Podcasts about imex america

Show SummaryOn today's episode, we're featuring a conversation with Navy Veteran and military spouse Melissa Washington. Melissa is the CEO of the Women Veterans Alliance, Women Veterans Giving, and publisher of Women Veterans Magazine. Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health. About Today's GuestMelissa Washington, Navy Veteran, Founder & CEO: Award-winning advocate, speaker, author, entrepreneur, CEO, publisher, Radio Show Host, and proud Navy veteran Melissa A. Washington wears many hats. Yet woven throughout her diverse pursuits is a mission of service—and a passion to empower her fellow women veterans.The daughter of a Bronze Star Army Vietnam War veteran, Melissa grew up in San Francisco's East Bay. Fiercely independent as a child, she spent many afternoons in her family's video store, developing an early sense of business acumen. That enterprising spirit continued into her teenage years when Melissa began training for a career in early childhood education while still in high school.But something else sparked in Melissa just as she was finishing her certification. Seeking to expand her world and serve her country, the 18-year-old enlisted in the Navy, spending three years on active duty and five years in the reserve. She did a 6-month "Med Cruise" and a 6-month "West Pac" deployment during her active duty. That formative experience set her life on a completely new trajectory—not only taking her across the globe and teaching her vital lessons but also introducing Melissa to her husband and, ultimately, inspiring her to transform thousands of lives. In the mid-nineties, she chose to leave the Navy early, having witnessed the burdens that come with a dual-service family. While her husband would remain in the Marine Corps for 21 years, Melissa embarked on a new path, earning her bachelor's degree in business management. She followed with a decade-long career in corporate recruiting and human resources, working with such entities as Nissan, Oracle, Tickets.com, Randstad, and the 2002 Winter Olympics.But in 2009, amid The Great Recession, Melissa was laid off. Despite the setback, she relied on her military training—which taught her to be adaptable and resourceful—and her innate sense of resilience. Above all, Melissa saw an opportunity to reinvent herself once again.Initially, she held LinkedIn workshops from her dining room table, imparting her vital knowledge to others. Soon, she was hosting larger workshops, which eventually grew into speaking engagements with hundreds of attendees. In 2011, she established Melissa Washington, Inc., a consulting service catering to businesses and individuals that incorporates LinkedIn for research, recruiting, job seeking, and collaboration. After four years at LinkedIn, where Melissa managed global meetings, she returned to her entrepreneurial roots. But this time, she focused on her fellow women veterans. A natural networker, Melissa initially sought to connect with her peers outside of traditional veterans' organizations. Yet, the more meetups she planned, the more she realized the need for a dedicated support system for women veterans. In 2015, what started as a local meetup turned into Women Veterans Alliance—a global organization that seeks to empower and positively impact the lives of women veterans. Three years later, she established the nonprofit wing of WVA, Women Veterans Giving. Both entities offer women veterans opportunities to gain valuable career experience and successfully integrate back into civilian life. WVG also helps fund women veteran-owned businesses, which other organizations often overlook. To date, they have awarded over $20k to women in veteran-owned businesses. In 2016, created and produced the first "Women Veterans Unconference."  Developed The Beyond Call of Duty Award Honoring Sgt Nicole Gee to honor and recognize the women in our communities. In 2021, Melissa expanded her role in the community by co-founding Women Veterans Magazine—the first publication of its kind to address the issues affecting women veterans and provide them with local and national resources. Aside from serving as CEO of WVA and WVG and publisher of Women Veterans Magazine, Melissa stays busy as an in-demand public speaker whose topics range from Maximizing Impact to Unlocking the Power of Purpose. She speaks regularly at conferences and events around the country and has spoken at over 100 events—presenting for the likes of Marriott, the Urban League, Blue Diamond, and IMEX America. Melissa has also appeared on the Dr. Phil Show and the Lifetime Channel's The Balancing Act, as well as on SiriusXM, iHeartRadio, ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox, among others.Additionally, Melissa is the author of Get Back to Work: Smart & Savvy Real-World Strategies to Make Your Next Career Move (FriesenPress, 2014). And Unstoppable: Being Fierce, Fearless & Unf*ckwithable in Life and Business, based on her experiences with WVA, which offers practical advice on creating a meet-up group and becoming an influencer within one's community (Brave Healer Productions, 2022).A longtime resident of Northern California, Melissa was a 2011 recipient of the Sacramento Business Journal's prestigious 40 Under 40 award and was among the Journal's Women Who Mean Business honorees in 2017. She has also been recognized by the National Association of Women Business Owners with an Outstanding Women Leader Visionary Award and received the 2016 Soroptimist Ruby Award, which recognizes women helping women. In 2019, she received the Center for Women Veterans' Trailblazer Award.   In 2022, she received her first Federal Appointment to the Small Business Administration Advisory Committee on Veteran Business Affairs (ACVBA).   In 2022, Thrive Causemetics Inc. featured a "Melissa" Warm Sienna Sheer Strength Hydrating Lip Tint to honor her infinite impact on the community.   In 2023, she started Veteran.Events to provide event services to the veteran and military community. Outside of work, Melissa enjoys spending quality time with her husband, Jarrod, and daughter, Maya. In addition to being an avid genealogist, Melissa loves vacationing with her family—particularly trips that involve a beach.Her grandfather, a WWII Army Air Corps/Air Force Veteran who received the Bronze Star and Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters, served in the 509th Bomb Squad AC in the Eastern European Theater with 37 missions over Germany.Her husband is a retired Marine who served in combat in Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).Links Mentioned in this Episode Women Veterans Alliance Web SitePsychArmor Resource of the WeekFor this week's PsychArmor resource of the week is the PsychArmor course, Women Veterans Series. This four-part video series dives into their history, triumphs, and unique challenges from the Revolutionary War to present day.  You ...

