Smart Meetings

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

Medical professional offers advice on how to manage the rise of Covid-19 variants Meetings are back to in-person, but the possibility of contracting Covid-19 still looms with high-profile individuals like First Lady Jill Biden having recently tested positive for the disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Covid data tracker , between Aug. 4 and Sept. 2, Covid-related hospitalization rose to 8.7%, resulting in 18,871 total hospitalizations.

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Meeting Social Media Planner Contracts 279

Motivation Excellence

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

Carrie Fox is a repeat employee, and we’re sure happy to have her back as a coordinator in our travel department! She’s our focus for this month’s Get to Know ME segment. She’s crafty and grateful and full of good vibes! Thanks, Carrie, for sharing your thoughts on our monthly questions. What’s your current title and how long have you been in the incentive industry?

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Social Media Incentives Preparation Travel 211

Dana Communications

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023

Techy Travel in 2023: What Resorts & Hotels Need to Know Have you noticed how much easier it is to travel nowadays? Technology has improved the way we get out into the world – making it safer, more exciting and, ultimately, more accessible. With so many possibilities for properties to grow their business through travel tech, we’ve compiled a list of some of the top advancements below.

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Travel Travel Hospitality B2B 182

The MICE Blog

SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

Munich is a prime international MICE destination. It’s a superbly connected and modern city where tradition meets a cosmopolitan lifestyle. Today Munich welcomes a new venue highlight with the opening of the Munich Marriott Hotel City West. The hotel brings an additional 398 rooms to Munich, along with 2,326 square meters of event space. Only a few hotels in Munich offer such a large capacity in both rooms and event space, making this hotel’s size a game changer for the city.

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Transportation Healthcare Platform Events 148

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

Travel

Traveler's Q

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

In today’s hypercompetitive business landscape, making your brand stand out from the crowd has become more crucial than ever. With so much noise in the market, creating a unique and memorable brand image is necessary to catch the attention of potential customers and ensure that your business is successfully differentiated from the competition.

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Social Media Event Apps Sponsors Website 130

Conferences that Work

SEPTEMBER 25, 2023

I use the phrase “wants and needs” a lot when talking about participant-driven and participation-rich conferences. It even appears in the title of my third book ! Satisfying wants and what Abraham Maslow called growth needs are core goals of any event. But whose wants and needs are we talking about ? Whom is your event for? Conference organizers have, of course, every right to create an event that satisfies their wants and needs.

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Conference Registration Attendee Booking 162

Motivation Excellence

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023

We’ve all been on the receiving end of heart-plummeting conversation starters like: “We need to talk…” “Please come into my office for a few minutes…” “There’s something I need to tell you…” “Close the door behind you…” Did your tummy get a little queasy reading any of those? While the recipient legitimately can feel instant apprehension upon hearing someone say those words, the speaker has probably been reeling from internal turmoil leading up to the conversation for quite some time.

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Publishing Speakers 187

Dana Communications

SEPTEMBER 5, 2023

Think about the last time you shared where you’d be vacationing with family, friends, neighbors and coworkers. Those who’d already been there probably bombarded you with oh-you-have-to-go-to-(fill-in-the-blank) recommendations. And surprise, surprise, they were all the same handful of places. Even less surprising? These over-recommendations are very likely those most overrun with more tourists than you can shake a (selfie) stick at.

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Management Tourism Tourism Government 161

Eventtia

SEPTEMBER 27, 2023

As brands search for innovative ways to interact with their audiences, SMS for events and retail experiences has emerged as one of the main channels for high customer engagement. No wonder why: mobile-first experience is necessary while more people spend time on their phones. As Statista highlights, “In 2021, mobile users in the United States sent roughly 2 trillion SMS or MMS messages.

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Retail Communications Communications Automation 118

Traveler's Q

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023

Organizing an event is a challenging task that requires a lot of effort and planning. However, no matter how perfectly you might have organized it, if you don’t promote it well enough, you might end up having an empty audience. Email marketing is one of the best ways to promote your event because it can directly reach your target audience with personalized messages.

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Automation Promotion Audience Events 130

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

Convene by PCMA

SEPTEMBER 26, 2023

Meeting planners don’t have to worry about AI taking over their jobs, a new report from the World Economic Forum suggests. There’s a lot to unpack in the 296-page report released Sept. 19 by the World Economic Forum (WEF) about the impact of Large Language Models (LLM) — aka generative AI — on jobs. But the headlines hold very good news for those working in the business events industry: Among the jobs expected to be least exposed to the threat posed by generative AI’s impact are those that

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Organization Training Automation Events 122

Smart Meetings

SEPTEMBER 18, 2023

6 tips for a smooth European event from an international DMC expert If it seems to you everyone is taking their incentive meeting to Europe this year, you are not alone. International destinations often increase the perceived value of an experience in the mind of the participants making the reward (in the case of an incentive program) even more unique and unforgettable.

