Iceland Volcano Erupts 

A volcano in southwestern Iceland began erupting Monday night, spewing lava and smoke into the air after weeks of intense earthquake activity. Although an eruption was expected, it is larger than predicted. -Andrea Doyle | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 4 months ago

Poll: Skift Meetings Summit Participants Vote on What Defines Event Excellence

What turns a good event into a transformative experience? We showcased some of the best events of 2023 at our virtual summit and asked event professionals in attendance about what they’re doing to change their own approaches to building a community. -Walton County Tourism | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 4 months ago

Maximizing Connections to Unlock Event ROI

Alex Reynolds, the co-founder and CEO of Vendelux, discusses how data analytics is transforming event marketing and the powerful impact of forging connections in an increasingly digital world. -Miguel Neves | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 4 months ago

Events Benefit From Tech Hubs That Put Community First

There are two key factors behind groundbreaking innovations: infrastructure that supports research and development, and a community spirit that nurtures both startups and local talent. Find out how this winning combination provides the ideal setting for future-forward meetings an … | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 4 months ago

Radisson Leverages Automation for Impressive Gains in Group Bookings

Hivr.ai is helping the Radisson Hotel Group rewrite the playbook on group bookings. Impressive leaps in lead-to-quote conversion and customer response rates suggest this automation approach is a game changer. -Miguel Neves | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 4 months ago

Shaking Up Event ROI Measurement

Vendelux's Event ROI Index is a bold attempt to inject scientific rigor into the often-ambiguous world of measuring event return on investment. While the initiative is commendable, the question persists: can an algorithm truly capture the ROI of a handshake? -Miguel Neves | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 4 months ago

What Event Excellence Looks Like in 2023

The latest Skift Meetings virtual summit took the audience behind the scenes of some of the most innovative and inspiring approaches to event experiences of the year. -Refugio Garcia | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 4 months ago

Fontainebleau Las Vegas Sparkles in Grand Opening

The $3.7 Billion Fontainebleau Las Vegas is officially now open. Close to two decades in the making, the vertically integrated luxury mega-resort is a reality at last. -Andrea Doyle | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 4 months ago

New Guides Launched to Support Net Zero Carbon Events

Is the events industry ready to implement decarbonization and track its progress? Net Zero Carbon Events is providing a roadmap. -Miguel Neves | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 4 months ago

Meeting Spend Is Up and Short Meetings Are Down

According to Convene, spending on meetings and events has increased by 35%, while Knowland reports group revenue is at 103% of 2019 levels. -Andrea Doyle | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 4 months ago

Caesars Entertainment Puts the Attendee Experience First With Harrah’s Reimagined

Las Vegas is well known as one of the most popular leisure destinations in the world, but it's also a major center of business events. Find out how Caesars Entertainment is investing in Harrah's Las Vegas to deliver the ultimate attendee experience. -Caesars Entertainment | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 4 months ago

The Impact on Events of the EPA’s New Food Waste Strategy Announced at COP28

Food waste creates 8% of anthropogenic greenhouse gasses globally every year. The Environmental Protection Agency has introduced a strategy to cut waste while boosting a circular economy for all. -Refugio Garcia | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 4 months ago

Grit — Key to a Successful Event 

According to John Hense, if you peel back the curtains of all successful meetings and events, you'll find one key ingredient: grit. -Andrea Doyle | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 4 months ago

Germany’s Exhibition Industry at a Crossroads: Transparency or Status Quo?