In this episode of the Events Demystified Podcast, recorded live at the IMEX America trade show, host Anca Trifan dives into interviews with various tech companies about their AI innovations and integrations in event technologies. Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/YOPgNl2lJ2w?si=VsZJQlG5fgFHFJq1 The episode highlights the distinction between essential AI features and those that are more superficial. It also explores the importance of wellness with activations focused on mental and physical fitness at the event. Various companies share insights on how AI and machine learning enhance user experiences and streamline event management, highlighting features like real-time recommendations, content discovery, and attendee flow tracking. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the future of AI in event technology and the wellness initiatives that are reshaping attendee experiences.

Join us for an in-depth look at IMEX America 2024, the latest edition of the largest trade show dedicated to meetings, events and incentive travel professionals. With over 15,500 attendees and 86,000 meetings, this year's IMEX celebrated the global meetings and events sector. We discuss the buzz on the floor, the unique activations, and how Las Vegas' iconic landscape—amid F1 construction and city-shaping events—added to the drama. Tune in to explore everything from personalized activations to wellness sessions and why baseball stadiums are emerging as the next big venue trend. Connect with Skift Meetings LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/skift-meetings X: https://twitter.com/SkiftMeetings Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftmeetings Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftmeetings/ Subscribe to @Skift Meetings to discover the future of meetings.

Trade Show Talk Podcast Host Danica Tormohlen interviews Carina Bauer, CEO of IMEX Group, at the IMEX America 2024 event in Las Vegas. They cover Bauer's career journey from her first IMEX Frankfurt show in 2003 to overcoming challenges like digital transformation and sustainability. They discuss empowering teams to stay ahead of trends by attending various events, experimenting with new technologies, and enhancing customer experiences with innovations like Blue Dot technology for Google Maps-style navigation on the show floor. Strategic conversations around attendee engagement were highlighted, noting the increase in pre-scheduled meetings and attendance despite impacts from Hurricane Milton. Plans for future events at Mandalay Bay through 2027 are confirmed, and Bauer's upcoming engagements include attending a Brand USA event in London and preparing for next year's goals.  Plus, we are introducing a new segment to Trade Show Talk where we discuss the latest public policy issues impacting our industry with Tommy Goodwin, VP of the Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance. Our goal to inform event professionals about ECA's work on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, and in state houses and city halls nationwide, to advocate for public policies that will allow the exhibitions and conferences industry—which employs 2.6 million Americans and drives $399 billion in spending annually—to continue to serve as growth engines for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and communities nationwide. In this episode, we talk all about the November 5th election in the U.S. Goodwin shared insight on the recent launch of ECA Votes, a one-stop resource for everything the business events industry needs to know about the November 2024 election. Our guest: Carina Bauer, CEO, IMEX Group  Bauer is passionate about the business events sector and its impact on the world, taking a particular interest in issues around sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and mentoring the leaders of tomorrow. She also takes a keen interest in leadership development, and organizational best practice and culture.   Throughout her career, Bauer has been an active member of the meetings industry. She's past chair of the AEO Council (2021-2023) and the EIA (2021-2022), as well as past president of the SITE Foundation (2020). She previously served on the Board of the MPI UK Chapter and on global committees for MPI and PCMA.   Bauer is the proud recipient of a number of industry awards including the SITE Richard Ross Past Presidents' Award (2022), PCMA Wayfinder Award (2021) and ICCA Inspirational Women Awards (2018). In 2023, she was inducted into the Events Industry Council Hall of Leaders. Earlier this year, she received AEO's Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Award.  Appointed CEO of IMEX Group in 2009 following the expansion of IMEX into America, Bauer has been part of the IMEX team since the very beginning, joining in 2002 as marketing and operations director with the original launch team.   She enjoys spending time with her family (she's a mother to two boys) and traveling for work and pleasure. She is an adventure sports enthusiast with a particular love for climbing and skiing. In her spare time, Bauer works with a variety of local charities and is chair of the Brighton and Hove Albion Foundation—using the power of football to help people get active, learn and stay well throughout Sussex.   Connect with her on LinkedIn here or email at carina.bauer@imexevents.com Our guest: Tommy Goodwin, VP of Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA)  Thomas F. (Tommy) Goodwin is the Vice President of the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), an umbrella association of leading professional, industry, and labor organizations that represent the unified advocacy voice of the business events industry. In this role, he leads ECA's efforts on behalf of the interconnected ecosystem of exhibitors, show and event organizers, suppliers, venues, and destinations that comprise the business events sector.  Prior to joining ECA, he spent more than 20 years leading a wide range of government relations and public affairs efforts for several globally recognized organizations, including Oracle, AARP, and the Project Management Institute (PMI). He was also a research fellow at Harvard Business School focused on the international political and legal environment in which businesses operate.  Recognized by The Hill as one of Washington, DC's “Top Lobbyists” each year since 2020, he was also named a Leading Association Lobbyist by CEO Update in 2023, an Association Innovation Leader by DCA Live in 2022, and and one of the Top 21 in 2021 advocacy leaders by The Advocacy Association. Within the business events industry, he received the 2022 Industry Support award from TSNN and was named a 2022 Changemaker by MeetingsNet.  He has a B.B.A. from The George Washington University, an M.B.A. from Auburn University, and a Postgraduate Diploma in European Union Law from King's College London. He also holds a Certified Association Executive designation from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), where he is an ASAE Fellow, a Project Management Professional certification from PMI, and a Certified Meeting Professional certification from the Events Industry Council.  He is a past president of the National Institute of Lobbying & Ethics and a past chair of ASAE's Advocacy Council.  Connect with him on LinkedIn here. Podcast Host: Danica Tormohlen  An award-winning journalist who has covered the trade show industry since 1994, Danica Tormohlen is VP of Group Content, Meetings, Sports, Travel for Informa Connect. In her role, she oversees content for Trade Show News Network, Corporate Event News, MeetingsNet, BizBash and Connect's portfolio of in-person events. These leading media brands publish websites, newsletters, social media channels, video, podcasts and online and in-person programming for the trade show, corporate event, association meeting, experiential marketing and exhibition industries.  Tormohlen currently serves as president of the Women in Exhibitions Network North America chapter. She has been a speaker and moderator at major industry events, including the TSNN Awards, IMEX, IAEE, SISO, UFI, ESCA, DI and Large Show Roundtable — to name a few. 

