Team

Michael J. Shapiro

Director of Content Strategy, Northstar Meetings Group U.S.

More than two decades ago my bio for DigitalFOTO magazine began, "Reviews editor Michael Shapiro loves the sushi." I guess I haven't changed much, but I've since traded camera reviews for event-professional content, covering tech, travel, Latin America and beyond, across NMG's brands. You'll still find me with my camera and hamachi, eager to embrace local specialties and the next adventure.

What Michael Covers

Domestic: California, Iowa, Nebraska, Nevada, Great Lakes region (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin)

International: Mexico, Central/South America, Spain, China, India, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Southeast Asia

Industry Associations/Exhibitions: AHLA, ASAE, GBTA, PCMA, IBTM portfolio

Industry Segments: Technology, hotels, third parties, business travel, airlines, gaming

The Latest From Michael

Using AI to Simplify Business-Event Tasks

The Repurpose Video Content function in the Project Spark AI platform wrote (part of) this article... Read More

By Michael J. Shapiro | August 14, 2023

Event A/V Providers AVMS and Pinnacle Live Merge

The combined company is now the second-largest in-house audiovisual provider serving hotels in North... Read More

By Michael J. Shapiro | August 4, 2023

EventMobi Acquires Run the World Virtual-Event Platform

The provider of event management software is betting on hybrid engagement and wants Run the World... Read More

By Michael J. Shapiro | August 3, 2023

Hopin Sells Event Assets to RingCentral

RingCentral will broaden its virtual event capabilities while Hopin refocuses on streaming technology... Read More

By Elise Schoening & Michael J. Shapiro | August 2, 2023

Freeman Acquires Sparks as Major Events Agencies Consolidate

Philadelphia-based Sparks will maintain its brand and operational structure as part of the growing... Read More

By Michael J. Shapiro | August 1, 2023

Cvent Taps Into Shifting Demand With New Webinar Product

Acknowledging the trend from expansive virtual events to shorter digital sessions, the tech giant... Read More

By Michael J. Shapiro | July 27, 2023

Cvent to Launch Instant Book Functionality Next Month

The feature, which eliminates RFPs for small and simple events, will launch for 2,000 properties to... Read More

By Michael J. Shapiro | July 25, 2023

SoCal Hotel Workers Walk Out in Second Wave of Strikes

The current action affects nine properties near LAX and three hotels in Orange County.... Read More

By Michael J. Shapiro | July 11, 2023

AI and the Business Events Industry

Wed., Aug. 2, 2023, 2 p.m. ET... Read More

By Michael J. Shapiro | July 11, 2023

Meetings Industry Health at 90% of Prepandemic Level

The new Hospitality Group & Business Performance Index, from Knowland and Amadeus, analyzes... Read More

By Michael J. Shapiro | June 28, 2023