Vince Alonzo
Feed the World: Why Cuisine Is the Secret Sauce of Great Meetings
When international attendees gather, cuisine becomes more than catering—global menus build bonds, spark stories, and turn mealtimes into networking gold In 2023, according to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), North America hosted about 1,873 international association meetings, roughly 19% of the global total. The U.S. alone led the world with 690 international meetings, […]
Amazon Aims to Ground In-Flight Dead Zones
Dropped connections in transit can derail coordination and frustrate attendees traveling to an event. Amazon’s Project Kuiper, now preparing for commercial service, could finally change that equation.
Southwest’s Seating Shake-Up: No Room for Surprises
Southwest Airlines has long maintained a “Customer of Size” policy, but beginning January 27, 2026, the rules get sharper. PSouthwest Airlines has long maintained a “Customer of Size” policy, but beginning January 27, 2026, the rules get sharper. The airline will move from open seating to assigned seating, and with that comes stricter requirements: passengers who encroach on a neighboring seat must purchase an additional seat in advance. The airline defines the armrest as the boundary line.
The Drive-In Revival
Across the country, creative owners have modernized their fields of flickering screens into flexible venues for more than just movies. For meeting and event planners, the rebirth of the drive-in is more than a cultural curiosity — it’s a ready-made blueprint for unconventional gatherings.
Canada’s Incentive Edge
With the exchange rate stretching a U.S. planner’s budget by some 30 percent, choosing America’s northern neighbor for incentive travel programs offers a smart solution for those tasked with delivering ever more dazzling experiences on ever tighter budgets.
24 Years After 9/11: A Walk Through the Day That Changed Everything
It’s hard to believe that 25 years have passed since 9/11 — a day that changed the nation and the world. On this milestone anniversary, I find myself remembering not only the enormous impact and tragedy of that day, but also the people — friends, colleagues, strangers — whose lives were forever changed.
10 Resort Pools Perfect for Memorable Receptions
Poolside receptions have become a staple of resort meetings for good reason: the setting is instantly social, photogenic, and memorable. From historic grande dames to desert sanctuaries, these ten pools deliver destinations within destinations.
A Brief History of the Poolside Reception
It’s a staple of most large events held at resorts—how it got that way is quite a tale Everybody loves a pool party. But why? The modern American swimming pool has a lineage that, according to a historical study, extends back to the Greco-Roman Era and ancient civilizations like the Indus Valley. However, its functional […]
20 Offsite Venues Attendees Won’t See Coming
According to most industry metrics, these are the 10 most popular cities for meetings and events. That means a lot of your attendees have probably been there before. One way to cure destination fatigue is to jazz up your agenda with an offsite event at a unique location.
5 Tech Tools to Tackle Food Waste
From real-time kitchen dashboards to apps that match leftovers with local charities, new tools are helping planners and venues see, measure, and slash their food waste. H
