Event & Party Planning Tips | Event Trends for 2021

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Mike Dominguez on 7 Economic Trends in the Year Ahead

Tips and Trends | March 18, 2024

A host of economic forces at home and abroad are creating a new narrative for meetings and events, says industry leader Mike Dominguez. Read more...

Event Catering on a Budget: How to Save Money on Event Catering

Tips and Trends | March 18, 2024

Event catering is likely one of your largest costs, but it’s also where you have the most leeway. Here are 25 surefire ways to save money on event catering. Read more...

A Guide to the Most Commonly Used Meetings and Events Industry Acronyms

Tips and Trends | March 18, 2024

Let’s face it: We work in an industry that’s an “alphabet soup” of acronyms and initialisms. We love us some catchy, if sometimes opaque, abbreviations! Read more...

10 Ways to Create Events for Introverts

Tips and Trends | March 18, 2024

From clear communication to built-in breaks to low-pressure conversation starters, here are some ways to accommodate different personality types at your next gathering. Read more...

Why Hotels Are Saying Goodbye to Plastic Key Cards

Tips and Trends | March 18, 2024

“Every small step adds up” Read more...

7 Top Event Trends to Watch Out for in 2024

Tips and Trends | February 19, 2024

What’s the hot new conference destination this year? Is pickleball still popular for team building? Here, trend-setting event profs weigh in on what will define the industry in 2024. Read more...

What Will Be the Biggest Travel Trends of 2024?

Tips and Trends | December 13, 2023

There’s no doubt that 2023 was a busy year for travel. But will that business remain in 2024? The experts at Allianz Partners USA believe that emerging travel trends will only keep the number of travelers increasing in the new year. Read more...

Food for Thought: 4 Association-Event F&B Recommendations

Tips and Trends | December 13, 2023

It’s a real trick to find a balance between satisfying attendees’ dietary needs and delighting them with local items and interesting presentation, all while minimizing an event’s carbon footprint. Here are 4 tips for planners. Read more...

10 Tips on How to Optimize a Private Dining Room for Events

Tips and Trends | December 13, 2023

From Miami to San Diego, we spoke with 10 event professionals about what to look for in a private dining room when planning your next event. Read more...

10 Tips to Produce a Sustainable Event Without Breaking Your Budget

Tips and Trends | December 13, 2023

During ASAE’s 2023 Annual Meeting & Exposition, I got a chance to deliver a presentation on boosting event sustainability in an environment where inflation is on the wane but still impacting meetings and events budgets. Read more...

8 Tech Tips for Creating an Immersive Corporate Event

Tips and Trends | December 13, 2023

Whether it’s an intimate stakeholder meeting or a large-scale global production, planning a successful corporate event requires plenty of preparation, thoughtfulness, creativity and organization. Read more...

5 Major Things Affecting Events and Group Travel in 2024

Tips and Trends | December 13, 2023

Marriott, Hilton, and Accor have each released their 2024 trend reports — and some interesting common themes have emerged. Read more...

So you finally got TSA pre-check. Here's how to avoid being the most annoying person in line and get

Tips and Trends | November 30, 2023

TSA PreCheck is an airport-security express lane that can save you time while traveling. Read more...

5 Trends Shaping the Event and Meeting Industry Right Now

Tips and Trends | November 30, 2023

At last week's IMEX America—the largest in the show's 12-year history—conversations centered on inclusivity, incentive travel, AI and new tech integrations, and much more. Read more...

How to Slim Down Your Meetings and Events Food and Beverage Spend

Tips and Trends | September 13, 2023

Food and beverage costs can eat up a significant amount of a meeting or event budget and are typically the biggest or second-biggest expense item along with accommodations. Read more...

Five Marketing Strategies to Increase Attendance at Your Next Event

Tips and Trends | September 13, 2023

Content, conversation, and feedback are at the heart of today’s meeting marketing essentials. Read more...

10 ONLINE ADVERTISING TIPS TO DRIVE TRADE SHOW ATTENDANCE

Tips and Trends | September 13, 2023

More than 90% of digital display dollars in the U.S. will be transacted programmatically in 2023, according to eMarketer estimates. Read more...

5 Benefits of Hiring a Standup Comedian for Your Meeting or Event

Tips and Trends | September 13, 2023

For many of us, jokes and standup comedy are the last thing we are thinking about when attending a corporate meeting or event. After all, these events aren’t about “funny business,” but serious business. Read more...

3 Tips for Integrating Causes Into Events—Even at the Last Minute

Tips and Trends | September 13, 2023

After a tragedy like the Maui wildfires, many event hosts are eager to help. Experiential expert Kelly Markus shares how to do it effectively and authentically. Read more...

8 Ways to Turn a Good Leader Into an Exceptional One

Tips and Trends | September 13, 2023

Natural leadership ability isn't enough; you've got to do the hard work. Read more...

7 BUSINESS TRAVEL TRENDS THAT EVENT ORGANIZERS NEED TO KNOW NOW

Tips and Trends | September 13, 2023

While leisure travel rebounded at a much faster pace coming out of COVID, business travel has picked up momentum in 2023, according to the 9th CWT Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Travel Price Forecast 2024. Read more...

Fighting Food Waste at Meetings

Tips and Trends | September 13, 2023

One third of the food produced worldwide is wasted. Event planners can help cut that number. Read more...

Design Wellness into Your Agenda

Tips and Trends | May 24, 2023

5 areas where planners can improve attendees’ mental and physical wellbeing: nourishment, movement, rest, wellness tracks, and connections. Read more...

How to Attract & Keep Exhibitors for Your Trade Show

Tips and Trends | May 24, 2023

Here’s a snippet from our article on maximizing visibility and generating interest for your event! Read more...

8 High-Impact Ways to Make Your Meetings More Sustainable

Tips and Trends | May 24, 2023

Engaging attendees and supporting the local community is good for people and the planet. Read more...

How to Avoid Sharing Your Venue With a Polarizing Group

Tips and Trends | May 24, 2023

Sharing a venue with a polarizing group or a rival corporation can cause all sorts of issues. But how can planners avoid it? Read more...

5 Trends Driving The Hospitality Industry And What They Mean For Property Management

Tips and Trends | May 24, 2023

Travel and hospitality continue to inch back to and above pre-pandemic levels. While economic woes still loom, travel is one area where budgets are seeing an increase as consumers push ahead with vacation plans. Read more...

Wellness in Travel 2023 – What to Expect

Tips and Trends | January 19, 2023

The wellness industry is continuing to boom with consumers looking for and prioritizing experiences and products that improve their health, fitness, nutrition, appearance, sleep, and mindfulness. Read more...

The Experience Mantra: More Important than Ever

Tips and Trends | January 19, 2023

Making the case for prioritizing experience design, elevating interaction with creative formats, and attending a new MeetingsNet collaborative event. Read more...

7 Tech and Travel Trends That Will Shape the Hotel Industry in 2023

Tips and Trends | January 19, 2023

From inflation, to cybersecurity, to the rise of mobile and mixed travel, here are the major trends that will affect hotels and their guests in 2023. Read more...

5 trends that will shape the future of work in 2023

Tips and Trends | January 19, 2023

It’s impossible to completely predict the future, but 2023 stands to be a pivotal year for the future of work. Read more...

Executive Q&A: The Corporate Travel Trends Hospitality Brands Can’t Ignore in 2023

Tips and Trends | January 16, 2023

As work and leisure travel blend together, hospitality brands must adapt to this new landscape and evolve to meet shifting demands. Marriott International is leveraging its wide-ranging brand offerings for corporate and meeting customers, using its strength in technology, loyalty, service, and unique benefits to support today’s business travelers. Read more...

Ask the expert: what can event organisers do about rising inflation?

Tips and Trends | January 16, 2023

Rising costs are being pinpointed as the leading challenge event planners will face in 2023, says Live Group senior account manager, Sophie Cox, and with good reason... Read more...

Six Hospitality Industry Trends for 2023 and Beyond

Tips and Trends | January 16, 2023

As well as being a member of our expert guest faculty, Mariana Palmeiro is a consultant to the global hospitality industry, specializing in the spa, wellness and health segments. Thus she’s perfectly placed to highlight six key trends she believes could most influence the business of hospitality in the coming year… Read more...

5 Tips for Eating Healthy on the Road

Tips and Trends | October 20, 2022

All-you-can-eat buffets, heaping spreads of more food than you could imagine and open bars throughout the evening are common sights to see at nearly every meeting and event, and while alternative food options like vegan and gluten-free have become standard, finding healthy choices at every meal remains a challenge. Read more...

