INDUSTRY NEWS

Recipients recognized for industry innovation and impact

May 20, 2010 – Dallas, Texas – Meeting Professionals International (MPI) announces five recipients of the Recognizing Industry Success and Excellence (RISE) Awards. The outstanding achievements of these individuals, communities and organizations will be acknowledged at the RISE Awards presentation on July 24, 2010 during MPI’s World Education Congress (WEC) in Vancouver, Canada.

Technology enhancements, CSR, greater flexibility set tone for 2010

January 11, 2010 – Dallas, TX – In the eighth edition of its annual research, Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and American Express have released FutureWatch 2010 to highlight trends and competitive factors shaping the future of the meeting and events industry.

“As our businesses shift from the mindset of survive to thrive, it’s imperative that we have the ability to analyze relevant data and translate it into business success,” says MPI Chief Executive Officer Bruce MacMillan, “The 2010 edition of FutureWatch empowers industry professionals with timely data they can utilize to make critical business decisions.” Read Full Story

What's New for Meetings in Orlando 2010 - First Edition

Orlando Ranked #1 Destination by Nationwide Meeting Professionals
Corporate and association planners across the country named Orlando the top spot for a major convention, trade show, conference or seminar according to Metropoll, a nationally syndicated bi-annual study conducted for the meeting industry. Among the other key accolades the destination received: #1 for intent to hold a meeting in the next three years; #1 destination for corporate meeting planners; and #1 on 15 of 21 convention center attributes.

CIC Launches U.S. Economic Impact Study

The Convention Industry Council (CIC) has issued a comprehensive survey to meeting planners which will develop data necessary to determine the economic significance that meetings represent and to produce a basis for ongoing benchmarking and analysis of the meetings sector. The study is being conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, and the survey is being sent to planner members of CIC’s member organizations.

Cal Gift Show Grows Up
The semiannual California Gift Show, held for only the second time under the auspices of Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. Jan. 15-18 at the Los Angeles Convention Center and at permanent and temporary showrooms at LA Mart Jan. 12-18, exceeded expectations with strong attendance, according to the show's organizers. More

Exhibitor Coalition Plans Best Practices Initiative
Exhibitors are mad, and they're planning to do something about it. That, at least, is the assessment of a group of five exhibitor-related trade associations that have formed an Exhibit Industry Council to address some of what its leaders say are long-endured frustrations. More

MPEA Plan Meets Resistance
A sweeping plan to overhaul labor practices at Chicago’s McCormick Place almost immediately was met with resistance from general service contractors and tradeshow industry leaders. More