Vince Alonzo
At IMEX America, Destinations International Redefines the Future of DMOs
At IMEX America in Las Vegas this week, Destinations International (DI) delivered a wake-up call to the global meetings industry: destination organizations are no longer just the logistical backdrop to events—they’re becoming co-architects of experience and community impact.
Grounded by Gridlock: The U.S. Shutdown’s Ripple Effect on Air Travel and Events
When flights slow, meetings stop moving. And right now, the U.S. government shutdown is quietly threatening the most essential logistics layer in the event industry: the ability to get people where they need to be.
Winter 2025/26 Forecast Throws a Frosty Gauntlet at U.S. Meeting Planners
From NYC to the Rockies: Why winter volatility is the new terrain every planner must map If your backup plan for winter events is still “just buy more heaters,” you may want to rethink your playbook. Meteorologists are warning that the 2025–26 winter season could swing from mild to menacing, with parts of the country […]
Keep It Small: The Best Advice I Ever Got Still Works at IMEX America
Big shows like IMEX America are proof of just how much the events industry thrives on human connection, but also how easy it is to drown in the noise. Keeping things small doesn’t make your goals smaller; it makes them doable. So the next time you’re standing on a trade show floor, trying to figure out what to do first, remember my brother’s advice: find the ball first, then swing.
The $2,000 Difference: How Incentive Leaders Stay in the Fast Lane
According to the Incentive Research Foundation’s (IRF) 2025 Top Performer Study: Automotive & Manufacturing Industries, companies that consistently hit revenue and retention benchmarks share one thing in common: they invest in rewards and recognition that go far beyond cash.
The Ultimate Cruise Checklist for Attendees
Cruises aren’t like land-based programs — the Wi-Fi is slower, the dress codes stricter, and “all aboard” really means all aboard. A clear, no-nonsense checklist keeps everyone from drifting off course.
Fall Foliage 2025: The Best States (and Peak Weeks) for Picture-Perfect Events
According to 2025 fall foliage forecasts, vibrant autumn colors are expected across large parts of the United States – especially in New England and the Midwest, which lead the way in vivid displays. In fact, forecasters predict that 25 states will have “spectacular” fall color this year.
USTA Travel Price Index Shows Travel Costs Rising—Again
Planning budgets just got trickier. According to the U.S. Travel Association’s (USTA) latest Travel Price Index (TPI), the cost of getting people to and from your event ticked up in August — and not by a little.
Austin’s $1.6 Billion Bet: Conventions Over Culture
Shiny new exhibit halls are meaningless if they sit in cities that feel generic, underfunded, or hostile to locals. Attendees don’t just want a ballroom—they want a city they can’t wait to explore after the sessions end.
San Diego International Airport Rolls Out a New Front Door
When more than 5,000 locals lined up for a sneak peek of San Diego International Airport’s New Terminal 1 earlier this month, it wasn’t just a community event — it was a stress test for one of the largest infrastructure investments in the city’s history. Nearly 1,000 “passengers” volunteered for a simulated, check in.
