By the time Churchill Downs Bugler Steve Butteman sounded the “call to post,” a number of notable performances had already taken place. The University of Louisville marching band played “My Old Kentucky Home,” Kentucky native Wynonna Jud performed the National Anthem and lifestyle influencer and restauranteur Martha Stewart called “Riders Up” from the red carpet. 157,000 people had experienced Louisville hospitality in-person and 16.7 million tuned in for the “most exciting two minutes in sports” at watch parties all over the world, many with mint julep at hand. Read More: Louisville Experienc ..read more

Not only is Barbara Connell, CAE, CMP Fellow, the longest-tenured CMP to date; the president and CEO of Solutions by Connell is also first to have been designated as a CMP Fellow, as part of its inaugural class in 2022. With these impressive achievements, Connell has rich insight to share regarding the CMP and what it means to the industry. To her, event management is “a far-reaching, integrated field.” When it comes to the esteemed industry designation, Connell says, “It’s not just receiving letters behind your name; it relates to understanding how organizations work and the impact that each ..read more

Todd Reichelt Todd Reichelt, JW Marriott St. Maarten Beach Resort & Spa Reichelt takes on the role of general manager at JW Marriott St. Maarten Beach Resort & Spa, Marriott’s first-ever international luxury hotel in Sint Maarten. He will oversee all operations and business strategy at the resort. He brings 52 years of experience, beginning in the hospitality industry as a dishwasher and moving through the roles of executive chef, food and beverage manager and finally general manager, and has worked with the Marriott brand for 16 years at various locations. Andrew Rogers Andrew Rogers ..read more

The most expensive hotel renovation ever seen marks the venue’s 25th anniversary The Venetian Resort Las Vegas is celebrating a $1.5 billion reinvestment project, said to be the most expensive redo in hospitality history, including a grand slew of property-wide renovations, new programming and fresh culinary additions. Alongside it all, the resort will celebrate its milestone 25th anniversary with special programming throughout the weekend of May 3-5. Read More: New and Renovated: Summer Meetings by the Sea History of The Venetian The Grand Colonnade, The Venetian Resort Las Vegas The Venetian ..read more

In this episode of Meeting of the Minds, Smart Meetings sits down with Janette Roush, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Digital for New York City Tourism & Conventions, and Sindhu Srivastava, CEO of We Crush Events and MeaningfulData, to explore the potential of AI in the events industry. From predictive models to large language models, they discuss how AI can revolutionize event planning, offer practical advice for planners looking to integrate AI into their workflow, and address important considerations such as bias and responsible AI usage. Join the conversation as they envision ..read more

When meeting in one of the culturally richest cities in the world, it only makes sense to embrace the depth of sensory touchstones to create a three-day journey everyone will remember. During the Smart Meetings Immersive Experience, the team worked with New Orleans partners to highlight the tastes, music, color, history and pomp that make the Mardi Gras capital unique. The reimagined JW Marriott New Orleans on Canal Street at the edge of the French Quarter provided the stage for partner DMCs ACCENT New Orleans and DMC NOLA to turn up the volume on the local flare. Gospel choir From a Second Li ..read more

Planning a memorable event involves meticulous attention to detail, and selecting the right venue is the most important first step. When it comes to hosting successful events, Hilton All-Inclusive stands out as a premier choice. With unparalleled locations and amenities, outstanding perks for event planners and a focus on sustainability through Meet with Purpose, Hilton’s All-Inclusive resorts offer comprehensive packages catering to every event planner’s needs. Plan with confidence! Reason No. 1: Best-in-class Facilities and Amenities Hilton’s All-Inclusive portfolio of properties offers a ..read more

Coastal destinations to inspire serene summer meetings As you gear up for your summertime meetings, get inspired by these new and renovated hotels that occupy sought-after seaside locations. All bring an abundance of destination-inspired style and promise a stay that will leave attendees feeling like they got the best and brightest of their exciting meeting destination. For Energy & Growth The Westin Maui Resort & Spa Kā’anapali The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kā’anapali wraps up a multi-year, $160 million property-wide renovation and the rebranding of the Ocean Tower into the Kūkahi ..read more

Rich Bracken shares 7 tips for becoming the unstoppable meeting planner you were always meant to be Rich Bracken In Smart Meetings’ recent webinar, Become Unstoppable, attendees heard from Rich Bracken, a keynote speaker and executive presence consultant who, for over 20 years, has been evangelizing an impactful style of business navigation using emotional intelligence (EQ), empathy and mental awareness to achieve sustainable, positive change. A former event planner himself, he is a 2023 Smart Meetings Top Speaker. When it comes to “becoming unstoppable,” as Bracken puts it, EQ is key. During ..read more

We all know the power a great speaker holds in transforming an event from good to unforgettable. Last year, you helped us spotlight those who inspire, energize, and connect us in the most profound ways. It’s that time again to raise the curtain on our 2nd annual Smart Speakers: Best of the Stage Award. This year, we’ve added exciting new categories to showcase the diverse talents that have enriched our events. From laughter to wisdom, every nomination brings to light those who have changed lives, driven revenue, and strengthened community bonds. Your nomination not only celebrates their contri ..read more