Smart Meetings
NOVEMBER 8, 2024
Get involved with local events like Refract Seattle to create unforgettable experiences for your attendees Since its inception, what is now the largest glass arts festival in North America draws visitors to Seattle from all over the world, and the somewhat niche community of glass artists, appreciators and collectors take over the city for an October weekend each year.
The MICE Blog
OCTOBER 21, 2024
The Frankfurt Airport Marriott Hotel and Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel & Conference Center represents the first dual-brand concept for Marriott International. Located at Frankfurt Airport, Europe’s busiest airport, it is also one of the largest airport hotels in Europe. Frankfurt Airport Marriott Hotel and Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel & Conference Center are located under one roof, so guests have added convenience for both their stay and events.
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Advanced Travel and Tourism
DECEMBER 3, 2024
Holiday travel is a growing trend with as estimated two-thirds of American’s planning to take at least one holiday trip this year *. So, we asked ourselves, what are our favorite holiday destinations and what are they doing to bring in the holiday cheer? Here’s a list of some of our favorites to bring you peace, joy, and inspiration! Destination Panama City Boat Parade of Lights – The unique and quintessential coastal holiday celebration takes to the water of St.
ETC Corporate
JULY 11, 2024
Europe’s tourism industry continued its recovery in the second quarter of 2024. Foreign arrivals (+6%) and overnights (+7%) surpassed 2019 figures, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 12% and 10%, respectively. The growth is propelled by robust intra-regional travel from Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands.
TravelBoom and sister agency, The Brandon Agency, release new consumer sentiment study on travel amidst the COVID-19 second wave
Pádraic Gilligan
JUNE 24, 2024
by Pádraic Gilligan, Founder, SoolNua & Chief Marketing Officer, SITE This post explores the “Growing Up in Ireland” study, highlighting how travel is the top aspiration among 13-year-olds, especially girls and those from higher-income families. It underscores the importance of travel experiences and offers insights for incentive travel professionals on gender and socio-economic trends.
Motivation Excellence
AUGUST 5, 2024
There’s nothing like an anniversary that gets you to look back and forward at the same time. We celebrate 39 years in the incentive industry in September. David Jobes was part of that history for 32 years, until he passed away in July. Our company will remain owned by the Jobes family. In a recent company-wide meeting they expressed their commitment to the company, calling the team a second family, and saying the company is stronger than ever as two members of the leadership team step up to run
MICE Travel Today brings together the best content for MICE professionals from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
Dana Communications
JANUARY 9, 2024
Revenge travel, brocations, babymoons, staycations, bleisure…you’ve heard about them all, and they’re still around. 2024 follows suit and ushers in some interesting travel trends that will be popping up on your radar soon. Dupe Travel – The TikTok beauty trend has manifested its way to the travel industry, this time offering budget-friendly alternatives to destinations that carry a bigger price tag.
Smart Meetings
NOVEMBER 18, 2024
Imagine crafting an event like preparing a Thanksgiving dinner, where every ingredient, every dish, and every seat at the table has been considered with intention and care. Today, the events industry is cooking up something different—a transformation fueled by deeper human connection, inclusivity, and a touch of technological magic. Just as a homemade meal draws us together in a celebration of our shared stories and individuality, events in 2025 will bring people together in ways that honor the
The MICE Blog
DECEMBER 20, 2024
Rotterdam has established itself as a premier destination for sustainable events, earning international recognition from Arcadis. The city’s innovative approaches to climate resilience and practical, forward-thinking solutions make it a top choice for events that aim to create lasting impact. Practical approach to sustainability and resilience I was in Rotterdam to attend Urban Future 2024 and spoke to Chantal Zeegers, Vice Mayor responsible for climate, construction, and housing.
Smart Meetings
DECEMBER 17, 2024
Why free time, authenticity and immersion are redefining program inclusions What are the latest trends emerging for incentive travel 2025 and beyond? Smart Meetings sat down with Annette Gregg, CEO of SITE and SITE Foundation, to explore the trends among budget, program inclusion, coming challenges and destination selection for the coming year, courtesy of the Incentive Travel Index Survey Results from SITE Foundation.
The evolution of the DMC industry requires that it embark upon a renewed relationship with clients that is built upon transparency, trust, and understanding.
Smart Meetings
OCTOBER 21, 2024
Hawai’i is at a crossroads. It needs tourism, including groups, but its residents—especially but not only Native Hawaiians—have been increasingly upset about overtourism and degradation of the state’s fragile environment and treasured cultural sites. The aftermath of the tragic West Maui wildfire only sharpened divides. What to do? Hawai’i Tourism Authority (HTA) has a new answer for bridging these divides and building trust: Qurator , a certification program for the widest possible swath of vi
Smart Meetings
NOVEMBER 7, 2024
Hologram technology can increase engagement and attract hard-to-get speakers Meetings may be a mostly in-person experience but—as we learned during Covid, with the use of Zoom, Teams and other online video platforms—the use of communications technology has its place in the world of meetings and events. A more sophisticated form of communications technology to shift the way we meet and interact at events are holograms, walking a fine line between in-person and video communication.