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EHL Insights

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023

The latest figures released by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) have put even more spring in Swiss tourism’s step. Night stays in Switzerland for the months of June and July 2023 were recently published. And the news is good! Night stays (or hotel stays) were 8.6% higher in June 2023 versus June 2023. This confirms an earlier report indicating that in the first half of 2023, night stays increased 13.8% year on year.

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Tourism Tourism Publishing Hospitality 116

MeetingsNet

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

After one big effort in August, nearly six times as many Maritz Global Events employees are certified in event sustainability. In 2022, the Events Industry Council launched the Sustainable Event Professional Certificate online course, aimed at meeting planners and suppliers interested in improving the sustainability and social-impact efforts of their organizations and the business events they organize.

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Certification Sustainability Online Global Events 115

Conferences that Work

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023

Why aren’t unconferences more popular? Events and media consultant Julius Solaris shared at the Unforgettable Experience Design Summit that he was initially very enthusiastic about unconference format events. He thought conferences would eventually adopt unconference models. But Julius didn’t see them catch on and now focuses on other aspects of the meeting industry.

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Preparation Venue Conference Attendee 106

Best Corporate Events

SEPTEMBER 13, 2023

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives benefit businesses, their employees, and their local communities. CSR team building events are often one core component of broader programs. But to get the most value for everyone involved, it’s vital to choose the right CSR team building partner. An ideal partner will deliver programs that create fun, emotionally powerful, memorable shared experiences for employees.

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Benefits Communications Communications Networking 97

Convene by PCMA

SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

Rising costs — for food and beverage, AV and production, and speakers/entertainment — are challenging planners who want to meet attendee expectations at their events. First, the bad news: Full-year performance for 2023 participation and revenues is expected to be around 10 percent below 2019. But the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) says next year’s performance is expected to eclipse 2019 results by nearly 4 percent.

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Speakers Entertainment Events Sponsors 111

Smart Meetings

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

Give a shout out to your partners! The annual Platinum Choice Awards serves as the perfect opportunity to show appreciation for your favorite hotels and CVBs. All votes are entered to win one of three $100 Amazon Gift Cards. The deadline to get your votes in is Sept. 30. Winners will be announced in the December Smart Meetings Magazine. Vote Now! Take a look at last year’s Platinum Choice winners here.

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EHL Insights

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023

Luxury is the new black. Post the pandemic, the global luxury industry recorded sales of €1.15 trillion in 2021, and continued its growth in 2022 by 19%-21% (Bain & Company, 2023). Luxury hospitality, luxury cars, and personal luxury goods represent over 80% of the total market. In this article, we zoom into the world of luxury hospitality to examine the trends that shape this industry, the challenges that are associated with the trends, and the best practices that illustrate how firms are m

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Hospitality Trends Management Marketing 114

MeetingsNet

SEPTEMBER 25, 2023

Google has created a thorough and thought-provoking guide to event inclusivity, and the company is making it available to anyone. If your organization is working to create more inclusive and accessible events, don’t duplicate efforts: A comprehensive resource just released by Google covers everything from registration and restrooms to service animals and swag.

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Registration Events Website Speakers 109

Conferences that Work

SEPTEMBER 18, 2023

Strive to live in your own imagination, not someone else’s. Having written about the intersection of power and status at meetings , I appreciate what professor of African American studies at Princeton University Ruha Benjamin shares in this 2019 video: “ The New Jim Code? Race, Carceral Technoscience, and Liberatory Imagination “ She delves deeply into nonobvious ways that historic designs encode and perpetuate inequity.

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Technology Technology Conference Culture 105

Bizzaboo

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023

Now more than ever, sustainability is top of mind for event planners because it’s a top priority for event attendees. It doesn’t matter if you’re hosting a team summit, client meet-and-greet, or large trade show — attendees want to participate in events prioritizing a safe, healthy planet. In our recent State of in-person B2B conferences report , 26.8% of attendees said sustainability and DE&I are their No. 1 priority, and 31.2% said they’re their No. 2 priority when choosing to attend

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Sustainability Management Transportation Events 105

Convene by PCMA

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023

The Wall Street Journal ranked the Las Vegas Convention Center at No. 1 overall in its list of the top 30 U.S. convention centers. The Wall Street Journal ’s recent ranking of the top 30 U.S. convention centers used criteria generally understood as key to site selection: exhibition space, meeting rooms, total space, distance from the airport, hotel availability, meal price, arts/entertainment, food availability, and walkability.

