People on the Move

Connect is preparing for its most dynamic year of events yet under the new leadership of Matt Johnson, who has been promoted to the role of Managing Director. Buoyed by the additional resources, scope and shared expertise of Informa, who acquired the business in 2023, Connect is positioned to spearhead dynamic innovations and partnerships that will better serve live show attendees and readers of BizBash. 

The Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection has welcomed Chef Erika Brigham as the Executive Chef of MDRD, the historic hotel’s upscale, contemporary Spanish restaurant in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. Brigham will spearhead MDRD’s inventive, Spanish-inspired food and beverage menus and programming to elevate the restaurant’s fine dining experience to new heights. Located on the 27th floor of the Amway Grand Plaza’s recently renovated glass tower, MDRD joined the hotel’s collection of seven diverse dining outlets in 2020, featuring lavish libations, an energetic atmosphere, and panoramic city views. 

Hot off the Press

Tripleseat, the leading innovator in cloud-based event management software for the hospitality industry, recently shared compelling 2023 booking and revenue statistics highlighting a significant surge in growth driven by heightened demand for restaurant and unique venue private events. The company's intuitive software, designed to streamline the event planning process for restaurants, hotels, and unique venues, facilitated over 3.5 million event bookings in 2023—a notable 16% increase from the previous year. Additionally, it successfully managed $7.3 billion in event revenue for its customers, showcasing a remarkable 21% increase over 2022.