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Accessibility & Inclusion

6 Ways to Help Attendees With Invisible Disabilities

Meetings can be a stressful setting for people with anxiety, depression, substance abuse issues, and other challenges. Here are ways to help these attendees get the most out of your meeting.

May 5th, 2025 at 5:51 PM EDT

5 Tips for Accommodating Halal and Kosher Diets at Meetings

Planning ahead is the key to meeting attendees’ special dietary requirements, especially for kosher and halal meals.

May 1st, 2025 at 1:08 PM EDT

7 Tips for Creating a Lactation Room at Your Meeting

The days of pumping milk in public bathrooms are gone, replaced by comfortable private spaces for nursing moms. Here’s how to create one for your event.

April 30th, 2025 at 8:50 AM EDT

Announcements

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Top 7 AI Prompts to Try Before Attending Skift Meetings [AI] Innovation Lab at IMEX America

Get hands-on with these prompts before IMEX America and step into the Skift Meetings [AI] Innovation Lab, prepared to turn AI-driven insights into bold, high-impact events.

September 29th, 2025 at 1:40 AM EDT

The Full Powerhouse Lineup at Skift Meetings Forum

The stage is set at Skift Meetings Forum, featuring speakers who shape the boldest ideas in the event world. From leadership to technology to creativity, every session delivers insights that matter.

September 12th, 2025 at 8:27 AM EDT

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4 AI Use Cases Every Event Planner Should Master

Master four AI use cases for planners that boost efficiency, creativity, and attendee engagement. See how using AI to plan events can future-proof your strategy.

September 9th, 2025 at 2:11 AM EDT

Budgeting & Cost Savings

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5 Ways to Cut Incentive Travel Costs Without Winners Knowing

Cost increases as a result of tariffs are hitting event budgets hard at a time when planners have already been navigating rising costs due to inflation. What can incentive planners do?

August 15th, 2025 at 12:14 PM EDT

10 Must-Know Terms for Budgeting

The world of budgeting has its own vocabulary – and you, as a planner, need to speak the same language as the CFO.

March 10th, 2025 at 8:01 AM EDT

Meeting Budgeting 101

Planners spend most of their time on design and logistics, but at the foundation of every successful event lies a balanced budget.

March 7th, 2025 at 7:48 AM EST

Careers & Personal Development

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Seven Years Job Hunting: One Planner’s Tips for Staying Positive

Kim Thompson knows the value of resilience. It took her seven years to land her “dream job” at Kellogg — and through it all, she never lost hope.

September 9th, 2025 at 11:25 AM EDT

One Association CEO on Elevating the Role of Planners

This association exec says planners are much more than just a final check — and often have the final say where meetings are concerned.

August 15th, 2025 at 1:51 PM EDT

Build Your Personal Brand on LinkedIn: 6 Tips for Planners

Planners who put extra effort into LinkedIn, from carefully crafting their profiles to creatively showcasing their event prowess, will see the biggest return.

August 5th, 2025 at 4:42 PM EDT

Contracts & Duty of Care

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10 Tips for Managing a Mental Health Crisis at Your Meeting

Meetings can be a danger zone for people with mental health challenges. Here are some steps you can take to be prepared — and to intervene if you need to.

October 6th, 2025 at 10:39 AM EDT

Extreme Weather Means More Cancellations and Pricier Insurance. What Can Planners Do?

Planners need to sharpen their awareness of seasonality and avoid risky outdoor locations — that is, if they want to get their events insured.

August 4th, 2025 at 2:04 PM EDT

Time for Plan B: Five Situations Where You’ll Need a Backup Plan

Flight delays. Unexpected weather. Renovation snags. The list of things that can go wrong at a meeting is a long and winding one.

July 15th, 2025 at 3:20 PM EDT

Coronavirus

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Planners Beware, Covid Cases on the Rise

A new Covid variant is sweeping across the United States. One industry professional raises the alarm after contracting the virus at a recent convention.

August 23rd, 2023 at 6:11 AM EDT

What E3’s Cancellation Means for the Meetings Industry

65,000 attendees, 4,000 jobs, and $88 million in revenue won't be coming to Los Angeles in June, with leading video-game-industry trade show E3 canceled for 2023. It was meant to be the first in-person show since 2019. However, major exhibitors were unwilling to commit. Will other events follow suit?

