Meetings Today Podcast

Providence’s grande dame Biltmore Hotel recently got an A+ renovation from Graduate Hotels. Meetings Today Senior Contributor Jeff Heilman checks in with Scott Williams, general manager of the Graduate Providence, to find out how the historic property has benefited from its multimillion-dollar makeover. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Following the recent announcement of a measles exposure in Los Angeles and at LAX, five cases in the county have been confirmed. Learn how to protect your meeting attendees. Also: A special Earth Day sustainable meetings podcast episode and article with MeetGreen's Nancy Zavada and our new Science of Meetings column by Michael Dominguez from MGM Resorts International. 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.

Earth Day Special! Tyler Davidson talks with leading green meetings expert Nancy Zavada about simple ways meeting planners can make their events more sustainable. Plus, the hottest sustainable F&B trends! Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Learn the A-to-Z of event tech and AV. Tyler Davidson talks with tech expert Jon Trask, who details his related event tech best practices primer article with Meetings Today. On this episode, Trask will arm you with the basic information you need to offer a robust AV and tech offering without busting your budget. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

The Providence Warwick CVB named Kristen Adamo its new president and CEO. Meetings Today Senior Contributor Jeff Heilman had the exclusive opportunity to sit down with Adamo to discuss her new post as well as the culinary scene that has foodies taking note of Rhode Island's capital region.  Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Tyler Davidson reviews some of the week's top stories, including his piece on fire safety, Lori Tenny's stress-busting tips from top wellness speakers and Danielle LeBreck's report on the rise of "bleisure" travel. 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.

Tyler Davidson delves into the week's events and Meetings Today coverage, including Joan Eisenstodt's blog on some of the stupid questions planners and suppliers have heard and an interview with a planner of major marijuana industry events. Also, some of the top Trending stories on the Meetings Today website and what’s up on our Podcast page. 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 Senior Contributor Jeff Heilman does a deep dive on the Vegas food scene for groups with insider Donald Contursi, founder of award-winning Lip Smacking Foodie Tours. [Related Content: 2018 Meetings Trendsetters: 20 Industry Agents of Change] Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Tyler Davidson talks with Michael Dominguez, chief sales officer of MGM Resorts International, about Global Meetings Industry Day 2019, a day when the hospitality industry gathers throughout the globe to extoll the value that meetings and conventions deliver to economies. [Related Content: MGM Resorts ROARS Into 2019 With New Event Offerings] Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Meetings Today Senior Contributor Jeff Heilman talks to Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino's Director of PR and Community Affairs Gordon Prouty about the historic Elvis residency, staying competitive and life after 50 for the 1969 Vegas landmark. [Related Content: Four Iconic Vegas Resorts Keep Meetings Scene Competitive] Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Tyler Davidson talks about some of the major stories Meetings Today has covered this week, including puppies at meetings, a controversial new teambuilding program and a fresh podcast on Elvis Presley and the Westgate Las Vegas Resort Casino! Also, some of the top Trending stories on the Meetings Today website and what’s up on our Podcast page. 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's Christoph Trappe was in Greensboro for an NCAA Women's Basketball Elite 8 March Madness tournament game (Iowa vs. Baylor). While there, he checked in with Henri Fourrier, president of the Greensboro CVB, on what's new and worth knowing for event planners. Listen to their discussion here. Plus: Learn more about Greensboro's group offerings in this related article. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Spring Is Here! And John and Yoko Love You! Tyler Davidson details a week’s worth of some of the most interesting stories, including John and Yoko’s love nest, an amazing hospitality industry charity and Deb Gee’s spring wellness rituals  you can incorporate into your daily routine. Also, some of the top Trending stories on the Meetings Today website and what’s up on our Podcast page. 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.

In a statement on Sunday, American Airlines announced it will be extending flight cancellations through April 24, 2019, as it waits for information from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the grounded Boeing 737 MAX jets, following a Lion Air crash in October and an Ethiopian Airlines crash on March 10. American Airlines says this extension will result in about 90 flights canceled per day. Meetings Today Chief Content Officer Christoph Trappe and Lead Destinations Content Strategist Danielle LeBreck discuss this recent news, what it means for your upcoming travel plans and how it may affect your next event. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Meetings Today Vice President and Chief Content Director Tyler Davidson details his exclusive access to shadow Marriott’s CRN 48-Hour Film Challenge, a truly out-of-the-box marketing concept that was ready for its close-up on location in Vancouver at the DOUGLAS, An Autograph Collection hotel. Read more here. Also, some of the top Trending stories on the Meetings Today website and what’s up on our Podcast page. Get your week’s news 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.