9 Things That Annoy Frequent Event Attendees

Tips and Trends | October 20, 2022

Is there any harsher critic of a gathering than someone who plans events for a living? We asked 22 event planners to dish on their biggest pet peeves when they attend as a guest. (Top tip: Don't skimp on your signage!) Read more...

A Sneak Peek at Planner Salaries

Tips and Trends | October 20, 2022

A recent survey reveals pay ranges for mid-level planners in North America, Europe, and elsewhere. Read more...

3 Things the Smartest People Do That Make Them Incredibly Effective

Tips and Trends | October 20, 2022

Some choices you make will lead to success, a productive life, and very few regrets. Read more...

What Makes A Great Leader? 12 Executives Weigh In

Tips and Trends | October 20, 2022

When you are searching for the best candidate to lead your team, they don't always need to be the most knowledgeable but they do need to possess the ability to make complex decisions with the clarity and confidence to move the company and its people forward. Read more...

6 ways to make meetings more inclusive for introverts

Tips and Trends | August 16, 2022

Psychological safety is the bedrock of authentic team relations—and key to boosting productivity. Read more...

3 Event Contract Trends in 2022

Tips and Trends | August 16, 2022

Sick of event contracts? They're even more complicated post-pandemic. Read more...

5 Major Wellness Trends for Meeting Planners to Know Now

Tips and Trends | August 16, 2022

The 10th NYC Experience Wellness and Travel Media event presented by Organic Spa Media on June 17, 2022 highlighted five major wellness trends that meeting planners should be aware of in booking spa experiences or resorts with wellness-centered offerings. Read more...

Top food and beverage trends for 2022

Tips and Trends | August 16, 2022

This is going to be a banner year in the food service industry with many new food and beverage offerings. Here’s a roundup of the Top 10 food and beverage trends for 2022. Read more...

10 Key Sponsorship Revenue-Generating Areas for Any Meeting

Tips and Trends | June 02, 2022

Securing sponsorships for any type of meeting is a critical component of ensuring the financial health of an event, especially for associations. Sponsorship revenue streams can often match or exceed registration revenue and other event related revenues. Read more...

Travel Is More Expensive Than Ever: 6 Things You Can Do (Besides Staying Home)

Tips and Trends | June 01, 2022

The cost of plane tickets and hotels is skyrocketing. But these savvy travel tips can still save you money. Read more...

3 Trends Resort Properties Are Seeing in Meetings Right Now

Tips and Trends | February 15, 2022

Meetings at resort properties—especially in serene, unique locales like Hawai'i, the Caribbean or South America—are perpetually appealing to attendees. Read more...

Wellness Travel Trends To Watch in 2022

Tips and Trends | February 15, 2022

It's unsurprising that, in the pandemic’s first year, consumer values shifted toward personal health protections across the board, but especially when it came to traveling amid COVID-19. But, by the end of 2021, people’s shared concept of “health” had expanded to encompass more than just the absence of bodily illness. Read more...

Hospitality Experts Reveal Pandemic Travel Trends That Are Here To Stay

Tips and Trends | February 15, 2022

What do Bleisure, WFH and RTD have in common? Read more...

Social Media Success: All Hail the Hashtag

Tips and Trends | February 14, 2022

10 lessons (at least!) from how an Oracle users group masterfully uses social media to improve the attendee experience and sharpen its marketing. Read more...

Event Security Starts with Smart Site Selection

Tips and Trends | February 14, 2022

Five tactics that put safety issues top of mind when you’re picking a hotel or venue. Read more...

10 Catering Trends for Events in 2021

Tips and Trends | January 18, 2022

New seating layouts, zero-proof cocktails and meals that boost your immune system are among the top food-and-beverage trends for face-to-face meetings this year. Read more...

10 Irresistible Networking Techniques

Tips and Trends | December 03, 2021

Ever considered a "networking concierge"? Learn about that and 9 other interesting ideas that will get your attendees talking. Read more...

IMEX America 2021: 5 Key Takeaways Signaling an Industry Well on the Road to a Robust Recovery

Tips and Trends | December 03, 2021

Organizing a safe, productive and memorable event for thousands of attendees in a new pandemic world is one thing—doing it for your industry and proving it was a testament to its resiliency and ability to successfully recover is another. Read more...

Don’t Forget These 9 F&B Priorities as We Resume In-Person Meetings

Tips and Trends | December 03, 2021

As we begin to host in-person meetings again, what do we need to remember, relearn — and maybe re-invent — about food and beverage service? Read more...

Managing Extra Pandemic-Related Health and Safety Costs for In-Person Events

Tips and Trends | December 01, 2021

The extra layers of safety that come with hosting events during COVID-19 also come with additional costs. Experts say some of the costs are being passed on to attendees, while in some cases, sponsors can offset fees through branding. Read more...

4 Tips on Booking the Right Entertainment

Tips and Trends | September 24, 2021

What you can learn from other planners’ entertainment mistakes. Hint: Don’t make the broom closet your green room. Read more...

12 Major Changes Coming to the Meetings and Events Industry — And How to Prepare

Tips and Trends | September 24, 2021

We’ll excuse you if your head is spinning due to the massive disruption that’s impacted the meetings and events industry in the last two years. Read more...

How to Implement Covid Protocols for Large Events

Tips and Trends | August 19, 2021

Jason Gewirtz of SportsTravel shares his experience attending the 2021 Olympics and the safety lessons meeting planners can take away. Read more...

3 Health-Screening Solutions for the Return to In-Person Events

Tips and Trends | August 19, 2021

As in-person meetings and events resume, planners will face a new environment in the initial stage as clients restart travel to gather in groups. Read more...

15 New Event Industry Job Roles That Emerged During the Pandemic

Tips and Trends | August 18, 2021

From technical production managers to hygiene experts to reunion designers, here are some new positions that event companies and venues have been hiring. Read more...

Best Practices for Serving Boxed Meals at Live Events

Tips and Trends | June 22, 2021

Here, chefs and catering managers from across the U.S. share what works (and what doesn’t!) in the now-popular boxed meal. Read more...

8 Creative Ideas for Networking at Hybrid Events

Tips and Trends | June 22, 2021

Event and meeting professionals around the world share how they're using careful planning, virtual platforms, gamification and more to connect virtual and in-person audiences. Read more...

Why Every Event Professional Should Be on TikTok

Tips and Trends | February 25, 2021

The short-form video app has become a legitimate tool to market your business and find new clients. And no, you're not too old for it. Read more...

Planning Virtual Events: 25 Sponsorship Ideas

Tips and Trends | February 25, 2021

Finding companies to help underwrite costs is an essential step to monetizing virtual meetings successfully. Consider these revenue-generating tips for your digital events. Read more...

How to Cope with Health and Safety Violators at Events

Tips and Trends | January 13, 2021

Even as the first vaccine programs roll out, Covid continues to loom large as a public health threat. While in-person events may become increasingly possible, it is still too early to abandon safety guidelines. But what is the best way to enforce these rules? Read more...

Travel trends in 2021 - prepare for a year of new opportunities

Tips and Trends | January 13, 2021

2020 is the year we learned that life is fragile and the freedom to roam the world - even our local communities - can be taken away in the blink of an eye. Read more...

Meetings Industry Forecast 2021

Tips and Trends | January 13, 2021

Smaller, more regional meetings are expected to lead a slow recovery as hotels face a prolonged struggle. Read more...

7 Questions Event Planners Should Be Asking Venues in a COVID-19 World

Tips and Trends | December 15, 2020

Keep your attendees safe by getting answers before you commit to an event space. Read more...

Food & Beverage Trends for Hotel Restaurants and Bars in 2021

Tips and Trends | December 15, 2020

COVID-19 has, perhaps permanently, changed the landscape of our daily lives, prompting dramatic shifts in the way that businesses reach their customers, and how the public accesses products and services. Read more...

7 Ways to Prevent the Spread of Covid-19

Tips and Trends | December 14, 2020

Even with vaccines, we'll be battling the virus for years; here's how to reduce the risk of getting or giving it during meetings, travel and gatherings. Read more...

Digital Event Prepares Planners for Safe In-Person Meetings, Hybrid Success

Tips and Trends | December 14, 2020

Speakers at Northstar's Destination Southeast discussed health measures for meeting face-to-face, strategies for engaging virtual attendees and more. Read more...

