Refundable Air Tickets: Are They Worth It?
AllFly says planners should crunch the numbers carefully before purchasing refundable tickets for a group. It seems like a no-brainer that meeting planners should purchase refundable group tickets, as all refunds will go directly back to the original method of payment, not individual travel. In the event of cancellation, the value of the non-refundable economy class ticket will usually become an electronic credit in the traveler's profile. But business travel management companies say that in reality, this is not always a cost-effective policy full flight. “Save money by avoiding refundable tickets to corporate events,” says AllFly’s Kenny Totten. “Non-refundable fares coupled with clear travel policies avoid costly refunds and maximize savings.” Totten provides an AllFly case study example of how the math can work out a non-refundable fare in your favor. Consider hosting a spring event in Cancun with 100 attendees and an expected cancellation rate of 5%. "On average, five people in this program will cancel," he said. "The…
Refundable Air Tickets: Are They Worth It?
AllFly says planners should crunch the numbers carefully before purchasing refundable tickets for a group. It seems like a no-brainer that meeting planners should purchase refundable group tickets, as all refunds will go directly back to the original method of payment, not individual travel. In the event of cancellation, the value of the non-refundable economy class ticket will usually become an electronic credit in the traveler's profile. But business travel management companies say that in reality, this is not always a cost-effective policy full flight. “Save money by avoiding refundable tickets to corporate events,” says AllFly’s Kenny Totten. “Non-refundable fares coupled with clear travel policies avoid costly refunds and maximize savings.” Totten provides an AllFly case study example of how the math can work out a non-refundable fare in your favor. Consider hosting a spring event in Cancun with 100 attendees and an expected cancellation rate of 5%. "On average, five people in this program will cancel," he said. "The…
2024 Destination Scorecard released by global DMC partners
From Chicago to Paris to Spain, it is the world's top destination for MICE groups. Drawing on leads and RFPs from a vast network of independent DMCs (Destination Management Companies) from around the world, Global DMC partners (GDP) released the 2024 Global Destination Index. “It’s interesting to see the new destinations on this year’s list and the changes in the order of popularity of the top ten, especially since our industry is an important indicator of the world’s economic strength and is where the most business is done,” said President and Chief Executive Officer of Global DMC Partners Chief executive Catherine Chaulet said in a press statement: "We are also seeing increased interest in secondary destinations, with an increase in the number of potential customers for 2024 or 2025 compared to previous years. " Top 10 international destinations • Paris• Barcelona• Amsterdam• London• Lisbon• Athens• Madrid• Vienna• Rome• Berlin Key secondary destinations for international meetings and incentives travel include the…
SITE 2025: Mark your calendar
From the Global Conference in Tulum to SITE NITE in Las Vegas, there are a range of educational and networking opportunities for inspiring planners. SITE (Society for Incentive Travel Excellence) 2025 Calendar Consisting of six sessions and events, all built on four fundamental pillars: connect, learn, discover and shape. Planning and education will inform the key trends identified by SITE as shaping the incentive travel industry over the next year and beyond: The business case for incentive travel; Business transformation and innovation; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access and Belonging (DEIAB) ; Sustainability; Mental health; Organizational culture and travel as transformation. These themes will also influence the association’s research, partnerships and priorities. SITE 2025 Calendar • SITE Global Conference, March 3-6, Tulum, Mexico. Hundreds of incentive travel professionals from around the world are expected to attend the conference at the Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya all-inclusive resort. Look forward to a new educational conference format in 2025, dynamic keynotes, and many opportunities to…
Amex GBT 2025 Hotel Monitor: How much have house prices increased?
