The pandemic has been devastating for many people and industries but none more devastated than the hospitality and events industry. The mission of the events industry is to create, manage, stage, and facilitate events all over the world. These events encompass hundreds to thousands of attendees at a meeting, special event or conference. How has event planning changed? It has changed in numerous ways and impacted the meetings and events industry globally. Let us look at some of the…
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler has reinvented its meetings and events services. The luxury hotel is offering enhanced hybrid meeting solutions and the option to run meetings concurrently at the same venue. The in-person audience can participate with any number of virtual attendees, thanks to state-of-the art technology and health and safety measures. “Our mission is to create a bespoke experience for all participants, whether attending an event physically or virtually,” says general manager, Ali Mohammed. Attendees can experience…
Hilton has introduced a set of hybrid solutions to address the dramatic shift away from in-person meetings and events during the pandemic. The new offerings, which will continue to evolve alongside customer needs, direct event planners to Hilton’s hybrid-ready hotels while also providing them with additional resources, including an expanded ‘playbook’ with in-depth information on planning and executing small hybrid events and flexible customer offers for a more seamless contract experience. “Hilton has remained a leader in the meetings and…
As part of ongoing steps to help instil confidence for meeting professionals and attendees, Marriott International has introduced optional COVID-19 testing. Tests can be self-administered by guests prior to travel or administered by a third-party provider on-site at the hotel. The initiative builds upon health protocols already in place as part of the recent launch of Connect with Confidence, a program empowering meeting professionals to identify and tailor solutions that best meet the needs of their attendees. “We engaged industry-leading…
In-person business meetings and events will surge in 2021, according to a recent Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) poll of its members — the fourteenth of its kind since the onset of the pandemic. “What we’re seeing in this latest poll is a number of reasons for the business travel industry to be optimistic about 2021, especially toward the middle of the year,” says GBTA’s interim executive director, Dave Hilfman. “As the vaccine rollout gains momentum and if we see…
At the start of the pandemic, businesses rushed to move their in-person meetings and events online. The transition was so abrupt that many organizations did so without understanding, acknowledging or discussing the ins and outs of virtual meeting etiquette with their teams. In our digital-friendly age, it may be hard to imagine virtual meetings require such formalities, especially when they can feel as natural as speaking to someone in the same room. But it’s important to treat virtual meetings with…
Discover Halifax recently launched an initiative to help local and Atlantic bubble businesses and event organizers amid the pandemic. The Meet Again Halifax campaign and associated website includes tips and advice for hosting safe face-to-face events, as well as a list of trusted venues to help. “In a typical year, Halifax welcomes 5.3 million overnight stays who spend $1.3 billion locally. Business travellers attending meetings are an important part of this,” says Ross Jefferson, president and CEO of the city’s destination…
The global association of the exhibition industry, UFI, has announced its worldwide conference will be digital-only this year. “Our members have been telling us they want to connect, learn and have the global UFI community brought together,” says UFI president, Mary Larkin. “Since COVID-19 will not allow us to do this face-to-face, we are moving online to host the most accessible UFI Global Congress ever. Quality content, flexible timings and accessibility — these are the best ways to serve the…
In a year when hotels are facing unprecedented challenges, Hyatt forged ahead to open a new hotel and convention centre in Mississauga, Ont. “We are excited to introduce Ontario’s first Hyatt Place hotel to the area,” says general manager, Celso Thompson. “With our smartly designed social spaces, including adaptable, state-of-the-art meetings and events spaces, and rooms with separate work and sleep areas, guests can easily multitask and accomplish what they need to do while on the road.” Located in the…
Six event professionals have been inducted into Canadian Meetings and Events Expo’s (CMEExpo) hall of fame. Creative Group’s Diane Alexander is the 2020 industry volunteer. The category recognizes an individual planner or supplier who gives freely of their time or expertise in the promotion of industry associations, groups, professional industry chapters or charity work. Montreal event planner Daniela Caputo has been named an industry mentor. This honour celebrates a planner or supplier who, through their expertise, professional influence or academic…