According to a press release from VisitBrasil.com, the official Brazilian tourism website, the South American country will soon be allowing visitors from the U.S., Canada, Australia and Japan to travel to and from the nation without a visa. Starting on Monday, June 18, 2019, travelers from the United States will no longer be required to complete the lengthy e-visa process currently in place. This makes it much easier for those visiting the Brazil for business, pleasure or both to take part in conferences, conventions and its plentiful tourism opportunities. Meetings Today Chief Content Officer, Christoph Trappe, has traveled to Brazil several times and shares some insights into the change. Listen below for more details. And as always, feel free to leave comments or reach out directly to Christoph with your thoughts on this  travel update. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Meetings Today’s Tyler Davidson interviews Marion Harper Treskin, general manager of the dual-branded JW Marriott Parq Vancouver and the DOUGLAS, An Autograph Collection Hotel, about the unique brand positioning of the DOUGLAS and how its independent movie vibe jibes with Marriott’s Convention & Resort Network’s innovative 48-Hour Film Challenge. Also check out our related podcast episode. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Meetings Today’s Tyler Davidson talks to the key players behind Marriott’s Convention & Resort Network’s “crazy” idea of holding the 48-Hour Film Challenge, filmed at Vancouver, British Columbia’s the DOUGLAS, An Autograph Collection Hotel, and how this outside-of-the-box concept ties into meetings. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Meetings Today Vice President and Chief Content Director details the latest news in the meetings industry, including Meetings Today’s coverage of International Women’s Dayand the growing storm surrounding Boeing’s 737 MAX safety. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast! And stay tuned for more Wednesday Wrap bonus episodes in coming weeks.

On the first Wednesday Wrap, Tyler Davidson talks about major events in the meetings industry and what Meetings Today has been working on, including his March 2019 cover story on San Franciso's work to help its homeless population. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast! And stay tuned for more Wednesday Wrap bonus episodes in coming weeks.

The Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, home to America's largest indoor waterpark, just got bigger. The resort's freshly expanded convention center, which includes an additional 112,000 square feet of meeting space, will open in September 2019. Tifani Jones, Kalahari Resort's corporate sales director, shares how this expansion will positively affect future events, and what makes Kalahari an ideal (and family-friendly) destination for your next meeting. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Tyler Davidson explores Marriott International's collaboration with the PCMA Foundation on their "Trends for the Future of Meetings" project. Marriott's senior marketing manager, Amy Popper, explains the program and is joined by four of her Marriott property colleagues who describe how they're facilitating the trends at their hotels. Also: an update on Marriott's ambitious new Mastermind program. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Tyler Davidson sits down with Javier Cano, vice president and market general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles and The JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE about how L.A. LIVE has transformed a once-neglected Downtown L.A. into a high-profile meetings mecca with "star power" that is unequaled in the industry. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Meetings Today's Tyler Davidson talks with Marriott meetings and conventions veteran Alex Shotwell about three critical mistakes that can derail a meeting. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Chief Content Director Tyler Davidson explores the many water-based activity options for groups visiting San Diego, with Blaine Amidei of DMC company Access. In San Diego there's water, water everywhere, so get your groups out on it! Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Meetings Today's Tyler Davidson talks with Mark Vaughan, executive vice president and chief sales officer for the Atlanta CVB, about how the destination is gearing up for Super Bowl LIII, and what it means for meetings and conventions groups in the future. Don't miss our related coverage showcasing Atlanta's meetings upgrades. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Sarah Kloepple and Christoph Trappe discuss recent airport travel experiences during the government shutdown and provide tips for navigating security and reducing stress for everyone. Remember to be nice to TSA workers! Related Meetings Today Podcast Episodes: Government Shutdown (What Planners Need to Know) Destination DC's Elliott Ferguson on the Government Shutdown Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Richard Hovel, Mid-Century Modern expert and owner/manager at the Palm Springs' Desert Star vacation rental complex, discusses with Meetings Today’s Marlene Goldman the history of Mid-Century Modern architecture and how groups can experience the popular phenomenon in Palm Springs, California. He also talks about the annual Modernism Week event, this year from Feb. 14 to Feb. 24, 2019. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Staff Writer Sarah Kloepple talks with Becky Andrzejak, exhibit and events manager for Johnson Controls, at AHR Expo in Atlanta about why her company's two-story exhibit booth, also referred to as a double-deck booth, provides some serious competitive advantages on the tradeshow floor. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Meetings Today's Tyler Davidson talks with Frank Passanante, Senior Vice President of Hilton Worldwide Sales - Americas, about the iconic brand's Golden Anniversary. Learn more about the Hilton Effect on the hotel company's website. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Michelle Milligan, president of the Society of Government Meeting Professionals National (SGMP), discusses with Meetings Today the impact of the U.S. federal government shutdown on meeting planners and the meetings industry. Read more industry insights on the shutdown here. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Meetings Today’s Tyler Davidson talks with Destination DC chief Elliott Ferguson about the federal government shutdown and how Washington, D.C., is navigating it. They also discuss hot spots for planners and attendees to visit while in D.C. Read more insights from Ferguson and others regarding the shutdown here. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Meetings Today’s Tyler Davidson talks with Thrive! Meetings & Events’ Tracy Stuckrath about what planners need to know about F&B preferences, restrictions and how to make sure attendees who have allergies are protected. Stuckrath is the foremost group F&B food allergy expert in the industry, and the knowledge she shares just may save a life at your next meeting. Also: Some of the key F&B-related results of the 2019 Meetings Today Trends Survey are discussed. Click here to view or download a PDF from Thrive! Meetings and Events containing sample food allergen protection clauses. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Meetings Today’s Tyler Davidson discusses the “what-ifs” regarding internet connectivity and audiovisual services following reports that CenturyLink suffered severe outages across its network. Also, Jon Trask of Strategic Meeting Tech fills meeting planners in on his tips for saving money on AV at events. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Meetings Today’s Tyler Davidson saddled up for behind-the-scenes access to the Grand National Rodeo, held in mid-October 2018 at the Cow Palace, in Daly City, California. Like the 77-year-old venue, the multigenerational world of rodeo is a quintessential study in Americana, attracting young and old to test their mettle. Tyler interviews Cindy Rosser, the second-generation leader of Flying U Rodeo Company, and Ellen Carr, a 70-year-old former competitor whose granddaughter tested her skill at Jackpot Barrel Racing at the event. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Meetings Today’s Lori Tenny discusses sexual harassment and strategies to combat it in the hospitality and meetings industries with Michael Massari, chief sales officer for Caesars Entertainment, and Sarah Soliman Daudin and Courtney Stanley, creators of #MeetingsToo: How to Prevent and Address Sexual Harassment at Events. Listen to another related podcast episode here. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Amid the high-energy hustle of IMEX America, Meetings Today’s Lori Tenny takes a breather in the Be Well Lounge with Dale Hudson, knowledge and events director for IMEX, and Lee Papa, mindfulness speaker and trainer, to discuss innovative CSR and wellness initiatives at the show and in the industry.  They also talk about the importance of self-care for meeting planners, with a short meditation session thrown in for good measure. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Meetings Today's Tyler Davidson sits down with Trippus Event Solutions' Martin Klofver at IMEX America to talk about his eminently easy to use end-to-end meetings and event solution and meetings tech trends. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Meetings Today Chief Content Director Tyler Davidson discusses LGBT+ issues in the meetings industry with Charles Chan Massey, a 30-year meetings industry veteran and advocate who remembers the "secret handshake" days. Now LGBT+ meeting professionals have their own association. Read more on that here. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Meetings Today's Lori Tenny sat down with a meeting planner, a changemaker and a major industry leader at IMEX America in Las Vegas to have a candid conversation about sexual harassment in the meetings industry and how we can propel change and make the biggest impact moving forward. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Meetings Today's Tyler Davidson talks with Dan Berger about the game-changing sale of his meeting facilitation solution, Social Tables, to industry tech giant Cvent. Short on time? Read our news coverage of the acquisition. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Meetings Today's Tyler Davidson runs down the latest meetings trends with Carol McGury, EVP, Events & Education Services for SmithBucklin, including the consumerization and customization of events. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Christoph Trappe chats with Jack Reed, director of sales with the Hilton Head Island Visitor & Convention Bureau, about the impact of increased regular air travel into town after the Hilton Head Island Airport in South Carolina extended its runway from 4,300 feet to 5,000 feet, encouraging more direct flights. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Tyler Davidson interviews Michele Polci, director of citywide catering sales for Caesars Entertainment, about catering trends at IMEX America. Are you up to speed on the latest in F&B? Listen to find out! Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Vice President of Digital Innovation at Aventri Brian Friedman joined Meetings Today at IMEX America in Las Vegas for a conversation on artificial intelligence, which Friedman believes can help planners create a successful event. Friedman also discusses Aventri's recent acquisition of ITN International, which broadens its current on-site technology and service offerings. The acquisition will allow the company to expand its global reach and the events it supports. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Meetings Today Vice President & Chief Content Director Tyler Davidson and Chief Content Engagement Director and speaker Christoph Trappe talk with Christine Ahanotu, booking agent with AE Speakers, about the most critical issues meeting planners need to know before hiring a speaker. Check out this article Christine wrote for even more speaker selection advice. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Vice President & Chief Content Director Tyler Davidson talks with Omni Hotels & Resorts' Dan Surette, senior vice president of sales and marketing, and Laura Trussel McKoy, creative director and vice president of interior design, about the hard-charging brand's newest developments and design concepts. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

One of the brightest lights and biggest thinkers in the meetings and events industry, Event Manager Blog editor and author Julius Solaris, joins Meetings Today for this podcast exploring the latest trends and technology developments impacting the meetings industry, the unceasing viability of face-to-face meetings and his IMEX America Smart Monday keynote that is sure to turn heads. Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

Protect the safety of your attendees and the legal liability for the organization you plan for before, during and after an event via a sound risk mitigation strategy. Hear what risk management and duty of care expert Brenda Rivers has to say by tuning into this essential episode of the Meetings Today Podcast! Brenda Rivers and Meetings Today also partnered to publish "The Meeting & Event Risk Management Guide: How to Develop a Customized Risk Management Playbook," which is available for purchase at: https://meetingstoday.com/books Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!

ASAE, the “association of associations,” provides a learning laboratory for association planners and others at its annual events. Join Meetings Today and ASAE’s Amy Ledoux, SVP, Meetings and Expositions, to discover how ASAE manages its big annual meeting and expo and cutting-edge XDP event, including more details on a new risky and revolutionary new pricing model for 2019! Enjoying this episode? View more episodes of the Meetings Today Podcast!