event planning

Hospitality Meetings and Events Professional Predicts 2020 Meeting Trends

Stefanie Rowe | October 9, 2019

As the current Director of Sales and Marketing at Hotel EMC2, which opened in 2017, I have seen it all when it comes to hotel meeting and events. Throughout my current role, I have learned how important it is to incorporate the property’s identity to provide a unique atmosphere. As an art and science inspired hotel, we have many of one-of-a-kind features including our on-site library of 12,000 books and robot concierges, which I make sure to highlight when meeting potential clients. From small corporate meetings to elaborate receptions, I have been a part of the planning process from beginning to end for a diverse array of events. Throughou...

Hotel and Travel Conferences Need an Upgrade

Vikram Singh | August 28, 2019

By Vikram Singh When it comes to hotel conferences and trade shows, I will go ahead and show my age by saying I have been to almost all of them. During the earlier part of my career, I was an attendee; later I became a speaker. After I received hotel revenue optimization enlightenment, I took it upon myself to go out and educate an industry that seemed perpetually stuck. Several hundred conferences later, a clear pattern has emerged. However, this pattern will need to change if events are to become truly relevant to the industry they serve. Below are some of my observations, and they might sound very familiar to you. Here is a walk down...

The Castell Project Releases Second Annual Women Speakers in Hospitality (WSH) List

The Castell Project | August 21, 2019

ATLANTA, August 21, 2019—Officials of Castell Project, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the careers of women professionals in the hospitality industry, today released its second annual “WSH List,” a list of prominent female hoteliers and hospitality real estate executives ready with the background required to be dynamic speakers at the industry’s numerous events. List referrals are made complimentary to all conference organizers seeking to add diversity to their lineups of highly qualified and sought-after presenters. “Less than one in six speakers at hotel investment conferences are women,” sa...

Hospitality Financial Leadership: Subsidizing Your Company, Association Meeting Costs / David Lund

David Lund | August 5, 2019

By David Lund In my recent travels working with clients and delivering keynotes as well as financial leadership workshops for management teams and hotel associations, I noticed an interesting way that more than one client used to “subsidize” their meetings—reducing their costs—and I wanted to share it with you. Having your regional meeting, national meeting or hosting your association event is expensive. There are travel costs, perhaps speaker fees and venue costs. Depending on the type of event there can be accommodations, meals, audiovisual and meeting room rentals. For companies, there is also lost productivity cost associate...

Cvent Unveils Lists of Top Meeting Destinations Worldwide for 2019

Cvent | July 17, 2019

TYSONS CORNER, Va - July 17, 2019 - Cvent, a market-leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider, today released its annual lists of the Top Meeting Destinations for meetings and events worldwide. The lists were compiled based on meeting and event booking activity across Cvent’s venue sourcing sites, including the Cvent Supplier Network, through which more than $16 billion in business was sourced in 2018. The annual lists include top destinations located in: United States, Europe, Caribbean & Latin America, Middle East & Africa, Canada, Germany, and United Kingdom. Due to increased sourcing volume to the Asia Pac...

Château de Bois Rigaud inaugurates its brand new wedding venue in Puy-de-Dôme, France

June 2, 2019

[CLERMONT-FERRAND] – Château de Bois Rigaud has been a destination for unforgettable wedding celebrations. The castle's storied history, transformed by a recent renovation, melds with comfort, luxury and greenery, creating a curated wedding experience that is intimate and memorable. Today, Château de Bois Rigaud announces the inauguration of its brand new wedding venue. Brides and grooms can hold their wedding ceremony at Château de Bois Rigaud in a way that's unique, luxurious and convenient. Week-end wedding packages at Bois Rigaud include: -Rental of 8 deluxe suites along with additional guestrooms for family ...

Château de Bois Rigaud Inaugurates Its Brand New Wedding Venue in Puy-de-Dôme, France

June 2, 2019

[CLERMONT-FERRAND] – Château de Bois Rigaud has been a destination for unforgettable wedding celebrations. The castle's storied history, transformed by a recent renovation, melds with comfort, luxury and greenery, creating a curated wedding experience that is intimate and memorable. Today, Château de Bois Rigaud announces the inauguration of its brand new wedding venue. Brides and grooms can hold their wedding ceremony at Château de Bois Rigaud in a way that's unique, luxurious and convenient. Week-end wedding packages at Bois Rigaud include: Rental of 8 deluxe suites along with additional guestrooms for family...

Tourism Tidbits: Working With Meeting & Convention Planners

Dr. Peter Tarlow | February 12, 2019

By Dr. Peter Tarlow Meeting & Convention Planners (MCPs) play a vital part of the tourism industry. Not only do they often decide what community will receive a lucrative convention but their opinions also matter in the way a community is perceived and as such they act as part of a community's unofficial marketing team. Not only do their opinions matter, but tourism convention and meeting cities would be wise to remember that perceptions are often more powerful than facts and style all too often takes precedence over substance. Additionally there is a growing trend of conventioneers using the pre or post-convention period as a way t...