Getting through airport security doesn’t have to be a stressful part of your trip. With just a few mindful moves—and the latest updates from the TSA—you can breeze through the checkpoint and get on with your journey.
Here’s what you need to know for smoother travel this season:

Dress the Part

Avoid clothing that will trigger metal detectors, like steel-toe shoes, excessive jewelry, or belts with large metal buckles. Opt for slip-on shoes to speed up the process and reduce time fumbling post-scan.

Know What’s in Your Bag

Empty your pockets before getting in line and double-check your carry-on. Common problem items include:

• Oversized liquids
• Power banks or vape pens (which must be in carry-ons, not checked luggage)
• Unlabeled food items that may get flagged

Arrive Early & Be Ready

• The TSA recommends arriving at least 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours for international.
• Have your Real ID (now required in most U.S. airports) or passport ready.
• Finish your water bottle before getting in line or use a refillable one for post-security hydration.

Listen & Adapt

TSA procedures can vary by airport. Some may still require removing shoes, laptops, or batteries,others may not, especially in PreCheck lanes or locations with upgraded CT scanners. Stay alert to signage and agent instructions.

Keep the Line Moving

After the scan, quickly gather your items and move to the bench area to reassemble. Don’t block the line, help keep the flow going by returning your bin and finishing up off to the side.

New for 2025: TSA Tech & Rules Update

• Keep Your Shoes On: The TSA has recently implemented a new policy allowing passengers to keep their shoes on during security screenings at US airports. 
• CT Scanner Expansion: More airports now use Computed Tomography (CT) scanners, allowing laptops and electronics to stay in bags.
• Touchless ID Scanners: TSA is expanding use of facial recognition and digital ID verification is available at select airports via the TSA app and supported mobile wallets.
• Real ID Enforcement: The May 7, 2025, deadline has arrived. Remember that a Real ID-compliant license or valid passport will be required for domestic air travel. Check your state’s status now.

Master’s Tip

Apply for TSA PreCheck or CLEAR to cut down wait times dramatically. The enrollment process is quick, and once approved, you’ll enjoy shorter lines, no need to remove shoes or belts, and faster security clearance every time you fly.

This summer, whether you’re flying, riding, or driving, a little preparation goes a long way. Here’s your quick-start guide to navigating planes, trains, and automobiles with confidence and ease.

Planes: Pack Light, Travel Smart.

Skip the stress (and the baggage fees) by shipping your luggage ahead of time—it’s often comparable in price if you do your homework. Even better, avoid overhead bin space battles entirely by packing an under-seat bag no larger than 15” x 8”. Stick to versatile clothing, consolidate your tech gear, and save shopping space for duty-free souvenirs, which won’t count against your carry-on limits.

Trains: The Future Is on Track.

High-speed travel is getting a serious upgrade. Amtrak’s AIRO fleet, rolling out in 2026 across 12 major lines, promises a sleek experience: panoramic windows, spacious seating, AI-enhanced visual messaging, color-coded cabins, greater accessibility, contemporary food options, and 5G WiFi. Whether you’re on the Northeast Regional, Cascades, or Vermonter, this is train travel reimagined.

Automobiles: Safety First on the Highways.

With more drivers on the road, safety matters more than ever,especially for roadside responders. Tow truck operators are considered first responders too, and distracted, speeding drivers pose serious risks. If you see emergency or breakdown activity, slow down and move over. It’s more than courteous—it saves lives.

Master’s Tip: Build in Buffer Time.

Whether flying, driving, or taking a train, delays are a common part of modern travel. Extra time lets you adjust calmly, pivot when needed, and stay present for the journey, not just the destination.

Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Jo Ann Hoffman

The ConventionPlanit.com staff is saddened by the passing of  former colleague, Jo Ann Hoffman, Regional Director of Sales, 2018 – 2024 – a trailblazer in the meetings and hospitality industry.  

Jo Ann Hoffman will be greatly missed by her many friends and colleagues. As a role model, her contribution to women in golf is unparalleled. On behalf of our team, JoAnn will be forever remembered for her many accomplishments, loyal friendship and unique spirit.

Katherine S. Markham, Co-founder, ConventionPlanit.com   

The meetings and hospitality industry lost a cherished leader, mentor, and friend with the recent passing of Jo Ann Hoffman.

Her legacy is one of passion, progress, and unwavering dedication to our profession.Jo Ann began her career in 1969 and quickly became a trusted name in hotel sales, association management, and event planning. Her journey in association work started in 1976 at the American College of Cardiology, with later roles at the American Association of Blood Banks and Experient. In each role, she was known for her innovative spirit, strategic insight, and ability to elevate the industry standards.

Jo Ann’s volunteerism was extraordinary. She served as President of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) and spent eight years on the board of directors, including four on the PCMA Education Foundation Board. She also chaired numerous committees, authored thought leadership pieces, and contributed to annual conference programming. Her impact was far-reaching and deeply felt by those who had the privilege to work alongside her.