The MICE Blog
NOVEMBER 18, 2024
Everyone knows Stuttgart as the birthplace of mobility and a powerhouse in the automotive industry. But there’s much more to this dynamic destination. Stuttgart is constantly evolving, offering a unique setting for hosting business events. In this blog post, I’ll showcase the unique opportunities Stuttgart offers for your event, from hotels and venues to experiences, all with sustainability woven into the event planning process.
Smart Meetings
OCTOBER 30, 2024
Throughout the travel industry, sustainability has become a primary focus for both guests and hospitality providers. As travelers grow increasingly engaged with environmental issues, hotels and restaurants around the world are implementing innovative programs to create the greatest environmental benefit while minimizing their impact, allowing guests to feel good about partnering with companies that share their values.
Smart Meetings
JANUARY 29, 2024
Marin Bright often told the story of how she launched the meetings and events industry’s first lifestyle magazine in 2002, a few months after the devastating attacks on 9/11 and the downturn in the travel industry. Over 22 years, through economic recessions, a global pandemic and personal health issues, as CEO of Bright Business Media, LLC and Smart Meetings , she continued to exemplify the resiliency and grit required to build the Smart Meetings community into the most engaged in the in
Smart Meetings
DECEMBER 26, 2024
The most anticipated openings of 2025, alongside big plans for brands, show how hospitality continues to evolve. New and Renovated Hotels Reflect Top Trends 2025 is a year to get excited for. With a host of exciting new hotels slated to open throughout the next 12 months, plus some major strategic visions in the works at major brands, the opportunities for every style meeting are boundless.
Smart Meetings
AUGUST 12, 2024
Proposed law may impact pricing, but it’s more complicated than that The city that doesn’t sleep should not mind having the number of its hotel rooms go down, but meeting profs will—and proposed licensing of hotels in New York City will hasten the drop, according to trade groups for the hotel industry. But that’s just one factor in a complex hotel environment in the city.
Smart Meetings
DECEMBER 26, 2024
For many meeting professionals, taking a well-deserved breath after a year of planning large conventions, attending the International Association of Exhibitions & Events (IAEE) Expo! Expo! is an annual tradition. This year was no exception. An estimated 1,700 attendees passed through the West Hall doors at Los Angeles Convention Center the second week of December.
Smart Meetings
JUNE 17, 2024
Sustainability by definition is meeting the needs of the present without compromising those of the future. It provides us with the opportunity to not only protect the environment, but to ensure that we are contributing and promoting the well-being of people long beyond our event. This fits so well with our—the impression that we leave on our attendees at events today will keep them coming back in the future.
Smart Meetings
DECEMBER 11, 2024
The world of sustainable events is bigger than ever. As more planners and partners in hospitality and tourism incorporate sustainability into their business models, it becomes a need-to-have, rather than a nice-to-have. This year, Smart Meetings published a repertoire of sustainability content geared especially around how-tos and making sure everyone has access to the knowledge and resources to feel confident talking about sustainability and implementing it into their business practices.
Smart Meetings
OCTOBER 10, 2024
A current assessment and resources for those affected Hurricane Milton made landfall in western Florida yesterday, leaving nine dead and nearly 3.5 million residents and 165 health care facilities without power. Over 80,000 Floridians are currently being supported by nearly 300 operating shelters. In a twist of fate, Hillsborough County , which had offered comfort stations, income eligible hotel assistance and FEMA assistance to those impacted by Hurricane Helene’s September 26 landfall, was sud
Smart Meetings
SEPTEMBER 24, 2024
MPI Academy shares insights into how planners can master their continuing education journey Ah, the continuing education conundrum. With so many options out there for credentials, certifications and courses—in an industry where everyone seems to have a mini alphabet behind their name—how do you know which one is right for you, right now? To find out more about the range of paths planners can take in their continuing education journeys, and why continuing education is so important to this industr
Smart Meetings
DECEMBER 11, 2024
Refreshes where comfort and ease meet real ROI Discover new and renovated properties that provide a breath-of-fresh-air feel and the perfect spaces to get the work done, and have funwithout breaking the bank. Whether youre headed to discover waterfalls in Chattanooga, Tennessee, looking to lounge beachside in Dana Point, California, or seeking Rocky Mountain High success in Denver, Colorado, find your next meeting destination here.