How to Get the Most Out of Virtual Events

Tips and Trends | December 14, 2020

Digital event strategist Jennifer Kingen Kush discusses best practices for virtual meetings and how to prepare for a hybrid future. Read more...

5 Key Steps for Building a Hybrid Events Model

Tips and Trends | September 29, 2020

Sometime — hopefully soon — when we return to onsite events, we will have to toggle between capturing some speakers live from the ballroom and others live on a video platform. Read more...

Five Important Observations from a Virtual Event Attendee

Tips and Trends | September 29, 2020

Over the past few months, many of us have attended — for the first time ever — a virtual version of in-person conferences we’ve participated in for years. Read more...

How Planners Can Save Costs and Budget Smarter During COVID-19

Tips and Trends | September 23, 2020

As we know well by now, there’s not a corner of the world’s economy that COVID-19 hasn’t touched, and meetings and hospitality have been two of the most impacted segments. Read more...

10 Ways Meeting and Event Venues Are Adapting to COVID-19

Tips and Trends | September 23, 2020

COVID-19 has fundamentally altered the dynamics of the meetings and events industry for the foreseeable future, putting a squeeze on travel and group gatherings. Read more...

How CVBs Are Using Virtual Tech to Help Meeting Planners Scout Destinations

Tips and Trends | August 26, 2020

Site inspections and FAM tours are some of the main tools in a CVB’s toolbox when convincing planners to bring their meetings and events to a destination. Read more...

10 Ways an Events Services Professional Can Maximize Your Meetings Budget

Tips and Trends | May 18, 2020

As everything that goes into a organizing a meeting starts to add up, budget dollars can disappear pretty quickly. Read more...

5 Things to Consider Before Taking Your Event Virtual

Tips and Trends | May 18, 2020

With trade shows and conferences of all sizes being canceled or postponed due to travel restrictions and COVID-19 health concerns, event planners are scrambling to take their live events digital to meet the needs of their audiences. Read more...

From A to Zoom: Tips on Planning Virtual Events From Tech-Savvy Industry Pros

Tips and Trends | May 17, 2020

Experts share their advice on choosing the right platform and software, staying secure, and more. Read more...

10 Smart Tips for Keeping Attendees Engaged Before, During, and After a Virtual Event

Tips and Trends | May 17, 2020

Virtual event fatigue is real. Here's how to keep your attendees engaged and invested through thoughtful pre-event communications, clever networking opportunities, and more. Read more...

So long, minibar: How the coronavirus will change hotel stays

Tips and Trends | May 17, 2020

A hotel that doesn't include a breakfast buffet and minibars would have been inconceivable to many Americans three months ago. But coronavirus has changed all that. Read more...

Lessons on Pivoting to Virtual: How to Rethink the Event Planning Process

Tips and Trends | May 17, 2020

On Global Meetings Industry Day, panelists shared how they are restructuring face-to-face meetings for a new, virtual world. Read more...

Why a Wait-and-See Approach Might Be Riskier Than Rebooking Your Meetings Now

Tips and Trends | May 17, 2020

As postponed events vie with those already on the calendar, hesitating could leave planners with fewer options. Read more...

How to Save Your Sponsorships in the Face of Cancelled and Postponed Events

Tips and Trends | May 17, 2020

In the midst of a global economic crisis, all revenue is not lost. Read more...

6+ tips for better virtual meetings

Tips and Trends | May 17, 2020

If you’re working remotely on a Mac, iPad, iPhone or another platform, you can make those endless video meetings more effective. Read more...

Preparing for Virtual Meetings When Face-to-Face Gatherings Get Cancelled

Tips and Trends | May 11, 2020

As COVID-19 has forced meeting planners to postpone or cancel events, viable alternatives should be considered. Read more...

How the Rise of Virtual Events Due to Coronavirus Could Change the Way We Meet

Tips and Trends | May 11, 2020

Digital event strategist Jennifer Kingen Kush addresses how virtual meetings can bolster face-to-face gatherings. Read more...

How Much Should You Charge Registrants for Your Virtual Event?

Tips and Trends | May 11, 2020

As face-to-face conferences become online meetings, planners are left wondering how to convert attendee admission fees. Read more...

Event Planner Amy Zaroff Finds New Ways to Connect

Tips and Trends | May 11, 2020

Her entire calendar of corporate and social events has been wiped out through May, but the owner of Amy Zaroff Events + Design believes we’ll gather again, and offers advice on what to do now. Read more...

Here's How the 880-Page COVID-19 CARES Act Supports the Travel Industry

Tips and Trends | April 21, 2020

Businesses and individuals should find economic relief, but more will be needed, according to the U.S. Travel Association. Read more...

6 Ways to Maintain Control Over Life During a Crisis

Tips and Trends | April 19, 2020

Many people who closely identify with their jobs and companies feel lost on the personal front in times like these. Here are tips for coping. Read more...

Shift Your Planning to a Virtual-Meeting Mindset

Tips and Trends | April 19, 2020

It's time for you to step up your virtual events game. Read more...

To Tik or Not? Brands are wary of the newest social platform. Should they be?

Tips and Trends | April 18, 2020

Social media usage has spiked while people around the world are on lockdown due to Covid-19. TikTok in particular is up 15.4 percent, according to a New York Times report. Read more...

7 Tricks to Make Your Zoom Meeting Great

Tips and Trends | April 16, 2020

I’ve been doing Zoom meetings for years. These 7 tricks make them great. Read more...

Zoom Hacks from Local Pros

Tips and Trends | April 16, 2020

Tips and tricks for making the best of video conferencing. Read more...

Suddenly Forced to Make Your Meeting Virtual? Follow These Steps

Tips and Trends | April 14, 2020

Tips for accommodating the virtual attendee if your face-to-face event has been impacted by coronavirus or otherwise. Read more...

Navigating the CARES Act for the Travel Industry

Tips and Trends | April 14, 2020

The CARES Act is the largest economic relief package in U.S. history, which contains several major provisions for the tourism industry. Read more...

10 Surprising Things Travel Insurance Won't Cover on Your Cruise

Tips and Trends | April 14, 2020

You never know when events beyond your control will mess with or even ruin your cruise vacation. Read more...

Event Cancellation Not Being Covered by Your Insurance? You Have Options

Tips and Trends | April 14, 2020

In such an unpredictable environment, insurance experts say meeting planners might have more leeway than they assume. Read more...

Case Study: 5 Pandemic Safety Tips for High- Level Summits

Tips and Trends | April 14, 2020

Planning an event for March 4 as the COVID-19 virus was beginning its initial arc in the U.S. was a challenge unlike any Innovate Marketing Group has ever undertaken. Read more...

CDC Issues Coronavirus Guidelines for Event Planners; Recommends All Americans Wear Cloth Face Mask

Tips and Trends | April 14, 2020

The new resource outlines critical steps to take before, during and after a meeting. Read more...

10 Coronavirus Crisis Communication Tips

Tips and Trends | April 08, 2020

The meetings and events industry is in crisis mode. Whether or not you intend to cancel your event due to the coronavirus outbreak, it's important to understand that this impacts every event right now. Read more...

Coronavirus Risk Management Tips for Meetings and Events

Tips and Trends | April 08, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic engenders uncertainty, panic and the fear of disrupting the most perfectly planned meeting, event or business travel itinerary. Read more...

Essential Legal Tips for Event Cancellation and Postponement

Tips and Trends | April 08, 2020

Over the past several weeks, many of us active in the meetings industry have faced the decision about whether to move forward with a meeting, proceed at a reduce size or cancel it altogether.Over the past several weeks, many of us active in the meetings industry have faced the decision about whether to move forward with a meeting, proceed at a reduce size or cancel it altogether. This experience offers guidelines on how the industry will continue to react to the COVID-19 crises and its uncertainty. Read more...

Amid coronavirus, flu outbreaks, here's how to disinfect plane seats

Tips and Trends | April 08, 2020

Frequent flyers may be especially nervous about getting sick during their travels amid flu seasons and the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. Read more...

What Can the Events Industry Learn From the Coronavirus Crisis?

Tips and Trends | March 10, 2020

The global health emergency presents an opportunity for us to rethink the industry's messaging around the importance of face-to-face meetings. Read more...

CDC Issues Coronavirus Guidelines for Large Events

Tips and Trends | March 10, 2020

The new resource outlines critical steps to take before, during and after a meeting. Read more...

10 Essential Meetings and Events Social Media Strategies

Tips and Trends | March 09, 2020

One-in-three people globally are using a social media platform, and in the U.S., that number increases to almost 80%, according to research from Our World in Data and Statista, respectively. Read more...

