In its second Q1 deal, London-based independent event producer CloserStill Media has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Ai4, touted as the largest AI event in the U.S.

Food waste is a massive issue in the U.S., with 51% of food waste from retailers like convention centers and hotels ending up in landfills, contributing to methane emissions that make landfills the third-largest source of methane in the country, said Nancy St. Pierre, director of communications for Denali, an organic waste disposal and recycling services company.  

PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, recently launched PACK EXPO Southeast, bringing together more than 6,700 attendees and 2,800 exhibitor personnel for 9,500 total.

Raccoon Media Group, organizers of the Abilities Expo held annually in seven major cities across the U.S., is launching three Abilities International Accessibility Conferences, which will be held in Los Angeles, New Jersey, and Chicago in 2026.

A contractor, an AI tech company, and an event website creation platform recently launched new solutions and upgrades to elevate the event planning and onsite experience for show organizers and attendees, respectively. 

Cost and budgeting are the No. 1 concern for exhibitors when it comes to their trade show program, according to a new survey by The Exhibitor Advocate, a non-profit dedicated to trade show exhibitor success. 

When the American Fence Association (AFA) gathered for its annual convention and trade show in February at the Salt Palace Convention Center, FENCETECH increased the number of its exhibitors from 310 in 2024 to 343 in 2025, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 10.6%.

Did you know that incorporating wellness into events can significantly improve attendee satisfaction and net promoter scores without necessarily increasing budgets? By weaving tailored wellness experiences into events, planners can not only create more engaging and impactful event experiences that drive engagement, elevate attendee wellbeing, and foster a greater sense of community but also address the growing demand for wellness in professional settings. After all, when attendees feel physically and mentally balanced, they are more engaged, focused, and open to new ideas.  

Heather Larson’s journey into the hospitality, tourism, and events industries began at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she developed a strong passion for service, relationships, and travel. After graduating and falling in love with Chicago’s stately old grand hotels, she began her career honing her skills at iconic Windy City properties including The Allegro (formerly The Bismarck), The Whitehall, The Drake, and the Fairmont Hotel. 

This month, several event marketing agencies and DMCs have announced major mergers and acquisitions as they seek to increase their market share, expand their global reach, strengthen their capabilities, and broaden their client services.