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Cvent Connect in San Antonio Celebrated the Power of AI

Smart Meetings

In the eternal quest to answer the question, “What’s new?” Cvent Connect brought an estimated 4,000 people to Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio for an unveiling of the latest technology, experiences and destination news. A big emphasis from stage was on new AI capabilities, the return of virtual (some 6,000 registered to participate virtually in Cvent Connect) and inspiration.

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Kenya and Rwanda’s Travel & Tourism sector set to inject record income in 2025

Travel Daily News

LONDON, UK – Research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has revealed Kenya ’s Travel & Tourism sector is set to contribute a record KSh1.2tn. to the economy this year, a record 24% above 2019 levels and equivalent to more than 7% of national GDP. Employment and domestic spending in Kenya is also expected to reach new heights.

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Innovation and Iteration: PCMA edUcon 2025 Explores New Approaches in Louisville

Smart Meetings

PCMA edUcon 2025 brought 842 industry professionals to Louisville, preserving its much-discussed 50/50 split between planners and partners. While “innovation” was the headline theme, the execution offered a mix of the familiar and the experimental—showcasing both progress and a few growing pains for the meetings industry. A Layout That Broke the Mold…Mostly This year, edUcon stood out by spreading its programming across two adjacent hotels—Louisville Marriott Downtown and Omni Louisville—and inc

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2025 Navigating AI for Travel Whitepaper

Advanced Travel and Tourism

Greetings adventurer. We are glad you are here as we embark across space and time to get a better understanding of the world of artificial intelligence (AI) and the speed at which that world is changing. In order to go forward, it is important to look backwards and understand that the first time the term AI is used is by John McCarthy in 1956 during a summer research project at Dartmouth.

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Welcome to the Future of Hospitality: Smart Rooms Start Here

Speaker: Jady West, VP of Hospitality & Chris Bennett, Head of Sales & Engineering

The modern hotel room is no longer just a place to stay—it’s an experience to remember. Today’s guests expect seamless 5G connectivity, personalized comfort, and high-tech convenience. From AI-powered smart room controls to in-room entertainment and app-based services, technology is redefining hospitality from the inside out. In this new session featuring industry pros Jady West and Chris Bennett, we’ll explore how high-speed, high-bandwidth connectivity powers the innovations that are enabling

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Head in the Sand or Steady at the Helm? Business in an Age of Uncertainty

Pádraic Gilligan

by Pádraic Gilligan, Research & Consultancy, SITE and C–founder, SoolNua We’ve reached the midpoint of the year and one thing is clear: we’re no clearer as to what lies ahead for our world at large, the world of business, our industry, or our sector. Our innate resilience drives us onwards, but it’s one cautious step. Read more » The post Head in the Sand or Steady at the Helm?

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Motivation Excellence Welcomes Cherrie Tebeau in New Role as VP, Sourcing & Industry Relations

Motivation Excellence

We are excited to welcome a new member to our leadership team this week! Cherrie Tebeau is joining us in a brand-new role as VP, Sourcing & Industry Relations. Cherrie’s extensive background in the incentives industry will benefit everyone at Motivation Excellence, including clients, supplier partners and internal colleagues. “She is highly respected in our space.

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Overseas travel intentions to Europe soften for summer 2025 amid global tensions and rising costs

ETC Corporate

The latest edition of the Long-Haul Travel Barometer (LHTB 2/2025), published by the European Travel Commission (ETC) and Eurail BV, reveals a drop in long-haul travel sentiment to Europe for the summer season 2025.

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How to Become an Event Planner: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Eventtia

11 Do you have a passion for planning events at school or at work? Or have you ever watched the Olympic games, a tech conference by Apple, or even a music festival come together seamlessly and thought, “I want to do that” ? Here’s the good news: Event planning combines creativity, organization, and people skills, so you could do it if you’re naturally organized, creatively inclined, and thrive on bringing people together.

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How data can unlock the travel trade for Eswatini

Travel Daily News

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Measuring travel in trade statistics is complex. Travel spending can include street food and hospital bills, which makes it hard to gather data. Only 56 countries currently report travel data by partner country. That’s essential data for understanding a country’s travel market. In Eswatini , the travel trade is booming, so ITC is working with the African kingdom to improve its data to find more ways to grow.

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Budget Cuts Target Travel Marketing: What It Means for Meeting Professionals

Smart Meetings

As headlines in national media warn of budget cuts to everything from Medicaid to international aid, a new proposal is quietly targeting travel marketing. U.S. Travel warned that during the reconciliation process, the Senate Commerce Committee bill, led by Chairman Ted Cruz, proposed cutting Brand USA funding from $100 million to $20 million, even through the president included $100 million in his budget.

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Exclusive Travel Opportunities for Doctors to Attend Heart Congress 2025 in Dubai

Join us and connect with experts at the 3rd International Conference on Heart and Cardiovascular Diseases”, scheduled on May 05-06, 2025 in Dubai, UAE with the theme of “Novel Progression Towards the Heart and Cardiovascular Research”.

