A solid relationship between corporate planners and hospitality representatives is essential to success, and it goes far beyond a simple business transaction. It’s about trust, communication and an ability (and willingness) to solve problems in high-pressure situations.

By energizing attendees, offering valuable insights and inspiring meaningful discussions, compelling keynote speaker lays the foundation for the day or days ahead, and their ability to captivate an audience ensures your event starts off on the right foot.

With record temps and more extreme weather events happening around the globe, what does this mean for the global meeting-and-event space?

Although most venues say their staffing figures are healthier than they were at the peak of COVID, some still have not returned to their pre-pandemic numbers.

Creating a meeting or incentive that delivers on the desires of attendees is no easy feat.

Planning that first event can be daunting, but with enough preparation, clear expectations on all sides and a roadmap to meet those expectations, it can be a rousing success.

Planners cannot ignore the organic conversation and beneficial engagement that stems from presentations that take place in-person.

Today, attendees expect meetings and events to be personalized affairs, where fluid agendas reign, appealing to a diverse audience with a variety of interests and preferences.

Indeed, venturing into independent event planning demands determination, organization and a strong work ethic.

From a planner’s perspective, 2024 still looks positive, even though budgeting continues to be an unresolved problem — and the number one most challenging aspect of event planning.