The Stand-Up

January 7, 2025

Edited by Miguel Neves

Hi there,

I was shocked to discover that many job-seeking event professionals are being asked to produce intricate event proposals for free during interviews, only to have their work used by companies without consent. Our Editor, Barbara Scofidio, delves into this issue and offers invaluable advice on how to protect yourself from such practices.

In light of the recent events in New Orleans over the New Year, our Executive Editor Andrea Doyle engaged with key figures orchestrating the rescheduling of the Sugar Bowl and enhancing security measures for the upcoming Super Bowl in February.

Andrea also spoke with the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance, an organization eager to prioritize strategic discussions with the new administration at the earliest opportunity.

Lastly, the SkiftX team collaborated with Travel Portland to spotlight Portland's vibrant leisure attractions alongside its strong reputation as a business event hub.

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

New Orleans Rallies to Postpone Sugar Bowl and Heightens Security for Super Bowl

Postponing a major event like the Allstate Sugar Bowl, with over 68,000 tickets sold, is a logistical challenge. Following the New Orleans terrorist attack, the city had no choice and now looks ahead to the Super Bowl.

Portland's Destination Appeal Beyond the Meeting Room

Created collaboratively with Travel Portland

Meeting planners are often challenged to provide exceptional experiences on limited budgets. A city with ample leisure appeal, such as Portland, Oregon, can give people a compelling reason to attend. Add in sector-specific field trips and strong EDI credentials, and this "Silicon Forest" is a meeting destination on the rise.

MEETINGS INNOVATOR

Anh Nguyen

When Anh Nguyen realized the events industry's "do-it-all-yourself" culture wasn't compatible with motherhood, she built a solution: a collaborative network of senior planners.

Job Hunting? Think Twice Before Doing Free Work

Planners are being asked to do unpaid assignments as part of the interview process. Some companies then use their work without hiring them.

What the Business Events Industry Wants From the New Administration

As the political landscape shifts, the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance calls on the business events industry to get involved.

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.

DOWNLOAD

Need Temp Support or Looking for Your Next Gig?

Skift Meetings evaluated three companies focused on meeting industry recruitment – and found that each has its own unique niche.

New Passport and Real ID Rules for 2025

Planners need to be aware of several passport and visa changes in 2025 and to communicate them to attendees – before time runs out.

WOMEN LEADERS IN MEETINGS

Nicola Kastner

With a career steeped in strategic event leadership, Kastner's focus on data-driven decision-making sets a high bar for industry leadership.

Megatrends vs. Reality: How Accurate Were Skift Meetings' 2024 Event Industry Predictions?

Predicting the future of the meetings industry is tough, but we do it every year. As we look back at 2024, here's our honest look at what we got right, what we got wrong, and what's still percolating.