Meetings Today Podcast

Tyler Davidson details some of the top stories of the week from Meetings Today, including our latest installment of Meetings Horror Stories, Joan Eisenstodt's blog post on F&B cost-control and an article on an event special effects company that brings the WOW and cuts the red tape. [Also Mentioned: My Lunch With Tom Sietsema, Washington Post Food Critic] Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Tyler Davidson talks with Alon Alroy, co-founder of cloud-based event management software company Bizzabo, about disruption in the meetings and events industry due to the forces of marketing ROI, data collection and analytics. Plus: Alroy's take on trends to look out for in the near future. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast! 

Tyler Davidson chats with the trailblazing Will Curran, "chief event Einstein" at Endless Events and a meetings and events cross-platform content machine. Learn why podcasting is so important to meeting planners, and how to identify the warning signs that you are about to get fleeced for your event Wi-Fi service. [Related Content: How to Use Gamification to Influence Attendee Behavior] Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Meetings Today’s Tyler Davidson details some of the top stories of the week, including big news from Destinations International’s Annual Conference, tips for executing a successful hosted-buyer event and how to make sure your feet—and the rest of you—hold up on the road.  Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast! 

Tyler Davidson talks with Hilton's Daniella Foster, senior director of corporate responsibility, and Carole Munroe, director of portfolio, loyalty and content, about the hotel chain's many charitable efforts as it celebrates its centennial. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast! Don't have time to listen? Read the transcript here.

Editor Tyler Davidson talks about some of Meetings' Today's latest coverage, including stories on how to begin podcasting, hotel loyalty programs for meeting planners and news and a podcast episode from Cvent CONNECT. Get your week’s news in early with the Weekly Wrap! And also make sure to keep circling back to see what's new on the Meetings Today website. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

When I spoke at the Insurance Marketing and Communications Association (IMCA) Annual Conference in Minneapolis in 2019, I was greeted by a member of the speaker selection committee. Bryan Byrd with the California Earthquake Association introduced himself as my ambassador. That meant he was helping me for the day. What a great program and one I hadn't seen before. Organizer Paula Negro shares the thinking behind the speaker ambassador program and how you can start one for your own meeting, event or conference. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Tyler Davidson checks in with recent coverage including our annual Meetings Trendsetters list, some actionable summer event design tips and onsite coverage of the opening of Disney's meetings-friendly Gran Destino Tower.  Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Meetings Today Brand Director Jim Krotz checks in with Cvent CEO Reggie Aggarwal at Cvent CONNECT 2019, the event tech company’s annual conference where it showcases new technology and hosts educational sessions for its customer base of event planners and industry suppliers. Aggarwal elaborates on a couple big announcements from the event—including its new interactive floor event maps and online community offerings—and shares what’s in store for the future of the company. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

While onsite for the grand opening of the new Gran Destino tower at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, Danielle LeBreck sat down with Disney's Director of Convention Sales and Services, Amy Pfeiffer and Show Director at Disney Event Group, Alan Bruun to walk through the design of the property's newest meeting spaces and how groups can use them for events.

Sure, some hotels just put the gym into an empty guest room. Or it's a couple of machines in another room that was never meant to be a gym. But some travelers—including event attendees—have demanded more. In this episode, I'm chatting with Steve Conklin, of the Marriott Marquis Chicago, about how hotels in the Marriott Convention and Resort Network (CRN) are stepping up their gym game. For example, the J.W. Marriott in Chicago, has kinetic treadmills and dumbbells up to 100 pounds. That will accommodate many gym rats, including NFL teams and players in town to play the Chicago Bears.  Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast! 

