Once you’ve seen one convention center you’ve seen them all, right? A recent visit to the Chattanooga Convention Center left me surprised to find some nice touches that many of its bigger—and smaller—city counterparts lacked. Following are five standout features I noticed during my tour of the Chattanooga Convention Center led by Executive Director Mike Shuford, during a press trip with the Chattanooga CVB.

Construction on Kalahari Resorts and Conventions’ new African-themed waterpark and convention center in Round Rock, Texas is underway. Scheduled to open in 2020, Kalahari Resorts Round Rock is a $550 million, 350-acre complex.

San Antonio is known for many things, from The Alamo and the River Walk to the Energizer Bunny of successful NBA franchises, the Spurs. One would be remiss to travel to this Texas-favorite destination and not sample what could be its signature drink, the Prickly Pear Margarita from Boudro's.

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.

UNITE HERE! union members representing hotel and culinary workers in San Francisco and San Jose have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike against the cities’ Marriott properties as October convention season is ready to kick into high gear.

I can’t remember when Kristin McGrath and I first met. I do know we bonded over a passion for excellent meetings and issues outside the industry. Kristin has continued to be, for me and I’m sure many others, a trusted sounding board about work and life. We all need to remember that mentoring can also be reversed—that is, someone younger is a great mentor for those of us who are a bit older!

Tracy Stuckrath of thrive meetings&events details the importance of consistent food labeling at meetings for allergens and other dietary sensitivities.

David H. Lau shares critical security questions for you to ask your meeting facility.