Germany's exhibition industry might be on the brink of a transformative upheaval as it grapples with calls for transparency and potential regulatory disruption. -Miguel Neves | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

Tips and Tricks for Measuring Event Legacy Success

If there's anything more challenging than executing a successful event legacy, it's developing a plan to measure that success. Here are tips and tricks to make the process more efficient and effective. -MeetDenmark | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

Mexico Incentives: Deep Connections Make the Difference

Mexico’s drug cartels often dominate the headlines, but avoiding the country altogether is a costly mistake. By partnering with local experts and selecting a property that celebrates local culture, you have all the necessary pieces to truly motivate your guests. -Andrea Doyle | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

Tulum Takes Flight as an Incentive Destination

Tulum, a popular incentive destination, now has an airport. The Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport is open, with five daily domestic flights and numerous international routes coming soon. -Andrea Doyle | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

Destination Brief: Poland Emerges as Event Industry Powerhouse

With industrial buildings transformed into state-of-the-art venues, a growing reputation as the “Silicon Valley of Europe,” and a blossoming tourism industry, discover why Poland is becoming a first choice for event and meeting planners worldwide. -Polish Tourism Organisation | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

The Legality and Ethics of Outboarding 

Attendee outboarding during events and conferences has been all but condemned by industry associations that paint it as an unethical act, but is it just an attempt to protect an investment in an event against an otherwise legal activity? -Refugio Garcia | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

Getting the Best Deal on Outside AV

Having the right strategy can help you sidestep price gouging and get the best deal on essential AV production and support. -Refugio Garcia | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

The Drive to Innovate Live Marketing

Delve into the visionary mind of Colja Dams, CEO of VOK DAMS, as he unpacks the transformative intersection of technological innovation, sustainability, and the enduring magic of live events destined to thrive in a post-pandemic world hungry for authentic connections. -Miguel Nev … | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

Sustainability Key to Winter Olympics Destination Selection

Sustainability and building a lasting legacy through the use of existing venues signals to the reshaping of the election process for future host destinations of the Winter Olympic and Paralympic games. | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

Denver Earns Coveted Sustainability Recognition

Visit Denver is the first destination organization to achieve the Event Industry Council’s highest sustainability event standards ranking. This certification casts those who just greenwash aside and spotlights those doing the work. -Andrea Doyle | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

IBTM Asia Pacific Launches as Aussies and Kiwis Skip Out of IBTM World

In an industry where presence is everything, key destinations conspicuously duck out of IBTM World as parent company RX shifts its gaze to the tantalizing markets of Asia Pacific. -Miguel Neves | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

Video: How Urban Expansion & Renewal Deliver Event Excellence

Urban expansion presents a golden opportunity for smart city planning that benefits both events and the local community. Find out how Phoenix has become a shining example of urban renewal with its updated transportation infrastructure, new research hubs, high-tech manufacturing, … | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

Janet Dell Makes History as Freeman’s First Female CEO

In its 96-year history, Freeman has never been led by a woman, but that is about to change. On July 1, Janet Dell takes the helm and will oversee one of the largest event companies in the world. -Andrea Doyle | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

Tech Conference Accused of Creating Fake Women Speakers

Tech industry insiders say fake female speakers were featured in the DevTernity conference lineup to create the illusion of diversity. -Andrea Doyle | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

Simple Solutions to Meet Organizational ESG Targets

With corporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals taking center stage, meeting and event professionals will need to prioritize stronger sustainability measures while carefully tracking their impact. Here are practical tools and resources that will help turn those g … | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

Apple’s NameDrop Feature Sparks Privacy Warning

Some law enforcement officials think Apple's NameDrop contact-sharing feature could be abused as it makes it too easy for personal data to be shared. -Andrea Doyle | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

3 Ways to Create Engaging, Unforgettable Event Themes for Corporate Meetings

Meeting planners have the option to settle for pre-packaged events to make their lives easier. Or they can collaborate with destinations on unique event themes that create unforgettable, lasting memories. -Bermuda Tourism Authority | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

Venue Floor Plans May Put Events at Risk

While most U.S. venues have floor plans available online, new UK legislation will limit access to venue floor plans to thwart potential terrorist attacks. -Refugio Garcia | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

The Intersection of Passion and Impact

Amanda Armstrong, Encore's senior vice president of communications and industry relations, delves into the art of career mapping, fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce, and the enduring importance of human connection in shaping the world of events. -Miguel Neves | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

