Orlando hotelier Harris Rosen donated $12 million to the University of Florida and UF Health to launch a brain tumor research initiative. Given through The Harris Rosen Foundation, the gift is described as the cornerstone of a $100 million fundraising commitment to support the ReMission Alliance Against Brain Tumors. The UF Health-led initiative unites top neuro-oncology physicians and scientists in research and clinical trials.

The U.S. Travel Association announced that Destination DC President & CEO Elliott L. Ferguson II will be its new national chair, succeeding Wyndham Hotels and Resorts’ President & CEO Geoff Ballotti.

A center of arts and culture in North Carolina’s booming Triad Region, Greensboro boasts world-class historic and cultural venues such as the International Civil Rights Museum and a thriving theater scene. But while museums and theater may temporarily seize the attention of attendees with their refined offerings, a pint of cold craft brew and some fantastic restaurants are also at the ready.

Meetings industry veteran Sandy Biback, who worked as a planner in a variety of capacities over a 35-year career, has jumped headlong into a new all-consuming endeavor since retiring: battling human trafficking through Meeting Professionals Against Human Trafficking, or MPAHT. Here she shares some top-level tips to fight human trafficking for planners, suppliers and venues.

The unconditional love of a loyal dog can soften the hardest edges—and experiences—of the toughest among us. A new program offered by Pechanga Resort & Casino embodies that concept by pairing service dogs with their veteran and first responder owners who are living with PTSD.

Meetings Today's 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.

Meetings Today's 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.

Marriott International meetings and conventions veteran Alex Shotwell has sold, serviced and experienced his share of high-profile, massive meetings in his more than two-decade career. Shotwell, area director, sales, Orange County & San Diego, has vast experience working in the brand’s Convention & Resort Network Hotels. He shared three critical mistakes meeting planners must make strides to avoid for a successful event.