As you learn more about the hospitality industry, it is important to begin staying current and informed on news and trends. We recommend that you follow, join, or subscribe to the associations, blogs, and thought leaders on this list.
for our hotel management students:
Nevada Hotel and Lodging Association (NHLA)
If you are a hotelier based in Nevada, you might consider joining the Nevada Hotel and Lodging Association. NHLA is a high profile, award-winning non-profit organization and has been serving the industry since 1979. Their mission is to serve the lodging industry by providing opportunities for professional development, offer comprehensive and robust industry educational resources and programs; provide value-added member based services; assist with representation and advocacy at local, state and national levels in industry affairs; provide relevant communication channels; host networking activities; and continue to be the voice of the industry.
Lodging Magazine
Stay up to date on the hotel industry with the official publication of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA).
Successful Meetings Magazine
Created for meeting planners, this magazine offers a view into what event planners are looking for when choosing a venue.
http://www.successfulmeetings.com/
Go hyperlocal with news and twitter feeds
Going hyperlocal means finding the news source, usually on twitter, that has the inside track on the industry you are in. If you live and work in Las Vegas, follow the @reviewjournal, @vitalvegas and @lasvegaslocally. TISOH does not endorse these sources but hyperlocal feeds can often get you the latest scoop.
American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA)
AHLA is the only national organization dedicated to serving the interests of hoteliers on the front line, behind the scenes, and on Capitol Hill. Members are empowered with exclusive bottom line savings, educational resources, and networking opportunities with our expansive network of top-level industry professionals.
Meeting Planners International (MPI)
This is a favorite association among hotel sales. Meeting Professionals International (MPI) is the largest meeting and event industry association worldwide. Founded in 1972, MPI provides innovative and relevant education, networking opportunities and business exchanges, and acts as a prominent voice for the promotion and growth of the industry. MPI has a global community of 60,000 meeting and event professionals including more than 17,000 engaged members and its Plan Your Meetings audience. It has More than 70 chapters and clubs in 75 countries worldwide.
LinkedIn Group: Hospitality Professionals & Event Suppliers Network by Cvent
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/3406300/
Facebook Group: Hospitality Family
The ‘Hospitality Professionals & Event Suppliers Network by Cvent’ is intended for hoteliers, convention and visitors’ bureaus, destination marketers, special event venues, and any other event industry suppliers. Be the part of this group and get the latest industry news, best practices, and learn ways to drive group and meetings business to your event venue or service. While the Facebook group offers candid discussions on current events in the industry.
for our event + wedding planning students:
International Live Event Association (ILEA)
ILEA is a global community of thousands of creative event professionals whose skills, expertise, and experience power some of the most recognized and respected live events around the world.
Meeting Planners International (MPI)
This is a favorite association among hotel sales. Meeting Professionals International (MPI) is the largest meeting and event industry association worldwide. Founded in 1972, MPI provides innovative and relevant education, networking opportunities and business exchanges, and acts as a prominent voice for the promotion and growth of the industry. MPI has a global community of 60,000 meeting and event professionals including more than 17,000 engaged members and its Plan Your Meetings audience. It has More than 70 chapters and clubs in 75 countries worldwide.
Las Vegas Hospitality Association (LVHA)
One of the largest hospitality associations in Las Vegas, LHVA’s mission is to promote the local hospitality industry by establishing and attaining high professional standards of service, providing networking, education and resource support to our members, implementing positive initiatives in the hospitality industry, creating positive community awareness, cultivating relationships between hospitality professionals, students, community leaders and organizations, and inspiring, promoting, assisting and encouraging our peers in the hospitality industry.
LinkedIn Group: Event Planning & Event Management - the 1st Group for Event Professionals
This is a favorite association among hotel sales. Meeting Professionals International (MPI) is the largest meeting and event industry association worldwide. Founded in 1972, MPI provides innovative and relevant education, networking opportunities and business exchanges, and acts as a prominent voice for the promotion and growth of the industry. MPI has a global community of 60,000 meeting and event professionals including more than 17,000 engaged members and its Plan Your Meetings audience. It has More than 70 chapters and clubs in 75 countries worldwide.
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/60415/
Wedding International Professionals Association (WIPA)
WIPA is the only non-profit professional wedding association in the world. WIPA’s mission statement is to advance the profession, enhance the professional growth of members, uphold the highest ethics, and educate the public about WIPA-qualified specialists.
Las Vegas Wedding Chamber of Commerce (LV Wedding Chamber)
Las Vegas represents about 5% of all annual weddings in the United States. With approximately 70,000 weddings per year, Las Vegas is the undisputed wedding leader in the country.
https://www.weddingchamber.vegas/
Wedding MBA
The Wedding MBA is a three-day annual “professionals only” industry convention that takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event is segmented off by vendor type (venues, photographers, DJs, etc.) and there is normally 6–8 venue-specific speakers at the event each year.
National Association for Catering & Event Professionals (NACE)
Established 60 years ago, the National Association for Catering and Events (NACE) is the go-to resource and community for catering and event professionals nationwide. With more than 40 chapters across the country and 3500 members and growing, NACE empowers catering and event professionals by providing them with industry-leading education, tools and resources, and a vibrant community to learn and grow from.
Event manager blog (EVENTMB)
EventMB is the premier event technology news site for event and wedding planners worldwide. Ever since joining Skift last year, EventMB has become a thought leader and information hub for planners dealing with the new realities of COVID-19.
https://www.eventmanagerblog.com/
Special Events Magazine
Special Events is the premier resource for news, insights and inspiration for special event professionals who plan, manage or supply events.
https://www.specialevents.com/
Convention Services Association of Las Vegas (CSA)
SA-LV is a premier, non-profit, member-based networking organization that serves the convention, tradeshow, and tourism industries in Las Vegas, NV. CSA-LV members represent small business owners, hotels, restauranteurs, professional organizations, and craft services.
https://conventionservicesassociationlv.com/
Catersource
Catersource engages the industry, builds community, and connects caterers to current and reputable products, information, and services relevant to their business.
https://conference.catersource.com/
Cvent
Cvent offers a variety of blog topics to cater to the various needs and interests of event planners and hoteliers alike. Event topics include event planning, mobile event apps, strategic meetings, survey, and hoteliers can find valuable information in the Hospitality section, which helps venues expand and enhance their group business sales and marketing strategies.
LinkedIn: Wedding Professionals Networking Group (WPNG)
With over 18,000 members, WPNG offers members, partners, and entrepreneurs a variety of rich resources that support, promote, and drive your wedding industry business.
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2613608/
Bride Appeal
Bride Appeal is an online educational resource. Their articles are often venue specific and they understand the subtle challenges that come along with running a venue.