10 Meetings and Events Budget Tips To Save Your Bottom Line

Tips and Trends | January 29, 2020

Mention budget preparation to most meeting planners and their eyes glaze over with boredom or widen with trepidation. Read more...

3 Event Tech Trends to Watch in 2020

Tips and Trends | January 29, 2020

As we launch into a new decade, the meetings industry is on the cusp of transformative technology that will impact how business is conducted and how its events are planned. Read more...

Meeting Planner Resort Fee Negotiation Strategies

Tips and Trends | January 29, 2020

Last year, both Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Marriott International were under fire for allegedly deceptive pricing in their advertisements of hotel room rates. Read more...

2020 Meetings and Events Industry Forecast

Tips and Trends | December 31, 2019

Optimism remains, despite economic headwinds. Read more...

Nonalcoholic Cocktails on the Rise

Tips and Trends | December 31, 2019

Catering to the growing ranks of sober attendees Read more...

6 Healthy, Sustainable Food & Beverage Trends

Tips and Trends | December 31, 2019

Vegetarian delights, mock meats and zero-proof cocktails will dominate meeting menus in 2020. Read more...

Top 10 of 2019 Event Design Ideas

Tips and Trends | December 31, 2019

Recognizing 10 of the top event design ideas encountered this year, as selected by The Meeting Professional staff. Read more...

Your Step by Step Guide to Finding the Best Small Event Venues

Tips and Trends | December 31, 2019

A true event planner will know that parties and events come in all shapes and sizes. Sure, there’s the big blow-out wedding or company extravaganza, but there’s a wealth of smaller, more intimate events that deserve their own focus too. Read more...

New Report: Hotel Rates Rise, Occupancy Stagnates

Tips and Trends | July 16, 2019

Hotel consultancy TravelClick has published its latest North American Hospitality Review. Read more...

Laws Governing Service Animals at Meetings: What Event Planners and Facilities Need to Know

Tips and Trends | May 27, 2019

Laws regulating the use and admissibility of service animals can be confusing for meeting planners and the facilities in which they hold their events. Read more...

5 Trends Financial and Insurance Meetings

Tips and Trends | March 27, 2019

The financial industry, and its meetings, show growing budgets, larger groups and new site-selection priorities. Read more...

Top 10 Meeting Trends to Watch in 2019

Tips and Trends | March 27, 2019

Benchmark has announced its "Top Meeting Trends for 2019," as observed by its portfolio of properties. Read more...

Champagne on a Sparkling Cider Budget – Part One

Tips and Trends | March 27, 2019

Here are five Ways to maximize your F&B dollars. Read more...

Event Contract Trends: What’s Old May be New Again

Tips and Trends | March 27, 2019

Today’s hotel meeting contracts are getting longer and longer and that would certainly indicate more specificity, if not more complexity. Read more...

5 Experiential Trends to Enhance Corporate Events

Tips and Trends | February 26, 2019

With the lines between consumer and corporate events continually being blurred, attendees are increasingly demanding highly unique, high-touch environments. Read more...

Hotel Supply in Top 25 U.S. Markets to Outpace Demand

Tips and Trends | February 26, 2019

While planners have experienced a persistent seller's market in the hospitality realm in recent years, that could begin to change in some major cities in the United States in 2019. Read more...

4 Healthy F&B Strategies to Infuse Into Meeting Agendas

Tips and Trends | February 26, 2019

From plant-based and hyper-local to gut-friendly and booze-free, culinary wellness is here to stay, and it’s having a huge impact on attendee expectations at events. Read more...

SmithBucklin Outlines 20 Association Trends for 2019

Tips and Trends | February 26, 2019

Celebrating its 70th year in business, association management firm SmithBucklin has released its 16th annual Circuit publication, which includes 20 association trends for the new year. Read more...

5 Questions to Ask Every Event Caterer: ILEA Quick Tips for Event Planners

Tips and Trends | February 26, 2019

There are no stupid questions when it comes to coordinating your event's catering, but don't forget to ask these five. Read more...

Event Planners: It’s Time to Set Boundaries With Your Clients

Tips and Trends | February 01, 2019

When I transitioned from working for hotels to independent meeting and event planning, I wish I would have known it was OK to set boundaries or charge your clients for additional services. Read more...

Top Meeting Trends of 2019

Tips and Trends | February 01, 2019

Here's how the meetings industry will evolve in the new year. Read more...

What to Watch: Hilton Exec Predicts Top Meeting Trends of 2019

Tips and Trends | February 01, 2019

Frank Passanante, Hilton's senior vice president of sales, Americas, says gatherings will thrive on versatile spaces, sustainability, wellness and breakouts that give back. Read more...

Event Planners Recommend Comfortable Work Shoes

Tips and Trends | January 14, 2019

Stylish Work Shoes on Floor Next to Planner's Feet Wearing Flats Read more...

TSA Call Outs Could Spell Trouble for Travelers

Tips and Trends | January 14, 2019

As a traveler, it's often unbearably frustrating to deal with longer-than-normal wait times at airport security checkpoints, not to mention having to worry that security procedures may not be up to par. Read more...

Airlines High on Meeting Fares

Tips and Trends | December 27, 2018

Do the airlines' discount programs for meetings really mean anything in a world where consumers can access thousands of fares with a tap on their screen, and even procrastinators can find deep discounts themselves? That's a question airlines are mulling. Read more...

How to Get the Most Bang for Your Buck: ILEA Quick Tips for Event Planners

Tips and Trends | November 27, 2018

Booking early and with some flexibility could lead to money saved when crafting an event. Read more...

Denver’s hotel occupancy rate down slightly, trails Loveland as tops in Colorado, report says

Tips and Trends | October 30, 2018

Through September of this year, revenue per available room was $112.12 for Denver Read more...

Top 10 Worries of Meeting Professionals

Tips and Trends | October 30, 2018

Commissions, consolidation, data privacy, diversity, budgets… These were among the hot topics of discussion during the IMEX America trade show this month in Las Vegas. Following are 10 areas of concern that rose to the fore, as discussed with industry experts during the event. Read more...

Travel Destinations Play a Critical Role in Crisis Management and Recovery

Tips and Trends | October 30, 2018

The freedom to travel is one of the most rewarding benefits we enjoy as Americans. But sometimes that freedom is threatened by things far beyond our control: Natural disasters, public-health emergencies, acts of violence, social unrest or tourist accidents are all crises that have the potential to derail travel activity and cause disarray for a destination. Read more...

Hyatt Launches New Planning Tool

Tips and Trends | October 30, 2018

Hyatt Hotels revealed its new Hyatt Planner Portal today, a comprehensive online tool for meeting and event planners. Read more...

AmEx Report Shows Steady Growth in the Meetings Market

Tips and Trends | October 17, 2018

American Express Meetings & Events forecast predicts uptick in meeting spend and attendee numbers Read more...

Delta Joins United, JetBlue in Raising Checked-Bag Fees

Tips and Trends | October 17, 2018

ATLANTA (AP) - Delta Air Lines is joining two rivals in raising fees to check a bag on a flight within the United States. On Wednesday Delta posted new fees of $30 for checking a first bag and $40 for a second bag - increasing the previous fees by $5 each. Read more...

Social Media Meeting Trends for 2018

Tips and Trends | September 20, 2018

Recently, Successful Meetings sent a survey out to our readership asking them to tell us about their usage of social media at events. Of the respondents, 38 percent were corporate planners, 37 percent were association planners and 25 percent were third party or independent planners. Of that pool, 72 percent said they use event apps for some or all of their events. Here's what else they had to say. Read more...

Top Food Trends for 2019: Alternative Meats, Bugs, Bacteria and Other Tasty Surprises

Tips and Trends | September 20, 2018

Benchmark, a global hospitality company, today released its Top 10 Dining Trends for 2019. Read more...

As Carolinas Brace for Hurricane Florence, Focus Renewed On Insurance Requirements for Major Events

Tips and Trends | September 18, 2018

To file a claim, insurance must be bound prior to naming of hurricane or storm, for example Read more...

Domestic leisure and business travel are streaking

Tips and Trends | August 20, 2018

Domestic leisure and business travel both remain strong this year, but international travel to the U.S. is not keeping pace with the boom in global long-haul travel, according to the U.S. Travel Association. Read more...

