Andrea Doyle

Washington's effort to rewrite federal grant rules is rippling through the events industry. Critics warn that requiring advance approval for conference travel would make collaboration less agile and leave smaller institutions without a seat at the table.

Event tech’s real differentiator isn't AI, it's whether the technology saves time, improves attendee experiences, or drives measurable business results.

UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, is moving forward with its plan to host its flagship annual congress in Bahrain later this year. The move signals confidence in the Gulf, despite the recent conflict and ongoing geopolitical tensions impacting the region.

A lawsuit over a hotel's alleged decision to replace a longstanding conference with higher-value NBA Finals business has been settled. But the dispute exposed a contract vulnerability many planners still overlook.

Not all attendees at virtual meetings are human. AI note-taking bots are proliferating, and although they may assist attendees with note-taking and summaries, they are posing challenges for planners.

The issue wasn't whether the ADA could enforce its rules. It was whether the organization's response, including the involvement of law enforcement, became a bigger story than the violation itself.

Convention center investment is no longer concentrated in a handful of first-tier cities; cities from Albany to Indianapolis are spending billions to compete for meetings business. They are betting that modern facilities and walkable districts will draw planners in.

As meetings become increasingly vulnerable to political tensions and activism, planners are forced to decide where to draw the line between free expression and disruption.

Planners are confronting a broader and more complex risk landscape, from violence and cyberattacks to fraud and workplace safety gaps. In response, a long-paused security coalition is being reactivated and expanded to reflect today’s threats. 

Back-to-back deals involving Hyve and Emerald-Questex reflect private equity’s continued confidence in business events.