Join co-hosts Anca Trifan and Megan Martin on the Events Demystified Podcast recorded LIVE at IMEX in Las Vegas, as they explore the complexities and challenges of events. Hear captivating real-life stories, including power outages at executive retreats and international planning headaches. Learn about the impact of AI and how the podcast empowers women in a male-dominated industry, while offering key takeaways and contingency planning advice. With guest appearances and anecdotes from the audience, this episode unpacks the trials and tribulations faced by event professionals.

Meg Fasy is back and honored to have her as my first "repeat" guest in 150+ episodes. Not only is she a friend, but a massive resource in the Sponsorship/Meeting & Events space. She has earned and learned a perspective that is valuable to anyone that might ever attend a conference and wants to "stand out". This podcast, recorded at the IMEX America conference in Las Vegas, shares answers by Meg on questions like, "among thousands, how do you differentiate yourself" and "how do you become memorable"? She shares a few best practices for making MEANINGFUL CONNECTINS by offering value and authentic conversations. Key topics include the importance of relationship-building over one-time interactions, personalized sponsorship strategies, and unique offerings for event planners. Meg emphasizes providing value through actions like main-taining client relationships, offering quiet places at events, and focusing on sustainability. She shares insights from her experience in sales and sponsorship, promoting a customized approach to client engagement. The conversation also highlights the camaraderie and support within the small business community and discusses the competitive nature of larger industries like hotels. Meg encourages listeners to consider their marketing objectives and use storytelling to create memorable experiences in professional interactions. More about Meg Fasy: Meg Fasy is well known in the events industry, with a diverse career that spans hospitality, convention and visitors' bureaus, industry associations, event technology, and strategic partnerships. As the founder of FazeFWD, a sponsorship management company, Meg is dedicated to enhancing the dialogue between event organizers and brand partners to boost attendee engagement. Her expertise includes: ·      Create Robust Prospectuses that offer value and build revenue ·      Drive strategic initiatives ·      Design immersive experiences for Live events Her commitment to innovation in the events industry continues to make a significant impact on how sponsorships are approached and executed.  https://fazefwd.com meg@fazefwd.com Listen to more podcast episodes at: https://bartaberkey.com/podcast For speaking inquires or to have Bart conduct live podcast interviews at your next event: bart@mostpeopledont.com

In this Meetings Today podcast, senior contributor Jeff Heilman speaks with Destination DC President and CEO Elliott Ferguson at IMEX America 2024 in Las Vegas about the impact of Election 2024 on meetings and events, Destination DC's new Connected Campus program for planners, sustainability and more.

Orlando was just recognized as the top meeting destination in North America by Cvent--an accolade it has won nine times! While winning Cvent's top destination slot is nothing new for what is arguably the most popular meetings destination in North America, there's certainly plenty going on in this Central Florida powerhouse.Meetings Today's Tyler Davidson sat down with Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando, on the exhibit floor of IMEX America to get the skinny on major new happenings, from top-flight resorts such as Evermore Orlando Resort to the splashy new Live! at The Pointe Orlando event venue, four new Michelin-starred restaurants that speak to its hot dining scene, theme park special event venue additions and how the destination is gearing up to play a big role assisting Floridians as Hurricane Milton churns its way toward the west coast of the state.

From an association booking window that is slowly expanding to dealing with rising costs and the resilience of sustainability, the meetings industry is settling in following the post-pandemic period.Meetings Today's Tyler Davidson got some time with Steve O'Malley, COO of business events solutions for global meetings giant Maritz, during IMEX America 2024 to explore the latest trends impacting the meetings industry.See what this trends expert has to share about where we're at as an industry, and what the next five years may bring.

Jill Blood, vice president and deputy general council for global meetings giant Maritz, is on the forefront of legal issues that are impacting the meetings and events industry. Meetings Today Vice President & Chief Content Director Tyler Davidson sat down with Blood at IMEX America 2024 to discover what legal issues are keeping planners and the organizations they work for up at night. From data privacy and AI workstreams to increasing costs colliding with shorter meeting time frames, it seems it's never been this complicated for those in the meetings industry. Find out what needs to be on your radar.

Taylor Smith sat down this morning with Hyatt's Senior Vice President of Events Steve Enselein live on the IMEX America 2024 trade show floor to talk all the latest and greatest news in the Hyatt world that meeting planners should be aware of, including enhancements to Together by Hyatt and how planners can incorporate more sustainability and wellness into their Hyatt events. Tune in now! 

In today's episode, we're gearing up for one of the biggest events in the meetings and events industry—IMEX America 2024. Join Miguel Neves, Andrea Doyle, and Barbara Scofidio as they discuss their personal experiences, offer valuable tips for navigating the show floor, and share strategies for maximizing your time at IMEX. Whether you're a seasoned attendee or a first-timer, this episode will guide you through everything from booking appointments and networking to surviving the whirlwind of Vegas. Tune in for expert advice and a look at what's in store for this year's IMEX America! Connect with Skift Meetings LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/skift-meetings X: https://twitter.com/SkiftMeetings Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftmeetings Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftmeetings/ Subscribe to @Skift Meetings to discover the future of meetings.