#MeetingsToo: A 10-Step Action Plan to Fight and Address Harassment

Tips and Trends | August 20, 2018

By Lori Tenny, Sarah Soliman Daudin, president and CEO of Soliman Productions, and Courtney Stanley, speaker, writer and business consultant at CS Consulting. Read more...

US Hotel Room Revenue Climbs for 100th Straight Month: Data

Tips and Trends | August 07, 2018

The U.S. hotel industry continued 100 straight months of growth in room revenue due to macroeconomic conditions and the warm weather, according to a second-quarter report from STR. Read more...

Duck Boat Tragedy: How to Protect Your Attendees

Tips and Trends | August 07, 2018

It is difficult not to focus on the 17 people who died —including nine from the same Indianapolis family that included three small children — in the July 19, 2018, duck boat tragedy near Branson, Missouri, that was the result of a storm swamping and capsizing the commercial recreational vessel. Read more...

Hotel and Air Prices to Rise Sharply in 2019, Per GBTA/CWT Research

Tips and Trends | August 07, 2018

Travelers can expect steep increases in prices in 2019, with hotel room rates rising by 3.7 percent and the cost of air tickets climbing by 2.6 percent, according to the fifth annual Global Travel Forecast, published today by the Global Business Travel Association and Carlson Wagonlit Travel with the support of the Carlson Family Foundation. Read more...

Planning Safety and Security Guide This Month, Previews Best Practice Examples

Tips and Trends | June 14, 2018

DALLAS, June 5, 2018 PRNewswire -USNewswire/ - Meeting Professionals International (MPI) announced today during its 2018 World Education Congress (WEC18) it will publish "The Essential Guide to Safety and Security: Best Practices for Meeting and Event Planning 2018" by the end of June 2018. In addition, the association will develop education, research reports and case studies based on the guide's recommended practices, with launch plans slated for later this year and in 2019. Read more...

Get Ready for the Most Expensive Driving Season in Years

Tips and Trends | May 22, 2018

Get ready for a little bit more pain at the pump this summer. Read more...

Strong Group Travel Drives Spring Hotel Performance, TravelClick Reports

Tips and Trends | May 22, 2018

Hotels in North America are poised for a promising spring, according to hotel consultancy TravelClick, which this week published the results of its April 2018 North American Hospitality Review (NAHR). Read more...

7 Essential Meetings Negotiation Considerations

Tips and Trends | April 27, 2018

Getting the best value for your dollar is job No. 1 for most meeting and event planners, and arming yourself with some basic knowledge about hotel and facility profit centers is key to striking a favorable deal for your organization or client. Read more...

10 Easy Ways to Stress Less, Eat Better and Feel Awesome

Tips and Trends | April 27, 2018

It's a fact of modern life: We're all too busy, struggling to meet a long list of personal and professional demands. That pressure leads to stress and all of the health-defeating effects it can cause. Read more...

Top Trend: Preventing Food Waste at Events

Tips and Trends | April 20, 2018

Even when wowing attendees, squandering food is not cool. Read more...

5 Wellness Trends to Work Into Your Next Meeting Agenda

Tips and Trends | April 11, 2018

There’s no denying it: Wellness has become a mega trend and the way people are incorporating it into their lives is ever-evolving. Read more...

8 Ways to Limit Alcohol Liability at Meetings and Events

Tips and Trends | April 10, 2018

Consumption of alcohol sometimes seems like a foundation of meetings. After all, who doesn’t want to have glass of wine and relax with one’s colleagues or newfound networking contacts after a day in meeting sessions? Read more...

Business Travelers Report Spending Frugality

Tips and Trends | April 10, 2018

A survey by cash back app Dosh has found a frugal streak in United States-based business travelers who travel at least once a month. Read more...

How Airlines Are Doubling Down on Comfort to Woo Business Travelers

Tips and Trends | April 10, 2018

In 1944, Jean-Paul Sartre wrote that hell is other people, a maxim that perhaps most accurately describes the current state of commercial air travel, what with the long lines for security, overbooked flights, questionable “emotional support” animals, and the guy in 14F who can’t keep his elbows to himself. But for those lucky or savvy enough to fly in first or business class, hope is on the horizon as airlines double down on experiences and amenities for their most-prized clientele. Read more...

BCD Travel Predicts Rising Airfares, Hotel Rates

Tips and Trends | April 10, 2018

The cost of business travel is set to rise this year thanks to a strengthening global economy. Read more...

Virtual Reality in Event Planning – A Competitive Advantage for Venues

Tips and Trends | March 23, 2018

We work with a host of clients, helping them bring sometimes massive spaces at a single location or distributed over the globe into the digital world. Read more...

7 Site Selection Concerns to Consider Right Now

Tips and Trends | March 23, 2018

Safety and security, engaging spaces, ethics and more Read more...

How One Hotel Company Is Wowing Planners With Robots

Tips and Trends | March 23, 2018

If you think robots take the personal touch out of an interaction, think again. Read more...

Safety and Cleanliness are Planners' Top Priorities in Venue Selection

Tips and Trends | March 23, 2018

When it comes to choosing a destination, meeting planners say a safe environment and a clean/attractive place are the two most important factors in their decision, according to a new study from STR, the Hendersonville, Tenn.-based research firm that tracks supply and demand data for multiple market sectors, including the global hotel industry. Read more...

5 Keys to Brand Experience

Tips and Trends | March 12, 2018

The Freeman Global Brand Experience Study, released earlier this spring, demonstrates that event planners and brand managers are placing greater emphasis on in-person experiences to build relationships and appeal to new audiences. Read more...

Two Roads Hospitality Publishes Results Of 'State of the Meetings Industry' Survey With 2018 Trend F

Tips and Trends | February 19, 2018

Leading Operator of Independent, Lifestyle Hotels & Resorts Reports Latest Trends Around Corporate Meeting Planning. Read more...

Hoteliers See Strong Start to 2018, TravelClick Reports

Tips and Trends | February 12, 2018

By Matt Alderton | Although 2017 was a mixed bag for North American hoteliers, 2018 is already shaping up to be much better, according to hotel consultancy TravelClick, which today published the results of its January 2018 North American Hospitality Review (NAHR). Read more...

Boom in Small Ship Cruising: More Intimacy at Sea

Tips and Trends | February 12, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) - Cruise ships carrying thousands of people have gotten all the headlines in cruising in recent years. Read more...

Emergency Response Plan Template for Planners

Tips and Trends | February 12, 2018

Having an emergency response plan in place before a meeting or event — and/or an actual emergency— occurs is seemingly obvious but not always followed advice in our industry. Read more...

No Passport? You Might Need One for Domestic Flights This Fall

Tips and Trends | January 28, 2018

Jan. 22 was the official deadline for states to comply with the REAL ID Act, requiring stricter security measures for federally accepted identification, which includes ID for domestic air travel. Read more...

The Top 10 Meeting Trends for 2018

Tips and Trends | January 28, 2018

Global hospitality-management company Benchmark has just announced its Top Meeting Trends for 2018 as observed at the 70 hotels, resorts and conference centers within its Benchmark Resorts & Hotels and Gemstone Collection brands in locations coast-to-coast, off-shore and internationally. Read more...

The Top 5 Things Organizers Get Wrong At Check-In

Tips and Trends | January 17, 2018

Attendees can’t read your mind, they’re not sure what line to get in - if there even is one! I have found that when events don’t tell attendees exactly where to go, they sometimes get their own ideas. Read more...

U.S. Hotel Occupancy Will Remain Strong Next Year, Says PwC

Tips and Trends | December 05, 2017

Despite the political uncertainty that marked the beginning of this year, and subsequent natural disasters that hammered the country in the third quarter, lodging-industry performance has remained strong, according to the latest edition of PwC's "Hospitality Directions U.S.," released today. Read more...

How to Use Twitter and Facebook for Emergency Travel Information

Tips and Trends | October 05, 2017

You don’t have to like Twitter or Facebook, or even post to them, but when an emergency strikes, the networking sites can be essential travel tools. Read more...

Airline workers share their 22 best tips for making travel less painful

Tips and Trends | August 24, 2017

Successfully and painlessly getting from one part of the world to another can be difficult. Read more...

Airports (Like Carriers) Use Twitter to Ease Travelers’ Concerns

Tips and Trends | August 24, 2017

Before arriving at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Joe Carella, the assistant dean of executive education at the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona’s Phoenix campus, checks the airport’s Facebook page. Read more...