A new American Express Global Business Travel report shows hotel prices have slowed. But planners still face a seller's market in the popular convention destination. The hotel landscape is undergoing major changes. Amex GBT Hotel Monitor 2025. Yes, interest rates are still rising, but not as much. Inflation has been a significant component of hotel price increases since 2022 and appears to be slowing. The IMF (International Monetary Fund) predicts that global inflation will steadily decline, from 5.9% in 2024 to 4.5% in 2025. Sara Andell, strategy director at GBT Consulting, said in the report that leisure demand - which has been an upward influence on business travel prices - is also showing signs of weakening. Record levels of hotel construction are feeding the supply chain with more rooms, especially in luxury and upscale hotels. Global hotel construction is at an all-time high, Lodging Econometrics (LE) reports. LE expects to open 2,534 new hotels globally this year with a total…
Julie Coker named CEO and president of New York City Tourism +
Industry veterans oversee New York City's $74 billion tourism and convention industry. Julie Coker, known for her decades of leadership in the tourism and hospitality industry, will step down from her role as president and CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA) to assume the role of president and CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA) . New York City Tours + Meetings December 9th. Coker began her hospitality career at Hyatt Hotels, where she rose through the ranks in multiple positions over 21 years. She subsequently served as President and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), where she oversaw the 2017 NFL Draft and the 2016 Democratic National Convention, which generated a combined economic impact of $325 million for Philadelphia. Prior to that, she served as executive vice president of conferences at PHLCVB. She has held numerous board positions, including serving on the Board of Directors of Meeting Professionals International (MPI). In January 2023,…
Travel best practices when severe weather strikes
Planners rely on travel management professionals to arrange group air travel. But they may not be the best first choice when hurricanes disrupt flights. A few days before my flight from Dublin to Miami on September 25, I received a warning from American Airlines that flights to Miami might be canceled due to the approach of Hurricane Helene. I booked directly with AA and they provide free change service. I followed the storm's path closely through the Weather Channel app and eventually made it home safely. I was one of thousands of people whose travel plans were disrupted. A few weeks later, Hurricane Milton struck, again causing thousands of flight cancellations. As of this writing in mid-October, The busy hurricane season isn't over yet. When it finally weakens, the coming winter nor'easter could again cause travel disruptions. Leading conglomerate Travel Management says it's clear travel plans can change instantly when severe weather strikes, leaving thousands scrambling to adjust flights full…
Disney Meetings and Events launches new product for planners
Disney has added new team-building classes, show openings and a redesigned creative studio. Planners know they can expect innovation, creativity and unique team-building experiences at Disney’s seven global destinations. Now, Disney Meetings and Events A range of new products and resources have just been launched to further help deliver memorable meetings and incentives from the ground up. “These new products and experiences build on more than half a century of meeting and event expertise,” said Ramiro Vazquez, Vice President, Disney Destination Meetings. “They are also the latest products and services we help organizations achieve with their business.” The latest example of innovative ways to enhance your event’s key moments and deliver an experience your attendees will never forget.” team building courses New signature team-building and networking sessions designed to leverage Disney inspiration to increase attendee engagement and retention. These include competitive team-building activities based on the stories and adventures of Star Wars, social events inspired by Disney’s Pirates of the…
Event Minds Matter merges with Club Ichi
Janice Cardinale is committed to building a strong community that ensures the mental health and well-being of event professionals. Event Minds Matter, the meetings industry's leading advocate for mental health awareness and education, has merged with Club Ichi, the industry's dedicated connection hub for B2B event marketers. “In August of this year, I decided to merge the Event Minds Matter community with the Club Ichi community,” said Janice Cardinale, VEMM, founder of Event Minds Matter (EMM). "The benefit we bring to the industry is a mutual respect for human sustainability. If we want to thrive as an industry in the future, it is vital to find like-minded people who care about trust and safety within the industry. We are now Event Minds Matter is licensed by Club Ichi. Prevue recently spoke with Cardinale to discuss the merger and her plans for IMEX and other businesses. Previous article: What does the merger mean to you and the event planning community? Cardinal:…
Gift giving with social impact
Every gift from Packed with Purpose has meaning for the community. It may seem obvious that gifts at conferences and incentives are about more than just the product itself. But when Leeat Rothschild founded Full of purpose Back in 2017, she saw “a disconnect between the gifts companies were giving and the impact they were trying to create.” Since then, Packed with Purpose has grown to become one of the top 10% of the Inc. 5000’s fastest-growing private companies. Gifts come from carefully selected “impact partners” who make meaningful contributions to at least one of six areas: Women’s Empowerment, Sustainability and the Environment, Youth Advancement, Workforce Development, Health and Well-Being, and Diversity and Women-Owned Businesses. Examples include chocolates that create jobs for veterans, popcorn that supports sustainable agriculture, and gourmet snacks that open doors for those facing barriers to employment. Each gift comes with an impact booklet that tells their story. Prevost We recently caught up with Rothschild to learn…
