Meeting Community

Marriott Offers COVID-19 Testing for Group Meetings
2021/01/11

As part of ongoing steps to help instil confidence for meeting professionals and attendees, Marriott International has introduced optional COVID-19 testing. Tests can be self-administered by guests prior to travel or administered by a third-party provider on-site at the hotel. The initiative builds upon health protocols already in place as part of the recent launch of Connect with Confidence, a program empowering meeting professionals to identify and tailor solutions that best meet the needs of their attendees. “We engaged industry-leading…
Canadian City Ranks First Worldwide for Best Performing Hotels
2021/01/11

Montreal’s hotels are the best performing at a city level in terms of their carbon footprint. This is according to the 2020 Cornell Hotel Sustainability Benchmarking (CHSB) index — the hotel industry’s largest annual benchmarking of energy, water and carbon. In contrast, Abu Dhabi ranked the highest among cities, with the average hotel emitting more than 250 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions per square metre. Overall, the average carbon footprint of a hotel stay is down 10 per cent since…
Collaboration and Consolidation among Top Trends for Business Events
2021/01/11

Strong industry-wide collaboration to raise the profile of meetings and events will continue in 2021. This is one of the predictions made by the Hotel Booking Agency Association (HBAA). Market and business recovery, the rise of virtual and hybrid events, and the importance of mental health and sustainability are among other items forecasted. The association expects recovery will begin in Q2, at the very earliest, and agencies that haven’t reduced their costs and/or failed to secure new areas of revenue…
Sign Association Board Votes on 2021 Show
2021/01/11

The Sign Association of Canada (SAC) has cancelled its 2021 expo due to fallout from COVID-19. “Acknowledging the large financial commitment required to hold and participate in SAC’s Sign Expo Canada, combined with the current restrictions on travel, the continuing pandemic and the related economic uncertainties, the board decided to cancel the 2021 show,” the association said in an official press release. “The board has opted to focus the organization’s time and resources into providing programs and services that can…
Live Events to Rebound in Big Way, Survey Says
2021/01/11

In-person business meetings and events will surge in 2021, according to a recent Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) poll of its members — the fourteenth of its kind since the onset of the pandemic. “What we’re seeing in this latest poll is a number of reasons for the business travel industry to be optimistic about 2021, especially toward the middle of the year,” says GBTA’s interim executive director, Dave Hilfman. “As the vaccine rollout gains momentum and if we see…
Calgary’s BMO Centre Expansion Project Enters New Stage
2020/12/07

Work to expand BMO Centre at Calgary’s Stampede Park is entering a new phase with the completion of Exhibit Hall F — 100,000 square feet of exhibition space on the north side of the existing convention centre. “Over the past 18 months, our project team has made significant progress on the preparatory work required to support the successful delivery of the BMO Centre expansion,” says Kate Thompson, president and CEO of the Calgary Municipal Land Corp. (CMLC). “While we’ve certainly…
Feds’ Fiscal Update provides Pandemic Support to Hardest Hit Sectors
2020/12/07

Meetings Mean Business Canada (MMBC) says it’s encouraged by new support measures proposed as part of the federal government’s long-awaited 2020 fall economic update, unveiled Nov. 30 by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. “Many in the meetings and business events sector are fighting for survival,” says MMBC chair, Clark Grue. “We’re gratified the government has recognized the economic hardships facing key sectors of the visitor economy. As we go forward, we’re committed to working with government representatives to ensure quick rollout…
Informa Markets Launches Program Aimed at Removal of Disposable Stands
2020/12/07

Informa Markets is setting new industry standards with the launch of its Better Stands program, which is aimed at encouraging exhibitors to build cost-effective, high-quality stands made from reuseable materials. The goal is to create a better experience for customers and a more sustainable approach to constructing stands at in-person events globally, aiding both the physical and green recovery of the events industry. “As we return to the show floor, we want to create an environment that is easier to…
PCMA to Acquire Association of Corporate Event Marketers
2020/12/07

Two meetings industry associations are set to merge. PCMA, formerly known as the Professional Convention Management Association, has announced plans to acquire the Corporate Event Marketing Association (CEMA). The deal would make CEMA a wholly owned division of PCMA, with distinct memberships. “This is a win-win for both organizations, their respective members and business partners as we together focus on the recovery of business events through the pandemic and beyond,” said PCMA president and CEO, Sherrif Karamat, and PCMA board…
Hotel Initiative Supports Local Businesses Impacted by COVID-19
2020/12/07

Some hotels are going beyond just boosting cleaning efforts during the pandemic. Hyatt Hotels Corp. has launched a program to support small businesses around the world that are impacted by the COVID-19 health crisis. Nearly 60 hotels and resorts across the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East are participating in the initiative, known as Hyatt Loves Local, whereby they provide complimentary resources and exposure to select regional businesses that have struggled during this unprecedented time. In turn, these…

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