April 4th, 2023 at 10:49 AM EDT

China Shutters Major Event 9 Hours Before Opening Due to Covid Outbreak

TCT Asia, a major trade show, was shut down by Shenzhen authorities nine hours before it was set to open due to Covid numbers in the city creeping up to 24. Navigating policies and enforcements like this is a challenge for show and event planners, but it’s a reality that’s here to stay.

September 2nd, 2022 at 6:35 AM EDT

Destinations

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Budapest’s Value for Money Goes One Step Further With Subvention Fund

The new Budapest MICE Fund is designed to help event organizers and incentive planners stay within budget while delivering the elevated experiences that attendees expect.

September 30th, 2025 at 6:00 AM EDT

Skift Meetings Forum 2025 Video: Lessons from Austin and SXSW on ‘The City as a Venue’

With Austin’s convention center offline until 2029, Visit Austin and SXSW are reframing the city itself as the venue. Planners gain flexibility through decentralized event formats, while attendees experience deeper immersion in Austin’s cultural, culinary, and creative identity, turning logistical challenges into opportunities for innovation.

September 26th, 2025 at 6:00 AM EDT

Second-Tier City, First-Class Service: Why Planners Choose Atlantic City

As budgets tighten across the meetings industry, planners are expanding consideration sets to find host destinations where their dollars can go further. In Atlantic City, they’re discovering that a more affordable destination can also create a more engaging experience for attendees.

September 25th, 2025 at 6:00 AM EDT

Diversity and Inclusion

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Destination Leaders Say Diversity Is Good for Business

Despite political pushback, destination leaders say diverse leadership and supplier practices remain a competitive edge.

September 18th, 2025 at 10:12 AM EDT

How Wordly Enables Inclusive Meetings With AI: Watch Video

Everyone deserves a seat at the table, no matter what language they speak. Wordly helps organizations create more inclusive meetings and events by using AI to provide real-time translation and captioning, making it easier for global teams to participate fully and stay connected.

June 12th, 2025 at 4:16 AM EDT

How Louisville’s Award-Winning Charm Built a Top Event Destination

With two convention centers, accommodation options that cater to every type of attendee, and an airport with nonstop service to 38 destinations, Louisville checks all the boxes of a premier convention city. To understand its magic, though, you need to look at something that cannot be built: the authentic sense of Southern charm that defines the community.

May 22nd, 2025 at 4:28 AM EDT

Event Design

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Skift Meetings Forum 2025 Video: How Unexpected Moments and Places Elevate Attendee Experience

In this video from Skift Meetings Forum 2025, Alice Harrington-Caravello, managing vice president, sales and distribution at Marriott International, discusses how weaving in hidden gems and local culture can elevate attendee experiences and deepen event impact.

September 30th, 2025 at 6:54 AM EDT

Why Events Need Memorable Moments

From an on-stage bar to a “Circadian Cove”: The author of “Our KPI is Joy” shares strategies for infusing events with moments of connection and renewal.

September 29th, 2025 at 4:42 PM EDT

Meet Your Attendees Where They Are: Event Design Advice from TED, Pinterest, and Forbes

Listening to your audience enables you to deliver the experiences they seek, and some they never would have expected.

September 18th, 2025 at 10:26 AM EDT

Event Logistics & Operations

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What Planners Need to Know About Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is one of the most misunderstood “dietary restrictions.” It’s essential to advocate for your attendees with the condition the same way you would for those with other extreme allergies, such as peanuts or shellfish.

September 25th, 2025 at 4:19 PM EDT

5 Reasons Off-Site Meetings Fail

According to organizational psychology expert Dr. Joe Allen, most off-sites regularly miss the mark. Here’s his advice on how to change that.

August 5th, 2025 at 10:30 AM EDT

12 Strategies for Avoiding That Notorious Afternoon Slump

Anyone who’s ever attended a meeting has experienced that almost unavoidable after-lunch slump, when the energy literally drains from the room and eyes glaze over. The good news: With a little planning, it doesn‘t have to be that way.

July 29th, 2025 at 4:01 PM EDT

Event Management

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Why Investors Are Suddenly Bullish on Event Companies

Private equity firms and strategic buyers are eyeing the events industry, seeing growth, resilience, and human connection as strong investment drivers.

September 29th, 2025 at 1:16 PM EDT

Building Bold Events from the Ground Up

Two female founders shared how outsider perspectives, community building, and entrepreneurial grit are key to building successful events.