MICE News: Group business drives growth in hotel industry
A strong MICE market will drive a robust recovery in the hotel industry by 2024, according to two recent studies. Second quarter of 2024 Hotel Groups and Business Performance Index The results of the study combine indicators from meetings and events data provider Kowland and hotel booking data from travel industry technology provider Amadeus. According to the index, 22 of the top 25 destinations in the United States achieved an increase of 100% or more in overall MICE business compared to the same period in 2023. The top 10 cities are Las Vegas (117.9%), Seattle (117.6%), Nashville (114.2%), Detroit (110.2%), Houston (108.9%), Miami (108.2%), Washington, D.C. (108.0%), Philadelphia (107.4%), Tampa (107.0%) and New York City (106.6%). Key MICE insights from the index are as follows: The group's growth was strong, with the Northeast and Midwest regions leading the wayThe group index has achieved year-on-year growth for seven consecutive quarters, reaching 108%. The Northeast and Midwest regions performed well, with double-digit…
Built for Hospitality 2.0: New Orleans Gains Momentum
Stephanie Turner, senior vice president of conference sales strategy for the New Orleans-based company, details the latest developments and things to watch out for. New Orleans Company Formation Designed for hosting Several years ago, we began educating planners about what Crescent City has to offer groups and how its team of professionals can help through seamless, one-stop meeting and incentive planning services. “New Orleans & Company takes the time to understand our clients and align with their goals, which creates a valuable partnership,” said Stephanie Turner, senior vice president of meeting sales strategy. “From venue selection to the final attendee departure, we stay connected with our clients every step of the way to ensure success. We offer free planning services, marketing tools and attendance-boosting resources, and connect organizations with volunteer opportunities that reflect their values.” Prevost recently caught up with Turner to get the inside scoop on Built to Host and NOLA. Previous article: What are the most significant changes…
Create events to connect with your community
Regina Baraban is a veteran magazine editor and the author of Successful Restaurant Design (John Wiley & Sons, 3rd ed., 2010). She is the founding editor of Hospitality Design magazine, the writer of Cosmopolitan magazine’s “Best Dressed Restaurants” column, and the editor of Finance & Insurance Conferences magazine. In 2014, she founded www.GenerationsGoTravel.com, an online magazine about multigenerational vacations. Always prepared for her next travel adventure, Regina lives in Newmarket, New Hampshire, and has a basic black wardrobe of no-iron travel clothes and lots of shoes.
Create events to connect with your community
Regina Baraban is a veteran magazine editor and the author of Successful Restaurant Design (John Wiley & Sons, 3rd ed., 2010). She is the founding editor of Hospitality Design magazine, the writer of Cosmopolitan magazine’s “Best Dressed Restaurants” column, and the editor of Finance & Insurance Conferences magazine. In 2014, she founded www.GenerationsGoTravel.com, an online magazine about multigenerational vacations. Always prepared for her next travel adventure, Regina lives in Newmarket, New Hampshire, and has a basic black wardrobe of no-iron travel clothes and lots of shoes.
SITE News: Hosted Buyer App and IMEX Network
There are many opportunities for incentive travel planners to participate in upcoming SITE conferences and events, including the Hosted Buyer Program, scholarship opportunities and the IMEX reception. The Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) is known for bringing together incentive planners and suppliers for cutting-edge education and productive networking. One of the many ways planners can choose is Hosted Buyer Program, Applications are now open for the four 2025 events. All applications are subject to review to ensure the highest quality projects for planners and suppliers. Planners are encouraged to highlight their role, involvement and impact on direct project spending. SITE Hosting Buyer Application 2025 • Global Conference, Tulum, Mexico, March 3-6, 2025, application deadline September 20Nearly 500 incentive travel professionals attended the SITE 2024 Global Conference. The 2025 theme is “Building and Communicating Cultures” and planned topics include bBusiness case for incentive travel,Business Transformation and Innovation, dDiversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Belonging (DEIAB),Sustainability, mMental health,Organizational culture andRavel as a…
SITE News: Hosted Buyer App and IMEX Network
There are many opportunities for incentive travel planners to participate in upcoming SITE conferences and events, including the Hosted Buyer Program, scholarship opportunities and the IMEX reception. The Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) is known for bringing together incentive planners and suppliers for cutting-edge education and productive networking. One of the many ways planners can choose is Hosted Buyer Program, Applications are now open for the four 2025 events. All applications are subject to review to ensure the highest quality projects for planners and suppliers. Planners are encouraged to highlight their role, involvement and impact on direct project spending. SITE Hosting Buyer Application 2025 • Global Conference, Tulum, Mexico, March 3-6, 2025, application deadline September 20Nearly 500 incentive travel professionals attended the SITE 2024 Global Conference. The 2025 theme is “Building and Communicating Cultures” and planned topics include bBusiness case for incentive travel,Business Transformation and Innovation, dDiversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Belonging (DEIAB),Sustainability, mMental health,Organizational culture andRavel as a…
Palladium Hotel Group Celebrates Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative
