Industry News
Curated headlines from the trade show and exhibition industry's top publications, associations, and expert blogs. Stay current with exhibitor announcements, show openings, industry trends, and market news from across the events world. Whether you follow technology, healthcare, food, or manufacturing events, our news feed surfaces the stories that matter to trade show professionals, exhibitors, and event marketers.
America250: Giving Women Their Spotlight
America began with a meeting, as every schoolchild learns, when the Founding Fathers met in Philadelphia that led in 1776 to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.But what of the Founding Mothers? This year offers the perfect opportunity to add the inspiration of their stories to your…
FIFA World Cup 2026: Dallas/Grand Prairie
Dallas hosts the greatest number of matches when FIFA comes to North America this June. Netherlands and Japan will square off at AT&T Stadium on June 14 in the city’s first contest. But not only Dallas be on display in the Lone Star State during FIFA—so will its neighbor, Grand Prairie. The post…
GMID 2026 Highlights Why Meetings Matter More Than Ever
Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) serves as an annual reminder that meetings and events are far more than calendar commitments; they are catalysts for connection, collaboration and progress. Led by […] The post GMID 2026 Highlights Why Meetings Matter More Than Ever appeared first on Smart…
Event Content Professionals Finally Have a Community
Event content professionals are doing some of the most consequential work in this industry. But the professional development infrastructure built for them? It hasn't caught up. The post Event Content Professionals Finally Have a Community appeared first on Smart Meetings.
Marriott International’s Luxury Group: Activations That Stick
From California wine country to Tampa’s championship culture to an intimate suite overlooking Central Park, these new offerings from Marriott reflect a shift toward experiences that are felt as much as they are remembered. The post Marriott International’s Luxury Group: Activations That Stick…
What to Expect at IMEX Frankfurt 2026
With IMEX Frankfurt 2026—the original and largest event professional trade show and hosted buyer event of the year in Europe—opening May 19, early reports indicate it will be just as […] The post What to Expect at IMEX Frankfurt 2026 appeared first on Smart Meetings.
Northwest Event Show Celebrated Washington’s Finest
For more than 30 years, event organizers from the Pacific Northwest have gathered in Seattle to glean new ideas, meet peers and do business. This week, the three-day program staged […] The post Northwest Event Show Celebrated Washington’s Finest appeared first on Smart Meetings.
Highlights and Team-Building Lessons from London Experience Week
London has long been a global powerhouse for meetings and events, but London Experience Week reframes the city as something more dynamic: a laboratory for immersive design. Rather than a […] The post Highlights and Team-Building Lessons from London Experience Week appeared first on Smart Meetings.
The San Francisco Strategy: How the City Leads in Innovation
The Lake George Area in New York's Adirondacks is meant for more than just meetings. Luxury, unique venues and spaces, and more await. The post The San Francisco Strategy: How the City Leads in Innovation appeared first on Smart Meetings.
Discover Your Momentum: Team Building at Lansdowne Resort
Learn how top California destinations are leading the way in sustainable meetings, combining world-class experiences with eco-forward venues and mindful hospitality The post Discover Your Momentum: Team Building at Lansdowne Resort appeared first on Smart Meetings.
Harbour views, high impact meetings: Why ICC Sydney belongs on your shortlist
Greater Miami is a destination designed for exploration and entertainment. The destination is home to a premier convention center and diverse hotel properties, as well as a wide array of adventures for your group to engage in. The post Harbour views, high impact meetings: Why ICC Sydney belongs on…
Event Recap: Sports ETA Symposium
Sports Events and Tourism Association (Sports ETA) Symposium at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas just held its highest-attended event in its history, with nearly 1,200 attendees made up of sports associations, sports events planners and events rights holders. The post Event Recap: Sports ETA Symposium…
How to Deliver NATO-Level Impact at Your High-Profile Conference
We talked to Robert Dingjan, director of the Conference Bureau Ministry of Foreign Affairs for The Netherlands, and Michiel Middendorf, general manager of World Forum The Hague, the venue for the NATO Summit proceedings, for lessons planners of complex gatherings can learn from this high-stakes…
Case Study: Visit Salt Lake Debuts DSXO Model
Formerly known as a destination marketing organization (DMO), Visit Salt Lake has since dropped the word “marketing” from its name, moving from a “destination marketing organization” to a “destination, sales and experience organization” (DSXO). The post Case Study: Visit Salt Lake Debuts DSXO Model…
Smart Meetings Innovation Experience in Boise Turned Planners into Builders
At Smart Meetings Innovation Experience in Boise this week, top experts from around the world turned attendees into participants in an innovative future of possibilities. The post Smart Meetings Innovation Experience in Boise Turned Planners into Builders appeared first on Smart Meetings.
Why Event Planners Can’t Afford to Cut Corners on AV
When AV is done well, it disappears. When it’s compromised, problems become visible—and often in ways that directly affect the audience’s experience. In most cases, those issues aren’t caused by equipment failure. They stem from decisions made much earlier in the planning process. The post Why…
Smart Moves in Park City, New York City, Maui and More
Meeting professionals make industry moves at Black Rock Mountain Resort in Utah, The Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau in Texas, AWG Ambassador and more. The post Smart Moves in Park City, New York City, Maui and More appeared first on Smart Meetings.
5 Questions Every Planner Should Ask Before Booking an AI Speaker
Every conference wants one. Every association board is asking about it. And the speaker market has responded with hundreds of people who now call themselves "AI keynote speakers." Here are the five questions I'd ask if I were booking one. The post 5 Questions Every Planner Should Ask Before Booking…
Smart Start Radio: Coffee Chat—Trust Happens in the Room
What are you really building when you plan an event? In this episode of Smart Start Radio: Coffee Chat, Eming Piansay unpacks a simple but powerful idea inspired by a […] The post Smart Start Radio: Coffee Chat—Trust Happens in the Room appeared first on Smart Meetings.
What One Thing?—Originality Starts at the Origin
What does it really mean to be original? In this episode of What One Thing?, Sophia Abramchuk, founder of the Originate Institute, shares why the most powerful ideas are not […] The post What One Thing?—Originality Starts at the Origin appeared first on Smart Meetings.