Chief Content Officer Christoph Trappe checked in with Drew Eckman, destination sales executive at Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, to learn more about how the property is using plants and nature-inspired design to separate itself from the competition and encourage productivity. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Tyler Davidson discusses the massive Los Angeles Convention Center expansion project and what it means to the meetings industry with Discover Los Angeles' Darren Green and Paige Cram. The CVB is hitting the road with an attention-getting hologram station that shows off the project. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

That ever-elusive idea of work-life balance seems to be on everyone’s cluttered mind in today’s hectic world. Meetings Today’s Lori Tenny took a breather with Deb Gee, experiential design lead for Lululemon, and Nova Browning Rutherford, workplace wellness facilitator, keynote speaker and media personality, for their mindful perspectives on achieving a healthy and sustainable work-life balance. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Christoph Trappe spoke with Keith Kehl, director of marketing and sales with The Westin Michigan Avenue in Chicago, about what it means to be part of Marriott's Convention & Resort Network (CRN) and the personalized meeting experiences the hotel can offer groups. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

   Christoph Trappe asked Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile Executive Frank Sanchez to identify the things meeting planners should ask their executive chef or catering team about when planning an event. His responses cover the areas of sustainability, food labeling, local sourcing and menu customization. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Destination DC President and CEO Elliott Ferguson talks with Jeff Heilman about the sector-driven Connected Capital strategy for meetings, the real D.C. for visitors and groups, and his new role as national chair of the U.S. Travel Association. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast! 

News that PCMA CEO Sherrif Karamat, a Canadian citizen, has yet to obtain a post-hiring EB-2 Green Card, and that PCMA has posted his position on its job board, has led to a great deal of confusion at the association and in the industry. PCMA Chair of the Board of Directors Greg O'Dell fills in Meetings Today's Tyler Davidson on the situation and Karamat's status at the association. Also: Learn more about PCMA EduCon 2019 in Los Angeles and a number of research studies and initiatives PCMA is pursuing. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Tyler Davidson sits down with Tonya Almond, vice president of knowledge and experience with PCMA, to find out how meeting planners can incorporate the successes of PCMA EduCon 2019 into their meetings. EduCon is like a meetings laboratory, so listen to its key facilitator to discover the new trends and formats that may supercharge your programs.  Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Tyler Davidson talks with Kim Condon and Lauren Bachynski, from furniture—and research!—company Steelcase about its new "5,000 People, 5,000 Personal Journeys" study with PCMA about meeting attendee psychology that will help guide planners in producing more-relevant meetings. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Meetings Today's Tyler Davidson talks with podcasting veteran Mike McAllen, of Podcasting4Associations, on how and why organizations should jump into the exploding podcasting scene to drive engagement and secure sponsorship revenue. It's basically free to begin, so don't be left out of the podcasting game! Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Meetings Today's Danielle LeBreck chatted with Chief Content Officer Christoph Trappe about the Las Vegas Convention Center after he attended the annual American Institute of Architects (AIA) conference there in 2019. While Trappe has attended a lot of Las Vegas meetings, it was his first time meeting at the Las Vegas Convention Center. He shares his thoughts on current state of the event space, the convention center expansion, where to stay and how to get to the center. [Related Content: 2019 Las Vegas Destination Supplement] Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Tyler Davidson sits down with counterterrorism and security professional David Lau and risk management educator Alan Kleinfeld at MPI WEC 2019 to discuss what meeting and event planners as well as facility operators need to know to identify a possible active shooter, what security concerns to include in the RFP and site selection process, and how to react onsite if the unthinkable happens. [Related Content:  9 Active Shooter Risk Management Tips] Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Meetings Today editors Tyler Davidson and Danielle LeBreck just returned from a content-producing frenzy at MPI WEC Toronto. Check out our coverage—all in one place!—on the Meetings Today website. And probably the biggest news of the week, meetings industry fixture Michael Dominguez is leaving MGM Resorts to take the top job at ALHI. A big congrats from all of here at Meetings Today, Mike! Get your week’s news in early with the Weekly Wrap! And also make sure to keep circling back to see what's new on the Meetings Today website. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast! And stay tuned for more Weekly Wrap bonus episodes in coming weeks. 

