The Communication Network’s annual conference, ComNet18, was scheduled for October 10-12, 2018, at San Francisco’s Westin St. Francis and then UNITE HERE’s Marriott strike abruptly entered into the equation. Gibbons had to react fast, and in the end decided to risk the attrition hit by allowing attendees to cancel out their rooms while booking in other venues for meeting space and guest rooms.

It’s been a big year for Hawaii’s largest island. Following three months of unprecedented seismic activity at Kilauea volcano that began in May 2018, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the island’s top attraction, reopened Sept. 22, 2018, after it was confirmed the lava flow had stopped. While sadly, the black lava that flowed over 10 square miles prompted evacuations and destroyed 700 homes, the Island of Hawaii’s tourism infrastructure was unaffected. Today, Island of Hawaii tourism officials are sending a clear message to planners, attendees and travelers: It’s business as usual in the destination, it’s safe, and all is open for visitors to enjoy.

From new boutique hotels to renovated resorts that can host over 2,000 for a meeting or event, the diverse offerings along Orange County’s 42 miles of coastline are more welcoming to groups than ever. 

For my second favorite find choice in partnership with Meetings Today, I decided to dive into the Michael Cerbelli’s: The Hot List™ vault and introduce you to a great musical act to consider for your live event. Every time I have produced this act they get rave reviews and standing ovations. Four handsome men, all from Australia. No, it’s not a “Chippendale’s Type Show From Vegas”... it’s ARIA.

Experience the best of Monterey County when you plan your meeting here. The breathtaking views keep your focus. Delicious farm-to-table food feeds your thinking. And a legacy of creativity leads to future innovations.

Rather than winding down, attendees can get ready for action when the sun sets on Mississippi. It’s the perfect time of day to enliven a group agenda with any of the many outings that incorporate area arts, casinos, and great food and drink.

Meetings Today LIVE! South on Marco Island, Fla., kicked off Sunday night with an outdoor party on the Great Lawn at Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort & Spa, commemorating both the start of the three-day event and the grand reopening of the resort following extensive renovations.

Orlando's Orange County Convention Center is moving forward with a $605 million campus improvement plan. The project will bring expansions and new meeting and exhibit space in the North and South concourses, further increasing the center’s seven million square feet of total function space.

In September 2018, the Chicago-based American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) brought its 90th Convention & Exhibit to the Miami Beach Convention Center, becoming the first group in the newly expanded facility.

The modern airport lounge provides the first stop in a passenger's destination, turning long waits and headaches into airport relaxation. From seating and finishes to lighting and amenities, Ginger Gee DiFurio and Beth Schmidt design many of the lounges, hold rooms and concourses shaping the passenger experience.