Vince Alonzo

Industry Stats

Hilton Annual Trends Report Predicts 2025 to Be the “Year of the Travel Maximizer”

The 2025 Trends Report uncovers what has been simmering for years – the intersection of work and play; of relaxation and adventure; of being alone but together. Travelers don't just want to choose their own adventure – they want to maximize every moment of their time away.

Incentives

5 Trending Group Travel Experiences for 2025

GeoCultura, a leading provider of cultural and educational tours, has released its list of the top 5 trending group travel experiences for 2025. These immersive tours offer a unique opportunity for meeting and incentive planners to reward their top performers with unforgettable experiences that will inspire and motivate.

Event Design

Spirit Guides: 5 Benefits of Native Wellness Retreats

Indigenous-based wellness programs offer a unique opportunity to do just that, providing transformative experiences that connect attendees to the land, culture, and themselves in profound ways. Here's five reasons why Indigenous wellness programs are gaining traction with meeting and incentive groups.

Destinations

Ghostly Gatherings

Halloween is coming and what could be more memorable than an event with a touch of the paranormal? Haunted hotels and venues offer a unique backdrop for gatherings, adding an element of intrigue and excitement that's hard to replicate. If you're brave enough to venture into the realm of the spectral, here are some tips for planning a truly unforgettable "haunted" event venues along with a listing of some haunted venues in the United States.

Experts

Free Is a Four-Letter Word

In the heart of Rome, the Trevi Fountain, a marvel of Baroque architecture, has long been a symbol of free, accessible beauty. However, a proposal to charge a fee for visiting the iconic site signals a growing trend that's making it increasingly challenging for meeting and incentive planners to incorporate free travel experiences into their programs.

Incentives

McKinsey: Desire for Experiences Drives Incentive Participants

A recent white paper from the global management consulting firm, McKinsey & Company highlights the shifting landscape of travel experiences, providing valuable guidance for incentive planners looking to create compelling programs that resonate with their recipients.

Technology

Embracing Biometric Technology

Recent insights from the U.S. Travel Association (USTA) and Ipsos reveal a strong preference among travelers for biometric technology at airport security checkpoints, a development that could significantly influence how events are planned and executed in the coming years.

Industry Planner Resources

DOT Approves Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines Merger

The merger between Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines has taken a major step forward, receiving crucial approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). As meeting and event planners gear up for upcoming events, the implications of this merger could offer both challenges and opportunities for travel logistics.

Destinations

Kentucky Tourism Soars

The stats are in for last year and Kentucky tourism enjoyed a banner year in 2023, shattering records and generating nearly $10 billion in visitor spending. This surge in tourism translated to a significant economic impact, supporting over 88,000 jobs across the state.

Best Practices

Lessons from Vice President Harris’ Debate Preparation

The preparation strategies employed by Vice President Kamala Harris for her presidential debate offer valuable insights on how to prepare speakers for events. In a world where presentation counts, understanding how to equip speakers can elevate events from ordinary to extraordinary.