We appreciate the hotel companies that have decided to take a stand on drinking straws and stirrers, diverting millions of straws from landfills and oceans.
The meetings industry is driving much of the awareness around sustainability, from replacing water bottles with drinking fountains to fighting food waste. 

We’re thankful for the meeting professionals who have shared their creative ideas and innovations with MeetingsNet this year, from productivity hacks to corporate case studies (thank you EB Games) to career paths. 

We are grateful for new technologies allowing faster check-in at events. The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery annual conference in Miami used Zenus facial recognition to check in 2,000 attendees. Pro tip for surgical clients: Use the most recent photo or the tech won’t work.

We are thankful that the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorized a bill that requires airline seat width minimums and other travel wins. Extra turkey and pie for us this holiday!

We are thankful that sending corporate gifts can support great charities,  and that companies like Packed with Purpose make thoughtful gifting easy.
We are also thankful for the great gifts we’ve received from new hotels and venues, like the pack of cards with sustainable meeting ideas pictured.

\We are grateful that we work in an industry that is welcoming to all lifestyles and genders where many hospitality companies, for example, Caesars Entertainment, lead the way in providing partner benefits for same-sex couples.

We are thankful for organizations that are taking a more serious look at the issue of sexual harassment at meetings and events. Kudos to Meetings Professionals International for introducing a new confidential reporting system called MPICares. 

This year we are thankful for interesting business cards. Here’s one from IMEX that that says, “Ask me about fly fishing!” and makes breaking the ice easier. This year we learned that business cards are an easy way to show respect for other cultures if you handle them properly.