Title:IMEX Wonder Walks and Tough Talks (ft. Tahira Endean | Head of Program | IMEX)Bio:Currently head of programming for IMEX, Tahira is an event designer and curator of education for the MICE industry. She is passionate about global travel, intentional event design, and the integration of technology into our lives and events to enhance the human experience. Deeply committed to the industry, Tahira has been recognized for a range of contributions, including 2022 Influencers with Northstar Meetings and many more.Opening Quote:"Intentional event design is all about being people-centric and purpose-driven, knowing exactly who your audience is, and designing around their needs. So you need to know why you're doing something, and you need to know who you're doing it for. And then you need to bring those things together and then design in a way that is going to help you achieve whatever your objectives are, that success doesn't happen by accident.”Summary:In this episode of No More Bad Events, Scott chats with Tahira Endean about the evolving events industry and the significance of attending IMEX, a major industry gathering.  While IMEX is discussed in detail, Tahira also addresses why events fail.  And in light of the No More Bad Events mission, this is particularly interesting. She shares stories of what failed events have looked like and how event collectives are studying the reasons why and then, based on their learnings, are developing methodologies to mitigate epic fails … methodologies like empathy mapping and prototyping design.  To further ensure nothing but the best events— events that inspire, motivate, and educate like IMEX— Scott and Tahira discuss the complexities of organizing inclusive and sustainable events, the need for upskilling and reskilling post-Covid, the integration of AI as well as incorporating innovative trends and activations based on attendee feedback … things like Intentional Design, Event Profs Unplugged, Wonder Walks and Tough Talks...  The latter two activations uncovered the use of nature in trade show booths via a walking tour format, as well as access to private chat rooms for talks about issues like social anxiety and men and mental health.Finally, Tahira whets our appetites for what's coming up at IMEX America in October.  And there's a lot to consider. So grab your headsets and get ready for a preview of IMEX, the Mothership of event trade shows, and much, much more.CONNECT WITH THEM:Connect with Tahira Endean: Tahira's LinkedIn ProfileHire Scott Bloom: Scott's eSpeakers BioFollow eSpeakers: eSpeakers MarketplaceABOUT NO MORE BAD EVENTS:Brought to you by eSpeakers and hosted by professional emcee, host, and keynote speaker Scott Bloom, No More Bad Events is where you'll hear from some of the top names in the event and speaking industry about what goes on behind the scenes at the world's most perfectly executed conferences, meetings, and more. Get ready to learn the secrets and strategies to help anyone in the event industry reach their goal of putting on nothing less than world-class events. Learn more at: nomorebadevents.comABOUT THE HOST:A veteran comedian and television personality who has built a reputation as the go-to choice for business humor, Scott has hosted hundreds of events over two decades for big and small organizations alike. Scott has also hosted his own weekly VH1 series and recently co-hosted a national simulcast of the Grammy Awards from the Palace Theater.As the son of a successful salesman, he was exposed to the principles of building a business at an early age. As a comedian, Scott cut his teeth at renowned improv and comedy clubs. And as a self-taught student of psychology, he's explored what makes people tick and has written a book (albeit a farce) on how to get through life. He's uniquely positioned to deliver significant notes on connecting people and making business seriously funny. And who doesn't like to laugh? Learn more about Scott: scottbloomconnects.comPRODUCED BY eSpeakers:When the perfect speaker is in front of the right audience, a kind of magic happens where organizations and individuals improve in substantial, long-term ways. eSpeakers exists to make this happen more often. eSpeakers is where the speaking industry does business on the web. Speakers, speaker managers, associations, and bureaus use our tools to organize, promote, and grow successful businesses. Event organizers think of eSpeakers first when they want to hire speakers for their meetings or events.The eSpeakers Marketplace technology lets us and our partner directories help meeting professionals worldwide connect directly with speakers for great engagements. Thousands of successful speakers, trainers, and coaches use eSpeakers to build their businesses and manage their calendars. Thousands of event organizers use our directories every day to find and hire speakers. Our tools are built for speakers, by speakers, to do things that only purpose-built systems can.Learn more at: eSpeakers.comSHOW CREDITS:Scott Bloom: Host | scottbloomconnects.comJoe Heaps: eSpeakers | jheaps@eSpeakers.com

Andy Lopata welcomes Melva Lajoy Legrand to this episode of the Connected Leadership podcast. Melva and Andy explore the concept of authentic connection. Melva is one of the leading event planners in the United States. Recognised nationally for her thought leadership, she is a six-time award-winning CEO who has used her social impact on the stages of IMEX Frankfurt (2024) and IMEX America (2023), the One Women's Summit (2022), IBTM Americas (2022), four cities for BizBash's Connect Conference (2022), and the Tide Risers Summit (2021). She has been featured in Forbes, Authority Magazine, The Washingtonian, The Black Wall Street Times, HQ The Association and more. Speaking on issues including the gender pay gap, redefining what success looks like for mature women, navigating career changes and being an ally for black women in the workplace. Based in Washington, DC, Melva produces events for audiences ranging from ten to 60,000 people, with the theme of connection being central to her work. Together, Andy and Melva explore the creation of authentic connections, not just for themselves but for others as well. Melva shares her approach to organising events, emphasising the importance of designing experiences that cater to the unique needs of everyone involved, including speakers, sponsors, general attendees, and volunteers. She believes that making people feel seen, valued, and heard is crucial for fostering genuine connections. This philosophy applies not only to event attendees but also to her team. Andy and Melva discuss the importance of understanding the 'why' behind people's involvement, whether they are team members or clients. Melva values character and authenticity over a perfect resume, seeking individuals who are comfortable with their true selves and can see the bigger picture. This resonates with Andy's emphasis on vulnerability and sharing personal challenges to build deeper connections. Melva highlights the importance of community building in event design, noting that people want genuine, unstructured networking opportunities. She believes that successful leaders share knowledge freely and mentor others, fostering an environment of mutual growth and authentic connection. Andy emphasises the value of pre- and post-event engagement to create lasting connections. Melva agrees, pointing out that modern events should continuously evolve to meet attendees' needs for connection and professional development. In this episode, Andy asks Melva to share a podcast episode in which she shares her personal journey. Melva recommends listening to her podcast interview with Elizabeth Smart Foundation. Melva asked her to stress, "This post contains sensitive information which is meant to heal not harm. Read with care. Consider with compassion. Protect your peace." This episode offers an examination of the art of creating authentic connections, whether through events, leadership, or everyday interactions, and provides valuable insights for anyone looking to foster genuine relationships in their personal or professional life. Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | Youtube Connect with Melva Lajoy Legrand: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

