Meeting Planning Toolbox

Salesforce’s big meeting brought 45,000 people to San Francisco last week. While organizers make it a high-profile, expertly produced event, here are three low-cost, attention-grabbing ideas from the show that anyone can try.

Unionized hotel workers in Boston began a three-day strike this week, while nine other cities could see similar walkouts with little warning. Meeting groups using those cities should be ready to get creative.

The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance has compiled nonpartisan information and scheduled webinars to help planners and suppliers understand how industry issues could be affected by whomever takes office.

Planners are used to handling a variety of F&B needs, but some attendees’ expectations stretch the limits. Here’s some advice.

Five steps to managing the risks of booking a provocative speaker.

A new report details the benefits of using freelance planners and event-tech specialists, and the ways to ensure strong performance from them.

Here’s what you may have missed in the last week: a free sustainability tool, an industry partnership, a hotel tax hike, Hyatt’s stylish new brand, and more.

A veteran planner reports on how Taylor Swift’s engagement-driven approach can make business events better.

The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance debuted the ECA Advocacy Network, allowing organizers to more easily promote the benefits of their meetings and trade shows to public officials.