Thought leaders in the events, hospitality and destination marketing industries share the challenges, opportunities and ideas that are shaping their business decisions. Take a look at the videos below for key takeaways from our conversations with the people shaping how meetings are happening today.

Event Technology

Northstar Meetings Group partnered with the team behind the inaugural Event Tech Live in Las Vegas to take the pulse of the meetings technology marketplace. Key planners, event technologists, investors and industry thought leaders shared their insights on the current state of event technology, the marketplace and what we can expect in the months and years to come.


How Event Tech Companies Catch Investor Attention (1:38)
What Tech Investors Want (0:57)
Jason Allan Scott — CEO, Bootstrap Acquisition

Meetings Tech 2

• Why Care About ChatGPT? (1:03)

Julius Solaris — Founder, Boldpush

Meetings Tech 3

• How Are Corporations Using Event Technology for Marketing? (0:58)

Adam Parry — Founder, Event Tech Live

Meetings Tech 4

• Why We Need to Understand Marketing Tech Too (1:13)

• How Can Event Tech Companies Simplify Things for Planners? (1:06)

Dahlia El Gazzar — Founder, DAHLIA+Agency

Vaibhav Jain CEO Hubilo

• Why Hubilo Will Keep Virtual and In-Person Tech Separate (1:42)

Vaibhav Jain — CEO, Hubilo

Planning International Events

At this year's SMU, meeting planners shared their insights on the current state of planning international events


Demand for International Events Is Booming (0:30)
What International Destinations Are In Demand? (1:28)
Shonna Nitzel — Event Strategist, Maritz Global Events

SMU 1

• What Attendees Want From International Events (0:32)

Kristen Connors — Pipeline Global Events

SMU 2

• Europe's Value for Incentives and Meetings (0:32)
• Managing Rising Costs and Decreased Staff (0:28)

Lynne McNamara — Director, National Accounts, Global Cynergies

Joanne-Ireland-trends-to-watch copy

• Is Demand for International Events Rising? (0:43)

Joanne Ireland — President, Ireland Presentations

yariv-trends-to-watch copy

• What Impediments Are Facing Cross-Border Events? (0:51)
• Where Are You Planning International Events? (1:01)

Yariv Gal-Yam — Director, Client Accounts, Kenes Group, USA

Working With Hotels


How to Handle Staffing Challenges (0:50)
Michael Massari — Chief Sales Officer, Caesars Entertainment

Working with Hotels

• Changing Group-Booking Patterns (0:22)
• How Hotels Are Helping Planners Now (0:50)
• Are We in a Seller's Market? (0:48)
• Why Are Hotel Prices So High? (1:12)

Steve Enselein — SVP, Events, Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Dan Surette

• Forces Driving Hotel Rates (0:51)

Dan Surette — Chief Sales Officer, Omni Hotels & Resorts

Meeting Planner Priorities


Responding to Planners Faster (0:58)
Garine Ferejian-Mayo — Chief Commercial Officer, Sonesta Hotels

mike massari test 1

• Event Safety and Wellness (0:47)

Michael Massari — Chief Sales Officer, Caesars Entertainment

Meeting Planner Priorities 2

• Where Meeting Demand Is Rising (0:45)
• Rethinking Meeting Room Setup (1:01)

Garine Ferejian-Mayo — Chief Commercial Officer, Sonesta Hotels

The Future of Events


Why In-Person Is Irreplaceable (0:34)
Gerilyn Horan — VP, Group Sales & Strategic Accounts, Hilton

mike massari test 1

• The Importance of Face-to-Face (0:39)

Michael Massari — Chief Sales Officer, Caesars Entertainment