For the third episode of Eating at a Meeting Podcast coming to you LIVE from IMEX America, planners will join me in person on the show floor and from their offices to talk about how they are managing attendee dietary needs. I can't wait to talk to Amy-Marie Lemanski, CMP , Magdalena Bonnelly - Global Event Design and Execution and Jessica Hiemenz-Woodbury, CMP, DES , all members of the Eating at a Meeting community. Connect with Tracy: facebook.com/groups/EatingataMeeting thrivemeetings.com

In this special episode of Eating at a Meeting Podcast LIVE at IMEX America, I'm joined by Victoria Chivers (Tori), Vice President of Convention Services & Catering at MGM Resorts International.  Tori and I will dive into the dynamic and essential partnership between #EventProfs and convention service managers when planning meetings and events. With her extensive experience in convention services, Tori will share invaluable insights into how effective collaboration between planners and convention service managers can lead to remarkable events. We'll discuss managing dietary needs, sustainable practices, and strategies to ensure that every guest feels valued. # Connect with Tracy: facebook.com/groups/EatingataMeeting thrivemeetings.com

Monday, October 16 was World Food Day, one of the most celebrated days of the United Nations calendar. The theme for World Food Day in 2023 is "Water is Life. Water is Food." To shine a spotlight on water as the foundation for life and food. In this special episode of the Eating at a Meeting which was recorded on Meeting Professionals International's Smart Monday as part of IMEX America, I talked with Michael Gulich, AIA, LEED AP, LFA, Vice President of Sustainability for MGM Resorts International and Eric Wallinger, Director Of Sustainability for MeetGreen® to understand and share how the Meetings Industry can contribute to the responsible use of water, a precious resource that "is threatened by rapid population growth urbanization, economic development, and climate change." Primary Topic for Sustainability in the Events Industry The role of resorts and hotels in environmental initiatives Commitment of resorts and hotels to environmental initiatives Regional sourcing and shortening supply chains Efforts to reduce water usage across properties Initiatives to minimize environmental impact MGM Resorts International initiatives for water conservation Sustainable food production and responsible water usage Water usage in food production Potential water savings from choosing plant-based meals Water conservation efforts and challenges Water equity and sustainability Conversion of water-intensive landscapes to desert-friendly landscapes Incorporation of high-efficiency fixtures for water reduction Food waste reduction efforts Water-related food rescue and composting Food donation initiatives Waste diversion rates and recycling efforts Social equity and environmental considerations in event planning and sourcing Environmental impact and minimizing footprint Efforts to measure and report environmental footprint Emphasis on the impact of event sustainability Integration of environmentally friendly practices The role of sustainability in food and beverage operations Importance of regenerative systems Embracing sustainability within food and beverage operations Call for planners to incorporate food and beverage sustainability earlier in the event planning process Efforts to reduce water consumption in building operations and supply chains Importance of venue selection: Choosing venues with water conservation goals Importance of reusables to reduce waste and conserve water Call for early incorporation of food and beverage sustainability in event planning   Connect with Tracy: facebook.com/groups/EatingataMeeting thrivemeetings.com

Tune into a special live audience recording at "She Means Business" during IMEX America in Las Vegas, as host Courtney Stanley interviews influential leaders on the most relevant topics facing women in the industry, including the importance of representation, self-empowerment, burnout and more.

Season 4, Episode 10 Guests: Chandra Allison, SVP of Strategy & Growth, Oak View Group Cherrell Woodley, Entrepreneur, Relly Habibi Arts & Entertainment Cat Kevern, Director, Electric Cat Productions Tune into a special live audience recording at "She Means Business" during IMEX America in Las Vegas, as host Courtney Stanley interviews influential leaders on the most relevant topics facing women in the industry, including the importance of representation, self-empowerment, burnout and more.

New to IMEX? Seasoned veteran? This episode's got something for everyone. Your host, Anca Platon Trifan, sits down with the best and brightest of the industry to spill the tea on IMEX '23.

Meetings Today's Tyler Davidson sat down with PCMA President and CEO Sherrif Karamat at IMEX America 2023, where the association revealed the enhanced versions of artificial intelligence software Spark, to discover the major impact this tool made by and for meeting professionals will have on the business events industry.

Prices for meetings and events essentials have skyrocketed and show no signs of easing, especially room rates in the upscale hotel and resort segment that are the bedroom of business events. In fact, the upper tiers of the hotel chain scale are experiencing room rate increases hovering around a jaw-dropping 30%. Meetings Today's Tyler Davidson engaged Maritz COO Steve O'Malley, one of the most respected trends experts in the meetings and events industry, to discuss the global events giant's latest survey, timed to be released at IMEX America 2023. O'Malley also delves into how events programs are changing due to the new generation entering the business world, as well as how a polarized U.S. political atmosphere is impacting where organizations are holding meetings.

Meetings Today Vice President & Chief Content Director Tyler Davidson sat down with Amy Kramer, innovation leader, and Aaron Dorsey, vice president of product management, for Maritz at IMEX America 2023 to get their take on how AI will transform the meetings industry, as well as other tech trends business event planners should have on their radar.

