News

Marriott Hotel Strike Spreads to Hawaii, Detroit and Oakland

Add Honolulu, Maui, Detroit and Oakland, California, to the list of major U.S. meetings destinations where Marriott union workers are striking. According to the UNITE HERE union group, approximately 2,700 of its workers are on strike and picketing in the Hawaiian destinations of Oahu and Maui.

St. Louis Convention Center Plans Extensive Renovation

The America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis will undergo an expansion and extensive renovations. The AC Next Gen Project, which will include the addition of 92,000 square feet of exhibit space, a 65,000-square-foot ballroom and meeting area, a new outdoor pavilion and 26 new loading docks, was announced during a press conference held on October 3.

Christine Roberts Resigns From MPI Foundation

Embattled MPI Foundation Executive Director Christine Roberts resigned from MPI in the wake of gross misconduct allegations of steering over a quarter million dollars in contracts to the event company of her boyfriend, Marcus Michaud, during her employment at the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB.

Nova Browning Rutherford Gets Real About Self-Care for Stressed-Out Planners

Starting her career at 19 as a budding marketing and promotions executive, Nova Browning Rutherford spent much of the next six years on autopilot. She worked in the hip hop music business in Toronto and Hollywood with artists such as Kanye West and other top names. Under the pressure of it all, combined with personal incidents that led to depression and anxiety, she hit a wall. Today, she is a top personal development coach and mindfulness and wellness expert with plenty of advice for busy professionals. 

5 Things Meeting Planners Must Ask Speakers’ Bureaus

Keynotes. The boon of the conference world and an anxiety inducing responsibility for any planner. The perfect one will leave your audience dazzled and an inept one will leave everyone with a sour taste in their mouths. An opening keynote sets the tone for the week(end) while the “breakout” leaves employees thinking. A proper closing keynote wraps it all up and sends them on their way, inspired. No pressure, right? With the world of expert speakers growing every day, the options are expanding while true expertise is getting harder to find.

Hyatt Bans Hate Groups, Civil Rights Groups Praise Effort

Hyatt Hotels Corporation President and CEO Mark Hoplamazian recently announced that Hyatt will no longer allow hate groups to host meetings or events at its properties. The announcement came in the form of a memo to company employees, which Hyatt did not release.

Hawaii Convention Center Launches Conservation Program

The Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu is launching the Hoʻomaluō Program, a comprehensive environmental sustainability initiative with the goal of enhancing the overall meetings experience. The Hoʻomaluō Program is kicking off in conjunction with the 2018 American Dental Association (ADA) – America’s Dental Meeting, held October 18-22, 2018.

Boston Marriott Workers Strike; Other Cities Imminent

Workers at seven downtown Boston hotels operated by Marriott International went on strike as of 5 a.m. October 3, 2018, with UNITE HERE union members set to expand strikes in other U.S. cities as soon as Thursday, October 4.