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IN THIS EDITION

  • Hawaii Convention Center funding only covers repairs, not refurbishment.

  • Conference attendance justification has never been harder, layoffs are to blame.

  • Julie Coker is leaving NYC Tourism + Conventions to join Visit California.

  • Plus, the key incentive stats that matter, how Europe’s heatwave is impacting events, tips on writing a strong meeting justification letter, and JW Marriott’s first all-inclusive resort.

One more thing: Join us in celebrating our new partnership with MPI.

AWARDS

Submit your entry by July 1.

The Skift IDEA Awards features five meetings and events categories: hotels, venues & convention centers, destination marketing organizations, event technology, and cruise lines.

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FEATURED STORIES

Hawaii Convention Center Funding Falls Short

Hawaii Convention Center Funding Falls Short

by Andrea Doyle

As convention centers nationwide reinvent themselves, Hawaii risks reopening with a facility that's repaired but not fully ready to compete.
Employees Struggle to Justify Attending Conferences as Colleagues are Being Laid Off

Employees Struggle to Justify Attending Conferences as Colleagues are Being Laid Off

by Barbara Scofidio

Attending the same conference every year used to be a given. Now employees have to fight for it.
Julie Coker Is Leaving NYC Tourism + Conventions as City Funding Push Continues

Julie Coker Is Leaving NYC Tourism + Conventions as City Funding Push Continues

by Andrea Doyle

Julie Coker lobbied publicly for $11.9 million in additional city funding, then announced she's leaving for Visit California. Whether New York answers that ask, or doesn’t, is now a question the next CEO inherits.

The Meeting Destination Planners Have Been Underestimating

Visit Anaheim + Skift Meetings

Planners used to only associate Anaheim with Disneyland. Not anymore. Learn how a wave of chef-driven dining, upscale late-night venues, and flexible private spaces is reshaping what the city means for meetings.

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FREE REPORT

Our latest report uncovers how AI is transforming the event experience and provides crucial insights for anyone looking to invest in event tech today.

What’s inside:

  • A vision of a reimagined the ideal AI-powered event experience.

  • A plain-language explainer on LLMs, agentic AI, and MCP.

  • 130+ AI-native event tech tools mapped across event phases.

  • Questions to ask and red flags to look out for buying event tech.

This report was produced in partnership with MPI and is sponsored by Wordly.

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DON’T MISS THESE STORIES

As Europe Swelters, Event Organizers Face a New Reality: Heat Emergency Planning

by Andrea Doyle

Europe's heatwave is forcing organizers to cancel events and rethink attendee safety in real-time. The question is no longer whether extreme heat will disrupt the events calendar; it's whether the industry has built the protocols to respond when it does.

The Key Incentive Industry Statistics That Matter

by Barbara Scofidio

Data, facts, and figures from across the incentive industry reflect the impact of rising costs and geopolitical uncertainty on spending.

How to Write a Strong Meeting Justification Letter

by Barbara Scofidio

A closer look at materials from 10 professional associations identified the most essential elements of a meeting justification letter.

First JW Marriott All-Inclusive Resort Reflects Growing Trend Toward Luxury

Barbara Scofidio

For VIP groups, luxury all-inclusive resorts are emerging that are on par with many top-tier properties in their destination.

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Skift Meetings Toolkit

Great events are built on strategy, innovation, and the right resources. The Skift Meetings Toolkit is your go-to hub for best practices in managing meetings and events.

EXPLORE THE TOOLKIT