Attendees at IMEX America are in for a special treat in the form of the Google Xi CoLaboratory, where the tech giant is teaming up with other exhibitors and speakers to stage sessions and spaces focusing on experience design and inclusion. Meetings Today's Tyler Davidson spoke with Kate Walsh, Megan Henshall and Naomi Clare Crellin to discover what Hello! Destination Management, Google and Storycraft Lab are cooking up in concert with other collaborators such as Marriott and Maritz on the exhibit floor at IMEX America 2023, and how the message they are delivering resonates beyond the annual event.

In this episode, we had a conversation with Julie Kagy, director of operations for the Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA) and Bill McGlade, president of epIQ Creative Group, about their experience in working together as partners on marketing. They shared advice and lessons learned after partnering now for more than one year.  Kagy shared insight on what it was like to put together an RFP, evaluate vendors, hone in on the scope of the association's needs, get buy-in on budgeting and execute the strategy with an outside partner. McGlade talked about developing the strategy, prioritizing the client's needs, rebranding an ESCA product, establishing benchmarks, sharing thought leadership, driving engagement and marketing business-to-person. The results: Attendance at ESCA's Summer Education Conference 2023 was up 13%, and social interactions increased 344% year over year. Here are a few marketing samples: Podcast host Danica Tormohlen also shared the top five new stories from Trade Show News Network, Exhibit News Now and Corporate Event News that were published in the first half of August 2023. Our guests ESCA's Julie Kagy After graduating from Purdue University Northwest, Kagy started her career at the Ritz-Carlton Four Seasons Chicago. The hotel was awarded Top North American Hotel by Conde Nast Traveler four times during her tenure. Taking these customer service skills, she began her career in the tradeshow industry with GES. During her 12-year tenure with GES, she held various roles, such as Exhibitor Services Manager, Director of Account Management and Vice President of National Account Management.  She has been Director of Operations with the Exhibition Services and Contractors Association (ESCA) since 2015. It's a role she truly loves as she gets to work on a vast scale with key industry leaders, working to shape the future of the trade show industry.  epIQ Creative Group's Bill McGlade McGlade is the co-owner and President of both epiQ Creative Group and Community Leaders Institute. He has spent 17 years embracing the ever-changing world of nonprofits, associations, events, community, marketing and sales. With a proven track record of successfully selling three companies and acquiring two more, he has a knack for transforming a lean team with a limited budget into a powerhouse that scales 5 to 10 times. McGlade received the  2017 IAEE Young Professional of the Year award. He's been a speaker and presenter at a number of events and conferences, including IMEX Frankfurt, IMEX America, IAEE, ASAE, PCMA, AMPS and more. Thank you to our sponsor! Zenus What if you could prove your event is working with hard facts and learn how to make it even better? With Zenus's Ethical Vision AI, you can protect your budget and have detailed reporting. Learn how that's all possible at Zenus.AI   

Join host KiKi L'Italien on Association Chat Podcast as she ventures into the preparations that international and digital event-maker, Matt Regniér is making to get the most out of his IMEX America experience. IMEX America is the largest trade show in the U.S. for the global meetings, events, and incentive travel industry. As the Founder and CEO of Pleni, The International, and the Founder and President of IC International Consultants - Local Resources Worldwide Events, Matt is a thought leader in the world of international event planning. In this episode, you'll gain exclusive insights into: Matt's perspective on IMEX America and the unique opportunities it presents for business connections. His special appreciation for Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Convention Center, offering a one-of-a-kind case study for event planners. Matt's thoughts on the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the meeting industry today, and how he creatively solves problems for his clients globally. From the bustling floor of IMEX America to the strategic planning of worldwide events, this conversation offers a rare glimpse into the dynamic and evolving world of international meetings and events. Discover Matt's strategies, his views on the future of the industry, and his passion for connecting people and cultures. Whether you're an event planner, an association professional, or someone fascinated by the global meeting industry, this episode is a must-listen. Dive in with KiKi and Matt and explore the vibrant world of IMEX America. Keywords: Association Chat Podcast, KiKi L'Italien, Matt Regniér, IMEX America, Global Meetings, Events, Incentive Travel, Pleni, The International, IC International Consultants, Las Vegas Convention Center, Event Planning, International Business, Meeting Industry

Event translation and transcription are a segment that's been on the rise in recent years. Will and Brandt discussed the increase of booths for these services at IMEX Frankfurt and IMEX America. As a result, in this Event Tech podcast episode, the tech duo outlines how to work with translation, transcription, and captioning services in your events.    Implementing these services into your event can be full of benefits, making your events accessible to international audiences and those with auditory impairments. But, when done poorly, translation, transcription, and captioning services can lead to a poor attendee experience and even offend listeners. To help you ensure that doesn't happen, Will and Brandt share tips for working with the services and explain how you can ensure you're getting the total value from these services. Let's dive in!

Recorded on Day 3 of IMEX America 2022. Tracy is joined by Katie Kulp, a meeting planner whose niche is planning events for groups who have disabilities. Connect with Tracy: facebook.com/groups/EatingataMeeting thrivemeetings.com

Recorded on Day 2 of IMEX America 2022. Tracy is joined by David Stevens who is a director of field marketing and global events who talks about how to create more healthful events by focusing on three M words — movement, mindfulness, and meals. Listen as they chat about how to provide for your attendees by creating dining experiences that are not exclusive, but inclusive. Let people make their own choices and create their own experiences.

