10 Accessibility Tips You Might Not Have Considered
When it comes to making meetings accessible, the only way to ensure that you have covered all your bases is to know that you have asked all the right questions.
All Topics
Accessibility & Inclusion
10 Tips for Planning Neuro-inclusive Events
Neurodivergent individuals can account for as many as 1 out of 5 of your attendees. Here’s how to design events with this group in mind.
Make Your Meeting Wheelchair Accessible
Who better to share advice on wheelchair accessibility than a wheelchair user?
Announcements
Skift Meetings to Host Virtual Summit on AI & the Future of Events
Skift Meetings is gathering the industry's AI pioneers to show you what's possible – and what's next.
Introducing the Next Era for Skift Meetings Awards
Exciting news! Skift Meetings Awards will now form part of the 2025 Skift IDEA Awards, making the program bigger and better than ever. Apply early to secure the best entry rate.
Continue Learning and Growing With Skift Meetings
Did you know that Skift Meetings has a variety of downloadable reports available for free, on topics ranging from event tech to developing purpose-centered events?
Budgeting & Cost Savings
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.
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.
Tipping Etiquette for Planners
A mandatory service charge doesn’t always get back to the team, some employees can’t accept cash, and minimum wages differ by state. There’s nothing simple about tipping.
Careers & Personal Development
7 Productivity Hacks for Planners
The thousands of details that go into managing meetings can quickly spiral out of control. These strategies will help you avoid information overload and stay on track.
8 Ways for Planners to Avoid Burnout
Chronic exhaustion. Nagging anxiety. Difficulty concentrating. If these sound familiar, you could be in the early stages of burnout.
Setting Boundaries at Work: 10 Strategies For Planners
For many planners, the key to managing the demands of their jobs is drawing a hard line between work and their personal lives. It’s not always easy.
Contracts & Duty of Care
Parking Lot Safety: What Planners Need to Know
With car break-ins surging in some U.S. cities, business event planners must now consider parking lot safety as part of their site selection and contract process.
5 Security Tips to Keep Top Execs Safe at Meetings
You might think the responsibility for the safety and security of VIPs at a meeting falls on the sponsoring organization – but planners are also partially liable.
Beware of These 5 Hidden Hotel Fees
Hotel fees buried deep in your contract or on your hotel’s web site can add 30-40% to the cost of your meeting. Here’s how to negotiate them down.
Coronavirus
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.
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?
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.
Destinations
Texas Makes $8 Billion Investment in its Convention Centers
Houston, Austin, Dallas, and Fort Worth have embarked on a host of convention center projects. The hope is that they will help these cities attract more groups in today’s competitive convention market.
McCormick Place Drops OVG from Venue Management Deal
Oak View Group (OVG) had a short-lived venue management deal at McCormick Place. The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, owner of the convention center campus, will take over management duties on July 1.
Catalonia: Where Business Meets Mediterranean Charm
Catalonia attracts premier events by seamlessly merging the Mediterranean lifestyle with modern business innovation. From Barcelona to the Pyrenees, attendees can explore world-class venues, gastronomy, and culture.
Diversity and Inclusion
New All-Female Leadership Takes Helm at SoolNua
After three decades of industry bromance, Patrick Delaney and Pádraic Gilligan are letting go of the steering wheel at SoolNua, handing the keys to an all-female leadership duo.
Human Trafficking Awareness: What Can Planners Do?
Meeting planners can play a crucial role in spotting human trafficking and educating their attendees and suppliers. The key is to make it an ongoing effort – because the fight is far from over.
10 Ways to Include All Ages at Your Events
To be truly inclusive, corporate events must consider age in the same way as they do gender and ethnicity. Yet it is often overlooked in DEI efforts.
Event Design
43 Tips to Prepare Your Event Planning Strategy in 2025
Technology, sustainability, and personalization are already here. How we integrate them in a way that feels fresh, impactful, and unforgettable will set the event planning strategy in 2025 and the years ahead.
CEO Video: How Wordly Advances Live Translation With AI
Wordly CEO Lakshman Rathnam highlights the growing demand for live translation in meetings and events, emphasizing how AI and automation are transforming efficiency, scalability, and accessibility to better serve diverse global audiences and attendees.
How Visit Atlantic City Is Rethinking What Blended Travel Really Means
Many destinations still separate blended travel into distinct categories: There’s business time and leisure time before or after the meeting or event. But in reality, this isn’t how meeting attendees view their trips. Visit Atlantic City is making major changes to deliver a more unified experience and challenge the traditional boundaries between work and play.
