Tackling today's top challenges with real talk from planners

Explore what's on every planner's mind—and how they're finding solutions

The Stand-Up November 5, 2024 Edited by Miguel Neves View in browser Hi there,   Question: What do you get when planners gather to tackle their biggest challenges? Answer: Insights that cut through the noise—and maybe a few unfiltered frustrations.   At the Skift Meetings Innovation Lab at IMEX America 2024, an event sponsored by the Budapest Convention Bureau, planners from around the world brought their struggles into the spotlight. From managing soaring AV costs and tight timelines to keeping event marketing relevant and data-driven, these discussions didn't pull any punches.   Some issues, like high AV fees and budget constraints, saw planners strategizing ways to avoid sticker shock. Meanwhile, others explored how AI might ease workloads—though there's a catch if it also raises expectations for 24/7 availability.   As planners grapple with questions of diversity, wellness, and career advancement, it's clear these challenges aren't going away quickly.   Are you curious how others in your field are navigating these same challenges? Read the full lab report here. Top Stories Blackstone is Planning to Sell Clarion Events Following a series of recent acquisitions of exhibition organizers, Clarion Events could be the largest if the right buyer comes along. Leadership Shifts at Business Events Sydney as it Reports Robust Growth Business events injected an estimated $216 million into Sydney in the last year. With business events flourishing, the CEO of Business Events Sydney saw this as the opportune time to step down. Inside the Skift Meetings Innovation Lab: Top Challenges and Solutions for Planners Addressing challenges from surging costs to untapped career progression, here's how planners are future-proofing their strategies. Meetings Innovator: Megan Henshall Meetings Innovators is sponsored by Stova Google Xi's new mission is to rehumanize corporate life. Its founder, Megan Henshall, is Skift Meeting's first-ever Meetings Innovator. Top Trends for Meetings: Attendees Want Warm Weather, More Leisure A recent Cvent webinar revealed top trends for meetings, including choosing booking patterns that allow attendees to extend over a weekend and warm-weather destinations so they can be outdoors. Canada Attracts Global Conferences with a Convention Fund  Destination Canada is reaping the benefits of its $50 million investment fund focused on attracting international associations.  Independent Properties: When the Hotel Becomes the Experience With the transformation of events into experiences, planners say that independent hotels offer distinct advantages, such as flexibility, creativity and authenticity. Beyond Eco-Friendly: Putting Sustainability at the Center of Meetings and Events Created collaboratively with Destination DC What began as a way to think about making meetings and events more eco-friendly has evolved into implementing steps to create an ecosystem for meetings, events, and conferences — as well as their host destination — to thrive.   In this report, we examine the importance of building a sustainable ecosystem for events from the perspectives of planners, attendees, and the host destination. DOWNLOAD REPORT Laid Off: One Planner's Story of Finding a New Job Fifteen minutes on a Thursday. That's all it took for Rebecca Carmody's life to change when she was laid off from her event marketing job. One year later, she's still looking for her next gig.  Clarion Events Expands Energy Portfolio with Acquisition of Infocast With a focus on the energy sector, Clarion Events has acquired a company that organizes events focused on renewable energy. Was Your Event Lame? 10 Questions For Brutally Honest Feedback  If your post-event surveys always result in generic responses, the first place to start is with the questions. Why not ask attendees how the event really made them feel? Has Wellness Reached a Tipping Point? As much as our industry has become consumed with promoting wellness at events, are meetings actually integrating these practices? Kelly Bishop, founder of Wellevate Experiences, joins Skift Meetings editors to explore the gap between event wellness ideals and real-world applications. The Meetings Industry Has an Alcohol Problem. Now It's Trying to Sober Up. The meetings industry has always been one where the booze flows freely. But a new generation of non-drinkers is paving an alcohol-free path forward. Caesars is Selling Linq Promenade in Las Vegas Caesars is selling Linq Promenade for $275 million to help pay down the casino operator's debt. Excel London Acquires Business Design Centre ADNEC just bought one of London's most iconic event venues, changing the game for anyone planning events in the UK. INDUSTRY EVENTS CALENDAR: IBTM World (Nov.19-21 in Barcelona, Spain ) Event Tech Live London / Event Sustainability Live (Nov. 20-21, in London, UK) IAEE Expo! Expo! (Dec. 16-19 in Los Angeles, CA) Explore our full calendar of industry events here. Planners Share Top Destination Picks Two groups of destination specialists reveal their top choices, but only one destination makes both lists. Nature, Walkable Downtowns, and Top-Tier Venues Elevate the Attendee Experience Created collaboratively with Tourism Whistler Whistler, British Columbia, shines as a meetings and incentives destination with its natural beauty and planner-friendly amenities. Event Industry Buying Streak Continues as Hyve Group Acquires HLTH The healthcare sector is a lucrative one and global event company Hyve is getting in on the action by acquiring HLTH, a global event company for health innovators. More From Skift Meetings MLB Pitches Ballparks to Planners Falling Down Stairs, Talking to Strangers: How Planners Got Their Start Private Equity Makes Another Investment in the Events Industry The New Expectations for Incentive Travel To ensure there are no pauses in our communication, please add our email address to your contacts: meetings@skift.com. 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