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The use of AI is evolving at neck-breaking speed across every aspect of our lives, rapidly changing how we plan, work and even think. In trade shows, this evolution is also happening fast, with AI powering everything, from access to knowledge to agents that can be built with no coding skills. Here’s what we’re seeing right now, and what you can do to get ahead in the emerging zero-click economy.
9 No matter how much time, effort, and budget go into planning an event, its ultimate value lies in the results it delivers. Whether it’s a corporate conference, fundraising gala, product launch, or community festival, event organizers need clear metrics to understand whether their event was successful and how to improve future efforts. Event success isn’t just about how many people attended.
For more than 50 years, superfans of comics, movies, gaming and other popular arts have jetted to Comic-Con International for the community, the content, the cosplay—and the experiences. During this year’s event, July 24-27, EM joined the geek squad for a three-day jaunt through San Diego and its Gaslamp District, all in search of the mega-activations that brands bring to the outskirts of the convention center every year, capturing the attention of some of the most passionate entertainment fans
As an attendee, events can sometimes feel hectic, with general sessions, one-on-ones, lunches and the closing reception. That’s the nature of events. Yet, when more than 150 attendees gathered for ConferenceDirect’s (CD) CDX 2025 at Caesars Palace last week to network, explore Las Vegas and learn a thing or two about the industry, wellness was on full display to provide a sense of calm for attendees.
Speaker: Hanan Polinovski, Events Manager and David Brown, Sr. Marketing & Events Lead
Are your events living up to expectations? Are you getting quality leads from your sponsorships? Have you ever wondered if that branded notebook actually makes an impact? Get ready to transform your event strategy! Join event marketing pros Hanan Polinovski from Printfection and David Brown from Bonusly for a fast-paced webinar about turning your event efforts into serious ROI.
Groundbreaking Women in Events Retreat Launches to Address Industry Wellbeing Crisis and Foster Female Leadership New quarterly sanctuary for event professionals creates space for rest, reconnection and sustainable success in fast-paced industry As the events industry continues to recover and evolve post-pandemic, a new initiative is addressing a critical need, the wellbeing and sustainable career development of women working in events.
In today’s climate of tight budgets and high expectations, great ideas alone don’t close the deal. If you want the green light for your event, you need more than enthusiasm — you need a rock-solid business case. That means showing how your idea connects directly to measurable business outcomes, proving the return on investment, and presenting it with the kind of confidence that wins over decision-makers.
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Event Pro Update brings together the best content for event, conference, and meeting planning professionals from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
In today’s climate of tight budgets and high expectations, great ideas alone don’t close the deal. If you want the green light for your event, you need more than enthusiasm — you need a rock-solid business case. That means showing how your idea connects directly to measurable business outcomes, proving the return on investment, and presenting it with the kind of confidence that wins over decision-makers.
IACC’s 2025 Meeting Room of the Future report shows that experience-led planning is more dominant than ever, according to IACC CEO Mark Cooper. “Meeting planners are prioritizing unique, immersive environments over traditional hotel venues,” he says. “In fact, 51% of planners are now booking non-traditional or specialist venues—like museums, sports stadiums or vineyards—compared to just 33% in 2023.
Your association’s staff event manager is ready to bring your vision to life. Whether it’s an awards gala, member reception, or multi-day conference. But before the planning can take off, the most important step is your first meeting. A clear, well-prepared kickoff conversation ensures you both start on the same page, setting the tone for collaboration and laying the groundwork for a successful event.
Sustainability Consultancy, From Now, part of the emc3 Collective, has announced its launch of the From Now Network, a directory of audited venues and suppliers, designed to support event planners in creating more responsible choices. The UK events industry contributes around 100,000 tonnes of waste per year, and sourcing truly sustainable suppliers remains a challenge.
Dubai, UAE – The EventMania Festival is back and bigger than ever! On September 9, 2025, event industry professionals will gather at SkyLight Gallery (Arjaan by Rotana Dubai Media City) to establish new business connections, meet top service providers, and get inspired by the latest innovations in event management.
