place designed to help them save money and minimize both financial and legal risk. Any event with a budget greater than a certain threshold will trigger additional levels of purchasing request review and approval. Event and procurement teams often have opposite styles and mindsets. Procurement is traditionally commodity-driven, while events and marketing are all about services, which are often more… more
Nov 06, 2017
“Maximizing Attendance” is a new meetings industry collaborative research effort that builds on the Decision to Attend Study, analyzing event attendee behavior and the factors that influence their choices of meetings, events and exhibitions. The initiative is led by six industry-leading organizations: The EXPERIENCE Institute (TEI), the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), Meetings Professionals International (MPI), the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and Destinations International. The vision of… more
Nov 03, 2017
One thing that all people have in common is the love of good food. Las Vegas-based Lip Smacking Foodie Tours has leveraged that universal gastronomic passion to create a different type of group dining experience. Similar to the progressive dinners of yore, Lip Smacking Foodie Tours provides groups with the opportunity to try multiple restaurants all within a single evening. Tours last from two and a half to three hours, and include stops at up to five of the top restaurants on the Las Vegas Strip or in the city’s historic Downtown. Participants receive VIP treatment, with immediate seating… more
Nov 02, 2017
Event industry service providers TRC and Swoogo have come together to launch ShowSimple – a do-it-yourself badge printing solution in a box. Perfect for small events, the ShowSimple rental kit comes complete with everything an event organizer would need to print DIY badges, including two bar code scanning stations; a full-color printer; choice of badges and lanyards, and a self-contained router with internet access. Organizers simply set up their badge printing stations, import attendees from any registration source, choose a full-color badge design and start printing. To help planners… more
Nov 01, 2017
Attendees of corporate events fall into two camps, those who are a “captive audience”—employees or clients of a particular company - and those within a particular industry or interest-area that a company wants to attract to register or buy tickets. Therefore, there is a wide disparity in corporate event marketing. Some corporate event planners do not need traditional attendee marketing while others still need strategic campaigns. For either situation, destinations and venues provide promotional support for corporate events being held in their locations in traditional and non-traditional ways… more
Oct 30, 2017
In the aftermath of the recent devastating fires, the Napa and Sonoma areas of California need your support. On Oct. 24, all road closures and evacuation orders within Napa County were lifted. Cal Fires expects the Sonoma County fires to be fully contained by the end of this week. As is usual after a tragedy, prospective meeting clients are concerned both about the availability and usability of facilities, but also about wanting to be sensitive to the feelings of those who were directly impacted. In this particular case, the best way to help is to bring your business to the area. Sonoma… more
Oct 27, 2017
30 Euston Square, home of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), is a conference, meetings and events venue in the heart of London. Conveniently situated near London Euston train station and the Euston Square tube station, it is in a prime location for meetings and events. The venue combines Victorian grandeur with modern event spaces, including an auditorium with exhibition space, boardrooms, and 18 meeting and training rooms that vary in size and dimension. The 300-seat auditorium is equipped with a state-of-the-art screen, 3D projector and surround sound speakers, making it a… more
Oct 26, 2017
MCI Group, professional conference organizer and provider of strategic planning and association management consulting for the international market, and Wyndham Hotel Group, one of three hospitality business units of Wyndham Worldwide, have announced a global strategic partnership agreement. MCI Group works with corporate and association clients across Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, India, the Middle East and Africa to deliver face-to-face, hybrid and digital experiences designed to strategically engage audiences and help build communities both online and offline. Nearly 40 percent of… more
Oct 24, 2017
According to the Global Business Travel Association, 80 percent of all meeting savings is realized during the venue sourcing process. To address this issue, cloud event management software provider etouches has developed etouches Venue Sourcing, which integrates sourcing and booking with meeting registration and approval, and an enterprise calendar.  etouches Venue Sourcing combines the features and functionality of  the venue sourcing and booking platform Zentila, which the company acquired in 2016, with etouches’ event management software (EMS) solution.   “Meeting professionals must… more
Oct 24, 2017
Meeting security is at the top of everyone’s minds right now. After the recent incident in Las Vegas, planners need to make sure that they – and their venues – are as prepared as possible to handle any emergency that may take place. The Exhibitions and Meetings Safety and Security Initiative (EMSSI) was launched in 2016 by the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) and the Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA). EMSSI’s mission is to protect the $283 billion U.S. meetings industry and the millions… more
Partner Voices
  MGM Resorts is renowned for its exceptional service and diverse venue options across Las Vegas, Detroit, Springfield, National Harbor, Biloxi, and Atlantic City, providing flexible spaces for meetings of any size. Beyond these offerings, MGM Resorts distinguishes itself through a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for your next meeting.  At the core of MGM Resorts' company values is its platform, "Focused on What Matters," dedicated to meeting customer needs while advancing socially responsible practices. This commitment is evident more