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 2018 is nearing the finish line, and in addition to the earlier announcement that it had broken previous records for exhibitors, at 3,500, the industry-leading event and exhibit shattered the buyer attendance record as well.

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.”

The global meetings and conventions industry is a $1.03 trillion business annually, according to the preliminary results of a survey conducted by Oxford Economics for the Events Industry Council (EIC).

United Airlines announced that it will begin service to and from the Hilton Head Island Airport in South Carolina, starting spring 2019. American Airlines began service in and out of the airport in July 2018.

IACC, the association that represents the global conference center segment, is set to more than double its number of European facilities within the next four months if a deal to add the supplier members of two conference center groups comes to fruition, according to IACC CEO Mark Cooper.

Cvent announced its acquisition of Social Tables—an event diagramming, seating and collaboration platform—on Tuesday, October 16. Cvent said the acquisition will help improve collaboration, create a more interactive sourcing experience and increase group sales at venues.

In a Smart Monday session at IMEX 2018 named “Redesigning Inclusive and Welcoming Events by Overcoming Unconscious Bias,” presenters Mariela Mcilwraith, director, industry advancement, EIC and Tahira Endean, event producer, TahiraCreates. focused on ways planners can consider the perspectives and needs of potential participants to design events that are inclusive and accessible to all.

Marriott International Chief Marketing Officer, Americas Steve Heitzner fills Meetings Today in on the hotel giant's recent moves.