Freeman Teams With Speaker and Content Management Platform Sessionboard to Offer Robust Event Lifecycle Management

Freeman, a leading global event producer, and Sessionboard, a next-generation SaaS provider, announced a strategic partnership that provides Freeman customers with enhanced speaker and content management technology solutions.  

The partnership is a testament to Freeman's mission to redefine live for a new era, whether virtual, in-person or hybrid, with a data-driven approach and the industry's largest network of experts, and Sessionboard's quest to simplify the complex workflows and disjointed communications that exist around speaker and content management.

Hubilo Acquires fielddrive to Strengthen In-Person Event Tech Offerings

Leading event tech company Hubilo Technologies has purchased on-site event tech provider fielddrive in an effort to bolster its in-person event solutions. With access to greater resources, data and market insights, the combined company aims to deliver leading products and customer experiences as well as attract more top talent. 

Tech News: International Market Centers Enhancement, Simpleview-SKYNAV Partnership, Crowd Connected Accolade

The new year is bringing plenty of fresh technology solutions to help event professionals, exhibitors, sponsors and destinations stay on top of the ever-changing events landscape, as well as industry recognitions. Read on for some of the latest event tech developments.

International Market Centers

Event Tech Live Opens Registration for First In-Person U.S. Show; Unveils New Competition and Call for Speakers

Event Tech Live (ETL), which was founded 10 years ago and has been held annually in London, is revving up for its grand in-person entrance in the U.S. with a Las Vegas edition this spring—the only conference and exhibition in the country focused exclusively on event technology.

VSef Makes New Versions of Standards Guides for Event Data Available for Download and Implementation

Responding to the event industry’s need for a standardized data structure and communications protocol for digital, in-person and hybrid events, global assurance provider BPA Worldwide announced that versions 2.0 of the VSef (Virtual Standard Export Format) Standards Guide and VSef API Standards Guide are now available to download, review and implement. 

Partner Voices
HERE, hosting responsible meetings and caring for our communities are top priorities. Through its 'Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet' philosophy, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make an impact in the lives of employees, guests, and the communities in which it operates. Water Stewardship Efforts MGM Resorts understands the importance of using water efficiently, especially in the desert destination of Las Vegas. Conserving water has always been part of the mission, but MGM Resorts has expanded its ambition into water stewardship. In 2022, MGM Resorts President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle signed the CEO Water Mandate—a UN Global Compact initiative mobilizing business leaders to advance water stewardship. MGM Resorts International was the first gaming company to take this important step. MGM Resorts replaced 200,000 square feet of real grass with drought-tolerant landscaping in Las Vegas. MGM Resorts pledges to reduce water withdrawal intensity by 33% by 2025 and by 35% by 2030. From 2007-2021, use of more than 5.6 billion gallons of water was avoided because of conservation efforts. Caring for One Another MGM Resorts’ Food Donations Program collects and preserves unserved food from conventions held at MGM Resorts properties, then safely donates to food insecure people in the community. Since the program’s launch in 2016, more than 3.7 million meals toward a 2025 goal of 5 million meals have been donated into the community. Donations include: Unserved perishable prepared foods from events Perishable unprepared food from MGM Resorts’ kitchens Nonperishable food items from minibars and warehouses The collaboration with Southern Nevada’s primary food bank, Three Square, has developed the infrastructure needed to safely collect, transport, and store food from MGM Resorts properties in Las Vegas, reducing food waste while serving the community. Fostering Diversity and Inclusion To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all. MGM Resorts understands its responsibility to contribute to the social and economic progress of the communities in which it operates. HERE, we embrace humanity.