Chicago’s City Council approved a Tourism Improvement District which now imposes a 1.5% fee on stays at qualifying hotels. The initiative aims to generate $40 million annually for meetings and tourism promotion.

Kansas City and its surrounding areas are welcoming a dozen new hotels to their pipeline, adding more than 1,000 rooms to the area’s portfolio. Ten of the properties are expected to open this year as the city prepares to welcome an estimated 650,000 visitors for FIFA World Cup. 

Route 66’s centennial celebration in Springfield, Illinois, is a fun lead-in for  America’s 250th anniversary festivities in the Land of Lincoln.

The Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center completed a $33 million sustainability initiative featuring 5,355 solar panels across the center’s roof.

Lori Shumpert, director of events at Raleigh Convention Center, has managed venues in New Orleans, New York and even worked in university athletics.    

The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel announced Dania Duke is stepping into the role of general manager.  

The World Cup-driven advancements at World of Blue in East Rutherford, New Jersey, include a $100 million comprehensive transformation to the newly rebranded hotel, which takes the place of the former Hilton Hotel.

A concept known as “identity disruption,” often the byproduct of change and uncertainty in one’s career, is especially applicable to meeting planners.  

Detroit’s Dearborn Inn was originally built in 1931 by Henry Ford—the founder of Ford Motor Company. In March 2025, the hotel reopened after an extensive renovation and recently unveiled newly renovated spaces for meetings and events. 

The 226-room Den Bengaluru, LXR Hotels & Resorts is Hilton’s first LXR property in India, set to open in June. The Hilton offers four meeting rooms and nearly 9,000 square feet of space for 700 guests.