Social Tables Launches Free Planning Tools

Tips and Trends | August 24, 2017

Social Tables, the collaborative online platform that features room diagramming, check-in and more, has introduced a set of free essential tools for planners. The package offers basic versions of three Social Tables tools: Diagram, which allows planners to create diagrams with real-time collaboration and more than 700 custom objects, including 3D details; Check-In, a mobile app for guests' arrival, with analytics to evaluate event attrition; and Destination, a new venue search engine featuring accurate floor plans for each entry. The suite of free tools is offered for one user, for up to five events with as many as 50 guests each. One floor plan is included per event. Read more...

2017 Green Venue Report Trends Positive

Tips and Trends | August 24, 2017

Greenview, a sustainability consulting and research firm, released its fourth annual Green Venue Report showcasing “The State of Convention and Exhibition Center Sustainability.” The 2017 report includes data for 66 venues from 14 countries, which it said is a 50% increase from last year (up from 44 venues in 2016). Read more...

Ask These 5 Questions Before Planning Your Next Meeting

Tips and Trends | August 24, 2017

How meeting planners can prioritize what matters most to their organization in planning their next event. Read more...

How to Leverage Mobile Technology at Events

Tips and Trends | August 24, 2017

Better engage attendees through video, SMS, and apps Read more...

Benchmark Shares Its 2017 Culinary Trends

Tips and Trends | August 11, 2017

Benchmark published its annual top 10 list of food and dining trends, eschewing some of the gimmicky (and expensive) F&B requests for more practical items that are also relatable to meetings and events. Read more...

Benchmark Hospitality Reveals Top 10 Food Trends of the Year

Tips and Trends | August 11, 2017

Benchmark Hospitality, based in the Woodlands, Texas, has compiled its annual list of food-and-beverage trends. Read more...

Why Tech Marks the Spot When it Comes to Meeting Planning

Tips and Trends | August 11, 2017

Meeting planners are turning to cities that are attracting new business sectors and investing in innovation. Read more...

Meeting Planners Sound Off on Their Biggest Challenges

Tips and Trends | August 11, 2017

The challenges being faced by meeting planners are as wildly divergent as the events they plan. To succeed, they need to be informed, nimble, and tough. — Jaimie Seaton Read more...

This startup wants to modernize the hotel industry

Tips and Trends | August 11, 2017

Calling for room service is kind of annoying, though it’s one of the most first world-type of problems one could have. But that’s just to say the hotel industry is behind, technologically speaking. Read more...

One-way airfare purchases have soared

Tips and Trends | July 24, 2017

An ARC study has found an increasing trend of one-way ticket purchases, a finding ARC called a "major shift in traveler behavior." Read more...

Airline and hotel costs to increase worldwide next year, study says

Tips and Trends | July 24, 2017

The declining airfares over the last two years in the U.S. look like they are about to become a happy memory. Read more...

New Findings on What Drives Meeting Attendance

Tips and Trends | June 27, 2017

Latest "Decision to Attend Study" finds leisure experiences key to attracting attendees. Read more...

New Study Reveals Branding Value of Events

Tips and Trends | June 08, 2017

Sensory brand experiences—encompassing everything from events, tradeshows and sponsorships to virtual or augmented reality experiences and cutting-edge pop-ups—are increasingly being emphasized and invested in by brand managers and event planners, according to a new survey by Freeman and SSI. Read more...

ILEA Quick Tips For Event Planners: May 2017

Tips and Trends | May 11, 2017

Tips and tricks for working with tents. Read more...

5 LinkedIn Tips You Should Be Using (but Probably Aren't)

Tips and Trends | April 26, 2017

Because just filling everything out isn't enough. Read more...

4 Ways Technology Is Changing the Events Industry

Tips and Trends | April 19, 2017

How mobile ticketing and new apps are revolutionizing an age-old business. Read more...

Snapchat for Events: Why It’s Time for Corporate Planners to Start Using the Platform

Tips and Trends | April 13, 2017

Each year as a corporate event planner I like to take some time to kickback and think about what I believe could be the next big event trend. Read more...

Best travel gadgets of 2017

Tips and Trends | April 13, 2017

Tech can quickly fill up your suitcase, so what tech should you take abroad? We round up the best travel gadgets to take on holiday in 2017. Read more...

Wellness a Priority for Most Incentive Travel Planners

Tips and Trends | April 13, 2017

Yet budget support for health and wellness strategies lags behind. Read more...

IRF Study Reveals Insights on Wellness

Tips and Trends | April 13, 2017

The Incentive Research Foundation (IRF) shared the results of its first survey on the topic of wellness in the meetings and events industry as fielded in January 2017. Read more...

12 Things Only Eventprofs Understand

Tips and Trends | April 13, 2017

No one understands eventprofs like other eventprofs. The following twelve truths may seem weird to those in other industries but they’re our norm. Read more...

5 tech tips that pro travelers use

Tips and Trends | March 27, 2017

Luggage? Check. Wallet? Yep. Tech? You bet. Read more...

Benchmark Reveals Top 10 Meeting Trends

Tips and Trends | March 13, 2017

Benchmark Resorts & Hotels announced its "Top Meeting Trends for 2017" as observed by its properties. Read more...

5 Ways to Improve Intergenerational Interaction

Tips and Trends | March 07, 2017

“Each generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it.” Read more...

Report: Planners Seek Customizable Venues

Tips and Trends | March 07, 2017

Convene research finds interest in virtual tour offerings and high-touch service Read more...

Best practices for medical and pharma meetings

Tips and Trends | March 07, 2017

In its “Pharma Medical Affairs 2020 and beyond” report, leading global consultancy McKinsey & Company describes “a rapidly changing world for medical affairs,” with a greater emphasis on defining “what value means from the perspectives of a broad spectrum of healthcare stakeholders” among the trends reshaping the healthcare landscape. Read more...

To Court Millennials, Hotels Are Rolling Out the Yoga Mat

Tips and Trends | March 07, 2017

James Giannantonio does not consider himself a fitness maniac. Read more...

Report: Nontraditional Meeting Venues on the Rise

Tips and Trends | February 27, 2017

Convention centers, conference rooms, and hotel ballrooms are standard fare for meetings and events. More and more groups, however, are seeking venues that scream "special" instead of "standard," according to event ticketing platform Eventbrite and venue booking site Peerspace. Read more...

Small Meetings Are Big Business at Boutique Hotels

Tips and Trends | February 12, 2017

With unique meeting spaces and dedicated service staff, properties are making "small" smart Read more...

How to Keep Your Event Secure, But Engaging

Tips and Trends | February 02, 2017

Planners must balance freedom and security at their events. Read more...

How to Choose a Meeting Venue That Millennials Will Love

Tips and Trends | February 02, 2017

Like a plant without water, meetings that grow stale eventually will wither and die. Read more...

5 Fun Food Break Ideas for Meetings

Tips and Trends | January 24, 2017

Your parents probably told you not to play with your food, but these meeting breaks are another story Read more...

7 Food Trends You’ll See Everywhere in 2017

Tips and Trends | January 16, 2017

Kale is finally, really out. Read more...

10 Hotel Trends That Will Shape Guest Experience in 2017

Tips and Trends | January 05, 2017

“What’s the biggest trend in ______ you’re seeing these days?” Read more...

Eleven Fancy Food Trends You'll Face in 2017

Tips and Trends | December 28, 2016

From the rise of charcoal in your cocktails to Filipino food on your plate, this is the future you need to prepare for. Read more...

Six Trends in Experiential Learning for 2017

Tips and Trends | December 27, 2016

The National Conference Center—one of the nation’s largest conference centers and the largest on the East Coast—with its partner The Browne Center, shared “Six Trends in Experiential Learning for 2017.” Read more...

How planners use tech to create engaging events

Tips and Trends | December 20, 2016

Developments in meetings technology, everything from mobile event apps to beacons and live streaming, are revolutionizing the way planners are surmounting physical barriers and delivering personalized and interactive experiences at conferences and tradeshows. Read more...

Hotel Consolidations to Play Out in 2017

Tips and Trends | December 20, 2016

In 2016, the global hotel industry witnessed another round of unprecedented consolidation, as the race for increased market share set off a stampede of high-profile mergers and acquisitions. Read more...

U.S. Airport Satisfaction Has Risen, Despite Crowds

Tips and Trends | December 20, 2016

Traveler satisfaction with U.S. airports improved in 2016, even though many larger airports' traveler volumes are higher than their intended capacities, according to J.D. Power's 2016 North America Airport Satisfaction Study, based on responses from almost 39,000 North American travelers. Read more...

