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.
Indigenous Tourism: Building Connections With Purpose
Approaching Indigenous communities with respect and intentionality The connection between wellness and Indigenous tourism goes beyond traditional healing practices and time spent in nature. During a recent webinar hosted by […] The post Indigenous Tourism: Building Connections With Purpose appeared…
Celebrating World Tourism Day
New data shows business travelers are seeking deeper experiences World Tourism Day arrives Sept. 27 with fresh evidence that travelers are looking beyond simply checking destinations off a list. New […] The post Celebrating World Tourism Day appeared first on Smart Meetings.

Smart Moves in Cincinnati, Nashville, Houston and More
Meeting professionals make career moves at Visit Cincy; Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee; Houston First Corporation; and more. The post Smart Moves in Cincinnati, Nashville, Houston and More appeared first on Smart Meetings.
Biggest-ever Chicago Hotel Strike Looms
Hosting an event in the Windy City in the near future? If you are currently contracted with a downtown hotel or near McCormick Place, you should have been notified about […] The post Biggest-ever Chicago Hotel Strike Looms appeared first on Smart Meetings.
CMP Fellow Spotlight: Get to Know Christine Faiman
Christine Faiman, CMP Fellow, brings more than three decades of experience across the hospitality and meetings industry, from answering a newspaper ad for her first hotel role to her current […] The post CMP Fellow Spotlight: Get to Know Christine Faiman appeared first on Smart Meetings.

The Accidental Meeting Planner: From Unexpected Assignment to Successful Event
How new technology tools and greater access to hotel availability, group rates and meeting space are giving occasional planners a simpler path to meeting success Your boss needs an off-site […] The post The Accidental Meeting Planner: From Unexpected Assignment to Successful Event appeared first on…

New and Renovated: Hotels Refresh Historic Icons and Modern Classics
From Cincinnati to Los Cabos, these hotels are unveiling new rooms, dining concepts, event spaces and design updates that blend local character with contemporary hospitality Hotels across the United States […] The post New and Renovated: Hotels Refresh Historic Icons and Modern Classics appeared…

The Grand America Hotel Brings France to Salt Lake City for 25th Anniversary Celebration
Celebrating 25 years is a milestone for any organization, but when a property like The Grand America Hotel marks the occasion, it does so with distinctive flair and an artistic touch. The result was more than a gathering. It was a space where the grandeur of French design blended thoughtfully with…

Case Study: A Record-Breaking D23 at Honda Center
D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Disney’s biannual fan celebration, has grown since its extension to Honda Center for the first time in 2024. To accommodate its growth, Disney needed a venue that could support its three showcase events: Disney Entertainment Showcase, Disney Experiences Showcase…
What to Expect at PrimeTime Sports Management Conference
Every year, 550 sports industry executives and decision-makers gather at The Westin Harbour Castle Hotel in Toronto, Canada, for PrimeTime Sports Management Conference & Trade Show for three days of networking and connection. This year’s 19th annual conference will take place Nov. 12–14. The post…

Beyond the Agenda: Lessons From a Multigenerational Business Trip
When I invited my 23-year-old daughter to join me on a reporting trip to Toronto, I assumed I would be the one teaching her. As someone who has spent years covering business travel and conferences, I thought the trip would give her a glimpse into how the professional world operates: packed…

The Best Corporate Events Give People a Story They Want to Tell
One of my favorite questions from a client is, “These people have done everything. What can we possibly do that they have not seen before?” I love that question because it forces us to stop thinking about what normally belongs at a corporate event and start thinking about what someone would…

PCMA’s International Conference Envisioned a Connected, Integrity-Focused Future
PCMA Convening Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) kicked off in Lisbon, Portugal, this week. CMA EMEA was an experiential take on building a better tomorrow. The themes: integrity, connection and future played out on the main stage and in interactive micro-labs and workshops. The post PCMA’s…

Beyond the Post-Event Report: 5 Ways to Measure Events That Actually Matter
Most of us have been measuring events the same way for a decade: run the event, wait a few weeks, pull a report, decide whether it was "worth it." That report tells you what happened. It rarely tells you what to do next. It's a rearview mirror when what you actually need is a dashboard. The post…

Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Glides Into a New Era
A 100,000-square-foot expansion kickstarts a new chapter for the property Walt Disney World’s Swan and Dolphin has long been known for two things—its scale and prestige. Opened in 1990 by […] The post Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Glides Into a New Era appeared first on Smart Meetings.

The Work Behind the Wow: How Pre-Production Protects Budgets, Timelines, and Attendee Experience
As live events become increasingly complex, planners are balancing tighter timelines, evolving attendee expectations, multiple stakeholders and mounting budget pressures. In this environment, audiovisual support has evolved far beyond equipment delivery. Today's planners need more than technology.…
Food Safety Starts Before the First Plate
To understand how the meetings industry can be more proactive about food safety, Smart Meetings gathered insights from Mary Cline, vice president of national sales at Wolfgang Puck Catering; Eric Vaughn, executive director of culinary operations for Las Vegas region banquets at Caesars…

A New Sports Complex Is Opening in Henderson, Nevada
On Oct. 16, Henderson, Nevada, will be the home of a new 180,000-square-foot sports complex. For the city, growing fast in terms of housing, F&B and entertainment, Henderson Sport & Social is a welcome addition. The post A New Sports Complex Is Opening in Henderson, Nevada appeared first on Smart…

Smart Meetings Luxury Experience 2026 Raises the Bar
Smart Meetings brought planners and suppliers together for education, connection and elevated experiences at Loews Coral Gables The word “luxury” often conjures images of five-star resorts, champagne and world-class restaurants. […] The post Smart Meetings Luxury Experience 2026 Raises the Bar…
Cybersecurity on the Road
At the end of July, Microsoft detailed a cyberattack campaign known as CaptiveCrunch that compromised Wi-Fi infrastructure used in hotels, conference centers and other shared environments. The attacks used convincing captive portals and verification prompts to target users, with Microsoft noting…
