The Stand-Up (February 6, 2025)

Leadership changes, Apple's new invitation app, Atlantic City's bleisure strategy, plus your invite to our AI summit

The Stand-Up February 6, 2025 Edited by Miguel Neves View in browser Top Stories Apple Launches Digital Invitation App with Built-in Event Management Features Apple's newest app is exactly what you'd expect from the tech giant: pretty, practical, and polished. It may also change the way event apps look and feel going forward. How Visit Atlantic City Is Rethinking What Blended Travel Really Means Created collaboratively with Visit Atlantic City Many destinations still separate blended travel into distinct categories: There's business time and leisure time before or after the meeting or event. But in reality, this isn't how meeting attendees view their trips. Visit Atlantic City is making major changes to deliver a more unified experience and challenge the traditional boundaries between work and play. 8 Tips for No-Fuss Seating Charts There are many decisions that go into seating charts, especially regarding C-level executives and VIPs. VIRTUAL SUMMIT AI & the Future of Events Don't miss this opportunity to learn how AI is transforming the events industry from the experts who are leading the change. Register now for this free virtual summit to stay ahead of the technological curve. All-Inclusive Resorts: What's Actually Included? At all-inclusive resorts, many items are included in a single price. But beware: You will need to pay for anything above and beyond that. New All-Female Leadership Takes Helm at SoolNua After three decades of industry bromance, Patrick Delaney and Pádraic Gilligan are letting go of the steering wheel at SoolNua, handing the keys to an all-female leadership duo. PRESENTED BY SKIFT MEETINGS Skift IDEA Awards Four categories dedicated to meetings and events: Hotels Convention Centers and Other Venues Destination Marketing Organizations Event Technology Apply early to secure the best rates. Skift Meetings to Host Virtual Summit on AI & the Future of Events Skift Meetings is gathering the industry's AI pioneers to show you what's possible – and what's next. Chris Anderson Stepping Down as the Head of TED Chris Anderson, TED's curator for the past 25 years, is passing the torch to new leadership. He has issued an open invitation to anyone who believes they have the resources and ideas to guide TED's next chapter. Elsewhere in the News Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority Approves Development Agreement with Omni Hotels & Resorts Disney's Gamble: More Cruise Ships, Parks, and Premium Prices (Skift) Nonprofit's lawsuit over the federal funding freeze is part of an 'avalanche' of litigation (AP News) LA Wildfires: Climate Change, Extreme Weather, and the Impact on Hotels (Skift) Potential Results of Decline in Canadian Travel to United States (U.S. Travel) Redefining Luxury Hospitality in 2025 (Skift) Fender CEO Andy Mooney explains why the firm's return to NAMM 2025 won't be business as usual (Guitar World) Marriott CEO: We Want '100% of Your Travel Wallet' (Skift) INDUSTRY EVENTS CALENDAR Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) in Melbourne, Australia (Feb.10-12) UFI Asia-Pacific Conference in Melbourne, Australia (Feb. 13-14) RainFocus INSIGHT in Salt Lake City, UT (Feb. 18 - 20) Explore our full calendar of 2025 industry events here. More From Skift Meetings How U.S.-Canada Tariff Tensions Could Disrupt Business Events Bizly Acquires Kapow to Expand Group Dining Capabilities CMP Program Gets Major Update, New Exam Coming in August 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Getting Started Planning Meetings Event Tech News Roundup – January 2025   Weekends Are No Longer Off-Limits for Business Events 5 Ways Tight Budgets Are Making Their Mark on Incentives 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