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Planner Meeting Site Selection Venue 105

Smart Meetings

SEPTEMBER 13, 2023

Profiles on five woman chefs of color leading the culinary industry Chef Alice Seo, DM of Wolfgang Puck Catering in Seattle, was one of five incredible woman chefs of color in a leadership position who spoke to Smart Meetings about their careers. In her interview with Smart Meetings, she recalled watching an interview of Madeline Albright, the first female U.S.

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SEO Preparation Management Meeting 264

EHL Insights

SEPTEMBER 29, 2023

Hotel revenue management is the process of optimizing revenue by predicting demand and setting prices accordingly, most commonly found in hotels to forecast occupancy in order to maximize their room rate, hotel marketing strategy, and overall property performance. It's a complex and ever-evolving field for a revenue manager to navigate, with many channels and tools to keep up-to-date with.

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Management Marketing Marketing Hospitality 105

MPI

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

During her IBTM Americas session on Sept. 13, Liz Whittaker, vice president of creative services for Encore, shared her vision on graphic design and the importance of organizing, prioritizing and promoting the retention of the messages we want to convey to our audience.

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Promotion Audience Organization Trends 105

Travel Daily Media

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023

The post Get ready to party at “Cruise Control 4.0” with Cordelia Cruises appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media. Cordelia Cruises is thrilled to unveil the much-awaited comeback of “Cruise Control 4.0,” Asia’s biggest cruise festival. Against the mesmerising backdrop of the Arabian Sea, this year’s edition promises an unprecedented amalgamation of opulence, music, and entertainment, featuring the spectacular Canadian artist, Shubh, as the head

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Entertainment Media Preparation Tourism 103

Social Tables

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023

Have you ever attended a birthday party, holiday gathering, or business meeting at a restaurant? Although you may not have considered those occasions “events” at the time, that’s precisely what they were, and restaurants host more of them than we think. As the demand for private events grows and booking windows get shorter, more customers are looking for restaurant event spaces that meet their needs.

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Events Venue Rehearsal Booking 88

Convene by PCMA

SEPTEMBER 13, 2023

Looking for ways to do your job better — or for the latest trends in the world of work? Here’s a roundup of career-related stories selected by the editors of Convene. How to Make a Real Work Friend — And Why It’s So Important Research shows that forming connections with your coworkers is good for your career, and your overall happiness. But how do you go about making genuine connections with coworkers or other like-minded individuals in your industry?

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Trends Platform Production Organization 105

Smart Meetings

SEPTEMBER 3, 2023

Luxurious Touches Made Everyone Feel Special in The Palm Beaches When the CEO arrives on the greens of historic PGA National Resort in Palm Beach, Florida, in a helicopter, dropping a bucket of golf balls to pick the winner of a high-stakes raffle, you know this is going to be a hosted buyer event unlike any other. Smart Meetings Florida Experience elevated the gathering at every turn.

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Meeting Retreat Seminar Events 264

Best Corporate Events

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023

Do you love taking part in team building activities? Would you like your company to do more of them? Are you unsure about how to approach your manager about this? If your answers are all “yes,” this post is for you! Maybe you enjoy the camaraderie and the opportunity to enhance your relationships with coworkers. Perhaps you appreciate the chance to give back to the community through corporate social responsibility (CSR) team building programs.

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Management Benefits Remote Preparation 88

Skift Meetings

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023

Skift Take: This year's Burning Man turned into a muddy mess when severe flooding left thousands stranded. Is it time we revisit contingency plans for outdoor events?

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Meeting Events Sustainability Management 100

Fox World Travel

SEPTEMBER 12, 2023

Written by: Brooke Blouse, Program Manager – Meetings & Incentives In the fast-paced world of corporate events and activities, successful planning and execution require meticulous data management. This is where Cvent, a leading event management platform, steps in to revolutionize the way businesses handle their event logistics. Partnering with expert meeting planning teams, like the […] The post Streamlining Corporate Event Planning with Cvent: A Spotlight on Fox World TravelR

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Event Planning Logistics Meeting Incentives 98

Travel Daily Media

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023

The post VisitBritain hosts first ‘Ambassador Reception’ appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media. VisitBritain has been putting the importance of the business events sector in the spotlight, hosting its first ‘Ambassador Reception’ to recognise city sector and academic ambassadors who continue to secure new international business events in Britain.

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Panel Sports Media Culture 99

Convene by PCMA

SEPTEMBER 29, 2023

Riaz Meghji challenges planners: “The price of engaging sessions isn’t just effective planning, it’s connection.” Hybrid events may not be top of mind for event planners anymore — according to the results of Convene ’s Meetings Market survey, more than two out of five planner respondents have returned to fully in-person meetings — but that doesn’t mean we don’t continue to live in a hybrid world.

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Events Planner Attendee Speakers 103