Michael J. Shapiro

Technology Editor and Senior Editor at Meetings & Conventions

Executive Editor at Northstar Meetings Group

Executive Editor, Northstar Meetings Group. Content creator who covers #eventtech, #travel, #meetings & more for #eventprofs & #travelpros

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Articles

PRA Names Ariane Coldiron as CEO

2 weeks ago | northstarmeetingsgroup.com | Michael J. Shapiro

Business-events management firm PRA has tapped industry veteran Ariane Coldiron as its new CEO, succeeding Tom Kemp, who stepped in as interim CEO last November. Coldiron brings more than three decades of experience to the job, most recently serving as senior vice president of corporate events at Production Resource Group, a provider of global entertainment and live-event production solutions. She will begin her new role on May 12.
Cvent snaps up spatial event design tech firm Prismm

2 weeks ago | meetings-conventions-asia.com | Michael J. Shapiro

Meetings technology giant Cvent has beefed up its event-diagramming and hotel marketing functionality by acquiring the Prismm platform. Prismm – which was formerly known as Allseated until it rebranded last year – offers spatial event-design technology that can be used to create photorealistic 3D representations of hotels and event spaces, allowing for virtual tours and walkthroughs. Both hoteliers and planners can use the collaborative tool for event diagramming as well.
Cvent Acquires Prismm 3D Spatial-Design Platform

3 weeks ago | northstarmeetingsgroup.com | Michael J. Shapiro

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Greater Palm Springs Becomes a Certified Autism Destination

3 weeks ago | northstarmeetingsgroup.com | Michael J. Shapiro

Greater Palm Springs has become the first destination in Southern California to achieve the Certified Autism Destination designation, demonstrating its commitment to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for autistic and sensory-sensitive travelers. The CAD designation is awarded to destination marketing organizations by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards.
Spirit Names New CEO

1 month ago | northstarmeetingsgroup.com | Michael J. Shapiro

Spirit Airlines has named Dave Davis as its new president and CEO. Davis, who most recently was president and CFO of Sun Country Airlines, replaces Ted Christie, who stepped down from the head job at Spirit 10 days ago. Davis officially begins his new role April 21. "We're excited to welcome Dave as Spirit's new president and CEO," said Spirit chair Robert Milton, lead director of Air Lease Corp.
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego Plans Hotelwide Renovation

1 month ago | meetings-conventions.com | Michael J. Shapiro

The Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, one of Southern California's largest hotels, soon will embark on a major propertywide renovation, beginning early this year and taking place in phases through the end of 2026. All 1,628 guest rooms will be updated, as will the hotel's more than 320,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, multiple dining venues, the sports court and the two rooftop pool decks.
San Francisco's Hotel Spero Joins IHG Vignette Collection

2 months ago | meetings-conventions.com | Michael J. Shapiro

San Francisco's Hotel Spero, a 259-room historic boutique property near Union Square, has become the first West Coast hotel to join IHG's Vignette Collection. The Hotel Spero, which is managed by Aperture Hotels, is just the second North American property in the collection of one-of-a-kind properties. IHG launched the Vignette Collection in 2021, which now numbers 20 hotels worldwide.
Trump PTO Pick's Fortress Ties Signal Big Tech Patent Fights

2 months ago | news.bloombergtax.com | Michael J. Shapiro |Emily Siegel |Annelise Levy |Adam Taylor

President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the US Patent and Trademark Office is setting off alarm bells for tech companies and their lawyers. John A. Squires, nominated Tuesday, helped create Fortress Investment Group’s IP funding arm while working in private practice. The asset-management giant last year committed $6.6 billion to litigation finance and another $2.9 billion to intellectual property, it said, pursuing infringement cases against the likes of Apple Inc. and Intel Corp.
360 Destination Group Merges With CSI DMC

2 months ago | northstarmeetingsgroup.com | Michael J. Shapiro

Destination management companies 360 Destination Group and CSI DMC are merging, which will result in one of the largest DMCs in the United States. The two organizations will continue operating as separate entities for the near future but intend to unify under a single brand before year's end. The merger brings together a combined $200 million in revenue and 360 employees, with operations in 46 destinations nationwide.
World's Most Expensive Cities for Business Travel

2 months ago | northstarmeetingsgroup.com | Michael J. Shapiro

Hickory Global Partners, a global corporate travel consortium for travel management companies and corporate travel departments, has compiled a report on the world’s most expensive cities for business travel. Globally, Rome costs the most, where the business traveler's spend averages $522.49 a day; domestically, New York City is the most expensive, at $447.51 a day.