The global impact of business events is staggering according to new data in the 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study released by the Events Industry Council and Oxford Economics. The new research shows that in 2025, business events brought together 1.65 billion participants…
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While there are headwinds—reaching a peace deal with Iran, oil prices and government funding—there also are positive signs for the economy. Unemployment is steady. There’s an uptick in spending. Corporate earnings have been positive. All that points to encouraging signs for the rest of 2026. Learn…
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The hotel industry ended the first quarter with a record-growth period, group business is holding steady, and with top 25 markets performing well, the industry overall is healthy. The second half of 2026 is favorable with the World Cup and the 250th birthday of the U.S. still to come. ALHI’s…
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With 18 million people in the United States alone on some type of weight-loss medication or plan, and more expected now that these medications are available in a pill form, hotels and meeting planners will need to rethink menus to reduce sugar to enable meeting attendees and hotel guests to be able…
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Amy Calvert has a call to action for meeting and event professionals on the eve of this year’s Global Meetings Industry Day. Calvert, President and CEO of the Events Industry Council, is spearheading the annual event, taking place on May 6, in which meeting and event industry professionals gather…
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Editor’s Note: This story, originally published in April 2024, has been updated for #GMID2026. On May 6, the meeting and event industry will unite for Global Meetings Industry Day 2026, an international day of advocacy and education designed to spotlight the importance and economic impact of…
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Editor’s Note: This story, originally published in April 2022, has been updated for #GMID2026. When a group of meeting professionals in Edmonton, Canada, came up with the idea to have a day devoted to the professional, little did they know their gathering would be the genesis of what is now known…
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Meeting planners take note of behavior changes taking place among meeting attendees. Consider these factors: the percentage of the population on weight-loss or diabetic drugs is having an impact on food and beverage; golf has experienced the second largest growth rate in history particularly among…
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GDP forecasts, projected tax refunds, falling rents resulting in disposable income are among the factors that point to a steady economic perspective for 2026. There could still be headwinds, such as assessing the impact of storms early in the year that led to thousands of flight cancellations, and…
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While the 2026 FIFA World Cup is creating compression at hotels in cities where matches are being played, that doesn’t mean that meeting planners won’t be able to find space. Yes, some destinations like Austin and Dallas already had limitations due to convention center renovations, but there still…
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