While planning a meeting, incentive, conference or convention is tough enough when you’re conducting it in your home country, bringing it across the border presents a whole host of additional problems when it comes to getting your materials through customs and safely at your event.

Shrinking budgets and long hours lead the list of event planning challenges/worries, according to a new survey conducted by Event Manager Blog Editor Julius Solaris and released during his "Event Trends for 2019” educational session at IMEX America in Las Vegas. During the presentation Solaris also highlighted a number of event planning trends to watch for in the year ahead and some practical advice for meeting planners.

Omni Hotels & Resorts announced the appointment of Todd Raessler as general manager of Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, which is currently undergoing a $150 million renovation. In this new role, Raessler will oversee all operations at the transformed Texas Hill Country resort, reopening in May 2019.

Three major meetings industry associations—MPI, IAEE and SITE—have banded together as the Global MICE Collaborative to provide resources for emerging destinations that want to tap into the MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) market.

Visit Wichita, the CVB for the greater Wichita area, named Jessica Viramontez convention sales manager. In this role, Viramontez will build relationships with meeting planners and market Wichita as a convention and meeting destination, helping groups identify and select facilities, hotels and vendors to ensure visitors have a successful meeting experience – and also a memorable visit by enjoying the city’s museums, attractions, live shows, shopping and dining. Her focus areas include aerospace/aviation, government/military (non-reunion), environmental, engineering and scientific, legal, finance and energy.

The 7,700 UNITE HERE Marriott workers that have been striking in eight destinations across the country are planning their largest turnout actions with a day of mass demonstrations on Saturday, October 20.

Disney Meetings & Events used the occasion of IMEX America 2018, the largest gathering of meeting professionals in the Western Hemisphere, to unveil a new branding image for the division.

IMEX America attendees had the chance to participate in a CSR event at what some dubbed the best smelling booth at IMEX. Hilton Worldwide and the company Repeat Roses teamed up to offer a flower arranging opportunity as part of Hilton’s initiative “Meet with Purpose.”

Meetings Today caught up with Discover Puerto Rico CEO Brad Dean at IMEX America 2018 on new developments in Puerto Rico and how planners can best support the destination.