Vince Alonzo

Best Practices

Helene’s Fury: A Cautionary Tale for Meeting & Incentive Planners

Hurricane Helene's devastating rampage across the South serves as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the importance of preparedness, especially for those in the meeting and incentive industry. Helene's impact underscores the need to prioritize safety and flexibility when planning events in regions susceptible to extreme weather.

Best Practices

Hurricane Helene’s Aftermath

Hurricane Helene affect on meetings and events infrastructure Hurricane Helene tore through the Southeast last month, leaving a trail of destruction that impacted not only homes and businesses but also the region’s vital tourism and events infrastructure. From Florida to North Carolina, popular attractions, convention centers, and hotels faced closures, cancellations, and costly repairs. Florida […]

Technology

Move Over Fireworks, Drones Are Stealing the Show

Forget the fizz and bang. A quieter, greener, and more versatile spectacle is taking center stage at events worldwide: drone light shows. Meeting and event planners, take note. This innovative technology is transforming how we celebrate, offering captivating aerial displays that push the boundaries of creativity and audience engagement.

Experts

The Rise of Hacking and How to Fight Back

Credit card hacking is a frustrating and scary experience for all victims, but especially for meeting and event planners who often must pay for goods and services with a credit card. It's important to understand why it's happening so frequently.

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.