September 19th, 2025 at 12:06 PM EDT

How a $40K Cyber Scam Nearly Grounded 80 Event Pros

In an era of rising cyber fraud, one planner’s $40,000 loss is a wake-up call for the industry: payment security deserves the same rigor as contracts, insurance, and attendee safety.

August 12th, 2025 at 11:13 AM EDT

Event Marketing & Promotion

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6 Ways Planners Can Get Started on TikTok

TikTok is the social media platform of choice for showcasing events using video. But plan to spend some time familiarizing yourself with the site before jumping in, or users might pass right by.

August 27th, 2025 at 3:04 PM EDT

5 Strategies for Marketing Events to a Younger Audience

Planners spend a lot of time and effort tailoring meeting content and delivery to younger attendees. Make sure your marketing efforts get the same level of attention.

April 23rd, 2025 at 2:35 PM EDT

Pop-Up Events: Do’s and Don’ts

Pop-up events might have started out as a trend but they’ve become an integral part of the marketing mix.

March 21st, 2025 at 7:05 PM EDT

Event Technology

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10 Instagram Strategies to Build Buzz Around Your Event

With some planning and creativity, planners can turn Instagram into a powerful marketing tool for events of all kinds.

August 13th, 2025 at 4:58 PM EDT

5 Tech Tools Making Planners’ Lives Easier

There might be an initial learning curve, but planners say once they are up to speed, these technologies are not only improving their meetings but lightening their load.

July 21st, 2025 at 10:13 AM EDT

7 Ways Next-Gen Attendees are Reshaping Event Tech

Planners need to rethink how they use technology in every aspect of their meetings, or they risk losing the attention of the biggest percentage of their attendees — Millennials and Gen Zers.

July 16th, 2025 at 7:10 PM EDT

Ideas & Inspiration

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7 Wellness-Themed Gifting Ideas

If you’re including wellness activities or activations in your event, why not extend that theme into your gifting experiences and room amenities?

October 13th, 2025 at 10:34 AM EDT

Sustainable and Diversity Sourcing Take Meeting Impact to the Next Level

Sourcing decisions have the power to influence social change and lessen meetings’ impact on the environment. For an increasing number of planners, that’s a top priority.

September 29th, 2025 at 11:35 AM EDT

4 Holistic Strategies to Make Events More Sustainable

The next phase of event sustainability looks beyond eco-friendly practices to consider impacts on the environment, local economies, and community well-being.

September 12th, 2025 at 8:31 AM EDT

Incentive Travel

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Incentive Industry Research Points to Significant Impact from Trump Policies

The annual Incentive Travel Index, released this week at IMEX, reflects mounting concerns around rising costs and global instability, along with “shrinking optimism.”

October 8th, 2025 at 6:29 PM EDT

Use of AI for Incentive Planning Evolves, But Some Are Still Hesitant

Incentive planners’ use of AI is changing from making their jobs more efficient to customizing programs and analyzing their impact on sales. Still, some refuse to try it.

September 9th, 2025 at 12:14 PM EDT

Strategies for Dealing With Attendee Travel Fears

Some incentive winners and their partners are less keen on traveling. A trifecta of anti-DEI sentiment, new government policies, and fear of flying is to blame.

July 10th, 2025 at 2:16 PM EDT

Industry News

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Record IMEX America Shows Industry’s Strength in Uncertain Times

Even as National Guard deployments and the federal government shutdown cast uncertainty across the U.S., the events industry gathered in record numbers for IMEX America.

October 13th, 2025 at 10:48 AM EDT

PCMA Doubles Down on Executive Education

PCMA’s new education offerings showcase its continued focus on attracting senior event professionals, all while betting on novel AI approaches.

October 9th, 2025 at 10:04 AM EDT

Cost is Planners’ Top Challenge, Creating Engaging Experiences is Their Top Priority

Rising costs are challenging planners, but not keeping them from doing what matters most to them — delivering unforgettable events.

October 8th, 2025 at 7:29 PM EDT

Inspiration

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Introducing the Skift Meetings Power Rankings

True power in events isn’t just about scale, it’s about who sets the agenda and dares to innovate. These 15 leaders are shaping the future of global events.

October 1st, 2025 at 8:49 AM EDT

Skift Meetings’ Guide to Getting Around IMEX

Our unofficial guide to surviving — and thriving — at IMEX America.

October 1st, 2025 at 8:48 AM EDT

These Three Digital Nomad Planners Travel the World While They Work

They're living their dreams while running their businesses, managing meetings, and staying involved with the industry — but it isn't always easy.

