In this week’s industry news roundup, meet Prevue’s first-ever 2026 Planner of the Year! We’re also covering new research on trade show attendance and business development, fresh destination incentives designed to help planners manage rising costs, Grand Hyatt DFW’s LEED certification and Alaska Airlines’ announced workforce cuts.
Here’s another news roundup to keep planners up to date!
New SITE research reveals how incentive travel professionals measure trade show value, with relationship-building slightly outweighing new business generation as the top reason for attending. READ MORE
Vilma Villavicencio, founder and owner of Checklist Events, has been named Prevue Meetings + Incentives’ inaugural 2026 Planner of the Year. After building her career in the corporate world, she founded Checklist Events, where she has led domestic and international programs ranging from intimate gatherings to large-scale events with as many as 37,000 attendees. READ MORE
Facing mounting operating losses, Alaska Airlines has announced plans to lay off more than 200 employees even as it expands routes and invests heavily in its premium offerings. READ MORE
As meeting costs continue to rise, destinations are rolling out 2027 incentives to help planners stretch their budgets. Offers include room-night rebates, master-account credits, extra commissions and customized concessions. READ MORE
A new Freeman Trend Report examines what drives attendance at trade shows and conferences, finding that word of mouth remains the leading discovery tool and that most attendees begin planning weeks before registering. READ MORE
Grand Hyatt DFW earns LEED certification following a $34 million renovation, giving meeting planners a newly updated, sustainability-focused hotel option at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. READ MORE