Law and the Planner 10 Tips for Better Meetings in 2017

Tips and Trends | December 20, 2016

The new year beckons. As I look back over the last couple of years, some things come to mind that are important but often overlooked. So, in welcoming 2017, here are some thoughts for you to consider. Read more...

Kindred Resorts & Hotels Forecasts Top Meeting Trends of 2017

Tips and Trends | December 20, 2016

Outdoor activities are in and formal receptions are out. Read more...

5 Social Media Personas for Which to Be Thankful

Tips and Trends | December 20, 2016

And two that should scare you. Read more...

Kindred Resorts Shares 2017 Event Trends

Tips and Trends | December 14, 2016

As 2016 winds down and planners begin scheduling for 2017 meetings, Kindred Resorts & Hotels, a collection of independent hotels and resorts focused on the group and meetings market, has announced its findings on 2017 event trends based on the results of a survey of the brand’s 64 properties. Read more...

Five Ways to Incorporate Wellness Into Your Meetings and Events

Tips and Trends | December 14, 2016

A healthy attendee is a happy attendee and here are just a few ideas to get you started. Read more...

Destination Hotels Reveals Planner Trends

Tips and Trends | December 14, 2016

Destination Hotels, a collection of luxury and upscale independent hotels, resorts and residences across the U.S., now part of Two Roads Hospitality, released key findings on 2017 meetings trends from its fifth annual “State of the Meetings Industry” survey. Read more...

2017 Predictions from the 25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry

Tips and Trends | December 14, 2016

Industry experts consider what could be on the horizon in the year ahead. Read more...

4 Unexpected Questions Every Event Planner Should Ask Conference Venues

Tips and Trends | November 21, 2016

Gain insights that reduce stress and increase revenue at your event. Read more...

GBTA Reveals Biz Travelers' Tech Habits

Tips and Trends | September 12, 2016

Business travelers commonly use hotel apps according to a new study released today by the GBTA Foundation, the education and research arm of the GBTA, in partnership with Best Western Hotels. Read more...

10 Bad Habits of Event Planners (and How You Can Fix Them)

Tips and Trends | September 06, 2016

Are you guilty of any of these common bad habits of event planners? Stop it. Now! Read more...

Hotel companies get hyper-focused on wellness

Tips and Trends | August 17, 2016

Staying fit both physically and mentally has become second nature in recent years, and several hotel companies continue to cater to the ever-busy, wellness-focused traveler, including meeting attendees. Read more...

Tips for Ending Food Waste at Events

Tips and Trends | August 17, 2016

You want to cut back food waste at your events. Read more...

10 quick ways to boost the attendee experience

Tips and Trends | June 08, 2016

by Maria Lenhart With audience engagement a pressing priority these days, it’s little wonder if traditional approaches to everything from tradeshow set-ups to teambuilding exercises are getting turned on their heads. Read more...

Select-Service Hotel Boom: Pros & Cons

Tips and Trends | May 09, 2016

In 2014 and 2015, select-service rooms accounted for 70 percent of all rooms added to U.S. supply, according to STR. Read more...

6 Key Traits of a Professional Meeting Planner

Tips and Trends | May 03, 2016

It takes a certain type of person to plan a successful conference, meeting, or event. Do you have these six traits of successful meeting planners? Read more...

Benchmark Unveils Meeting Trends for 2016

Tips and Trends | April 27, 2016

Benchmark Resorts & Hotels announced its "Top Meeting Trends for 2016" as observed by its properties. Ted Davis, chief sales & marketing officer for Benchmark made the announcement. Read more...

10 areas of site selection to question and learn

Tips and Trends | April 13, 2016

Each meeting, and the circumstances under which it is created, is different. There is no one-size-fits-all site selection checklist. Read more...

Chicago Marriott Launches Fit Meetings

Tips and Trends | March 23, 2016

The Spa at JW Chicago, located inside JW Marriott Chicago, announced the launch of the hotel’s first-ever wellness program, specifically tailored for meetings and events. Read more...

20 Tips for a More Accessible Event

Tips and Trends | March 23, 2016

Event organizers have a legal and moral obligation to ensure their experience can be equally enjoyed by all. Read more...

10 Must-Dos Before You Launch a Meeting Planning Business

Tips and Trends | March 11, 2016

Jennifer C. Squeglia, CMP, founded RLC Events Inc. nine years ago (the initials are those of her late father, Robert Lee Colburn). Read more...

Hands-on Teambuilding on the Rise

Tips and Trends | March 01, 2016

Putting the “build” in teambuilding, some properties are offering groups truly hands-on activities that use communication, trust and camaraderie to work together and create a final product. Read more...

How to Plan a Party Like Event Designer David Stark

Tips and Trends | February 18, 2016

Follow these tips and your guests will still be talking about the soirée days later. Read more...

E-RFPs: What Needs Fixing, the Tool or the Users?

Tips and Trends | February 18, 2016

The planners and hospitality partners who gather at Financial & Insurance Conference Planners events could hardly be a more congenial group. Read more...

What #Eventprofs Say About the Meeting-Planning Process

Tips and Trends | February 05, 2016

A new study by Bizzabo reveals how meeting planners market their events, use technology in their meetings, and measure event success—as well as their biggest pain points. Read more...

6 1/2 Practical Steps to Emergency Preparedness ... Right Now!

Tips and Trends | January 31, 2016

Right, there are many more steps that should have begun at the destination and site selection phase and while you planned your program. Read more...

Event experts weigh in with cost-saving tips

Tips and Trends | January 27, 2016

Saving money never goes out of style, regardless of the current economy or the budget you’re working with. Read more...

How to make meetings more effective

Tips and Trends | January 21, 2016

Business meetings are either a critical element of an organization’s success or a waste of valuable time and resources. Here’s how to make the most of all your meetings. Read more...

Tips for Providing Proper Medical Care at Events

Tips and Trends | January 14, 2016

What industry professionals need to know to keep guests safe and sound. Read more...

10 Trends You Need to Know for 2016

Tips and Trends | January 14, 2016

Do you know what the 10 trends for the meeting and event industry are? Read more...

Top Five Reasons to Use a Professional Meeting Planner

Tips and Trends | January 14, 2016

Really, how difficult could it be to set up a gathering of a few hundred people, serve them some food and have them listen to a few speeches? Read more...

How to Create an Event With a Sense of Style

Tips and Trends | November 05, 2015

You know if you have it. You know if someone else has it. And, you know if some places and things have it. Read more...

The Top 10 Innovations set to transform the global meeting and events industry

Tips and Trends | October 28, 2015

ibtm world has announced the Top 10 Innovations set to be showcased in this year’s Innovation Zone. Read more...

Local food on the rise at corporate events

Tips and Trends | August 19, 2015

While the local food movement is not a new trend, it has recently started to trickle into the corporate event space. Read more...

Red Flags: 4 Signs Your Event Planning Business Might Be In Trouble

Tips and Trends | June 19, 2015

One of the best things about our industry is the independent planner – someone who finds a passion in event planning and makes a career out of it. Read more...

IACC Reveals the Top 10 Meeting Tech Trends for 2015

Tips and Trends | June 15, 2015

Following extensive research among the 355 members of the International Association of Conference Centres, the association released its Top 10 Meeting Tech Trends for 2015, which are influencing meeting planners and venue operators across the globe. Read more...

PCMA: Meeting Planner Salaries On the Rise

Tips and Trends | June 15, 2015

This month, PCMA Convene magazine published the results of its annual Salary Survey, with information provided by 340 association, corporate, and independent meeting professionals in March — reveal that their average salary is nearly $81,000, compared to under $76,000 in last year’s survey. Read more...

New kind of golf cart adds extreme element to the game

Tips and Trends | June 02, 2015

A western Wisconsin golf course is the first in the upper Midwest to offer GolfBoards for players interested in a more extreme way to get down the fairway. Read more...

12 Simple Ways to Save Money on Your Next Event Without Attendees Even Noticing

Tips and Trends | October 21, 2014

Event budgets are often under scrutiny and Event Managers are constantly under pressure to deliver amazing results on shoestring budgets. Read more...

IACC Shares 10 Insider Tips for Meeting Planners

Tips and Trends | September 01, 2014

The International Association of Conference Centres (IACC) has released its top 10 "insider tips" for meeting planners. Read more...

Planning a party? Get some tops tips from experts

Tips and Trends | June 16, 2014

PLANNING a special party? Whether it’s an 18th, 21st, 40th or 50th, Papillon Events has got it covered with these top party-planning tips. Read more...