Event Intelligence Platform Attracts $14M in New Funding

Investors are betting on Vendelux's AI-powered event intelligence prowess. Can its data-driven foresight redefine event success metrics? -Miguel Neves | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

Stress at an All-Time High in Events

Four out of five event professionals report that their roles have become more stressful today than before the pandemic. Plus, they are not being supported. -Andrea Doyle | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

San Francisco Displaces Unhoused for APEC Summit

The City’s efforts to spruce up its appearance before a global audience included hastily shoving the homeless out of sight and out of mind. Will other California cities grappling with homelessness follow suit? -Refugio Garcia | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

Formula 1 Puts Las Vegas on a Global Stage

The Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix featured a week of elaborate events. A-list celebrities, famous sports stars, and many of the most prominent celebrity | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

In Search of Event Tech Innovation

Event Tech Live's 10th edition revealed a challenging landscape for innovation in the event technology sector. Major players are focused on offering all-in-one solutions and offering incremental improvements over groundbreaking changes. The calls for fresh, disruptive ideas are g … | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

Iceland Volcano Concerns Won’t Stop Meetings

Iceland has experienced more than 2,000 mini-earthquakes with a volcano close to erupting on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Meetings and conferences in the country have yet to be impacted. -Andrea Doyle | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

Navigating the Legal Middle Ground 

Since joining Maritz Global Events in 2017, Jill Blood has tackled everything from international privacy laws to the legality of renting blimps. Blood's artful navigation of the legal middle ground is as thrilling as it is crucial. -Andrea Doyle | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

Move Over Meetings — Convention Centers May Shelter Migrants

Hospitals, vaccination sites, now overflow shelter sites. That is a possibility for some convention centers as cities struggle to provide housing for incoming migrants and asylum seekers. -Andrea Doyle | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

4 Ways to Incorporate Culture Into the Event Agenda

Bleisure travel is here to stay, so why not build meeting agendas with a balance of business and pleasure baked right in? We look to Budapest for four great ways to infuse an event schedule with cultural experiences of all kinds. -Budapest Convention Bureau | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

Panels Don’t Work — Or Do They? 

Two-thirds of meeting attendees do not like panel discussions, yet 95 percent of conferences and conventions include them. We've all had to sit through Most conferences include panels even though they are boring and a waste of time. What can be done to liven them up? | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

Event Legacies: Two Case Studies Reveal Path to Success

Sometimes, there’s no better way to get a firm grasp on industry best practices than to learn from case studies. Here are two Danish congresses that reveal the best ways to approach event legacies from beginning to end. -MeetDenmark | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

Banning the Boycott, or Not

This year, more anti-LGBTQ bills are brewing in the U.S. than ever before. While boycotting may seem morally logical, new LGBTQ+ meetings and hospitality association Global Diversity Alliance, encourages planners to seek other alternatives. -Andrea Doyle | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

Leadership Shake-Up at U.S. Travel

U.S. Travel Association is restructuring and, in its wake, has created a new position to increase group travel to the United States. Ishma Haider, director of convention marketing at Visit Orlando, will assume this new role. -Andrea Doyle | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

Marsha Flanagan Takes Helm at IAEE

Marsha Flanagan is the new president and CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) as of December 1, 2023. She replaces Cathy | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

RingCentral Events Hits the Market, Built on Hopin Tech

RingCentral's savvy acquisition of Hopin's main assets could prove a shrewd investment. With a new pricing structure, fresh approach to customer data and some handy AI enhancements, RingCentral Events is now ready for the spotlight. -Miguel Neves | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago

3 Ways to Make the Most of Your Convention Center

Convention centers may already be the top venue choice for many events, but they can be so much more than just the practical default option. Discover three ways to leverage your venue partnership for an unforgettable event experience. -Tourism Calgary | Continue reading


@meetings.skift.com | 5 months ago