2024 Picks: Ms. B’s Book Club
Listen to audio The Smart Meetings Book Club column (now called Smart Reading) is filled with must-read literature that can take your workflow, leadership skills, networking strategies, and other elements of your career to the next level. Want to recommend a book as a smart read for 2025? Please send an email to editor@smartmeetings.com. Ms. B’s Book Club: Creating Experiences In the February edition of our Book Club series, we feature popular reads to create a memorable, high-impact experience for your attendees. From an in-depth analysis of the term "experience economy" to case studies of how major brands are campaigning, we've got you covered with your must-have book on how to influence effectively. Ms. B’s Book Club: Improving Event Leadership In the October issue, we explore ways to improve your leadership skills. We've read books from key figures in the luxury hospitality industry, Hall of Fame coaches, legendary restaurateurs and relationship coaches to give you the best advice. Ms. B’s…
Best of 2024: Event Technology
Listen to audio How event technology can help planners create better events in 2024 The secret to any great event is ultimately event technology, which adds the finishing touch to the visual beauty. Whether it’s lighting, video components or artificial intelligence application integration, each element shapes the structure of the event. Here are some of the top stories we're producing in 2024 to help planners improve their event design with the technology we have available. Smart Technology: Event Technology at IMEX America 2024 This year's IMEX America showcased technological advancements, particularly in the area of artificial intelligence, highlighting the potential to simplify event planning. Amy Kramer, head of innovation at Maritz, discusses the pros and cons of free versus enterprise AI tools. Kramer said that while enterprise solutions like Microsoft Copilot offer scalability and integration across platforms such as Teams, Outlook and SharePoint, they are also more expensive. Kramer also shared Maritz’s artificial intelligence application to improve collaboration and information…
Best of 2024: Health & Wellness
Listen to audio The way health and wellness is integrated into the events industry continues to evolve. There has been a major shift in wellness over the past few years, from simply enjoying a nice spa day (who could say no to that, though?) to prioritizing people's daily well-being. Last year's health stories focused on growing concerns, from neurodiversity and accessibility to how people build well-being at work and in life. How can planners help attendees feel a true sense of belonging through event design? What is the business case for consistent wellness programming at events? The health stories of 2024 already have the answers. Neuroinclusion: activities for everyone The term “neuroinclusion” builds on the concept of neurodiversity, the understanding that neurodivergence is not pathological, but merely cognitive differences, incorporating the understanding that neurodiversity is always present in the audience into event design. Megan Henshall, head of global event solutions and strategy at Google and co-director of the Google Experience…
Best of 2024: Sustainability | Smart Meetings
Listen to audio The world of sustainable events is bigger than ever. As more hospitality and tourism planners and partners incorporate sustainability into their business models, sustainability has become a necessity rather than a nice-to-have. This year, Smart Meetings has released a range of sustainability content, particularly around how-tos, ensuring everyone has access to the knowledge and resources to confidently talk about sustainability and implement it into their business practices. Your Complete Guide to Sustainability This January 2024 article is intended to provide a comprehensive, introductory, concise, guide-like overview of sustainable development. Wondering how to start carbon tracking? What counts as Scope 3 emissions? Where do carbon emissions come from? Listing “need to know” sustainability terms, simple explanations, and tips for incorporating sustainable practices into your event planning strategy, this article is a tool you’ll want to bookmark. Sustainability tools that simplify green planning Planning a sustainable event is no small task. Working with a partner can help take a…
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