Monthly Archives: May 2023

Alaska Airlines and ZeroAvia begin developing world’s largest zero-emission aircraft

On Monday, May 1st, Alaska Airlines presented a Bombardier Q400 regional turboprop to ZeroAvia that will be retrofitted with a hydrogen-electric propulsion system in an effort to expand the reach and applicability of zero emissions flight technology.

When Alaska Airlines’ regional carrier Horizon Air retired its Q400 fleet, it reserved one of the 76 seat aircraft for research and development purposes to further advance zero emissions technology for the aviation industry. Green aviation company ZeroAvia, which has an R&D center in Everett, is outfitting the retired Dash 8 Q400 regional turboprop with its hydrogen-powered electric propulsion system.

The technology is “revolutionizing the way propulsion evolves,” said Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci. “This is pretty cool. I’m extremely excited about the future.” In 2021, Alaska Airlines launched a partnership and invested in ZeroAvia to support the development of zero emissions propulsion technology for regional aircraft. As the fifth largest U.S. airline with a large regional network, Alaska has a unique opportunity to support the development of zero-emissions propulsion technology for regional aircraft. By establishing the viability of regional-sized aircraft, both companies will help advance zero-emissions technology across the industry.

Alaska Airlines is a major airline in the United States, headquartered in Seattle, Washington.  

Alaska Airlines and its regional partners fly 46 million guests a year to more than 120 destinations across the United States, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica and Mexico. They strive to be the most caring airline with award-winning customer service and an industry-leading loyalty program.

The airline offers more nonstop flights from the West Coast than any other carrier. Though Alaska calls Seattle home, the company has hubs in Anchorage, Alaska, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Portland, Oregon. Other focus cities include San Diego and San Jose, California.  

Popular East Coast flights originate from Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Baltimore, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale. 

Meeting and convention travel

Alaska Airlines meeting and convention discounts provide convenience, flexibility, and savings for your event attendees. Discounts and a range of benefits are available for travel from a variety of origin cities to your event or convention destination.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ConventionPlanit.com Partners with the Alliance of Independent Meeting Professionals

WASHINGTON, DC, March 5, 2023 – ConventionPlanit.com, a popular online search directory and RFP portal for the meetings industry, has formed a strategic partnership with the Alliance of Independent Meeting Professionals (AIMP) to collaborate on mutually beneficial exposure in the meetings industry.

ConventionPlanit.com will promote AIMP and its members with digital marketing on the ConventionPlanit.com website and e-Newsletter that reaches thousands of planners and suppliers to enhance awareness for AIMP. In addition, ConventionPlanit.com will furnish AIMP with RFP Valet® – a timesaving, free souring tool and service, accessible on independentmeetingprofessionals.com. AIMP members can obtain a complimentary ConventionPlanit.com listing to market their services by simply using the sourcing tool.

AIMP will provide ConventionPlanit.com with communication vehicles referencing the partner benefits to meeting professionals. The Alliance of Independent Meeting Professionals recognizes the wide exposure that ConventionPlanit.com offers us throughout the meetings industry,” says AIMP Founder David N Bruce, MMP, HTS.   “We see strong synergies between our two organizations to increase awareness with both meeting planner and supplier professionals.”

ConventionPlanit.com Co-Founder and Principal David B. Markham adds, ““The Alliance of Independent Meeting Professionals is home to many top independent meeting planners who will benefit from the complimentary services that ConventionPlanit.com offers. We are delighted to have this opportunity to demonstrate how we can improve their work-life balance with our hi-tech/hi-touch resources.”

Designed by meeting professionals as an efficient registration-free online search directory and RFP Portal, ConventionPlanit.com’s website quickly refines searches to identify appropriate destinations, facilities, and service providers. RFP Valet® combines personalized assistance with a user-friendly tool to display comparative quotes and concessions. ConventionPlanit.com connects buyers with sellers and there are no commissions, markups, or hidden fees. For more information, visit conventionplanit.com.

Alliance of Independent Meeting Professionals is a corporate association for the

betterment of the independent meeting planner and the industry as a whole. Our

purpose is to develop the planning industry into a more professional, single voice.

Visit independentmeetingprofessionals.com to learn more.

Working with Independent Meeting Professionals

The marketplace is saturated with 3rd party RFPs. To expertly sell to this market, it’s important to differentiate site selectors from independent meeting professionals. We went to the source.

Meet ConventionPlanit.com’s new partner, the Alliance of Independent Meeting Professionals (AIMP).  

What is the Alliance of Independent Meeting Professional’s Unique Mission?

AIMP’s start began four years ago when the third-party commission structure changed. In an interview with AIMP’s Founder, David Bruce, we uncovered a passionate quest to support independent meeting professionals. As a 50-year industry professional, David’s unique mission is to bring the independent planner and hotelier together by understanding the needs of both. We want to give independent meeting professionals a voice within the marketplace. Distinguishing our members is the first step. As their advocate, we create enormous awareness for destinations, hotels, and resorts. By raising awareness of their intrinsic value, we can transform the marketplace.

With many third parties aiding in the planning process, how do your planner members differ?

The independent planner has adapted to the end user’s needs with numerous services. Independent meeting professionals have existed for over three decades, and our members are meeting professionals who generate over $450 million annually in group room revenue.As active consultants throughout the process, independent meeting professionals manage multiple aspects of the meeting besides site selection. Their services often include on-site management, coordination, budgeting, and billing, as they are an active consultant during the decision process as a client representative. In today’s marketplace, more companies focus solely on-site selection, and they rely on salespeople to generate and process RFPs. Due to competition for leads with national sales offices and destination management organizations, site-selection companies often distribute an RFP to an excessive number of properties to protect a commission. These RFPs are only sometimes fully qualified and sent to facilities that may be unsuitable to meet the client’s requirements.

How does AIMP support its members?

The independent meeting professional needs a centralized voice and standards. AIMP provides standard operating procedures, contract clauses, and best practices for our members. Our industry yearns to return to face-to-face negotiations that help establish trust. David Bruce believes the independent planner-hotel relationship will improve by understanding the needs of each entity through enhanced collaboration; we can help carry out this by clarifying the enduring relationship benefits with independent meeting professionals.

Interested in joining or learning more about AIMP? Click here.

The Ultimate Guide to Planning Sustainable Meetings

Showcasing innovative approaches by destinations, venues, hotels and more.

The Ultimate Guide to Planning Sustainable Meetings is a brand new report from Skift Meetings. It explores the ways the business events industry is embracing sustainability and how organisations are addressing the world’s greatest social, environmental and economic challenges.
 
The guide features case studies and practical guidance that supports ending poverty, protecting people and planet, and ensuring peace and prosperity by 2030.

Download the guide and be inspired by the ways the business events community is responding to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. And feel free to share this with your colleagues!

The IMEX Team

PS: Joining us at IMEX Frankfurt? You can catch Skift Meetings editor Miguel Neves speaking as part of our education programme, in his session Smart innovation powering sustainable meetings. Register now!