Corporate Event News

10/24/2025

Oktane 2025 Breaks Records, Delivers a Tailored Tech Experience 💻

IT Identity leader Okta drew a record 15,000 attendees to Oktane 2025, held in Las Vegas and online. The surge, driven by growing demand for smarter tech and AI insight, marked a 10% jump in in-person attendance to 5,000, according to Karin Flores, President of Strategic Events and Programs.

For the first time, Oktane fully maxed out The Forum at Caesars’s 300,000 square feet and expanded onto the 100,000-square-foot Forum Plaza, debuting two custom-built structures for a new Meeting Center with 20+ rooms for sponsor activations and executive sessions.

🔗 Get the full rundown with CEN below:
https://www.corporateeventnews.com/conventions-expos/oktane-2025-breaks-records-delivers-a-tailored-tech-experience

The growth at Okta’s flagship spoke to the surging appetite for smarter tech and sharper AI insights.

10/22/2025

Venue News: Major Upgrades, New Openings Across Key Event Cities

High-tech openings and headline-worthy renovations are redefining what it means to gather. From hospitality to culture, major players are investing big in spaces designed for connection... not just automation.

The result? A new era of venues built to inspire meaningful in-person moments.

👇 Explore the standout spaces making headlines this month.
https://www.corporateeventnews.com/destinations-venues/venue-news-major-upgrades-new-openings-across-key-event-cities

10/21/2025

Chile Tech Tour 2025: How ProChile Engineered Coast-to-Coast Innovation Showcase ⭐️

ProChile, the Chilean government’s trade promotion agency, took its innovation mission on the road this October with the 2025 Chile Tech Tour, a four-city U.S. series connecting 27 Chilean tech companies with key players in Washington, D.C., Miami, San Francisco, and New York City.

Each stop was a curated, invite-only experience, designed to align with local innovation ecosystems and spotlight Chile’s most forward-thinking startups and established firms.

As ProChile Trade Commissioner Claudia Serrer told Corporate Event News, “Part of our role as an institution is to create the networks for the sectors we are participating in.”

🔗 Learn more about the future of global tech partnerships.
https://www.corporateeventnews.com/event-strategy/chile-tech-tour-2025-how-prochile-engineered-coast-to-coast-innovation-showcase

10/20/2025

Inside VaynerX’s Inaugural Live Shopping Summit in NYC 🛒

In a high-impact, three-hour takeover, Gary Vaynerchuk and the VaynerX team brought 120 top brand execs (plus 2,000 virtual guests) together to prove one thing: live shopping isn’t a trend... it’s the next retail revolution.

💬 “VaynerX built its reputation on identifying and acting on emerging consumer behavior before it becomes mainstream,” said Jamie Antonino, Director of Marketing and Media at VaynerX.

Hosted at NYC’s exclusive Flyfish Club, the Live Shopping Summit showed how brands, creators, and tech are rewriting the rules of commerce, making it real-time, creator-driven, and culture-powered.

Interested in learning more? Tap below for CEN's coverage:
https://www.corporateeventnews.com/event-strategy/inside-vaynerx-s-inaugural-live-shopping-summit-in-nyc

10/15/2025

Corporate Event Moves: Our October Roundup of New Hires & Promotions

Leadership moves are reshaping the meetings and hospitality landscape. Omni Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Regency, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, and more announce key executives, while new F&B talent emerges across properties. From Aethos London to La Bahia Hotel & Spa Santa Cruz, expansion continues to drive hiring momentum. Meanwhile, data-driven innovation takes center stage as Creative Group Inc. and others bolster their executive ranks.

📈 Read our monthly roundup of new hires and promotions in the corporate event industry:
https://www.corporateeventnews.com/career-moves/corporate-event-moves-our-october-roundup-of-new-hires-promotions

Omni, Hyatt Regency, InterContinental, and more announce executives, plus several properties introduce new F&B team members.

10/13/2025

Why Event Profs—and The President—Are Looking at Alaska ✈️

Anchorage continues to impress as a destination capable of hosting both high-level meetings and major incentive programs. The city recently served as the site of a U.S.–Russia peace summit, where demand for hotel rooms surged ahead of the event, a reflection of Alaska’s growing draw for business events.

“August isn’t even our best weather month,” said David Kasser, Senior Vice President of Sales at Visit Anchorage. Still, the late-summer period offers a balance between lower continental heat and the crisp northern air that defines Alaska’s allure.