In the past year, Palladium Cares has helped people, communities and the planet through 486 projects, including opening training centers and working with local NGOs. In just one year, Palladium Hotel Groups’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative has Palladium CareSignificant progress has been made in several projects in Europe and the Americas. With a mission of People, Community and Planet, the program aims to improve the quality of life inside and outside the company, promote employee well-being, support local communities and promote environmental sustainability. Initiatives include opening training centers, providing employee scholarships and working with local non-governmental organizations (NGOs). In 2023, Palladium carried out a total of 486 activities, including 156 environmental activities, 190 internal company activities and 140 external activities. Gloria Juste, Senior Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Palladium Hotel Group, said: "We are proud of the impact that Palladium Cares has had in Europe and the Americas since its inception, advancing our mission in the regions we…
6 Tips for Crisis Preparedness for Corporate Events
Max Brown, senior director of production management for corporate events at Production Resources Group. Max Brown, senior director of corporate event production management at Production Resource Group, said being prepared for a crisis can help avoid it. The key to crisis management is preparation, says Max Brown, senior director of corporate event production management. Production Resource Group (PRG). For example, at last year’s Formula 1 Grand Prix Opening Ceremony in Las Vegas, PRG not only supported the debut of lighting, sound, and seven mobile set units, but also developed a comprehensive plan to quickly respond to any unforeseen obstacles. This included everything from dealing with inclement weather to ensuring structural safety to resolving technical glitches, just to name a few. Here are Brown’s top preparation tips to help planners stay one step ahead and create a safe and stress-free experience for attendees: 1. Unconventional venues. Off-site and non-traditional venues can add charm and excitement to an event, but these venues…
6 Tips for Crisis Preparedness for Corporate Events
Max Brown, senior director of production management for corporate events at Production Resources Group. Max Brown, senior director of corporate event production management at Production Resource Group, said being prepared for a crisis can help avoid it. The key to crisis management is preparation, says Max Brown, senior director of corporate event production management. Production Resource Group (PRG). For example, at last year’s Formula 1 Grand Prix opening ceremony in Las Vegas, PRG not only supported the debut of lighting, sound, and seven mobile set units, but also developed a comprehensive plan to quickly respond to any unforeseen obstacles. This included everything from dealing with inclement weather to ensuring structural safety to resolving technical glitches, just to name a few. Here are Brown’s top preparation tips to help planners stay one step ahead and create a safe and stress-free experience for attendees: 1. Unconventional venues. Off-site and non-traditional venues can add charm and excitement to an event, but these venues…
Tourism Ottawa launches innovative food donation program
Ottawa’s groundbreaking partnership with La Tablée des Chefs maximizes food recovery from the events sector through donations to local community organizations. Ten hotels and venues have joined a groundbreaking new food recycling scheme Ottawa Tourism Providing large event venues with the tools to donate surplus food to local community organizations. Chef's Tablea non-profit organization with a mission to provide food and education, this Ottawa initiative to reduce food waste and address food insecurity makes it easy for hotel partner donors to ensure a sustainable, safe, organized and easy-to-implement food recovery process is implemented in their food service operations. The program is part of Ottawa’s Destination Management Plan to improve sustainability and social responsibility. “This partnership represents an important step in our journey to create a more resilient and sustainable tourism and events industry,” said Michael Crockatt, President and CEO of Tourism Ottawa. “We are proud to join forces with such a talented and thoughtful organization as La Tablée des Chefs,…
Los Angeles Tourism Bureau launches major group travel incentive program
Planners have access to financial incentives and more than 40 special hotel deals in the Los Angeles area through June 30, 2025. Planners know the diversity and enduring appeal of Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the United States and one of the most celebrated places on Earth. With more than 30 culturally rich communities, 75 miles of beautiful coastline, With more museums and performing arts venues than any other city in the U.S. and an innovative culinary scene, Los Angeles offers unique opportunities for memorable meetings and incentives. Now, New plans from Los Angeles Tourism Get extra incentives for booking your meeting or incentive here. Special offers valid through June 30, 2025. They are part of Tourism Los Angeles' "Now Playing" campaign, which highlights major events in the Los Angeles area in the coming months. "Over the next few months, Los Angeles will host hundreds of events," said Adam Burke, president and CEO of Los Angeles Tourism. "The Now…
Caesars Entertainment Releases 2023 Corporate Social Responsibility Report
As an industry leader in corporate social responsibility, Caesars continues to achieve ambitious and diverse goals. More than 23 years ago, Caesars Entertainment Corporation established its Code of Commitment to “adhere to the highest ethical and legal standards, conduct business with honesty and integrity, and respect internationally recognized human rights wherever we operate.” Today, the company has become an industry benchmark for corporate social responsibility (CSR) in many meaningful ways. Commenting on Caesars Entertainment's recently released 2023 Corporate Social Responsibility Report, Heather Rapp, Caesars Entertainment's Senior Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility, said: "At Caesars Entertainment, we are committed to continuing to grow, diversify and achieve our corporate social responsibility goals. We are in a period of progress as we achieved and exceeded our interim emissions reduction goal three years ahead of schedule, and as a result of this work, we are able to implement new, more ambitious goals this year. Our success in the environmental impact category inspires us…
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