This week in our news roundup, one major hotel is ditching a fee planners love to hate, MPI is rethinking what conferences can look like and new research is reinforcing the value of gathering in person. From shifting attendee expectations to smarter decision-making strategies, here’s what meeting professionals should have on their radar right now.
Could Rio Las Vegas be changing the game for group pricing? The hotel has eliminated resort fees for all group business, scrapping what many planners view as one of the most egregious charges in their contracts. READ MORE
Nearly 1,800 meeting and event professionals gathered in San Antonio last week for Meeting Professionals International‘s annual World Education Congress. The program featured hands-on experiences and innovative twists on the traditional conference format. READ MORE
Feeling pressure to justify every event decision? This expert column advice urges planners to trade gut reactions for data-driven insights when shaping future programs. READ MORE
A new Atlantis Paradise Island survey of more than 2,000 respondents sheds light on the future of meetings travel, pointing to growing demand for large-scale experiential resort destinations. READ MORE
Armed with new research and a sharper message, USTA is stepping up its focus on group travel, making a point that in-person meetings remain critical to relationship-building, decision-making and business growth. READ MORE