Click below to read all about Alaskan experiences 👇
https://www.corporateeventnews.com/destinations-venues/why-event-profs-and-the-president-are-looking-at-alaska

10/08/2025

Hotel News: Hyatt Revamps Texas Properties, Omni Returns to South Florida After 25 Years 🏨

From Omni’s long-awaited return to South Florida to multimillion-dollar makeovers across Texas, properties nationwide are debuting sleek new spaces built for meetings and mingling. Think redesigned ballrooms, waterfront terraces, and seamless convention center connections... all ready for fall’s packed calendar

📍 New Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel next to the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention Center
📍 Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk’s $9M renovation
📍 Hyatt Regency Austin’s refreshed ballrooms + new terrace

See the full fall hospitality roundup at the link below 👇
https://www.corporateeventnews.com/destinations-venues/hotel-news-hyatt-revamps-texas-properties-omni-returns-to-south-florida-after-25-years1

10/07/2025

Here's proof that Toronto is more than “Hollywood North." 👇

Marking its 50th year, the Toronto International Film Festival continues to shine as one of the world’s premier cultural events, drawing top stars and global brands to the city each September.

Yet Toronto’s appeal extends far beyond its “Hollywood North” reputation. With a mix of boutique and grand hotels, dynamic venues, easy accessibility, and a strong safety record, the city has become one of the world’s top destinations for meetings, conventions, and activations. Brand USA, America’s destination marketing organization, was an official sponsor of the 2025 TIFF, a testament to Toronto’s growing influence.

💬 “With world-class infrastructure, vibrant culture, and strengths in sectors like technology, life sciences, and professional services, Toronto remains a leading choice for international meetings,” said Tara Gordon of Destination Toronto. “Our city’s innovation and collaboration drive event success and future growth.”

Tap the 🔗 below to read how Toronto continues to prove itself a world-class city:
https://www.corporateeventnews.com/destinations-venues/a-golden-moment-for-toronto

10/06/2025

Freeman Report Reveals Event Disconnect Between Hype and High-Impact 🔎

New insights from Freeman Company’s 2025 Experience Trends Report, unveiled Monday at IMEX America, point to a growing gap between how events are designed and how they’re experienced on the show floor. According to the report, event organizers and attendees view “peak moments” through very different lenses.

Organizers tend to emphasize big, attention-grabbing experiences... such as keynote speakers, opening and closing receptions, and surprise elements.

Attendees, however, place greater value on the fundamentals. The majority highlight building vendor relationships, learning and development opportunities, and making meaningful connections as the most impactful parts of their event experience.

Get more insight on how to attain and keep attendee satisfaction at the 🔗
https://www.corporateeventnews.com/event-trends/freeman-trends-report-attendees-and-organizers-are-split-on-event-experiences

Want more Corporate Event News straight to your inbox? 📥
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10/06/2025

Q4 isn’t the slowdown... it’s the strategic sprint that sets the tone for what’s next 🤝

This is when smart partnerships, impactful events, and forward-thinking initiatives turn opportunity into measurable success.

Looking to close strong and build the momentum that defines 2026? Click below.
https://informaconnect.com/regional-events/events/

10/02/2025

New AI Tool Helps Event Planners Maximize ROI from Hosted-Buyer Meetings 🤝

Event pros, take note: Backtrack just changed the game.

With Backtrack - AI Notes for Hosted Buyer, every 8-minute meeting now delivers 8x the insights. No more juggling notetaking... their AI records, transcribes & summarizes in real time, so suppliers stay present, buyers feel heard, and organizers walk away with undeniable ROI + ROO proof.

Interested in implementing? Learn more with CEN below ⬇️
https://www.corporateeventnews.com/ai-in-events/new-ai-tool-helps-event-planners-maximize-roi-from-hosted-buyer-meetings

Learn how Backtrack’s latest solution enhances hosted-buyer meetings in real time.

10/01/2025

Venue News: Strikes and Billion-Dollar Expansions Heat Up

Across the U.S., convention centers are navigating disruption and reinvention. From labor unrest in Houston to billion-dollar expansions on the West Coast, the meetings and events landscape is shifting rapidly.

Here are the latest headlines shaping the industry:
⚡️ George R. Brown Convention Center Workers Take Strike Vote
🏗️ Los Angeles Convention Center Approves $2.6B Expansion
🤝 Atlanta's Cobb Galleria Centre Launches $190M Renovation & Expansion

"A dynamic moment for the meetings and events industry..." Read more with Corporate New's coverage:
https://www.corporateeventnews.com/destinations-venues/venue-news-strikes-and-billion-dollar-expansions-heat-up

U.S. convention centers are navigating a moment of disruption and reinvention.