Vince Alonzo
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.
DMOs, Disrupted: 2025 DestinationNEXT Report Redefines the Future of Meetings
The 2025 DestinationNEXT Futures Study, conducted by Destinations International (DI) arrives amid volatile geopolitical landscapes, advancing AI technologies, and shifting expectations around community benefit. The report delivers a commanding message: destination organizations must evolve—from broadcasting to brand-building
Townsizing and Awayborhoods: 2025’s Hottest Trends for Meetings
Forget the usual suspects. As attendee preferences shift adiscover how small towns and vibrant local neighborhoods can transform your next corporate gathering.
The Big Beautiful Bill: Not Too Pretty for Meetings
Brand USA’s budget slashed—visa costs skyrocketing—CVB support drying up—planners now face a new era of doing more with less—and doing it without much global goodwill A sweeping new law—the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law on July 4, 2025—is poised to reshape how meetings and events are funded and supported at the […]
Lost in Abbreviation: Surviving Acronym Overload in Meetings and Events
From RFPs to ROI, planners are drowning in industry lingo. Hotels, vendors, clients, DMOs, AV teams—they all have their own shorthand. Time to resurface with a little clarity.
