While 3,400 exhibiting companies vied for planner’s attention at the IMEX America show in Las Vegas, these organizations stood out to one meeting executive for their connection to top industry issues.

The Events.Hilton.com site is being enhanced to allow planners with groups of up to 35 attendees to book meetings online.

Recent meeting cancellations in the U.S. connected with tensions in the Middle East raise important questions: Who is responsible for enhanced event security? And does a force-majeure clause cover a security-related cancellation?

Meeting Professionals International’s leaders outlined a strong 2024 for the association’s educational and networking efforts.

Citing “escalating security concerns,” a Houston hotel backed out of hosting the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights’ annual event less than two weeks out.

Known as Spark, the planning-specific platform will maintain a free version along with a paid version offering enhanced features that rolls out on October 23.

The top 25 U.S. markets have seen especially strong occupancy rates driven by group demand, while forward bookings through the end of 2023 are well above last year’s pace. The result: Tight lead times could require deeper pockets.

Several hotel companies are now voluntarily disclosing resort fees up front in the buying process. If finalized, a new FTC rule would mandate that online travel agencies and other booking channels do the same.