The board of directors of the nonprofit organization that runs the event has alleged that LionHeart Event Group, a company that had produced the event for several years, did not secure mandatory insurance for the event. More here.

The Meetings Mean Business (MMB) Coalition has released an update on its plan for the first year of Meetings Mean Business India. Here’s an inside look at what’s ahead.

Questex’s Latin America Meeting and Incentive Travel Exchange (LAMITE) connects Latin America-based, high-volume meeting planners and incentive buyers with leading global suppliers to cultivate relationships and maximize profits. This week LAMITE commences its fifth annual event at the Plant Hollywood Beach Resort Costa Rica.

The Miami Beach Convention Center has just broken ground on a new, 5.8 acre park, which will be the product of a conversion of one of the facility’s surface parking lots. The new park, which is scheduled to be completed this October, will have 500 new trees, open lawn spaces and shade areas and public art pieces, as well as a public restroom facility, walkways and lighting. 

Questex Travel Group, publisher of International Meetings Review, will host its fifth annual Latin America Meeting and Incentive Travel Exchange (LAMITE) in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. 

Michael W. McCormick is stepping down from his role as executive director and chief operating officer of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) to pursue new opportunities. The organization reports that Scott Solombrino, formerly the president of the GBTA Allied Leadership Council, will step into the role, with McCormick remaining on in an advisory capacity to ensure a smooth transition as the organization prepares for its 51st annual convention, which takes place this August in Chicago. 

Essential Costa Rica, the official country brand for the Central American destination, is planning to sponsor a venue at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival with luxury membership concierge service Wanderluxxe. From January 25 to 28, their lounge will host a series of exclusive daytime wellness activities, filmmaker panels, premiere parties and more.

Ponant will tread down to Costa Rica and Panama next January via a new 10-night/11-day cruise. A part of its new Quintessential Collection, An Exploration in Nature in Costa Rica & The Panama Canal will visit three national parks and feature a guest speaker with firsthand experience at nature reserves around Central America.

Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay 

The Meetings Mean Business Coalition (MMBC) has put together a recap video featuring highlights from this year’s Global Meetings Industry Day, which included 275 events in 53 countries worldwide, and reached over 88 million people through the #GMID19 hashtag.