Industry News for August 1, 2024

Venue News

R Collection Hotels, owned by the Rocchi Family, announced the summer season opening of its two prestigious Italian mountain retreats: Montana Lodge & Spa in La Thuile and Grand Hotel Courmayeur Mont Blanc in Courmayeur. These 5-star boutique retreats, nestled along the northern border between Switzerland and France, are now open for the 2024 summer season. Additionally, R Collection Hotels announced Claudio Coriasco as the new General Manager for both properties. 

The Henson, a new hotel in The Catskills, has opened and provides an event space for weddings, retreats, group getaways and more. The hotel was designed to feel like a large home, specifically to create an atmosphere for friends and family to gather and celebrate. With over seven event space configurations, curated seasonal menus, attentive staff, stunning spaces, and views of Windham Mountain and Black Dome Valley, guests and groups will feel comfortable and inspired among the undulating hills and breathtaking beauty of the Catskills. 

In Memoriam

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of an industry icon, Debbie Meyers. Debbie founded BRAVO! Entertainment out of Texas over 3 decades ago, and was in large part responsible for its success and expertise. Debbie has been a contributor to Special Events Magazine, was on the Board of Directors for the International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA), and was considered an expert in the field of event and entertainment production. She will be greatly missed. 

Hot off the Press

Sustainable events consultancy Event Cycle has partnered once again with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) to recreate the essential water bottle holders used by the ball girls at the prestigious cinch Championships, held at The Queen's Club. Following the success of last year's (2023) project, Event Cycle produced 85 more water bottle holders for the ball girls to use throughout The Championships, all of whom were also provided with a BRITA reusable water bottle. These holders are not only functional but also represent Event Cycle’s commitment to sustainability and social value. Each holder is meticulously crafted by a talented team of sewers, who work under flexible conditions to accommodate their unique personal circumstances. 

Europalco, the largest provider of solutions for events and shows in Southern Europe, has announced a significant expansion of its facilities. The acquisition of an adjacent 18,000m² land increases Europalco's total operational area to an impressive 42,000m², nearly doubling the current space and extending the perimeter to almost 1 kilometer. 

Premier Displays celebrated the grand opening of its new headquarters and production facility in the southwest Las Vegas valley, where the company designs and manufactures award-winning exhibits and branded experiences from start to finish all under one roof, including architectural design, engineering, fabrication, metal work, graphics, painting, electrical, lighting, signage, and warehouse storage—an ability and business model unheard of in the trade show industry. The nearly 100,000 sq. ft. facility allows Premier Displays, which moved to Las Vegas from Southern California in 2021, to continue to grow and expand its business. 

Analog Events, a trailblazer in sustainable experiential event production, announced its Certified B Corporation™ status. This prestigious certification, awarded by the nonprofit B Lab, honors Analog Events for meeting rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. "We believe that events have the power to inspire and connect people while making a positive impact on the world," said Jordan Kaye, CEO of Analog Events. "Achieving B Corp certification demonstrates that it's possible to create unforgettable experiences that are also responsible and sustainable. We are proud to be part of a global community of businesses driving positive change." 

GlobalMeet, a leader in virtual event technology, announced more than 3,000,000 people have been certified on its Continuing Professional Education (CPE) platform for providers, industry associations, and professional training organizations. GlobalMeet CPE features video-based training with automated branded course completion certificates and secure reporting and data storage to support compliance.