Speaker: Kevin Burke, Founder & Managing Director at Digital One and AI & Automation Consultant
AI and automation are currently transforming the way sales and marketing teams operate. Generative AI crafts personalized outreach at scale, while conversational AI bots are engaging prospects in real time. Robotic process automation streamlines manual workflows by triggering tasks the moment a prospect takes a key action, and advanced AI analytics surface hidden patterns in the pipeline, improve forecasting, and help teams make data-driven decisions with confidence.
Celsius scored some major wins during the 2025 MLS All-Star Week. Building on its first-time presence last year, the Official Energy Drink of MLS arrived in Austin, TX, ready to hype up soccer fans for the All-Star Game on July 23. Celsius incorporated its new Live. Fit. Go. campaign , the largest marketing initiative in the brand’s history, into its activations at the MLS All-Star Soccer Celebration fan fest and surrounding events to drive awareness and counter the myth that energy drinks are j
Learn More A $640 Million Renovation Redefines Meeting Excellence in Miami Beach Nestled in the heart of one of the most vibrant destinations, the Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) brings innovation, sustainability, and cutting-edge amenities to life. Following a reimagination, this breathtaking venue is ready to welcome your next meeting, conference, or event with more customizable, flexible space than ever before.
Unexpected Approaches: Caryn Mambro Talks AI with BizBash Caryn Mambro Talks AI with BizBash From immersive, generative experiences to real-time personalization, Caryn shares how AI amplifies the human touch. AI has moved beyond novelty in the events industry and is becoming an essential creative partner. In a new BizBash article, â 6 Unexpected Ways Event Profs Are Using AI Right Now ,â Chief Creative Officer Caryn Mambro shares how Opus Agency is using AI to design deeply personal, immer
EDGE Venues is inviting the meetings and events community to join them for its highly anticipated Summer Conference and Party, taking place at the Crowne Plaza Stratford-upon-Avon on 4 th and 5 th September 2025. The two-day event promises a packed agenda of thought leadership and a celebration of the brilliant EDGE Venues community. Devised exclusively for Licensed Venues and Agencies, the event offers guests a chance to connect with industry peers and gain valuable insights into how the sector
In order to create a successful event, you must: Optimize Event Website and Registration Process Utilize Social Media Platforms Effectively Implement Targeted Email Campaigns Harness the Power of Video Content Benefit from a Mobile App Download now and learn how to simplify this process with Eventpedia.
The Association of Event Venues (AEV) has, today, published the 2025 edition of the eGuide. An event industry-specific guide, the eGuide is an essential resource for UK venue, organiser, exhibitor and supplier companies and has been providing information on a wide variety of topics related to event operation and management for the past 18 years.
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW THIS WEEK This week’s hot takes on hot topics in experiential marketing cover Kidney Passes, Bites for Bytes and an experiential Dive-In Theater. WOULD YOU ‘GIVE YOUR KIDNEY’ FOR A FESTIVAL TICKET? If you’d give your left kidney for a seat at a Chappell Roan show (*raises hand*), Way Out West Festival’s latest campaign is right up your alley.
6 Small businesses are the backbone of the economy, and they’re increasingly embracing technology to maximize their resources. Many of these businesses rely on both in-person and virtual events, and event software has been a game-changer for small teams with limited bandwidth. Recent studies have shown that small enterprises estimate that event software saves them up to 200 hours per year , which is a significant number for a small team.
By Lucie Ashe Ever heard of a K-BUG? More than a cute name, it’s a planner’s way to communicate with guests ahead of an event with everything they need: K now B efore yo U G o! Put yourself in the mind of an attendee who is excited for the event, but may not know much about it yet, maybe they’re a guest of a sponsor and have never heard of the event or mission before.
The greats learn from the greats. Set yourself and your team up for success with tried and tested strategies and insights from event marketing geniuses at Vanta, Partnership Leaders, Quantum Metric, Rocketlane, and Explori.
Igniting Event Strategy Conversations Igniting Event Strategy Conversations Join us for a roundtable on sparking strategic thinking. Great strategies start with great conversations. Join Opus Agency's Brent Turner , along with Marisa Neboksy , CMP, M.S. (FWC Boston), and Lisa Gregory (Gregory Event Services), for a virtual roundtable hosted by the Event Professionals Network on August 20.
