Andrea Doyle

Cassandra Farrington didn’t just build a media brand, she helped professionalize an industry long dismissed as fringe. By turning MJBizCon into the must-attend event for cannabis professionals, she proved that credibility, scale, and community could grow even in the most uncharted business terrain. 

The sharp decline in global attendance at a recent international medical congress is more than a one-off, it’s a red flag. As political rhetoric escalates, the U.S. is becoming a less viable destination for truly international meetings. 

Elon Musk’s Loop transit system is set for a 2026 launch in Nashville, where a new 10-mile tunnel is in the works. This project promises faster travel times for convention-goers, but it faces skepticism about its capacity and scalability.

Global expansion and digital integration have fueled Informa’s growth this year.

A scam is exploiting the credibility of big-name brands to defraud event planners. One planner is out nearly $20,000, and she’s not alone.

As attendees crave deeper meaning and stronger emotional connections, Disney Meetings & Events is leaning into its storytelling roots.  At the heart of its strategy is the Disney Creative Studio, a collaborative hub where storytelling drives experiences that truly transform.

As costs rise and loyalty declines, connection can’t be an afterthought. Planners who fail to prioritize it risk losing attendees, and with them, their event’s future.

Liz Lathan is reinventing business events with emotional clarity and bold ideas, reminding the industry that connection is the real return on investment. 

Cincinnati is making an $800 million bet that a fully modernized convention center, a new headquarters hotel, and two-acre public plaza will help the city leapfrog into the top tier of U.S. meetings destinations.

In a city where hotel taxes are among the highest in the nation, Chicago’s tourism leaders say a 1.5% surcharge is the only way to stay in the game.