Event Management
The Silent Power of Seating Charts
Images from President Jimmy Carter’s funeral showed how the seating arrangement spurred some unlikely encounters. Your seating strategy has the power to do the same.
8 Ways to Protect Attendees From Norovirus This Winter
With norovirus leading the news and the continuing threat of Covid, flu and RSV, planners need to be on high alert.
Why Do So Many Planners Resist Strategic Meetings Management?
Planners are leaving big bucks on the table by not adopting strategic meetings management – or at least leveraging the spend of their smaller meetings. Why is that?
Event Technology
Your Questions About QR Codes Answered
QR codes have become common in our everyday lives, but how can they be used for events?
Choosing an Event App? Keep It Simple
When it comes to choosing an app for your meeting, more is not necessarily better.
Facial Analysis: Considerations for Planners
As more meeting organizers use AI to analyze facial expressions, attendees voice ethical concerns.
Ideas & Inspiration
Event Inspiration: 10 Elegant Theme Parties
The right theme can set the mood and elevate an event – but stay away from cliché.
How to Strategically Use Color at Events
Color is so much more than just one element of your decor. Here’s how to use it strategically to reflect an event’s theme or message.
14 Ways to Upgrade Your Awards Program
Your awards program could benefit from a refresh to stay competitive and relevant. Here are 14 ways to help revitalize it.
Incentive Travel
Incentive Leaders Express Concern About Potential Impact of Trump Policies
The Trump Administration's recent actions have incentive company CEOs wondering what’s next.
5 Ways Tight Budgets Are Making Their Mark on Incentives
Among the Incentive Research Foundation’s annual list of 2025 trends, several are driven by continuing flat budgets and rising costs.
From Israel to Baja: The Challenges of Relocating an Incentive Trip
Orchestrating a last-minute change of a destination requires an enormous team effort. Here’s how Creative Group made it happen for Atlantic Packaging’s annual sales incentive trip.
Industry News
6 Deals, 1 Month: Events Industry M&A Heats Up
Major events industry players including Emerald, Freeman, and Impact XM are expanding their global reach and diversifying offerings.
360 Destination Group and CSI to Merge – More Deals Could Follow
360 Destination Group and CSI DMC are merging, creating one of the largest destination management companies in the U.S. Are more deals on the horizon?
‘I’m Concerned’: Post Highlights Political Risks to Events Industry
As policy shifts create challenges for business events, Nicola Kastner, CEO of the Event Leaders Exchange, has voiced her concerns on LinkedIn. The industry response she has received highlights the need for advocacy to protect in-person gatherings.
Inspiration
Event Promotion Wording: A Key to Effective Event Marketing
Effective event promotion wording attracts attendees and strengthens your marketing strategy. Craft clear, engaging messages that resonate, create urgency, and highlight key benefits to make your event unforgettable.
Planner Turns Job Search Struggles Into Support Group
A senior planner who lost her job twice decided to channel the challenges of her unemployment journey into an online support group for fellow planners.
Planners Use Visioning to Start Off 2025
Visioning can be a powerful tool to start the year. But it’s not enough, says Tyra Dyson, who leads a workshop for planners focused on turning visions into reality.
Logistics & Operations
10 Tips for Today’s Meeting Dress Codes
While fitted suits were de rigueur in Mad Men, the only jackets you’ll see at most meetings today are of the outdoors variety. What exactly are today’s meeting dress codes?
5 Tips for Including Cannabis at Events
Cannabis activations, especially THC:CBD (1:1) beverages, are becoming popular at social gatherings, and even weddings. How can you safely include them at business events?
10 Ways To Take Event Sustainability to the Next Level
Replacing plastic, recycling, going paperless: These are great first steps toward greening your meeting. But now it's time to ask more questions.
Marketing & Promotion
18 Ways to Get More People to Your Fundraising Event
It’s difficult to have a successful fundraising event without attendees. If you’re struggling to get more people to your fundraiser, it’s time you branch out. Try these ideas.
Meetings Innovators
Meetings Innovator: Kathryn Frankson
From robots to rock 'n' roll stages, Money20/20's marketing guru Kathryn Frankson has a knack for turning heads and raising eyebrows. But behind the wild ideas and viral moments is a seasoned innovator with some serious wisdom to share.
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.
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.
On The Road
Top 10 Under-the-Seat Rollerbags for Road Warriors
We asked the people who know best — meeting planners who are perennially on the road — which under-the-seat rollerbags they prefer.