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Reinventing Business Travel: MICE Treasures Across Asia

Unique World Global Destinations

Asia is a MICE powerhouse with modern infrastructure and rich cultural experiences. While Singapore is the top business hub, lesser-known destinations across Asia offer exclusive corporate events with local charm. This guide uncovers Asia’s hidden MICE gems, destinations that offer innovation, engagement and unforgettable experiences for travel and event planners looking for fresh and impactful locations.

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Kill the Keynote. Save the Budget. Elevate the Experience.

Conferences that Work

Here’s something that many conference organizers suspect but rarely act on: Big-name keynote speakers don’t make your event memorable. In fact, they’re probably sabotaging both your budget and your attendees’ experience. I’ve spent decades designing and facilitating conferences that people rave about. Along the way, I’ve watched countless organizers spend hundreds of thousands of dollars securing “top-tier” keynote speakers—only to discover that attendees barely remember what was sai

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How to Promote an Event on Instagram: Tips and Best Practices

Eventtia

6 With over 2 billion monthly active users , Instagram is one of the most influential social media platforms in the world. If you’re hosting a corporate meeting, workshop, fundraiser, or other gathering, Instagram can help you reach a wider audience, increasing your RSVPs and attendance numbers. In this guide, we’ll show you how to promote an event on Instagram, using both paid and organic strategies.

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Shaikha Al Nowais highlights strategic vision for the future of tourism at Investopia Global – Mediterranean

Travel Daily News

ABU DHABI – H.E. Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais , Secretary-General-elect of UN Tourism for the 2026–2029 term, took part in a panel session titled “Beyond Borders: The Role of Tourism in Economic Growth and Human Connection,” held during Investopia Global – Mediterranean in Cyprus. The session also featured the participation of H.E. Laura Lahoud , Minister of Tourism of Lebanon; H.E.

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COVID-19 Travel Consumer Sentiment Study

TravelBoom and sister agency, The Brandon Agency, release new consumer sentiment study on travel amidst the COVID-19 second wave

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What One Thing?—Career Lessons for Event Professionals: Leadership, Resilience and Growth

Smart Meetings

In this episode of What One Thing? , Smart Meetings’ Vice President and Editorial Director JT Long sits down with Shawn Pierce, President of Strategic Events, Meetings & Incentives at MCI-USA, to trace his extraordinary journey from humble beginnings on a Texas pig farm to leading a 130-person global team. Shawn shares the pivotal moment when a mentor saw potential in him that changed his life and how that spark of belief continues to fuel his passion for mentoring future leaders.

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Sustainable Events, Stronger Brands: Elevate Your Corporate Impact

Unique World Global Destinations

Sustainability is no longer a trend—it’s a business necessity. As companies put environmental and social responsibility at the top of the agenda, event planning must follow suit. Sustainable events reduce waste and carbon footprint and support ethical supply chains while boosting brand reputation and attendee experience. For travel and event decision-makers, integrating sustainability into corporate meetings, conferences and incentive trips requires strategy.

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A look inside one of portugal’s most exclusive family-run hotels

inVOYAGE

Tucked away in the unspoiled Eastern Algarve, Casas Quinta de Cima is not your typical incentive destination. With just nine rooms and the soul of a private farm estate, this family-owned boutique hotel offers groups something increasingly rare: space to slow down, reconnect, and experience Portugal through nature, flavour, and the stories of its people.

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It Doesn’t Have to Be All or Nothing: Why Hybrid Events Still Work

Creative Group Inc

The industry may be buzzing about “getting back to in-person,” but the truth is: not every audience, budget, or organization is built for an all-live event right now—and that’s okay. Hybrid events continue to offer a flexible, scalable model that meets people where they are while still delivering real results. Hybrid isn’t a second-tier solution or a stopgap.

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Evolution of the DMC:Renewing Business Relationships with Deeper Trust, Transparency & Understanding

The evolution of the DMC industry requires that it embark upon a renewed relationship with clients that is built upon transparency, trust, and understanding.

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ITM Inclusive Travel Taskforce releases new guide to help “frame the need”

Travel Daily News

Empowering companies to build inclusive travel programmes, the Institute of Travel Management (ITM)’s latest Taskforce has produced a new guide to help organisations across different sectors embed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) into their corporate travel policies and practices. Accessible to all, the guide will be available both in written and audio format and will be supported by a free webinar on 19 June, 10 – 11:00 (BST)*.

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Club Ichi Addressed the Pain and Pleasure of EventProf Life

Smart Meetings

In the shadow of massive cranes building a new Nissan Stadium fit for a Super Bowl and removing the elaborate stage erected on the current field for CMA Fest, Club Ichi circled the planners in Nashville for some real talk about the state of producing events. Brainstorming with sticky notes at Club Ichi Spontaneous Think Tank For those who have not attended one of Liz Lathan, Nicole Osibodu and David T.