September 29th, 2025 at 3:13 PM EDT

Meetings Innovators

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Meetings Innovators: Robyn Duda

Robyn Duda shows that innovation isn’t about flash. It’s about solving real needs. With RacquetX and her fresh approach to events, she demonstrates that true innovation comes from listening, iterating, and creating connections people didn’t know they needed.

September 30th, 2025 at 10:22 PM EDT

Meetings Innovators: Howard Givner

Howard Givner built and sold three successful event businesses. He says events are "on borrowed time" if they ignore two areas in dire need of innovation.

August 31st, 2025 at 3:53 AM EDT

Meetings Innovator: Liz Lathan

Liz Lathan is reinventing business events with emotional clarity and bold ideas, reminding the industry that connection is the real return on investment.

July 21st, 2025 at 5:02 PM EDT

On The Road

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17 Must-Have Gadgets for Planners on the Go

These gadgets will make your travel to your meeting easier, and ensure that once you are on site, you’re ready for whatever comes up.

May 2nd, 2025 at 4:40 PM EDT

Expert Advice for Surviving Long-Haul Travel

The goal for meeting planners flying long-haul is to arrive fresh and ready to work. Who better to ask for advice on how to do that than fellow travelers and flight attendants?

April 25th, 2025 at 4:22 PM EDT

Where Can On-the-Go Planners Find Healthy Airport Food?

Believe it or not, healthy food does exist when you’re traveling — you just need to know where to look.

April 24th, 2025 at 5:08 PM EDT

People

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Meetings Innovator: Anh Nguyen

When Anh Nguyen realized the events industry's "do-it-all-yourself" culture wasn't compatible with motherhood, she built a solution: a collaborative network of senior planners. But that's just one of her many innovative approaches to working in the meetings industry.

December 31st, 2024 at 5:00 AM EST

Female speaker talking from the stage at a conference

Mary Jo Blythe: Meetings Innovator

Forever changing the lives of front-line hospitality workers – one person at a time – is Mary Jo Blythe’s mission as founder of The Above and Beyond Foundation.

November 28th, 2024 at 9:09 AM EST

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Megan Henshall: Meetings Innovator

Rehumanizing corporate life is the new mission of Google Xi. Its founder, Megan Henshall, is Skift Meeting's first-ever Meetings Innovator.

October 31st, 2024 at 10:05 AM EDT

Skift Meetings Podcast

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AI and the Human Touch

On this episode of the Skift Meetings Podcast, we delve into the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the events industry while emphasizing the enduring importance of human connection.

January 8th, 2025 at 4:51 PM EST

Has Wellness Reached a Tipping Point?

With all the talk in the industry about integrating wellness into events, have meetings really become healthier?

October 28th, 2024 at 1:01 PM EDT

IMEX America 2024 in Review: From Baseball to Pickleball, the Industry Is All-In on Personalized Experiences

In this episode of the Skift Meetings Podcast, we recap the record-breaking IMEX America 2024, diving into industry trends and the innovations shaping the future of events.

October 21st, 2024 at 9:46 AM EDT

Sustainability

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How Posadas Is Building the Next Generation of Responsible Meeting Venues

With corporate sustainability goals becoming non-negotiable, meeting planners can no longer afford to separate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy from event design. Posadas’ Fiesta Americana Travelty Meetings & Events provides planners with the venues, expertise, and operational standards to meet both business and impact objectives.

September 23rd, 2025 at 6:00 AM EDT

Sustainable Events: Will the Pendulum Swing Back?

Despite government rollbacks, the ESG experts at The Opus Group believe 2026 will see a return to sustainability. Here’s why.

August 29th, 2025 at 11:27 AM EDT

How Louisville Looks at the Bigger Picture of Event Sustainability

As event organizers aim to uplevel their sustainability efforts, Louisville is the place to make it happen. Bourbon City is leading the way toward a brighter future with programs that are building a better community.

June 17th, 2025 at 4:09 AM EDT

Technology

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Planners Vote on Top AI Uses for Events

Flashy AI doesn’t sway planners. Practical use cases that save time and provide deeper insights win the day.

October 7th, 2025 at 1:16 PM EDT

Event Tech News Roundup: September 2025

AI is hogging the spotlight once again with multiple companies announcing developments and integrations, but there are also new offerings around floor plans and registration.

