In Case You Missed It
Last month, we highlighted memorable networking ideas we've spotted at events—and why they worked. “Networking can be the most meaningful element of the event if it’s done well,” event consultant and The Connection Spark owner Taylor Buonocore-Guthrie told BizBash.
In February, BizBash also attended TED@DestinationCanada in New York. The nonprofit media organization and the DMO brought together 14 speakers from around the country to show meeting profs that Canada is open for business. Some of the topics the impressive Canadian change-makers touched on? Polar bears, fungi, effort porn, AI, and legacy. Read our recap here.
We've also recently heard from two guest columnists: Swadesh Padhi, a marketing ambassador for London-based gifting platform ForestNation, who shared six ways event profs can create sustainable events with trees. And in preparation for Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) on March 30, Hargrove from Encore vice president of customer experience Christine Kiesling took readers through five event strategy tips that will win over the C-suite.
Here are six more things you should know about this month...
1. The industry gears up for Global Meetings Industry Day.
Speaking of GMID, how are you planning to celebrate this year? The date, fast approaching on March 30, is an international day of advocacy—hosted by the Meetings Mean Business Coalition and the U.S. Travel Association—that showcases the value that business meetings, trade shows, incentive travel, exhibitions, conferences, and conventions bring to people, businesses, and communities. This year's theme is "Meetings Matter," which will spotlight the economic and societal importance of face-to-face meetings.
There's a plethora of ways to celebrate the eighth annual GMID—just check out this GMID Event Tracker. A number of PCMA and MPI chapters will host special presentations (see if yours is one of them), but other events that caught our eye include one from the North Carolina Travel Industry Association. Its GMID celebration will include a special chat with ALHI president and CEO Michael Dominguez; a reception will then take place at The Vault inside Bank of America Stadium. For something you can enjoy in the comfort of your own home, check out the ICCA's "Around the World in 360 Minutes," dubbed an "online odyessy," where you can hear from six speakers from six different regions in six hours.
2. Blackstone acquires Cvent in $4.6 billion deal.
Major merger news: Cvent will be acquired by an affiliate of private equity funds managed by Blackstone in a transaction valued at $4.6 billion.
“We are excited to share this announcement and look forward to our next chapter alongside the Blackstone team,” said Cvent founder and CEO Reggie Aggarwal in a press release. “As one of the world’s largest private equity firms, Blackstone brings deep expertise in the event and hospitality industry, and with their backing, we plan to continue to invest in our business and deliver the innovative solutions that meet our customers’ needs and power the meetings and events ecosystem.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Cvent stockholders will receive $8.50 per share in cash, representing a premium of 52% to the volume-weighted average share price over the 90 days prior to January 30 (the day before media reports of a potential transaction were published). The deal is expected to close mid-2023.
3. MPI's new meetings outlook report shows the industry's job market is strong.
A new season means a new industry outlook report is available from MPI. On Monday, the association published its Winter 2023 Meetings Outlook, the latest iteration in its quarterly report that identifies new trends and innovations in the meetings and events industry. Key findings from the new report include:
- 85% of respondents indicated a favorable landscape for the year ahead; and 37% of all respondents actually project business conditions will be more than 10% better.
- 82% of respondents are expecting favorable attendance changes; those indicating favorable virtual attendance expectations are the weakest MPI has seen (13%).
- MPI says full-time hiring has increased for each of the past six quarters. The latest result—49% of respondents indicating an increase in hiring—is the highest this metric has been in the survey’s history.
- 65% of respondents believe the meeting and event industry is inclusive and welcomes diversity, and 71% of respondents agree that “diversity and inclusion are priorities for my organization;” 68% of respondents say the industry needs better DEI training and tools.
"Overall projections for business conditions continue to be overwhelmingly positive, for now immune to supply chain disruptions, increasing costs, global inflation, and imminent (or not) recession,” said Jessie States, vice president of MPI Academy, in a press release. “The return to in-person events continues with expectations for attendance near all-time highs, while digital and virtual events see projections drop. The boom in business—and perhaps the remnants of a pandemic employment exodus—means the industry's job market is strong and has been now for six quarters, posting its highest-ever 49% of respondents hiring full-time employees. Regardless of outside influences, the business of meetings is bullish."
In 2022, the HD Expo welcomed attendees from over 40 countries, including Australia, Canada, China, and France.Photo: Courtesy of HD Expo + Conference
4. HD Expo + Conference announces brand-new programming for 2023.
This major U.S.-based hospitality event returns May 2-4 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. What's in store for attendees? HP Expo has announced brand-new programming that will be introduced at the event this year—including HD University, a hands-on specification training program for professionals; the inaugural Women in Design Awards Breakfast; a new show floor café curated by award-winning chef Michael Mina; and new spaces for networking events.
“With a significant increase in registrations compared to last year, we’re very excited to continue to build on the momentum for HD Expo in 2023,” said Kevin Gaffney, group show director and vice president at Emerald, the conference's parent company.
Here's a further breakdown of some of the new programming:
- HD University: This new pre-conference day will be a product specification boot camp to "help designers specify products smarter and have greater confidence in their decisions," according to a press release. Participants will go through five training modules with leading designers, brand leaders, hotel owners, manufacturers, and purchasers. They can earn five CEU credits.
- Women in Design Awards Breakfast: This inaugural breakfast will celebrate industry innovation, leadership, and achievement. A handful of creative leaders will be honored, and attendees will hear from a prominent keynote speaker from Zappos.
- HD Cafe: HD has tapped celebrity chef Michael Mina to collaborate on a new F&B component to the show floor. There, attendees will be able to rest, recharge, and enjoy a menu inspired by four of Mina's restaurants: Bardot, International Smoke, Michael Mina, and StripSteak.
Registration for the show is currently open. Rates for industry professionals start at $125 for an Expo Only pass. See other pricing options, plus the full agenda and conference lineup, here.
5. SISO CEO Summit is back and in Las Vegas.
As of publication time, SISO CEO Summit is currently underway at the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas, taking place March 20-23. This year, the conferences for global show organizers will feature the Executive Women’s Forum, where women executives from the trade show industry will partake in a lively, hosted conversation touching on lessons learned on the path to the C-suite. The Small Business Roundtable (available for organizers under $10 million) will also return for its sixth year, providing more tools and resources for the small business organizer/producer community to achieve objectives.
6. Meet Boston launches a new partnership model.
The changes continue at Meet Boston (formerly known as The Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau). In December 2022, the DMO unveiled a new name and tourism campaign to more than 400 hoteliers, restaurateurs, and attraction/event executives at its Annual Meeting. Now, the organization has announced that it's shifting from a membership model to a partnership model. Through its partnerships, Meet Boston will aim to provide important industry networking forums, act as a conduit to local leadership, and share specialized, educational workshops.
"For decades we have used the term ‘member’ to capture how affiliated organizations can gain access to our resources, but the term no longer aligns with our value proposition,” said Meet Boston president and CEO Martha Sheridan in a press release. “As community builders, we are providing added value to our partners through our recent organizational rebrand and associated marketing campaigns, along with our investment in international agencies, focus on community sponsorships, and launch of a mobile visitor center. Meet Boston’s new partnership model will allow us to cultivate a larger unified voice.”
New initiatives from the DMO to celebrate the new model include quarterly educational programming, hyper-targeted networking opportunities, enhanced onboarding tools, and destination training to keep partners informed and updated on all things Boston. Pricing on the different partnership levels can be found here.
