MGM Resorts International announced its planned June 4 reopening of Bellagio, New York-New York, MGM Grand Las Vegas and The Signature, following the closure earlier this year of all of its U.S. properties amidst the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. At opening, amenities at all properties will be limited. As demand for the destination builds, additional venues within these resorts will open and other MGM Resorts properties on The Strip will reopen.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced it has implemented changes to the security screening process to reduce the potential for cross-contamination at the security checkpoint in an effort to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). The TSA has already begun implementation of these changes, with more to be implemented at airport checkpoints nationwide by mid-June.

Startups in London’s tourism and business event sectors are now being encouraged to apply to the London & Partners’ Business Growth Program.

Launching in late June, the accelerator program's summer cohort will support companies in tourism and business events, creative, urban, life sciences, financial, business services and technology industries, as well as in the impact (purpose-driven) sector as originally planned.

Anantara Hotels and Resorts has announces the extension of its recently launched “Stay with Peace of Mind” program to include MICE facilities. To ensure guest and meeting delegate confidence, Anantara will be implementing stringent new health and hygiene measures, with enhanced levels of sanitation extending throughout the hotels’ meeting, events and conference spaces and focusing on wellbeing for guests and team members.

There continues to be small signs of optimism in the travel sector according to new research by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). Health and safety measures, while always a cornerstone of travel, are now of significant importance as the industry tries to gain momentum for recovery.

When social distancing measures were put in place in Iceland on March 16, Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Center in Reykjavík had to close temporarily. Before the outbreak, however, 2020 was on track to be a record year for Harpa in international events.

Research amongst event buyers, conducted by BMA House, an event venue in London, has shown a significant desire to seek a better work/life balance.

With the COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis providing an opportunity for many individuals to focus on family, leisure and personal relationships, 68 percent of event organizers said they will seek a better work/life balance going forward. This was reflected by 60 percent of event delegates also saying they would seek improvements. 

Benchmark, A Global Hospitality Company, has officially launched its recovery initiative that will support meeting planners and partners while creating new solutions for the industry in a post-COVID-19 world. In effect through March 2021, the plan mitigates the risk and uncertainty of committing to new meetings and events. To provide reassurance to corporate planners, the plan includes flexible short-term bookings, relaxed attrition and cancellation fees and 100 percent credit given on rebookings. 

As countries around the world respond to the coronavirus pandemic, London’s events industry has been adapting their business offering to support the fight against coronavirus. While the government takes small steps towards reopening parts of the U.K. economy and the events industry considers the path to recovery, the London Convention Bureau is launching a new resource for event planners: London’s Virtual Site Visits.

After the easing of restrictions on social gatherings and travel this week, the New Zealand government has confirmed ticketed large events, including domestic business events and conferences can now go ahead with a 100-person limit. There is also a one-meter (six-foot) distancing requirement, and contact tracing is essential.