Sneaker Etiquette for Planners
It’s true that sneakers are quickly replacing traditional footwear at business events. But not all sneakers are created equal.
Comfortable, No-Hassle Attire: Planners’ New Wardrobe
Both on site and at industry events, comfy, slip-on and wrinkle-free attire is the way to go.
People
Women Leaders in Meetings: Nicola Kastner
With a career steeped in strategic event leadership, Kastner’s focus on data-driven decision-making sets a high bar for industry leadership.
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.
Falling Down Stairs, Talking to Strangers: How Planners Got Their Start
The more you ask planners how they got their start in the meetings industry, the more random the stories become.
Podcast
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.
Has Wellness Reached a Tipping Point?
With all the talk in the industry about integrating wellness into events, have meetings really become healthier?
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.
Sustainability
MCI's Green Push: Rethinking Event Sourcing
MCI's sustainability push could disrupt site sourcing. Its bespoke, standardized metrics call for transparency, and may set the tone for industry-wide change.
Beyond Eco-Friendly: Putting Sustainability at the Center of Meetings and Events
Sustainability is among the most discussed topics in meetings and events. In this report, Destination DC showcases how to turn those words into action.
No Trays of Bacon or Plastic Bottles: Steps to a Sustainable Event
At FICP’s Annual Conference this week, the team that is working toward getting the event certified by the EIC shared their story.
Technology
How Agentic AI May Transform Event Planning – and Tools You Can Use Now
Generalist AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot are being replaced by agentic AI, which can customize and deploy AI models for specific tasks. Are event planners ready?
8 Key Takeaways from Skift Meetings' AI & the Future of Events Summit
These thoughts, tips and tricks, straight from industry leaders, will stop you from getting left behind in the AI revolution.
New Research: Many Organizations Lack the Tools to Capitalize on Event Data
New research from Swoogo reveals that organizations have yet to fully integrate event technologies, hampering their ability to prove ROI for their meetings and events.
Toolkit
Including Kids at Your Meeting? How to Keep Them Safe and Avoid Liability
If the decision has been made to include children at your meeting, it's up to you to keep them safe – and to protect your company from liability.
Need Temporary Staff for Meetings? Look No Further
There are many sources where you can find contractors to help with everything from registration to on-site assistance. You don't have to go it alone.
Planning International Meetings? 5 New Changes Regarding Travel Documents
Make sure your attendees are aware of these 5 new changes regarding travel document requirements to avoid hassles at the airport.
Trends and Insights
Exhibition Industry Projects Strong Growth Through 2025
The exhibition industry is expecting an almost 20% increase in revenue for 2025. Driving the bulk of the growth are emerging markets, and almost half of exhibition companies worldwide are looking to expand their workforce.
Why This Event Planner Got His MBA
For Cambridge Innovation Institute's Scott Arrington, a newly minted MBA is already helping him in his planner role. But he's the first to admit that grad school isn't for everyone.
The Future of Live Tourism: Key Insights from Davos
Live tourism is reshaping cities, economies, and how we connect. But as global leaders at the World Economic Forum discussed, a sustainable future for these mega-gatherings depends on much more than just filling seats.
Venues
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.
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.
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.
Wellness
In an AI World, Brené Brown Says Vulnerability Is Your Competitive Edge
In an era of remote work and AI, the renowned researcher argues that emotional awareness isn't just feel-good fluff, it's the key to making business meetings work.
Are You Prepared for a Mental Health Crisis at Your Meeting?
Organizations rarely include potential mental health crises in their risk management planning. The time to start is now.
Health-Conscious Nonalcoholic Cocktails Offer an Alternative To Sugary Mocktails
Move over alcohol and sugary mocktails, nonalcoholic cocktails with ingredients that are good for you are gaining in popularity.
Women Leaders in Meetings
Women Leaders in Meetings: Liz Irving
Liz Irving's journey to CEO of Clarion Events North America proves that sometimes the best career moves start with saying "yes" to the jobs nobody else wants. In a candid interview, Irving dishes on leadership, vulnerability as a superpower, and why you should never wait for permission to speak.
Women Leaders in Meetings: Monique Ruff-Bell
Monique Ruff-Bell exemplifies leadership at TED rooted in strategic vision, emotional intelligence, and bold thinking. She balances vision with empathy, inspiring others.
Women Leaders in Meetings: Janet Dell
For the first time in its 97-year history, Freeman is being led by a woman. Janet Dell took the helm on July 1, replacing Bob Priest-Heck who retired. Here are the keys to her success.