Vince Alonzo

Experts

Talking Turkey

As the dust settles on another bustling Thanksgiving travel season, the numbers reveal a striking reality: the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened over 3 million travelers on the Sunday following the holiday alone, setting a new record. Yet, amid this surge of consumer travelers, the meetings and events industry stands at a critical crossroads, grappling with the dual challenges of demand and disruption.

Best Practices

Food for Thought

Planning menus for meetings that keep attendees alert and energized requires a strategic approach. Here are some tips for breakfast, lunch, and break times.

Destinations

Caesars Virginia: A Southern Debut with Roman Flair

After much anticipation (and a slight delay), Caesars Virginia is set to open its doors on December 17th, ushering in a new era of luxury and entertainment for the region. The grand opening promises to be a spectacle worthy of the Caesars name, with a star-studded lineup and a celebration that will light up the Danville skyline.

Incentives

SITE Crystal Award Case Study: Setting The Standard

When a client approached PHP Event Services with a demand for the "best in the industry" President's Club trip, the team knew they had to deliver something extraordinary. To up the stakes even further, PHP was tasked with combining two years' worth of travel rewards, postponed due to the pandemic, into a single, spectacular event.

Industry Association News

Frictionless Travel: The Future of Meetings and Events

The U.S. Travel Association's (USTA) Future of Travel Mobility conference brought together industry leaders and policymakers to tackle the urgent need for a frictionless, secure, and modern travel experience.

Technology

Five Digital Trends Reshaping the Meetings Industry

At the recent World Travel Market London (WTM), Dan Christian, host of the widely acclaimed Travel Trends podcast, highlighted five pivotal trends that emerged from his extensive conversations over more than 100 episodes.

Event Design

The Best Holiday Light Shows

Holiday These light shows offer a fantastic opportunity for corporate events to create memorable experiences and achieve business goals. Here are some of the most spectacular displays across the country.

Best Practices

CEO Assassination: A Wake-Up Call for Meeting Security

The tragic killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson is a stark reminder that even in seemingly safe environments, high-profile individuals can be vulnerable to targeted violence.

Technology

AI Takes Center Stage at WTM London

Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to reshape the meetings and events landscape, offering exciting opportunities to enhance efficiency, personalize experiences, and drive sustainability. This was the key takeaway from the recent World Travel Market (WTM) Ministers’ Summit at World Travel Market London, where industry leaders and government officials convened to discuss the future of AI in tourism.

Incentives

SITE Crystal Award Case Study: Hotel Buyout Builds Community

Synergy Effect, an Oceania-based incentive travel firm, demonstrated the power of a full hotel takeover with a recent program for a building industry client, generating impressive sales figures and fostering a stronger sense of community. By transforming their Queenstown hotel into the exclusive "Pinnacle Lodge," Synergy created an immersive environment for 150 top-performing qualifiers.