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Social Entrepreneurship & Hospitality: From Definition to Action

EHL Insights

What if ‘social’ wasn’t just a buzzword but a strategic redefinition of what businesses aim to achieve? In a world facing increasingly complex challenges, from social inequality to environmental challenges, social entrepreneurship is inspiring a shift in how entrepreneurs and organizations pursue positive social impact.

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Registration Heroes 2025: 30 Voices Shaping the Future of Event Registration

InEvent

When was the last time you walked into an event and thought, “Wow, that was smooth”? No confusion. No clipboards. No awkward name fumble. Just… easy. Chances are, you didn’t think about registration at all — and that’s the point. Behind the scenes, someone (or a whole team) planned every detail of that moment. From … Post Registration Heroes 2025: 30 Voices Shaping the Future of Event Registration showed as first in InEvent.

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A Room with a View

inVOYAGE

In search of the world’s most jaw-dropping hotel views? We caught up with the hotels joining us at inVOYAGE later this year for the perfect round-up… from presidential suites overlooking the Danube to countryside hideaways overlooking the Highland Cows See something you like? Click on the drop down for more information. Fairmont Bab Al Bahr Description text goes hereWith perhaps one of the most iconic views, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr offers rooms that look out over the shimmering Abu Dhabi Creek and

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Consumer concerns impact Summer travel bookings, according to new survey

Travel Daily News

ORLANDO, FLA. – Consumer concerns about the economy and geopolitical situation are sparking changes in travel bookings, according to a new survey of advisors affiliated with TRAVELSAVERS and NEST agencies. The networks revealed the survey results at their Travel Market conference, taking place June 4 to 7 at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando.

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What to Expect from ASAE’s The Exchange: A Women’s Leadership Experience

Smart Meetings

For the second year, association leaders will join together in Washington, D.C., for a day of community building and growth. ASAE’s The Exchange: A Women’s Leadership Experience will be a time for busy association executives to pause, reflect and connect on a deeper level—with themselves, their purpose and each other. ASAE CEO Michelle Mason describes it as more of a retreat than a conference.

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Swiss Tourism’s Long Decline: Can the Alpine Giant Regain Its Global Standing?

EHL Insights

Compared to other countries, Switzerland has steadily become less and less popular as a vacation destination, which raises important questions about the factors shaping international tourism flows. This article examines the role of demographic change, particularly ageing populations, in influencing destination rankings and looks at what these trends may imply for the future of Swiss tourism.

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People on the Move

Convene by PCMA

Helen Scroggs The ATL Airport District Convention & Visitors Bureau, the destination marketing organization for the cities of College Park, Hapeville, and Union City, Georgia, has appointed Helen Scroggs as sales manager, responsible for supporting meetings and group business. Scroggs brings 20 years of sales, meeting, and event management experience to the role, and was most recently a member of the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau destination services team.

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Master Destination Management: Meet the Masters Behind Smooth Events

Unique World Global Destinations

Organising corporate events requires precision, expertise and a team that knows both logistics and engagement. From global conferences to incentive travel, success depends on smooth execution and strategic planning. At Uniqueworld, our event team brings together industry leading professionals with deep knowledge in MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) and destination management.

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Gen AI becoming top source for travel discovery, finds Accenture research

Travel Daily News

Accenture ’s latest Consumer Pulse survey of 18,000 consumers in 14 countries, presented in the report, “Me, my brand, and AI: The new world of consumer engagement,” explores how the adoption of AI across the Travel, Retail and CPG industries, is reinventing the consumer-brand relationship, influencing not just what people buy, but how they think, feel and engage.

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What to Expect at MPI WEC 2025 in St. Louis

Smart Meetings

When Meeting Professionals International’s World Education Congress ( MPI WEC ) arrives at the renovated America’s Center in St. Louis on June 18, they will find a celebration of only-in-the-Gateway-City delights waiting for them. We ask MPI President and CEO Paul Van Deventer what he is excited about seeing as the association for meeting professionals puts out the call, “Let’s Rally,” to draw attention to the power, resilience and innovation of the meetings and events industry and the people be

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Bizzabo Named a Leader in Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Event Marketing and Management Platforms Two Years Running

Bizzaboo

Bizzabo, the Event Experience Operating System (EEOS) that powers immersive in-person, virtual, and hybrid events, today announced its recognition as a Leader in the Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Event Marketing and Management Platforms. This marks the second consecutive year Bizzabo has earned this placement, reinforcing its position as a trusted partner for leading event organizers worldwide.

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How Corporate Events Can Be a Force for Good

Creative Group Inc

Corporate Events and Philanthropy Corporate events are more than just gatherings—they’re moments with meaning. Every experience is an opportunity to create lasting impact, and that includes the impact we make beyond business goals. By weaving philanthropy and volunteering into your corporatevevents, you not only give back to the community—you foster deeper connections among your teams and elevate your company’s values in action.

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Why Small Business Owners in the Meetings and Events Industry Should Join Forces

MPI

Building strong connections through meetings and events with fellow small business owners can be one of the most strategic moves for growth and collaboration. These gatherings create valuable opportunities to share insights, foster partnerships, and strengthen your business network.

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