This episode of Eating at a Meeting was recorded live on day 1 of IMEX America 2022. Tracy sat down with Ruud Janssen of the Event Design Collective who designs award-winning corporate events and gatherings. Listen as they chat about how, when, and why food and beverage should be part of the design process. Connect with Tracy: facebook.com/groups/EatingataMeeting thrivemeetings.com

VisitScotland Business Events launched an ambitious Journey to Change initiative in 2021 that aims to showcase how business events in the country can drive social and economic transformation. Most of Western Europe seems to be following the same path, especially in terms of sustainability. Meanwhile, while the U.S. meetings and events industry actively sings the praises of issues such as sustainability and the impact business events have on the environment, the message doesn't seem to be translating into actual practices and government regulations like it does across the Atlantic. Meetings Today's Tyler Davidson sat down with VisitScotland's Neil Brownlee at IMEX America to explore the country's ambitious initiative, as well as meetings and events trends, facility information and the benefits of bringing meetings to Scotland.

Cruising with Carina Bauer: Part IIWe catch up with IMEX Group CEO Carina Bauer after IMEX AmericaOPENING QUOTE:“I think that's really important for all of us as sustainability becomes more important in everything that we do, that we really build nature…into everything that we do and the decisions that we make.”-Carina BauerGUEST BIO:Carina Bauer is CEO of The IMEX Group, a company that organizes trade shows for the international business events industry. According to Carina, her sole purpose as CEO is to help clients and partners “make more profitable connections and create even better events.”Links:LinkedInCORE TOPICS + DETAILS:[6:05] - Emphasis on NatureCreating a more sustainable worldHaving originally planned to make nature the theme of IMEX America 2020, Carina and her team felt the message of sustainability and nature was more relevant than ever. Everything from the education areas to the lounges and food courts are nature-themed. She says that whenever she's designing a show and show experience, she's always looking for what will drive people to have a better overall experience from the show.[12:51] - Diversity, Equity, and InclusionCarina's take on DEI in the events industryCarina wants IMEX to be a place where women and others can be inspired to reach their goals, network, and learn from each other. They've even developed an internal squad dedicated to creating a code of conduct that ensures gender-neutral toilets at the show, accessibility throughout the venue, and much more. [18:06] - What are You Proud Of?Discussing Carina's personal landmarks at IMEXCarina is most proud of the way that, post-pandemic, IMEX has been able to transform itself while keeping its teams together. Rather than suffering from the great pause, they took it as an opportunity to learn, develop new skills, discover different areas of the industry, such as virtual events, and develop their culture. She says that's something they continue to build and reinvent every day.[20:11] - What Makes IMEX Special?A perspective from the CEOWhat's the most unique aspect of IMEX? Carina says it's the way that it brings together an entire global business events family. If you're passionate about the industry or any aspect of it, IMEX can create connections that are transformational for you or your business. “Whatever your interest is, there will be something for you.”RESOURCES:[2:37] About IMEX[2:37] IMEX AmericaFollow Carina Bauer:LinkedInFollow Scott Bloom:WebsiteLinkedInYouTubeVimeoABOUT NO MORE BAD EVENTS:Brought to you by eSpeakers and hosted by professional emcee, host, and keynote speaker Scott Bloom, No More Bad Events is where you'll hear from some of the top names in the event and speaking industry about what goes on behind the scenes at the world's most perfectly executed conferences, meetings, and more. Get ready to learn the secrets and strategies to help anyone in the event industry reach their goal of putting on nothing less than world-class events. Learn more at: nomorebadevents.comABOUT THE HOST:Scott Bloom is a career comedian, television personality, and respected pro emcee and keynote speaker. Scott's become the go-to choice for organizations including FedEx, Ford, IBM, MetLife, PepsiCo, Pfizer, and Verizon when they need a host who's engaging, hilarious, and passionate about connecting with an audience. Scott has been featured on Comedy Central, hosted his own weekly series on VH1, and hosted national simulcasts for the Grammy Awards for the Palace Theatre. Scott currently lives in Los Angeles.Learn more about Scott: scottbloomconnects.comABOUT eSPEAKERS:When the perfect speaker is in front of the right audience, a kind of magic happens where organizations and individuals improve in substantial, long-term ways. eSpeakers exists to make this happen more often. eSpeakers is where the speaking industry does business on the web. Speakers, speaker managers, associations, and bureaus use our tools to organize, promote and grow successful businesses. Event organizers think of eSpeakers first when they want to hire speakers for their meetings or events.The eSpeakers Marketplace technology lets us and our partner directories help meeting professionals all over the world connect directly with speakers for great engagements. Thousands of successful speakers, trainers, and coaches use eSpeakers to build their businesses and manage their calendars. Thousands of event organizers use our directories every day to find and hire speakers. Our tools are built for speakers, by speakers, to do things that only purpose-built systems can.Learn more at: eSpeakers.comSPONSORED BY IMPACTELEVEN:From refining your keynote speaking skills to writing marketing copy, from connecting you with bureaus to boosting your fees, to developing high-quality websites, producing head-turning demo reels, Impact Eleven (formerly 3 Ring Circus) offers a comprehensive and powerful set of services to help speakers land more gigs at higher fees. Learn more at: impacteleven.comPRODUCED BY DETROIT PODCAST STUDIOS:In Detroit, history was made when Barry Gordy opened Motown Records back in 1960. More than just discovering great talent, Gordy built a systematic approach to launching superstars. His rigorous processes, technology, and development methods were the secret sauce behind legendary acts such as The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.As a nod to the past, Detroit Podcast Studios leverages modern versions of Motown's processes to launch today's most compelling podcasts. What Motown was to musical artists, Detroit Podcast Studios is to podcast artists today. With over 75 combined years of experience in content development, audio production, music scoring, storytelling, and digital marketing, Detroit Podcast Studios provides full-service development, training, and production capabilities to take podcasts from messy ideas to finely tuned hits. Here's to making (podcast) history together.Learn more at: DetroitPodcastStudios.comSHOW CREDITS:Scott Bloom: Host | scottbloomconnects.comJoe Heaps: eSpeakers | JHeaps@eSpeakers.comConnor Trombley: Executive Producer | connor@DetroitPodcastStudios.com

Where are meetings and events at in the great post-shutdown recovery? Who is winning the force majeure battle? Are room rates and other meeting component prices going to ease up anytime soon? And what does it mean when someone says that attendees should design meetings? Meetings Today's Tyler Davidson caught up with Maritz Global Events Enterprise Vice President and COO Steve O'Malley at IMEX America 2022 to see what the global meetings and events juggernaut is noticing take shape regarding key industry issues. O'Malley and his team are seeing organizational values such as sustainability and DEI stressed in RFPs, and data privacy is once again rising to the fore. And what about attendance levels? Will we ever get back to “normal?” You'll have to hear what O'Malley reveals to get the answers.

