When ConferenceDirect hosted the annual CDX 2025 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas recently, 194 attendees may have expected industry insights to include topics like technology and planner challenges; but the amazing and unexpected also took center stage here.
After warm welcomes from Kelly Gleeson Smith and Patrick Espinoza of Caesars Entertainment, ConferenceDirect President & CEO Jerry Horan shared company developments along with his take on where the industry is heading, telling attendees that room bookings were holding steady but that “cost is the number-one concern in reduced attendance or cancellation.”
“I’m hoping by midterm that the tariffs will be toning down and there will be buying opportunities for deals in 2026 and 2027,” Horan said.
Two compelling fireside chats followed Horan’s introduction: “Managing Housing in Uncertain Times’ with ConferenceDirect’s Operations SVP Adam Briggs; and “Risk Management & Event Insurance” with industry veterans Ray Chiang from SPJA, Gregorio Casalenuovo of USI Insurance Services and other thought leaders.
Among the challenges discussed were making sure event insurance coverage was sufficient—a tricky topic attendees realized, as questions like the difference between cancellation and liability were discussed (“everything depends on when the event was cancelled”) and whether travel bans and government restrictions were valid reasons for cancellation (“yes”).
This year’s agenda addressed evolving planner and supplier needs through sessions like “From Pressure to Progress” while industry newcomers benefitted from a student-focused Hospitality Workshop with ConferenceDirect’s J.J. Wills, SVP of Marketing Programs & Business Development.
The final day’s programming was nothing short of epic: first, Tammy Moore and Junior Tauvaa from PCMA revolutionized attendees’ approach to event planning with practical AI tools that anyone can master; then Judi Holler—renowned author and creative entrepreneur—inspired a professional evolution through her groundbreaking Self-Expressionism framework that’s reshaping how we think about work.
Programs Advanced Via Tech Innovations
Throughout the event, CDX showcased cutting-edge technology, including Braindate, which created networking connections and peer-to-peer breakout sessions. In addition, SnapSight’s AI made note-taking a thing of the past with real-time summaries and on-demand review of conference content.
Tech innovations even extended to mealtimes, as Smart Menu let attendees scan QR codes to filter buffet options according to dietary needs.
Attendees also were treated to a tech-driven adventure through a 4D experience at the immersive F1 X Experience, which left most teambuilding exercises in the dust. The networking event and reception at the new Grand Prix Plaza was hosted by Visit Las Vegas.
Focus on Wellness & Partnership With Caesars
Healthy cuisine options were just part of the focus on wellness at CDX. The atmosphere cooled and the lights dimmed at “Igniting Tranquili-TEA” sessions where Sepideh Eivazi taught breathwork techniques for industry mindfulness.
“Ten years ago, we were doing morning yoga or a morning walk, and that was it for wellness,” J.J. Wills told Prevue. “Over the years, it’s gradually grown; and partnering with Caesars, we really focused on it this time… and people loved it. It was great to see that response to something we’ve never done before.”
Wellness at CDX started from the top, as wellness guru Dami Kim—Executive Director of Corporate Wellness at Body & Brain Wellness—helped the audience prepare for the event with tapping exercises designed to ignite the neurons while relaxing the body.
“We got great feedback from that, and it was such a short, easy thing to do,” Wills said. “We also made sure to have mocktails, and we added breaks and kept evenings shorter to give people enough time for a good sleep.”
Wills said such attention to attendee well-being paid off with better attendance and attention spans. “People showed up early because they knew they had free time in the afternoon,” Wills said. “The whole show just had this nice energy about it.”
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