MPI announced Kevin Kirby as the new executive director of the MPI Foundation. He replaced Christine Roberts who resigned from the executive director position on October 4, 2018, in the wake of gross misconduct allegations of steering over a quarter million dollars in contracts to her boyfriend’s event company.

IMEX America 2018 opens in Las Vegas on Tuesday, October 16, highlighting destinations, venues, hotels, technology specialists and service suppliers from 150 countries. The more than 3,500 exhibitors will set a new milestone for IMEX America, making it the largest ever in the history of the event.

Event management firm AlliedPRA and its brands DSC, Briggs and Destination Nashville integrated into PRA. In addition, the unified PRA brand also launched a new website designed to enhance user experience for the clients as well as convey the company’s new brand and evolving vision.

The America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis will undergo an expansion and extensive renovations. The AC Next Gen Project, which will include the addition of 92,000 square feet of exhibit space, a 65,000-square-foot ballroom and meeting area, a new outdoor pavilion and 26 new loading docks, was announced during a press conference held on October 3.

The Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu is launching the Hoʻomaluō Program, a comprehensive environmental sustainability initiative with the goal of enhancing the overall meetings experience. The Hoʻomaluō Program is kicking off in conjunction with the 2018 American Dental Association (ADA) – America’s Dental Meeting, held October 18-22, 2018.

Marriott International announced the creation of Beyond Barriers, the next phase of its #LoveTravels program. According to Marriott, “#LoveTravels Beyond Barriers” celebrates and supports those who are actively leading unique strategies to promote inclusion, equality, peace and human rights.

CORT Events announced its top event and meeting design trends for the fall season. Art deco, mixing rustic with industrial and an homage to 80’s decor are in demand design elements for events this fall. The furniture, lighting and accessories rental company is seeing clients go for a dramatic feel and lean into fun themes for fall events.

The InterContinental San Diego officially opened with help from an aerialist serving champagne, comments from San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and Colleen Keating, chief operation officer for IHG, and unparalleled views of San Diego Bay.

Benchmark, which includes Benchmark Resorts & Hotels, Gemstone Collection and the London-based etc.venues brand portfolios released its “Top Ten Dining Trends for 2019.” The trends were observed by Benchmark’s executive chefs and culinary experts at the company’s 80 hotels, resorts and restaurants across North America and Europe.

As the east coast prepares for Hurricane Florence to make landfall, airlines have issued waivers for travelers ahead of the storm and cruise lines announced reroutes of some ships earlier this week. The storm is forecasted to bring heavy winds of up to 130 miles an hour and flooding of up to 35 inches to North Carolina, South Carolina and parts of Georgia and Virginia.