September 4th, 2025 at 8:59 AM EDT

AI Is Fixing the Worst Part of Events: Bad Networking

As attendees become increasingly picky about which programs are worth their time and money, the meetings that leverage the right approach to artificial intelligence will emerge as winners.

August 26th, 2025 at 4:00 AM EDT

Toolkit

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7 Ways Planners Can Use Pinterest for Inspiration

Meeting planners who overlook Pinterest are missing out on a valuable tool for discovering and curating event design ideas and inspiration.

August 20th, 2025 at 11:58 AM EDT

15 Fun Games for Company Events

At the end of a long day of meetings, people just want to play. Planners can shift the vibe by adding fun, interactive games during the evening reception.

August 19th, 2025 at 9:01 AM EDT

5 Team-building Activities That Will Pull on Attendees' Heartstrings

From building wheelchairs for dogs to clearing beaches of microplastics, these 5 teambuilding activities leave a lasting impression on participants.

August 12th, 2025 at 9:09 AM EDT

Trends & Insights

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Attendees Want “Why,” Not “Wow,” Says New Report

Forget spectacle, today’s attendees are looking for connection, outcomes, and purpose. Freeman’s latest research exposes a widening gap between what event planners think audiences want, and what they actually desire.

October 6th, 2025 at 12:16 PM EDT

Close-up shot of a woman in professional attire wearing glasses using a computer in dark office room.

Event Leaders Are Too Overwhelmed by Logistics to Innovate

A new report by ELX finds that a majority of leaders lack the time and budget to take their skills — and those of their teams — to the next level.

September 24th, 2025 at 3:37 PM EDT

Why Brands Are Doubling Down on Live Events in the Age of AI Noise

Brands are making bold experiential moves, and the events industry stands to benefit — if it delivers on the promise of meaningful experiences.

September 24th, 2025 at 5:32 AM EDT

Venues

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How Meeting and Event Spaces Foster Employee Connection in Today’s Hybrid World

Planners can maximize interaction among office staff members by meeting in person and creating experiences outside of the office in unique venues. Learn how Convene has designed its venues to meet the demands of companies bringing together teams of remote workers.

January 16th, 2025 at 6:00 AM EST

How Historic Destinations Can Spur Innovation Among Meeting Planners

Budapest’s rich history and modern amenities make it an ideal location for planners, particularly for large conferences. Learn how to utilize the Hungarian capital’s culture to spark innovation at your next meeting.

December 12th, 2024 at 6:00 AM EST

Independent Properties: When the Hotel Becomes the Experience

With the transformation of events into experiences, planners say that independent hotels offer distinct advantages, such as flexibility, creativity and authenticity.

October 31st, 2024 at 6:10 PM EDT

Wellness

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There’s a Need For Mental Health Training for Planners. Some Companies are Stepping Up.

Employers are getting proactive about the stress that event planners face in their daily jobs, and providing mental health training. Will industry associations be next?

August 8th, 2025 at 10:39 AM EDT

attendees at an outdoor session of a summer event

Keeping Cool and Connected: Attendee Wellbeing Strategies for Summer Outdoor Events

Ensure attendee wellbeing at summer outdoor events with tips on heat, hydration, accessibility, and real-time engagement.

July 15th, 2025 at 8:06 AM EDT

Inside a Wellness-First Approach to Meetings, Caesars-Style

Caesars Entertainment prioritizes wellness by making it part and parcel of successful modern event strategies. They even took the show on the road to demonstrate the difference their approach makes for wellness-minded (and wellness-challenged) event and meeting planners.

July 14th, 2025 at 2:00 PM EDT

Women Leaders in Meetings

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Women Leaders in Meetings: Marybeth Roberts

Marybeth Roberts was on the forefront of the strategic meetings management movement decades ago. Today she is as passionate as ever about innovating and driving cost efficiencies.

September 2nd, 2025 at 10:33 AM EDT

Women Leaders in Meetings: Cassandra Farrington

Cassandra Farrington didn’t just build a media brand, she helped professionalize an industry long dismissed as fringe. By turning MJBizCon into the must-attend event for cannabis professionals, she proved that credibility, scale, and community could grow even in the most uncharted business terrain.

August 7th, 2025 at 8:51 AM EDT

Women Leaders in Meetings: Lori Allen

Lori Allen, vice president, global event operations at MetLife, strives to be the kind of leader who understands what her team needs and creates an environment where they're safe to express that.

July 11th, 2025 at 4:33 PM EDT