Marvel’s The Black Panther did more than smash box office records this year. It inspired Wakandacon, a three-day celebration of Afrofuturism at the Hilton Chicago that combined community building with Blerd (short for Black nerd) culture.

At the Cocktail Robotics Grand Challenge kooky inventors and their booze-slinging bots compete for $1,000 in prizes, but the whole thing starts with a mechanized cocktail party. Can these robotic bartenders keep up with their human counterparts? Bob Calhoun investigates.

Major hotel chains are introducing so-called “panic buttons” to help ensure the safety of their workers. And while the term “panic button” may indeed evoke a highly descriptive tone, Marriott International at least would like everyone to refer to them by the less alarming moniker Associate Alert Devices. The technology is also referred to as Employee Safety Devices (ESD) and it is being rolled out at hotels across North America.

President Trump unveiled new tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods. Here’s how they’ll affect you.

Unexpected group discoveries extend throughout the Harrisburg, Hershey and Lancaster regions.

Northeast Florida—also known as Florida’s First Coast—is made up of such dynamic destinations as Jacksonville on the great St. Johns River, the beach community of Ponte Vedra and historic St. Augustine, the oldest continually occupied European settlement in North America. It’s also home to Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach and the Palm Coast, all of which offer great accommodations, great restaurants and great fun for meeting groups.

Arts experiences in Greater Springfield, Mass., and the Berkshires are positively popping off the page, from a museum showcasing the delightful works of Theodor Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, to music venues that will have attendees singing the praises of the meeting long after it’s over.

Oregon has long been a magnet for makers and artisans of many kinds. Among them are chocolatiers, cheesemakers, specialty fruit and nut growers and manufacturers of everything from colorful blankets to organic flour. Many of these makers open their doors to visitors, providing insightful behind-the-scenes tours and opportunities for tasting and learning how the products are made.

UNITE HERE Local 1, which represents Chicago’s hospitality workers union, has ratified a contract with Marriott International. The Chicago union says it has reached an agreement with Sheraton, W City Center, W Lakeshore, Westin Michigan Avenue, Westin River North, JW Marriot and Hotel Blake.

Convention Data Services (CDS) promoted Dave Wuethrich to chief operating officer. In this new position within CDS, will oversees all operational aspects of events, from kick off to post conference.