Since 2003, American dictionary-publishing company Merriam-Webster has compiled an annual list of the top 10 trending words. A lot can be said about 2017. It was a year not only of consequential change, but also of radical response. No one was free from the ripple of this turbulence, especially meeting and event professionals. After all, they’re in the business of people. MORE

Allen Financial Insurance Group (2003 called, they were looking for a lost website, I told them to look here). Finding general liability insurance if you are a meeting or event planner can be a royal pain in the ass. No kidding. It sucks on a level Hoover and Dyson cannot even begin to touch. MORE

Allen Financial Insurance Group (2003 called, they were looking for a lost website, I told them to look here). Finding general liability insurance if you are a meeting or event planner can be a royal pain in the ass. No kidding. It sucks on a level Hoover and Dyson cannot even begin to touch. MORE

As late as 1980, there was no textbook on meeting or exposition management and only one accredited college program devoted to its practice, former Convene editor Peter Shure pointed out in a 2003 story in the magazine. Illustrations by Luci Gutiérrez. MORE

In 2003, Davidson was awarded the Erasmus Prize for his work. Robert McKeown. In the meetings industry, many conversations about food and beverage center around food allergies , healthifying menus and working with your venue’s catering team to develop a delicious meal while staying on budget. MORE

When she was younger, Paris Hilton was primarily known as a socialite who starred in a series of reality television shows—the most famous being “The Simple Life,” which aired from 2003 to 2007. MORE

Architects had the foresight to include space for retail establishments when the center opened in 2003, said Gregory O’Dell, president and CEO of Events DC, which owns and operates the center and other venues. MORE

To honor the Biltmore’s ties to one of America’s most respected architects, it opened the Frank Lloyd Wright Ballroom in 2003. I will be attending Smart Event West National Sept. MORE

The International Society of Paranormal Research claimed contact with several ghosts during a 2003 investigation, including a boy named Maurice Begere, who died in the hotel. Halloween is just around the corner , folks, and you know what that means: It’s time to do the Monster Mash, and. Things are about to get very spooky. Kids shouldn’t be the only ones having all of the holiday fun. Professional planners can get into the spirit by organizing a meeting or an event in a haunted venue. MORE

A conference in 2003, where he heard about some of Housing First’s positive outcomes and decided to develop a similar initiative in Utah. When I scanned a recent Fast Company headline— “The Man Who Reduced Homelessness in Utah by 91%” —I was intrigued. MORE

NCRA works year-round with the Veterans History Project, and members are enthusiastic: Since 2003, NCRA volunteers have transcribed more than 4,000 interviews. Nancy Hopp’s father was on his deathbed when he told her about the wounds he suffered in World War II. MORE

A safety lesson can be learned by event professionals in the aftermath of the tragic Station nightclub fire in which 100 victims perished after fireworks ignited a blaze during a concert in February 2003 in Rhode Island. Star Spangled 200 (All photos courtesy of Fireworks by Grucci). MORE

The era of instant, inexpensive, and immediate self-portraits began in 2003, when Sony began installing front-facing cameras into flip phones. MORE

A 2003 Gallup report showed that “regardless of how high a company’s customer satisfaction levels may appear to be, satisfying customers without creating an emotional connection with them has no real value. Do you have something to say? MORE

RefTech has worked with IMEX since 2001, when we created the original bespoke web and organizing systems for the very first IMEX show, in Frankfurt in 2003. MORE

Buzzgold Systems Ltd was founded by Martin and Sandra Gould in 2003, originally to provide equipment for pub quizzes. Helpful, friendly and efficient. Since then Buzzgold has expanded both its product range and its range of customers. MORE

With a second office in Los Angeles and also known as MKG Marketing, it was founded in 2003 by Maneesh K. Let’s dive into ten of the most famous event planning companies, from around the world. Bassett Events – Toronto. MORE

