Technology, from both within and outside of the meetings industry, is changing the way we convene
By Tyler Davidson
Trying to pin down what technology trends are impacting the meetings industry can be a tricky proposition. After all, are we talking specifically for the meetings industry or branching out to travel tech and general productivity tools?
Yes to all three, it turns out. And it’s about platforms, in addition to software, too.
“The conversation begins with mobile devices, in terms of practical new technology,” says meetings industry technology speaker James Spellos, president of Meeting U. “[Attendees] are coming to meetings with mobile devices, be it tablets or smart phones.”
“Augmented reality,” basically wearable hardware such as Google Glass that lets you see things with your own eyes but layers it with additional information, is another technology that should make its way into the meetings experience in the future, albeit it’s a bit far out on the horizon.
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Meetings Tech Trends: On Location from MPI!
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Tune in as the meetings industry's top tech minds "talk tech." Columnist Corbin Ball and Meeting U's James Spellos will be joining Meetings Focus Chief Content Director, Tyler Davidson on July 24, 2013 at 1:00 PM ET for this informative discussion shot on-site from Mandalay Bay at MPI WEC in Las Vegas.
We'll also check in with new MPI President and CEO Paul Van Deventer to see what his plans are for the association. |
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Register today for this video broadcast! |
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Upcoming Webinar
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Free On-Demand Webinar
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Hybrid Meetings: A Planner's Checklist
Wednesday,
July 31, 2013
1:00 PM EDT,
12:00 PM CDT,
11:00 AM MDT,
10:00 AM PDT
Join Meetings Focus and hybrid event consultant/virtual emcee Emilie Barta for this free one-hour webinar that will give you the tools to tap into this new facet of meetings and events that is being adopted by more and more organizations.
Participants will learn how to:
- Avoid planning your hybrid meeting backwards by starting with the "who" and the "why" to ensure that "what" you give your audience is what they want
- Understand the strategy, technology, tools, people and processes that are needed and necessary to build your hybrid meeting
- Realize that you are planning an event, but you are also producing a broadcast
Earn CEUs: This webinar is worth 1 clock hour of continuing education toward the initial CMP application and recertification through the Convention Industry Council.
Register today! |
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F&B; and Other Budget Tips
Original air date:
June 26, 2013
In this webinar, moderated by top meetings industry educator Bonnie Wallsh, you’ll discover how top meeting and catering professionals deliver superlative F&B; experiences without blowing the budget.
Participants will learn how to:
- Communicate with the chef to plan creative food and beverage functions within your budget
- Anticipate and fulfill individual special needs of attendees
- Identify methods to improve the accuracy of your guarantees
- Discover the latest trends in food and beverage
Earn CEUs: This webinar is worth 1 clock hour of continuing education toward the initial CMP application and recertification through the Convention Industry Council.
Watch today!
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Mark S. Andrew, CMP, CHA, regional vice president and general manager of the Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown, was appointed chairman for the Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC) Sustainable Meetings Foundation.
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Omni Hotels & Resorts announced the introduction of a revamped advertising campaign to promote its meeting and events business. The campaign aims to break new ground, making Omni the first North American luxury hotel brand to feature print advertising with augmented reality technology.
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Hyatt Hotels Corporation and UNITE HERE, the union of hospitality workers in the U.S. and Canada, announced a national agreement that resolves longstanding disputes between the two organizations. The agreement creates a framework for the company and the union to work together moving forward. Both UNITE HERE and Hyatt hailed the pact as a positive step.
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Caesars Entertainment Corp. has announced it has begun construction on the largest meeting and conference facility in the Northeast. The project is intended to stimulate new visitation to the market, particularly mid-week.
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Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) reported record attendance for its Revenue Optimization Conference (ROC), which took place June 24 in Minneapolis.
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With a 97-1, vote, the Senate confirmed Penny Pritzker as the next Secretary of Commerce, earning kudos from the U.S. Travel Association.
Read more... |
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The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is wrapping up its HSMAI's MEET series with its final event of the year, Sept. 4-5 at The Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Following its highly successful HSMAI’s MEET shows in Chicago and Anaheim, HSMAI’s MEET National expands on the series’ beneficial face-to-face engagement and educational opportunities for exhibitors and planners.
To help set the stage, keynote speaker Jim Davidson will speak on the power of partnership and divulge advice from his experience as a corporate manager, high-altitude climber and resilience expert.
“His stories are inspiring, and he makes them applicable to partnership and business challenges faced by HSMAI’s MEET attendees,” said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHBA, president and CEO of HSMAI. “We’re pleased to have him on board throughout the series, and we look forward to seeing the impact he’ll make on attendees at HSMAI’s MEET National in September.”
For more information, visit HSMAI’s event website here.
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