Tyler Davidson sat down with MPI CEO Paul Van Deventer at MPI WEC 2019 in Toronto following the association’s press conference. Van Deventer provided an update on what’s new with the organization and discussed its latest initiatives, including its work to fight against human trafficking.  Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

At MPI's World Education Congress (WEC) in Toronto, Danielle LeBreck sat down with Sheriff Karamat, president and CEO of PCMA, to chat about the new data intelligence service BEAM and how meeting professionals can use it to create memorable experiences. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

The main theme of MPI's World Education Congress 2019 and many of its educational sessions is designing event experiences. For venues, this means taking a completely new approach to meeting space design. Adam Wueller, director of creative product innovation at Hilton, discusses with Danielle LeBreck the hotel brand's new innovative approach to the design of its meeting spaces. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!  

Tyler Davidson talks with representatives of MPAHT (Meeting Planners Against Human Trafficking) at MPI WEC 2019 about how planners and facilities can join the fight against a terrible scourge that often involves the sexual exploitation of children. [Related Content: MPAHT Signs 'The Code' to Protect Children] Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

What new tech will save you money and make your job planning meetings and events easier? Meetings Today's Tyler Davidson joins up with Dahlia El Gazzar, from Dahlia+, to explore the event tech offerings at MPI WEC's Tech Pavilion. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Meetings Today's Tyler Davidson talks with Michael Cerbelli, ringleader of Michael Cerbelli's The Hot List™, about the hottest new event products and performance trends, and how planners can incorporate them into their events. Check out more of Michael Cerbelli's Favorite Finds as showcased in The Hot List™ newsletter from Meetings Today! Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

IACC CEO Mark Cooper details findings from the 2019 Meeting Room of the Future Report, and explains how meetings and events will be transformed in the near future. This episode was recorded live at MPI WEC 2019. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

In this edition of Meetings Today's The Weekly Wrap, Tyler Davidson details stories on meetings tech giant Cvent's acquisition of DoubleDutch, Joan Eisenstodt's series on end-of-life event planners, a comprehensive guide to planning for people with disabilities and our upcoming F&B trends webinar with Caesars Entertainment's Michele Polci. Get your week’s news in early with the Weekly Wrap! And also make sure to keep circling back to see what's new on the Meetings Today website. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast! And stay tuned for more Weekly Wrap bonus episodes in coming weeks.   

From hosting the first-ever World Pride in the U.S. this June to major openings in all five boroughs, New York City is having a “monumental” 2019. Chris Heywood, SVP of Global Communications for NYC & Company, shares the highlights with Brooklyn-based Senior Contributor Jeff Heilman.  Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!    

Rampaging horses! Fallen doves! Banquet cheese that is not cheese at all! Check out our Meetings Horror Stories story on Meetings Today--you'll have to read it to believe it! Also: MGM layoffs, mini-toiletry bottle bans, a Rubik's Cube artist for your events and Aventri's top U.S. meeting and event venues. Get your week’s news in early with the Weekly Wrap! And also make sure to keep circling back to see what's new on the Meetings Today website. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast! And stay tuned for more Weekly Wrap bonus episodes in coming weeks. 

Keynote speaker. Meeting planner. Hotel sales professional. Deborah Gardner has done it all, and shares her nearly 30 years of meetings industry knowledge and trends predictions with Meetings Today Vice President & Chief Content Director Tyler Davidson. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

  Vice President and Chief Content Director Tyler Davidson discusses some of the top developments in the meetings industry on MeetingsToday.com, including our June cover story about stellar rooftop event venues and MGM International's scuttling of plans for a $2.6 billion resort casino in the Boston suburb of Everett, Massachusetts. Get your week’s news in early with the Weekly Wrap! Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast! And stay tuned for more Weekly Wrap bonus episodes in coming weeks.    

Meetings Today Contributor Jennifer Juergens sits down with Craig Schoninger, director of marketing at northeast Florida’s Ponte Vedra Inn & Club and The Lodge & Club, to discuss the fascinating history of the property and why its status as an independent, family-owned hotel translates into high levels of service and the flexibility to offer 10 percent commissions for meeting planners. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

In our newly rebranded weekly podcast covering some of the top stories from Meetings Today, editor Tyler Davidson highlights an article on what could be severe meetings industry financial ramifications resulting from states' restrictive anti-abortion laws, along with a piece on laws governing service animals at facilities and coverage of the buying power of the LGBT MPA. Get your week’s news in early with the Weekly Wrap! Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast! And stay tuned for more Weekly Wrap bonus episodes in coming weeks.

Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International and CEO of Seminole Gaming, talks about major expansion in South Florida, hitting the right chord with groups and brand values with Meetings Today senior contributor Jeff Heilman. [Related Content: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City Electrifies Groups] Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

The Military Reunion Network's Sharon Danitschek explains how her company and its military veteran attendees accommodate service animals at their meetings. She also shares information about how her meeting planner colleagues and facilities can comply with federal law regarding service animals. [Related Content: Laws Governing Service Animals at Meetings] Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

In this edition of Destination Spotlight, I chat with Christoph Trappe and Sandra Fancher—who work for Stamats, our corporate parent—about their recent trip to Anaheim for a meeting. We discuss the best airports serving the Anaheim area, meeting spaces at Hyatt Regency Orange County and ways to enjoy the outdoors after work hours such as an evening meal on a rooftop bar overlooking the Disneyland fireworks show. Learn more about outdoor venues in Anaheim in our related article Planning Your Event: Outdoor Venues in Anaheim and Orange County. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Meetings Today Chief Content Director Tyler Davidson discusses a new event app download lure—free drinks! Plus a first look at new software that may eliminate the need to hire translation services and rent equipment and booth space, and the resignation of Phillip Jones as the CEO of VisitDallas. Get your week’s news in early with The Wednesday Wrap! Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast! And stay tuned for more Wednesday Wrap bonus episodes in coming weeks.

Completing an $18 million refresh, Galloway, New Jersey's historic Seaview is a group sanctuary with perennial appeal. Mike Tidwell, director of sales and marketing, shares some of the unique stories and renewal highlights of the historic property with Meetings Today Senior Contributor Jeff Heilman. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

I stayed on the Tampa Riverwalk during a trip to southern Florida in 2019 and of course couldn't pass on the opportunity to share some updates that might be of interest to you as you are planning your next event in the area. In this episode of the Meetings Today Podcast, I'm discussing the Riverwalk neighbor, Amalie Arena as well as the Tampa Convention Center and surrounding hotels. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

From oversized balconies to fresh greens grown on-site, Destination Sales Executive Marc Alexander describes several of the top-notch amenities meeting and event planners can expect to find at the Orlando World Center Marriott, the world's largest Marriott. Read about the property's innovative produce program. Discover what else is new in Florida in our special destination supplement. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Chief Content Director Tyler Davidson reviews the week's most interesting stories, including a discussion on the joys and challenges of being an end-of-life event planner, the news that Las Vegas approved pot consumption lounges and a reflection on Charles Chan Massey's The Personal Stories Project. Get your week’s news in early with The Wednesday Wrap! Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast! And stay tuned for more Wednesday Wrap bonus episodes in coming weeks.

Meetings Today Lead Destinations Content Strategist, Danielle LeBreck, is in Orlando this week to review offerings for meeting and event planners. Here's a quick overview of what the Four Seasons Orlando Walt Disney can offer groups. Discover what else is new in Florida in our special destination supplement.  Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast! 

Coverings 2019, a global stone and tile expo, is utilizing a modern marketing technique: influencers. Staff writer Adrian Thompson chats with Becca Sass, account supervisor for Coverings social media, on working with  influencers like John McClain to digitally promote and cover this year’s show.

Tyler Davidson talks with Michael Owen, a 30-year meetings and events industry veteran who has also worked in the entertainment industry for half a century, about why planners need to secure music licensing through performing rights organizations such as BMI or ASCAP—or risk paying hefty fines for playing music at events.  Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Chief Content Director Tyler Davidson details his story and video about Marriott's CRN's bold 48-Hour Film Challenge, shot in Vancouver and event technology expert Jim Spellos' take on a free In Case of Emergency app that could save your life. Get your week’s news in early with The Wednesday Wrap! Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast! And stay tuned for more Wednesday Wrap bonus episodes in coming weeks.