The Broward Office of the Inspector General (OIG) published a report accusing former Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB VP of Convention Sales Christine Roberts, currently the executive director of the MPI Foundation, of steering over a quarter million in contracts to her boyfriend’s event company.

MGM Resorts International Chairman & CEO Jim Murren released a statement to mark the first anniversary of Las Vegas’ Route 91 Harvest Festival mass shooting Oct. 1, 2017, in which 58 concert-goers were killed and more than 500 were injured from gunfire directed from Mandalay Bay Resort.

What do you get when you cross the world’s most valuable sports franchise with one of the world’s largest independently owned and operated hotel companies? The “star attraction” named the Omni Frisco Hotel, of course.

On a recent tour of the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Meetings Today spoke with John Page, general manager for SMG for the Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC). Page shared his advice for navigating a convention center renovation or expansion.

Enlisting the services of an attorney is a key step in a plan to prevent and address sexual harassment within an organization and at meetings and events. We checked in with two prominent attorneys who are well versed in and frequently speak about legal issues involving the meetings industry: Barbara Dunn O’Neal and Tyra Hilliard.

Marriott International announced the creation of Beyond Barriers, the next phase of its #LoveTravels program. According to Marriott, “#LoveTravels Beyond Barriers” celebrates and supports those who are actively leading unique strategies to promote inclusion, equality, peace and human rights.

CORT Events announced its top event and meeting design trends for the fall season. Art deco, mixing rustic with industrial and an homage to 80’s decor are in demand design elements for events this fall. The furniture, lighting and accessories rental company is seeing clients go for a dramatic feel and lean into fun themes for fall events.

From September 19-24, 2018, I was immersed in the Terra Madre Salone Del Gusto slow food exhibition in Turin, Italy. As one of more than 250 U.S. delegates, I was attending local and traditional food preservation organization Slow Food’s biennial event, which brings together international food producers, communities, chefs and visitors to celebrate good, clean and fair food.

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.

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.