News
Apr 16, 2020
A few weeks ago, PCMA sent out an email invitation to event planners and suppliers asking for participation in a survey on how they were reacting to the COVID-19 pandemic and their expectations moving forward. More than 1,200 responses came in within a day’s time.
This week, the organization released the results of the open-ended survey, which provide fresh insights into the industry’s resilience—and what the next few months and rest of the year may have in store.
Here are the highlights from PCMA’s report, which included responses from 1,776 total participants, with nearly 70 percent… more
Apr 16, 2020
With so much uncertainty in the world, and with most of us isolating in our homes and feeling concerned about the future, there is no time like the present to establish a meditation and mindfulness practice. While the idea of sitting still and trying to quiet your mind while breathing deeply may seem challenging for many, there are incredible benefits to be had from a regular meditation practice. As many long-time meditators (including yours truly) can attest, a regular practice not only helps relieve stress, increase focus and improve sleep, but also enhances one’s self-awareness and overall… more
Apr 15, 2020
With millions of professionals across the country working remotely, everyone is turning to video conferencing apps such as Zoom to stay in touch with colleagues, along with family and friends. While tools such as Zoom, Webex, Skype, FaceTime and Google Hangouts are the next-best thing to seeing each other in real life, having back-to-back calls throughout the day can easily become exhausting.
Becky White, MFT, a Los Angeles-based therapist and founder of Root to Rise Therapy, is helping many of her clients navigate difficult anxiety, isolation and relationship issues that have arisen during… more
Apr 15, 2020
More than 13,000 attendees came together online for Virtual Global Meetings Industry Day on April 14. While the message from industry experts was optimistic and hopeful, the celebration was tempered by uncertainty on when it will be safe to meet in person again.
The 30-minute grassroots #GMIDGoesVirtual event attempted to break the Guinness World Record for largest audience for a virtual conference, and while it did not quite hit the 15,000 mark that was needed, the turnout was impressive. Hosts Miguel Neves and Jennifer Spear kept the audience engaged with conversation and polls, and talked… more
Apr 13, 2020
Talk about baptism by fire. Mark Tester had only been at the helm of the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando for three weeks when disaster struck in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic. Luckily, the new executive director of the country’s second-largest convention center was undaunted. As a 26-year industry veteran who previously served as director of the Austin Convention Center Department and on the Executive Committee of Visit Austin in Austin, Texas for 12 years, Tester understands the art of staying flexible and making quick, level-minded decisions on the fly. TSNN talked with… more
Apr 10, 2020
The power of in-person events is inimitable, no doubt about it. However, when faced with the option of cancelling completely until 2021 or forging ahead with some kind of online component, many shows are finding solutions in the form of creative virtual offerings. Here’s how a few are navigating these uncharted waters and experimenting with components that attendees can access from their home office—for some, at a discount or entirely free.
NAB Show
Original dates and location: April 18-22 in Las Vegas
Online dates: April (TBD), virtual experience
In lieu of rescheduling the 2020 NAB Show… more
Apr 09, 2020
While social distancing has taken hold throughout the world, many convention and visitors bureaus are innovating amongst the current crisis to continue to (tactfully) spread messages about their destinations. Across North America, CVBs and DMOs far and wide are shifting to digital to bring the best of their destinations to homebound audiences via virtual tours, live-streaming experiences, online classes and interactive content, as well as deliver encouraging messages of hope and reassurance. Check out some of the most creative offerings.
Meet AC
Having a strong digital presence is nothing… more
Apr 08, 2020
If you don’t yet have a Real ID-compliant license or identification card, you now have another year to obtain one, and the nationwide deadline has been extended to Oct. 1, 2021.
“The federal, state and local response to the spread of the coronavirus here in the United States necessitates a delay in this deadline,” said Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Chad Wolf in a statement. “Our state and local partners are working tirelessly with the administration to flatten the curve and, therefore, we want to remove any impediments to response and recovery efforts.”
He added… more
Apr 08, 2020
Networking and events platform Hio (which stands for “hit it off”) has launched two new offerings to facilitate virtual networking and socialization — and is offering free Hio Premium access from April 1 – June 30.
Event planners can create, host and manage virtual events free of charge on the Hio platform. The Host-Moderated Virtual Event option works for webinars, speakers and individual networking sessions during an event, while the new Virtual Lounge format provides a formal opportunity for attendees to engage in one-on-one networking sessions. Network Now, a new Hio Premium feature,… more
Apr 07, 2020
ASAE applauded Congress for swiftly constructing a $2.2 trillion emergency coronavirus relief package while calling on policymakers to include more association-specific relief in a fourth relief package currently taking shape.
A review of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed into law on March 27, shows that Congress allocated extraordinary relief for individuals, small businesses, corporations, hospitals, state and local governments and 501(c)(3) nonprofit groups, but few provisions that directly assist trade and professional associations experiencing severe… more
Partner Voices

Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors.
TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders.
Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA
With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role?
Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”
These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.
Allegiant Stadium
As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward?
Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees.
What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events?
We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.
Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city.
Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.
What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization?
We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.
What are your favorite ways to recharge?
My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.
Valley of Fire
What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing?
I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.