Cody Thomas has been promoted to director of events for the Owensboro [Ky.] Convention Center.
The Renaissance Milwaukee West, slated to open next month, has named Chantal Bazzoni-Boncher as director of sales and marketing and Michael Laughran as director of beverage and food outlets.
Big DMC network Global DMC Partners, included on the latest Special Events “25 Top DMCs,” has launched a webpage offering updates on the latest guidelines and restrictions surrounding COVID-19. The data, which will be updated weekly, is available here.
Dave Hilfman has been named interim executive director of the Global Business Travel Association, headquartered in Alexandria, Va.
Back in business: Caesars Entertainment Corp. has announced plans to resume operations at Bally’s Las Vegas on July 23. The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort will reopen for guests on July 29.
Chef Tony Mantuano and wine and hospitality consultant Cathy Mantuano will direct the food and beverage program at The Joseph. The hotel is slated to open in Nashville, Tenn., next month.
Global corporate events and engagement company ITA Group, based in West Des Moines, Iowa, has partnered with Luxembourg-based Eurofins, which provides environmental health testing, to offer health risk mitigation services for in-person events throughout the U.S. In addition to following local, state and federal guidelines for capacity and social distancing for each event, Eurofins and ITA Group will examine all aspects of an event from an attendee and event planner perspective and recommend tailored strategies and guidelines to mitigate health risks associated with events and venues, the companies said.
Big contract feeder Sodexo, headquartered in France, today announced that it has renewed its 10-year global partnership with the World Wildlife Federation, wherein WWF provides support to aid Sodexo’s efforts to reduce its environmental footprint. “Working with WWF has enabled us to set credible, science-based and ambitious targets to align and drive our environmental efforts all across Sodexo,” said Maria Outters, Sodexo’s group senior vice president of corporate responsibility. “As we start this next chapter of our journey together, we will continue to aim to reduce our environmental impact and provide more sustainable options for our consumers, while striving to move the needle and bring about much needed change throughout the industry.”
The IACC today released its “Critical Pathway to Re-opening” guide, which shares in-depth strategies and advice on how to reopen venues safely, created specifically for venues hosting meetings, training courses, and smaller conferences for up to 150 delegates. The 53-page guide concentrates on three key areas: the redesigning of the meeting attendee experience, the redesigning of space, and the redesigning of the product. Each of these sections includes detailed guidance from industry experts on how venues can adapt their offering in line with the “new normal” for meetings and events. The guide can be downloaded free by IACC members and is available for a fee for all others.
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