DEI and the Hospitality Industry Are Dual Passions of Teneo's Gary Murakami

The hospitality industry is in Gary Murakami’s blood. Recently joining global sales organization

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Gary Murakami at MPI WEC, CAESARS FROUM.

Greg DeShields Brings a Career Dedicated to DEI to Tourism Diversity Matters

A career-long leader in bringing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) education—and change—to tourism and related industries, Greg

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Greg DeShields, Executive Director, Tourism Diversity Matters

Where Are We Four Years After the Murder of George Floyd? Elliott L. Ferguson II Offers Perspective.

On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who kneeled on Floyd’s neck even after pleas from the

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Photo of Elliott L. Ferguson II standing in front of a brick wall in a gray blazer.

Tourism Diversity Matters Announces Key Appointments

Leading tourism industry diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) organization Tourism Diversity Matters (TDM) expanded its executive leadership team

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Tourism Diversity Matters: Greg DeShields (left); Yvonne Drayton (middle); Sofia Mendoza (right).

PCMA Unveils Digital Experience Institute

As a platform to keep planners in the know and educated in the world of technology, PCMA unveiled its new

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A History of DEI Acts, Bills and Executive Orders as Biden Begins Term

Editor’s Note: This is the fifth article in a DEI series authored by Greg DeShields and Zoe Moore, exploring diversity, equity

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American flag and gavel

The Alignment Conversation: Tools to Help You Align DEI Investments to Business Needs

Leaders often ask their teams to "make the business case for diversity" without fully grasping the concept. Even with data to support the investment

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Diversity

How California Cities Are Creating More Inclusive Destinations for Meetings

As one of the most diverse states in America, championing open-mindedness and striving for inclusive meetings where attendees feel welcome is woven

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Pride Parade in Oakland

5 Destinations That Connect Meeting Planners With Diverse Suppliers

In an era where organizations are going beyond diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) mission statements and looking to put ideas into action,

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Minneapolis riverfront. Credit: Lane Pelovsky, courtesy of Meet Minneapolis

A Guide to the Most Commonly Used Meetings and Events Industry Acronyms

Let’s face it: We work in an industry that’s an “alphabet soup” of acronyms and initialisms. We love us some catchy, if sometimes opaque,

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A photo of blocks in an array that spells out "acronyms"

PCMA Goes Big: Association Announces Major Acquisitions

PCMA kicked off the first full day of 2023 Convening Leaders conference programming January 9 by

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Sherrif Karamat on stage at PCMA Convening Leaders 2023

Empowering Communities Through Inclusive Business Events

In 2023, when Destinations International (DI) announced the selection of Tampa Bay as the site of its 2024 Annual Convention, some of the association

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Meetings Today LIVE! Planner Event Captures Milwaukee in the Moment

The first Meetings Today LIVE! event of 2026 kicked off May 3 in Milwaukee, with 40 planners and 40 suppliers gathered for a three-day Midwest

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Meetings Today LIVE! National attendees in Milwaukee

Visit Seattle and Seattle Bank Partnership Expands to Include New BIPOC Businesses

Continuing a program launched last year, Seattle Bank and Visit Seattle have teamed up to help grow and support BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People

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Seattle Skyline

Major Issues Lurk in the Background of a Successful 2025 ASAE Annual Meeting

Associations have had a challenging beginning of 2025, having fought off an attempt to eliminate the tax-exempt status of nonprofits in the

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Michelle Mason presents at ASAE Annual Meetings & Exposition at Los Angeles Convention Center

DMO Vet Al Hutchinson Launches New ‘Enterprise’

Destination management organization (DMO) veteran Al Hutchinson, who left his role leading Visit Baltimore at the end of June, has launched AVH

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Photo of Al Hutchinson speaking on stage.

Dept. of Commerce Confirms Firings of 5 Brand USA Board Members

The U.S. Department of Commerce confirmed the firings of five Brand USA board members, including board Chair Elliott Ferguson, who also leads

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Photo of Elliott Ferguson to the right and the Brand USA logo to the left.

Connect in the Capital of Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity

Washington, DC stands as a beacon of diversity, equity and inclusion, making it an

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Washington Monument

Central California Coastal Destinations That Fly Under the Radar for Meetings

Destination wedding and incentive planners have the Central California Coast’s Monterey and Santa Barbara on their speed dial, but do you? These

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The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

DMO Vet Al Hutchinson Leaving Visit Baltimore

Veteran DMO leader Al Hutchinson has decided not to renew his contract with Visit Baltimore, which expires June 30.The DMO said Hutchinson has agreed

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Photo of Al Hutchinson with Baltimore in the background.