Seasoned event planners know that every event is unique. Customer conferences have different needs from sponsored trade shows. Fundraisers work differently from career fairs. Onboarding and benefits fairs require a different planning hat.But vFairs handles them all through one platform that has powered over 30,000 events in the past decade.
Six tips for approaching contract conversations with confidence If the word “negotiation” makes you cringe, you’re not alone. Many professionals—especially women—associate negotiating with conflict, power struggles—or worse—personal failures. But according to Mori Taheripour, negotiation expert, author and faculty member at The Wharton School who spoke at IAEE’s Women’s Leadership Forum , that perception is not only flawed—it’s holding you back. “People often think
Couple: Yvonne and Hank | Venue: Casa Loma Yvonne looked absolutely stunning as she stepped into her gown, with final glam touches by Hair and makeup by Ruby bringing out her natural glow. Capso Studio captured every sweet detail, from the flatlay of accessories and stationery to the joyful moments in the bridal suite. The entire celebration took place at the iconic Casa Loma , setting the stage for a day that felt both timeless and magical for Hank and Yvonne.
In this best practices guide, you’ll learn how to tap into the cost-efficiencies of advocacy and word-of-mouth marketing with video. Examples include speakers providing a preview of their upcoming sessions, exhibitors creating “please stop by” invitations and attendees creating “looking forward to seeing you” introduction videos. Learn about best practices and programs created by leading companies and associations including ASIS, AUVSI, SuperZoo, National Restaurant Association, World of Concret
The Center for Association Leadership partnered with Discover Los Angeles to bring out the stars for 5,000 association executives at ASAE’s Annual Meeting & Exposition at Los Angeles Convention Center. ASAE President and CEO Michelle Mason gave multiple shout-outs to her “bestie” Discover Los Angeles President and CEO Adam Burke. With assists from NBA Hall of Fame player Earvin “Magic” Johnson, “Quiet” author Susan Cain and entrepreneur and former presidential candidate Andrew Yang, Mason hi
Leading UK charity Hospitality Action has announced a strategic partnership with Montgomery Group , the country’s longest-running independent events organiser. The partnership aims to raise awareness of Hospitality Action’s vital work whilst promoting a more resilient and supported hospitality workforce. As one of Montgomery Group’s official charity partners, Hospitality Action will be championed across the organiser’s leading hospitality trade shows Independent Hotel Show and HRC.
In this episode of the Event Industry News podcast, host James Dixon is joined by Matt Pearce, the CEO of Talk2 Media and Events, to delve into the dynamics of the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME 2025).
Turn compliance-driven events into engaging experiences Medical meetings are a universe unto themselves, a unique universe of health tech, insurance, medical devices and so much more. They also pose an interesting challenge for planners: crafting an event that medical professionals are willing to take time out of their busy schedules to attend. To better understand how to make this possible, Smart Meetings chatted with two experts in the field, Wendy E.
Speaker: Aja Bradley Kemp, Founder & Chief Experience Officer at Conversate Collective
In a world where every brand is vying for attention, how do you make your events stand out? ✨ From creative swag strategies to immersive brand experiences, the key lies in fostering real connections that inspire action and leave a lasting impression. Whether you're planning a large-scale conference or an exclusive executive gathering, this session will explore how to elevate event engagement, strengthen brand perception, and maximize ROI.
Whether you’re a seasoned event promoter or prepping your first event, technology has completely rewritten the playbook for great event promotion in 2025. We’ve got a 3-step event promotion formula to help. “Event marketing without strategy is just noise.
From Detroit’s historic-modern hub to tropical island resorts and coastal retreats, explore a collection of exciting new venues and refreshed spaces perfect for your next gathering This season, meeting planners have a wealth of new venues and updated spaces to discover. Detroit’s The Department at Hudson’s Bedrock blends the city’s rich history with modern technology across 15+ versatile event spaces ideal for gatherings large and small.
For the second consecutive year, the Ontario Honda Dealers Association (OHDA) revved up the excitement at the Toronto Indy, delivering an unforgettable and high-energy fan experience from July 18-20. As title sponsor, OHDA reinforced its strong presence at the iconic racing event with its prominently positioned “Pitstop” activation, a dynamic hub of seven automotive-themed activities designed to engage and entertain thousands of attendees.
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