It’s hard to top the titan of all bad movies, 2003’s cult classic, “ The Room.” When you think of bad movies, what comes to mind? “Suicide Squad?” ” “Star Trek: Generations?” ” “The Star Wars” prequel trilogy? MORE

Pieminister (created by brothers-in-law Tristan Hogg and Jon Simon) began in Bristol in 2003. After many months of pastry mixing, baking and of course tasting, Pieminister’s first pies were born. MORE

In 2003, the Château Ramezay Museum earned the National Award of Excellence from the Landscape Architects of Canada. All across the country, our rich and colorful history can be found inside the great halls and gardens of our notable castles, forts and mansions. MORE

We feel like it’s ‘mission accomplished,’” says DeGolyer, who began working with COAA in 2003. Like a proud parent, association management company The Valisade Group sent its sole client, Construction Owners Association of America , out on its own this year. It was a bittersweet moment for Lisa DeGolyer and Valerie Delaney, Valisade’s partners since 2009, who are moving on without their next client in place. “We MORE

Graz has proven to be a great host city for every edition so far as a historical center, Europe’s culture capital of 2003, a [UNESCO] World Cultural Heritage [Site], and City of Design. MORE

Before joining NUL in 2003, Morial served two terms as mayor of New Orleans. If you wonder whether your corporate social responsibility efforts are worthwhile, Marc Morial, the National Urban League’s president and CEO, offers a resounding yes. He saw firsthand the impact of convention volunteers on the city, whether they were painting houses or reading to children. And the volunteers, he thinks, benefited as much as the city’s residents. MORE

With the goal to educate and inspire customers, the first Dreamforce event brought together just over 1,300 attendees in 2003. Meetings are happening more frequently than ever before. As a result, planners have less time to plan and execute. MORE

Likewise, the Congress has grown exponentially from about 5,000 in 2003 to reach its 7,500-attendee high point. MORE

To honor the Biltmore’s ties to one of America’s most respected architects, it opened the Frank Lloyd Wright Ballroom in 2003. I will be attending Smart Event West National Sept. MORE

He has been published numerous times in trade magazines, and has been a speaker at industry events since 2003. Harris Schanhaut, CME has been managing conferences, meetings and events in diverse industries, including automotive, medical, travel, technology, financial, pharmaceutical, wellness, and manufacturing. Schanhaut was a co-chair of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Greater New York Chapter’s Strategic Partnership Committee, which was named Committee of the Year. MORE

After more than a century and several additions later, the antiquated museum structure — unable to handle its growing collection and visitors — closed in 2003 for a much-needed renovation. A lucky winner had all night to drink in the works of great Dutch masters. Photo Credit Rijksmuseum. MORE

NCRA works year-round with the Veterans History Project, and members are enthusiastic: Since 2003, NCRA volunteers have transcribed more than 4,000 interviews. Nancy Hopp’s father was on his deathbed when he told her about the wounds he suffered in World War II. MORE

While writing about seeing the gifts in people and events I remembered one of my favorite scenes in Love Actually (2003). MORE

Remembering the Station nightclub fire in Rhode Island that killed 100 people in 2003, Trask had a sense of deja vu. “It When Jon Trask first got wind of last October’s Las Vegas shootings, he was stunned. There’s obviously the shock and craziness of it,” says Trask, CMP, CMM, president of Strategic Meeting Tech in Orange, California. MORE

He has been published numerous times in trade magazines, and has been a speaker at industry events since 2003. MORE

In 2003, Scott was featured in the season premiere of Ripley’s Believe It or Not for his stunt “Escape to Cloud Nine.” By his mid teens Scott Hammell was performing in front of thousands. MORE

Flown by British Airways and Air France from 1976 to 2003, Concorde was used almost exclusively by very wealthy passengers because of high ticket prices. MORE

Graduating in 2003 from Leeds Metropolitan University with BA Honours Degree in Event Management, Greg launched his events career with vigour. by Greg Lusk, Founder of Liveforce. MORE