The Stand-Up (January 14, 2025)

Helping those impacted by the California fires, lobbying to change NAICS codes, can seating charts help avoid state funeral blunders?

The Stand-Up January 14, 2025 Edited by Miguel Neves View in browser Hi there,   In the face of the ongoing devastation from the California fires, dedicated meeting professionals and industry associations are stepping up with innovative solutions to provide aid.   Meanwhile, the industry is actively advocating for a reclassification in the NAICS small business system, and your support could make a difference. Act now, as the deadline is swiftly approaching—tomorrow, January 15.   Last Thursday, the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter became a historic gathering, uniting five current and former presidents alongside Vice President Harris. However, the event's seating arrangements sparked unexpected and amusing moments, leaving every event planner pondering if a different seating chart might have changed the dynamics.   During the PCMA Convening Leaders 2025 in Houston, Scott Galloway unveiled a series of intriguing forecasts. We've highlighted five that may impact the business events landscape.   Safeguarding our event attendees from potential health risks is always paramount. That is why we shared eight ways to shield your guests from norovirus this winter.   With CES now behind us, the lingering issue of visa delays remains a significant hurdle, especially for events that depend on the participation of Chinese guests and exhibitors.   Imagine infusing your business events with the magic of the Harry Potter-inspired College of Extraordinary Experiences. This immersive adventure transforms onboarding and offboarding into unforgettable moments, while offering minimally-structured opportunities for self-discovery.   I hope you enjoy reading our latest content, and, as always, feel free to share your thoughts and comments with us by simply replying to this email. Top Stories Event Planners Unite to Support Peers Affected by California Fires The California fires have caused unprecedented destruction. While emergency services battle the blazes, event planners are stepping in to help. Events Industry Rallies to Have Its Own NAICS Code An events industry lobbying campaign hopes to add 'Events Services' to the NAICS small business classification system. Here's why it should matter to you. The Silent Power of Seating Charts Images from President Jimmy Carter's funeral showed how the seating arrangement spurred some unlikely encounters. Your seating strategy has the power to do the same. TRENDS REPORT Skift Meetings Megatrends 2025 Explore the industry's most transformative trends for the year ahead, from the innovative use of AI for personalized experiences to a growing emphasis on authenticity, sustainability, and well-being. Five Predictions from Scott Galloway that Signal Change for Business Events At PCMA's Convening Leaders conference, NYU Stern professor, author, and entrepreneur Scott Galloway shared his insights on the trends shaping the 2025 business landscape. Many of his predictions could impact the business events industry, these five may have the biggest impact. 8 Ways to Protect Attendees From Norovirus This Winter With norovirus leading the news and the continuing threat of Covid, flu and RSV, planners need to be on high alert. PODCAST AI and the Human Touch On this episode of the Skift Meetings Podcast, featuring Colja Dams, CEO of VOK DAMS, we delve into the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the events industry while emphasizing the enduring importance of human connection. Visa Delays Impact Chinese Exhibitors at CES, Underscoring Struggles for International Business Events As CES 2025 is underway in Las Vegas, some Chinese exhibitors encountered hurdles with U.S. visa denials, highlighting broader geopolitical tensions. Harry Potter Meets Immersive Networking at The College of Extraordinary Experiences Are you tired of small talk over lukewarm coffee at yet another hotel ballroom? Well, there's a business event in a medieval castle in Poland, where business networking gets the Hogwarts treatment with all the magic of meaningful connections. INDUSTRY EVENTS CALENDAR BOE International (Best of Events) in Cologne, Germany (January 15-16) GO WEST in Edmonton, AB, Canada (February 2-4) Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) in Melbourne, Australia (February 10-12) Explore our full calendar of 2025 industry events here. More From Skift Meetings How the L.A. Wildfires Are Impacting Meetings From Vendor to Partner: One Company's Guide to Working With Saudi Tourism Continue Learning and Growing With Skift Meetings Why Do So Many Planners Resist Strategic Meetings Management? To ensure there are no pauses in our communication, please add our email address to your contacts: meetings@skift.com. Skift, 35 W 31st St., Frnt 1, New York, NY 10001, USA, (516) 399-0304 Manage preferences