One of the hottest topics in the meetings industry is talent acquisition and retention. Michael Massari, chief sales officer of Caesars Entertainment, started out his career in the hospitality industry as a busboy. But is the next generation of workers willing to start at the bottom? An industry vet chimes in during this Meetings Today podcast taped at IMEX America 2022.

Gerardo Tejado, general manager for American Express Meetings & Events, discusses highlights of the 2023 annual Global Meetings & Events Forecast with Meetings Today's Danielle LeBreck at IMEX America 2022.

The world is very, very sick, as its climate is increasingly spiraling to doom. The meetings and events industry is particularly vulnerable to what we call "climate change." But the very term climate change doesn't convey the need for urgency because of the potentially catastrophic diagnosis for the planet, according to PCMA President & CEO Sherrif Karamat, who uses the provocative term "climate cancer." Meetings Today's Tyler Davidson caught up with Karamat at IMEX America to expand on his dire diagnosis for the meetings and events industry and the planet itself, as well as his thoughts as the incoming chair of the Events Industry Council and happenings at PCMA, including the January 2023 Convening Leaders conference in Columbus, Ohio.

Visit Orlando has teamed with the Orlando Economic Partnership to launch the "Unbelievably Real" marketing campaign, which seeks to communicate the message of the top meetings and events destination's authenticity and unique nature, which often gets lost due to its profile as the world's preeminent theme park destination and leisure travel magnet. Meetings Today's Tyler Davidson sat down with Matej at IMEX America 2022 to discuss the new initiative as well as how the destination fared during Hurricane Ian and the phenomenal response of its hotel community to help residents of Florida's hard-hit communities weather the storm.

Everyone's after attendee engagement at events, and Encore Global may have just cracked the code with its "Break Free" immersive environment debuted at IMEX America 2022. Ben Erwin, president and CEO of the global event planning, creative, production and technology juggernaut, talked with Meetings Today's Tyler Davidson about its mysterious and magnificent "multi-room" environment shrouded by towering black draping in the back of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. But it was much more than the proverbial big show reveal at IMEX America, as Erwin said the concept can be customized for any industry or event, and that meeting planners may see their clout greatly increased as they work to create connections within organizations in a dynamic new workplace environment that has been rocked by remote work and retention and staffing challenges.

Marriott's Head of Global Sales Tammy Routh discusses up-and-coming Marriott projects and properties, industry trends and what to look forward to from the brand in 2023 at IMEX America 2022.

IMEX America has always had a robust educational program, but is now embarking on a three-year strategy to consolidate and redesign the offering. Helping shepherd the process is Tahira Endean, an industry veteran and former head of events for SITE who was recently hired as IMEX Group's Head of Programme. Carrying the theme "Pathways to Clarity," IMEX America will kick off October 10 in Las Vegas with its Smart Monday educational day. Learn more about the new educational strategy as well as what else new to expect during IMEX America 2022, the 11th edition of the show, with this Meetings Today podcast with Endean.

In this podcast I discuss three mini stories where I was at an event or professional development training where a side comment from another attendee changed my life in a much more transformational way than any of the training sessions themselves. Here we talk about where event management should really live in academia, how compromise is bad (professionally and personally), and selecting target markets for organizations!Things mentioned in the podcast:  7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Habit 4; IMEX America; Episode 80: Predictions and Curiosity with Janet Sperstad; Prince & Me movie; Episode 100: Find Your Way with Dr. K We would love to hear from you!  Please stay in touch with us through one of our many platforms: Instagram, Facebook, Website, and Email! 

Anthony and Alex are on assignment this week, so we are giving you an encore presentation of: Bollotta-FIDE x SDSU MEM Master's Class: IMEX-cited for This SeriesAnthony and Alex find time during the busy slate at IMEX America in Las Vegas to introduce a new ongoing series on Bollotta-FIDE. Master's Class follows Anthony's journey in the Meeting & Event Management (MEM) master's program at San Diego State University (SDSU). Carl Winston, Founding Director of the L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at SDSU, joins the show, along with two of the school's master's instructors, Terri Breining from the Breining Group, and Senior Vice President of Experience at Meeting Professionals International, Annette Gregg. The star-studded cast tells you everything you need to know about master's degrees in meetings and events—short of actually pursuing one yourself, of course. Hear how the SDSU team, including Program Director and former Burger King CEO Jeff Campbell, developed a curriculum with the right balance of personal and professional development for a seat at the leadership table.Submit questions on the form at www.bollotta.com/podcastFollow @BollottaEntertainment on InstagramJOIN THE LIVE EVENTS COALITION at www.liveeventscoalition.org

Season 2, Episode 11 Featured Guest: Nan Marchand Beauvois, senior vice president, membership and industry relations, U.S. Travel Association How can you best advocate for yourself and your community? Nan Marchand Beauvois, senior vice president, membership and industry relations, at the U.S. Travel Association, shares what goes on behind the scenes when advocating for the future of the meetings industry, speaking to the importance of using one's voice. This special episode of Dare to Interrupt was recorded during IMEX America 2021 at the Delano Las Vegas. Thanks to the generosity and support of MGM Resorts International!