The Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) is undergoing a significant expansion with Phase Two adding a new 600,000-square-foot West Hall and increasing the total exhibition space to 2.5 million square feet. The $935 million project includes a modern entrance, an outdoor terrace, and tech-friendly features like fast Wi-Fi and integrated AV equipment. An innovative high-speed people mover, developed in partnership with Elon Musk, will connect the new hall with the existing space using autonomous Tesla shuttles. The expansion is set to open in December 2020, with further updates to the existing facility planned for completion by 2023.

Event marketers face significant challenges in data analysis, with 46 percent of marketing executives identifying it as their most pressing issue. Freeman's Data Benchmark Study highlights the importance of understanding attendee data to adapt event structures. Ben Hindman, CEO of Splash, emphasizes the necessity of timely data transfer to key players for effective use.

Using social media for event marketing can be challenging, but setting clear goals and understanding platform-specific audiences can enhance effectiveness. Tailoring content to each platform's strengths, such as using images on Instagram and videos on Facebook, can improve engagement. Continuous learning and adapting to changing algorithms are crucial for sustained success in social media marketing.

The webinar focuses on planning strategic finance and insurance meetings, highlighting their importance within the meetings industry. Participants will gain insights and skills to effectively organize such meetings.

Apple's new 'Sign in with Apple' feature aims to enhance user privacy by offering an anonymized login option for third-party apps, potentially disrupting the data collection practices of companies like Facebook and Google. This move, announced at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference, mandates that all apps with external login systems on Apple platforms include this option. The feature allows users to use a randomized, masked email address, reducing the amount of personal data shared. This shift could impact industries reliant on 'big data,' including the meetings industry, as users may prefer the anonymized option. The change comes in response to recent data breaches and growing concerns over user privacy.

Kansas City is emerging as a leading destination in the New Midwest with a surge of new and renovated hotels, innovative meeting venues, and a new single-terminal at Kansas City International Airport. The city boasts over 33,000 hotel rooms, including notable properties like 21c Museum Hotel, Crossroads Hotel, and Hotel Indigo. The Kansas City Convention Center offers extensive meeting space and is connected to major hotels and amenities. Visit KC is incentivizing meetings with cash offers for contracts signed by June 30, 2019.

TanaCon, an event organized by YouTuber Tana Mongeau in retaliation to VidCon, ended in disaster due to poor planning and execution. The event, held at Marriott Anaheim Suites, saw thousands of fans waiting in the sun, leading to chaos and eventual cancellation. Key issues included inadequate venue size, lack of security measures, and insufficient planning time. Good Times Entertainment, the event management company, promised refunds. The incident highlights the complexities and challenges of event planning, especially for large-scale events.

Implementing cashless systems at events can significantly boost sales and enhance attendee experience by reducing wait times. Companies like Intellitix, Glownet, and GoCashless offer various solutions, including RFID wristbands, debit cards, and point-of-sale registers. Square provides affordable card readers for individual vendors. These systems not only increase sales but also eliminate the need for safeguarding cash receipts.

Voice search is rapidly becoming a significant trend, with 60 percent of mobile searches conducted via voice. Bronwyn White, a tourism strategist, highlights the growing comfort among younger users with voice queries and the need for the hospitality industry to adapt. She emphasizes optimizing location data, filling out Google My Business information, promoting reviews, and creating conversational FAQs to stay ahead in the voice search revolution.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Delta Airlines CEO Ed Bastian announced the commencement of a $4 billion construction project for a new Delta terminal at LaGuardia Airport. Delta is investing $3.4 billion, with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey contributing $600 million. The new unified terminal will replace the current separated buildings, with Delta occupying the eastern part and other airlines like Air Canada, American, JetBlue, Southwest, and United on the west end. The project includes an AirTrain transit system, despite some local criticism. The new facilities are expected to create 16,000 direct and 20,000 indirect jobs. Additionally, LaGuardia Gateway Partners announced that JLC Infrastructure, a joint venture between Magic Johnson Enterprises and Loop Capital Markets LLC, will become a Minority and Women Business Enterprises investor, setting a new national precedent.