Advanced Travel and Tourism
OCTOBER 29, 2024
We at Advance Travel & Tourism were honored to once again attend and sponsor the Tennessee Governor’s Conference on Hospitality & Tourism in Chattanooga. Because TNHTA and Chattanooga Tourism Co. put on such an insightful event, we wanted to share some of our key takeaways from the conference below. Before we dive into key takeaways, we certainly want to call attention to our neighbors who are still in need in Northeast Tennessee.
Smart Meetings
DECEMBER 5, 2024
Discover Resort Getaways for Your Next Incentive, Small Meeting, or Conference Whether your meeting is large or small, these resorts are ready for you. Venture to the Blue Ridge Mountains for a VIP retreat immersed in nature. If youre planning a small to mid-sized meeting, Miami Beach is calling your name. And if youve got a large conference or trade show in the works, who says you cant resort life it, poolside in sunny Arizona?
Advanced Travel and Tourism
NOVEMBER 20, 2024
Kentucky is more than just bourbon and horses. The fine folks at Visit Northen Kentucky in conjunction with the Kentucky Tourism Industry Association showed that fact off in style last week at their annual conference. What were the top takeaways from the conference? We asked our man on the ground in Kentucky, Andrew Held, to help answer that question.
Smart Meetings
JULY 24, 2024
The annual convention drove home stewardship as key to prosperity for locals, visitors and meetings alike At Destinations International (DI) Annual Convention, 2024 (DIAC24), in Tampa, Fla. this past July 16-18, DI CEO Don Welsh’s opening remarks brought forward a wave of laugher from the crowd after he shared that the awe-inspiring drone show that kicked off the 2024 Annual Convention used an astounding 300 drones—and 298 of them made it through to the end!
Smart Meetings
OCTOBER 16, 2024
These hotels are ideal for small meetings, with big results. If you’re planning a small gathering, these new and renovated hotels are the perfect place to get business done with a twist. Between meetings, your attendees will find perfect R&R in their refreshed guest rooms and plenty to do outside, whether relaxing poolside in St. Pete, exploring Nashville’s Broadway Street or taking in Savannah, Georgia’s fastest-growing area.
Smart Meetings
OCTOBER 11, 2024
This week, we explore the impact the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions industry sector has had on global business travel, Wynn Resorts’ expanded plans for the UAE’s first casino, the benefits and economic power of Indigenous tourism, new European itineraries by Variety Cruises—and a last-minute chance to score some steep discounts on flights to Dublin, London and Paris.
Smart Meetings
APRIL 8, 2024
As American makes it easier to travel with pets, what will this mean for passengers? The next time you’re on an American Airlines flight, don’t be surprised if things look a little, well, furrier. American recently updated its pet policy, which could serve as encouragement to travelers—specifically, those who normally leave their small friends at home or try to pass them as support animals—to bring them along.
The MICE Blog
JULY 3, 2024
St. Gallen, located in the heart of Eastern Switzerland, is rapidly emerging as a leader of innovation and entrepreneurship. Well-known for its strategic location with direct transportation links to Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein, the city blends its rich historical background with its emerging status as a leading destination for business events on a global scale.
Smart Meetings
MARCH 7, 2024
Event tech native Nick Borelli: AI will remove the drag stuff so you can produce A+ events Nick Borelli, director of marketing for the ethical facial analytics company Zenus Inc., has good news for meeting professionals. AI is not just one more thing they have to learn to do their jobs. “It is actually a tool that will get some of that ‘drag stuff’ out of the way to focus on the things that you really want to do, the reason you got into the events industry in the first place,” he explained at Sm
Smart Meetings
NOVEMBER 13, 2024
These properties make it easy to gather among views remember Those amazing landscapes that you see on postcards? They look oh-so-much better from a floor-to-ceiling meeting room window. To get yourself and your attendees there, you just have to find your perfect postcard city and then make the booking. These new and renovated properties are the way to make it happen, whether you’re searching for big city energy or a quiet home base.
Smart Meetings
MAY 2, 2024
The most expensive hotel renovation ever seen marks the venue’s 25th anniversary The Venetian Resort Las Vegas is celebrating a $1.5 billion reinvestment project, said to be the most expensive redo in hospitality history, including a grand slew of property-wide renovations, new programming and fresh culinary additions. Alongside it all, the resort will celebrate its milestone 25th anniversary with special programming throughout the weekend of May 3-5.
Smart Meetings
MAY 15, 2024
Bring your meetings to destinations that go above and beyond Looking for a meeting space that is versatile, unique and nails top-notch hospitality? You may find it in an innovative, high-tech NYC venue; or, perhaps a characteristic boutique hotel in beautiful Boise. Maybe Cleveland is the place for you, where history and modernity go hand-in-hand. Whatever you’re looking for, these new and renovated hotels and venues are waiting to host you.
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