Trends and New Technology in Hospitality for 2014

Tips and Trends | June 11, 2014

The potential of technology knows no bounds. Read more...

Checking into the hotel sector

Tips and Trends | May 28, 2014

The Twin Cities hotel market has been growing with a full head of steam the past few years, and despite a slower start in 2014, the pace appears to be continuing. Read more...

Show Your Exhibitors How Much You Appreciate Them

Tips and Trends | May 20, 2014

Associations sometimes spend more time worrying about their meeting attendees than their exhibitors. But some are starting to realize that offering additional benefits to exhibitors can lead to not only greater loyalty but also higher nondues revenue and engagement that extends beyond the meeting. Read more...

The 4 Ps of Effective Event Marketing

Tips and Trends | April 27, 2014

Microsoft’s events chief shared his strategies for creating a positive experience for attendees. Read more...

Calculating The Real Value Of The Meetings Industry

Tips and Trends | March 05, 2014

As the meetings industry works to articulate the true value of face-to-face conferences, the Convention Industry Council has released a new study that highlights just how much meetings mean to the United States economy. Read more...

Go Get getplanning

Tips and Trends | March 03, 2014

A tool that helps planners communicate more efficiently Read more...

Certification for event planners 'more important than ever'

Tips and Trends | March 03, 2014

Economic change has made certification for event planners more valuable than ever before, says MPI UK & Ireland chapter president, Miguel Neves. Read more...

Wedding trends for 2014: Unusual venues, food trucks, colorful cakes

Tips and Trends | February 21, 2014

It's wedding planning season, and there are plenty of decisions to be made on vows and rings, gowns and reception venues. Read more...

If Meeting Planning Were an Olympic Sport

Tips and Trends | February 12, 2014

We aren't saying you need to put on your tightest spandex before you hit the floor at your next event but there are definitely some similarities between meeting planning and the Games. Read more...

Starwood swapping room keys for mobile phones at two hotels

Tips and Trends | February 06, 2014

Starwood plans to roll out refreshed SPG apps that can unlock your guest room later this quarter. Read more...

YOU and the Details of Event Planning

Tips and Trends | February 06, 2014

It’s all in the details. Read more...

Event Planning: Ensure you maximize resources and have a lasting impact

Tips and Trends | February 06, 2014

Too often nonprofits become enslaved to their traditional events, saying “This is how we’ve always done it,” or “We’ve always used that company as our [printer, video, caterer, venue].” Read more...

How to Increase Participation at Golf Events

Tips and Trends | February 06, 2014

How to Plan a Meeting on the Green. Read more...

Luxury hotel trends to watch

Tips and Trends | February 06, 2014

Technology is changing the way the hospitality industry works, but so are the environment and comfort. Read more...

Some luxury hotels will begin offering free Wi-Fi

Tips and Trends | February 06, 2014

Loews Hotels and Hilton Worldwide will roll out tiered Wi-Fi programs, offering slower-speed Wi-Fi for free and high-speed at a cost. Read more...

Denver hotels performed better in 2013, but growth was modest

Tips and Trends | January 22, 2014

Denver hotels booked their best performance in years during 2013, approaching — but not yet surpassing — pre-recession peak levels for room rates. Read more...

Hot Issues for Incentive and Meeting Planners in 2014

Tips and Trends | December 18, 2013

Crucial topics for the coming year include the rising costs of hotels and air travel and the need for strategies to address future political controversies. Read more...

How to Make Your Events Easier for Attendees with Disabilities

Tips and Trends | December 11, 2013

Conferences and large-scale events can prove especially challenging for attendees with disabilities, whether the disability is obvious or hidden, permanent or temporary. Read more...

7 Holiday Event Planning Tips

Tips and Trends | December 11, 2013

The Do's and Don'ts of Holiday Event Planning Read more...

Planners Struggle with Hybrid Meetings

Tips and Trends | December 04, 2013

Hybrid meetings and conferences are still not very widespread and remain difficult to run effectively, but they are becoming more and more important to corporate and convention planners, according to a recent survey by Successful Meetings. Read more...

Five 'Megatrends' Shaping the Meetings & Conventions Industry

Tips and Trends | October 16, 2013

The German Convention Bureau has released findings from “Meetings and Conventions 2030: A Study of Megatrends Shaping our Industry.” Read more...

Cancel Your Meeting, Plan an Event

Tips and Trends | May 06, 2013

The goal of most corporate meeting departments is to plan programs that get high marks from attendees and save money in the process. Read more...

Sandra Bertsch Weighs in on 2013 Event Planning Trends

Tips and Trends | March 08, 2013

A recent “Destination Hotels & Resorts” survey conducted among event planners’ reveals some of the trends to be expected in the industry this year. Read more...

Team Building Trends – What’s Ahead for 2013

Tips and Trends | January 24, 2013

As companies formulate their plans for 2013, the good news is that team building is re-appearing on the corporate agenda. Read more...

'Meeting Planner' Named One of the Top 100 Jobs of 2013

Tips and Trends | January 11, 2013

It's good to be a meeting planner. So says U.S. News & World Report, which has ranked "Meeting, Convention & Event Planner" No. 66 on its list of the 100 best jobs of 2013, and No. 14 on its list of the best business jobs. Read more...

Explore the Winter Wonderland with a Team Building Activity

Tips and Trends | November 01, 2012

Celebrate holiday lights for the Greater Mankato Area that builds on past traditions while promoting the community raising food donations for those in need. Read more...

Greater Mankato Now Offering Adventure for those who've Done it All

Tips and Trends | November 01, 2012

Looking for a new team building activity for an adventurous group who thinks they have done it all? Read more...

WSAE Summit Explores New Pathways to Innovation

Tips and Trends | October 10, 2012

Thinking of ways to repurpose toilet paper as a path to innovation? Read more...

Business travel outlook: Meetings to be shorter, smaller, closer to home

Tips and Trends | December 21, 2011

Although planning professionals expect an increase in the number of business meetings next year, they predict them to be shorter, smaller, busier and closer to home, according to a survey recently released by the meetings and events division of American Express. Read more...

27 Meeting Competencies

Tips and Trends | January 13, 2011

Cynthia Vannucci, Ph.D., CHME, CHSP, CMP, CHE and Professor, Director Events Management at the Department of Hospitality, Tourism, and Events Management at Metropolitan State Department College of Denver shares the 27 Meeting Competencies that all event planners should be aware of. Read more...

Finding Your Way Through the Mall or the Airport, With a Cellphone Map

Tips and Trends | October 13, 2010

Mobile phone maps have guided people through streets and alleys around the globe. But when those people step into a sprawling building, they can get lost. Read more...

The Value of Advertising During an Economic Downturn

Tips and Trends | June 11, 2009

History has proven companies that maintain or increase their advertising investments in periods of economic downturns increase their sales and share of market, both during and after the downturn. Read more...

10 Ways to Make Your Next Event Greener

Tips and Trends | May 11, 2009

“Greenify” your next event and you’ll not only help the environment, but you’ll enhance your organization’s image and maybe even cut expenses. Read more...

Event Marketing Basics

Tips and Trends | July 30, 2008

Looking to attract a crowd to your event? Tracey B Smith, CMP, CMM, from Garrett Speakers International, Inc., shares the basics of event marketing Read more...

Musings of an Event Designer

Tips and Trends | July 30, 2008

Want to learn the tricks of designing a unique and memorable event? Ryan Hanson of BeEvents offers his musings of an event designer Read more...

Association Involvement and Certification Opportunities

Tips and Trends | July 30, 2008

Want to grow in industry knowledge and professionalism? Ruth Wikoff-Jones, Business Development Planner - Engagement & Events, Carlson Marketing, discusses association involvement and certification opportunities Read more...

How to Hit the Ground Running

Tips and Trends | July 30, 2008

New to the industry or starting your own business? Claire Terrones, Partner at Envision Events, shares how to hit the ground running Read more...

A New Spin on Event Planning

Tips and Trends | July 30, 2008

Striving to create the ultimate guest experience? Geri Wolf, Partner at The Style Laboratory, puts a new spin on event planning Read more...

How to Hire a Speaker

Tips and Trends | May 13, 2008

Hiring a speaker for your event can be a daunting task. Read more...

How to Hire an Entertainer

Tips and Trends | May 13, 2008

Hiring an entertainer for your function can be a daunting task. Read more...

How to Make Your Event Memorable!

Tips and Trends | May 13, 2008

Some people dread going to organization gatherings. Read more...