Vince Alonzo
On Track: Could a Coast-to-Coast Rail Revival Become a Reality?
If the stars align—and freight railroads, Amtrak, and private investors all play ball—AmeriStarRail may soon offer meeting and incentive planners something the U.S. hasn’t seen in generations: a private, coast-to-coast rail service designed not just for travelers, but for trucks, autos, and group business.
Inside the 2025 IRF Study on Incentive Travel and Performance
In a business landscape dominated by AI disruption, shifting employee expectations, and growing economic and geopolitical uncertainty, top-performing companies are turning to a surprisingly human motivator: experiential rewards.
The Ultimate Event Swag Checklist
With insight from the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), industry trend spotters, and boots-on-the-ground event pros, we’ve compiled your ultimate guide to swag that works—and the stuff you can finally stop ordering.
History Resurfaces at Ground Zero—And It’s Event Planner Gold
There are museum exhibits—and then there’s this. Since May, visitors to the New York State Museum in Albany won’t just browse artifacts behind glass. They’ll watch, in real time, as conservators reconstruct a 50-foot-long Revolutionary War-era gunboat that once lay buried beneath the World Trade Center.
Borderline Disaster: Why Tariffs and Travel Fees Are Wrecking Meetings
U.S. cross-border policies and tariff strategies are creating a crisis that threatens North American events By all outward signs, 2025 should be a boom year for cross-border tourism and international events. But behind the scenes, the North American travel economy is under serious threat—and meeting and event planners need to pay attention. Last week, the […]
Going the Distance
Whether your attendees are flying solo in economy or together in business class pods, long-haul travel can mean battling jet lag, dehydration, stiff muscles, and mental fatigue—all of which can derail the first day of programming. That’s why integrating wellness and productivity guidance into pre-trip communications isn’t just a courtesy—it’s a strategic move to protect your event ROI.
IRF Program Builds the Next Generation of Incentive Leaders
If you're a senior-level incentive planner looking to develop your team—and maybe even line up your eventual successor—the IRF Accelerate program offers a golden opportunity to support and elevate the emerging leaders in your ranks.
Women’s Golf Trends Are Inspiring Smarter Event Design
Many destinations are crafting women-focused golf programs that offer more than just tee times. Think beginner-friendly clinics, fashion-forward apparel, and social events with wellness baked in.
Flight Delays Happen—Dead Batteries Don’t Have To
This is the new travel reality: operational headaches hidden under “weather delays,” pilot shortages, crowded skies—and a meetings industry that can’t afford downtime when planners, speakers, and attendees are on the move. In these moments, staying charged is mission-critical. Here’s the good news: there are power banks that deliver reliable, fast charging while meeting TSA rules.
Crisis-Ready: GlobalMeet Debuts Backup Communications Platform
GlobalMeet, a webcasting solutions company, has launched CORE, a communications and operational resiliency solution designed to keep business-critical conversations flowing during times of crisis or disruption.