Beyond boardrooms and ballrooms, Jo Ann was a champion for inclusion and empowerment. She developed and led the Women’s Golf Experience for GWSAE, opening the door for women to embrace golf as a career asset and networking tool. She was also instrumental in founding The Meeting Industry Ladies Organization (MILO)—a community built on support and connection.

Her contributions extended to advisory boards for industry organizations like the Monterey County CVB, Corporate Meetings and Incentive Magazine, the Executive Women’s Golf Association (EWGA), and partnerships with the LPGA, USGA, and PGA professionals.

In July 2000, Meeting News named her one of the “25 Most Influential People in the Meeting Industry,” a well-deserved honor for someone whose influence shaped generations of professionals. Jo Ann was also featured in Corporate Meetings & Incentives, MPI Magazine, and Association Management Magazine.

Jo Ann leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire. She was a force of nature—fierce in her advocacy, gracious in her mentorship, and generous in her leadership. Her wisdom, laughter, and light will be missed but never forgotten.

We extend our deepest sympathies to her family, friends, and colleagues.

Bleisure—where business meets leisure—isn’t just a passing trend. It’s a shift in how people travel, engage, and choose which events to attend.
According to the American Hotel & Lodging Association, 67% of Millennials add vacation time to the conferences they attend. That means today’s meeting professionals aren’t just planning for breakout sessions and keynote speakers—they’re factoring in poolside cabanas, spa days, and nearby adventure.

And it’s not just Millennials:
–> 79% of attendees say they’re more likely to volunteer for a business trip if they can extend it for leisure.
–> 60% of long-haul business trips now include vacation time.
–> 41% of corporate travel managers report a rise in requests for extended stays that mix work with personal time.
So what does this mean for planners?

Destination Matters (More Than Ever)

Think beyond the convention center. Select destinations with vacation appeal—scenic settings, vibrant food scenes, unique attractions, or luxury leisure amenities.

Partner with Hotels That “Get It”

Work with properties that offer extended-stay rates, late checkout, and family-friendly packages. Bonus points if they have pre-built bleisure packages to make your life easier.

Market the Experience, Not Just the Agenda

Include “come early, stay late” messaging in your promotions. Highlight local attractions, resort features, and ways attendees can turn their work trip into a mini-getaway.

Design a Bleisure Toolkit

Provide optional itineraries or maps of must-see spots. Offer travel discounts or suggested pre/post-event excursions.

The Bottom Line

When attendees blend business with leisure, they’re more likely to register, stay engaged, and leave satisfied. As a planner, embracing the bleisure boost doesn’t just elevate your event—it enhances your ROI.

Let’s face it—no one registers for a conference excited about the check-in line.

It’s often the first in-person impression of your event, and too often, it’s… underwhelming. But with a few smart moves, you can make registration smooth, welcoming, and surprisingly fun.
Here’s how:

Make Check-In Effortless

Encourage attendees to download the event app before arrival and attach a personalized QR code to their confirmation email. That code becomes their VIP pass—scannable at the door for instant check-in.

Pro Tip: Pre-event emails should include reminders and clear instructions to download the app. Add a “skip the line” incentive to drive adoption.

Staff for Service, Not Just Speed

Efficiency is great, but don’t overlook human interaction. Friendly, well-informed staff should be ready to answer questions, offer directions, or just say “we’re glad you’re here.” A little warmth goes a long way.

Gamify the Experience

Turn registration into a mini adventure. Hide QR codes at different “stations” within the registration area. When attendees scan them, they earn points on their event profile—redeemable for giveaways, VIP seating, or drink tickets.

Station Ideas & Points:

• Welcome Desk – 50 points
• Name Badge Station – 75 points
• Swag Collection Point – 100 points
• Networking Lounge – 150 points
• Mystery Station – 200 points!
You’ll not only keep the energy up—you’ll also drive early engagement with your event layout, key sponsor zones, and networking areas.

Why it Matters

• Registration is more than a transaction—it’s a first impression.
• Make it seamless, make it interactive, and above all, make it memorable.
• When attendees feel welcomed from the start, the whole event benefits.

Let’s face it—conferences aren’t just for attendees anymore. As more professionals turn business trips into bleisure (business + leisure) experiences, it’s time to ask: what happens when an attendee brings their spouse?
Spoiler alert: it’s an opportunity, not a problem.
While your attendees are busy networking, learning, or shaking hands over hors d’oeuvres, their spouses might be wondering what to do between breakfast keynotes and evening receptions. That’s where your event can truly shine.

Offer a Spouse Itinerary

Think: exclusive city tours, wellness mornings, golf tee times, cooking classes, or mixology experiences. Bonus points for anything that feels like a “locals-only” insider treat.

Create Lounge or Leisure Spaces

Designate an area with refreshments, reading material, and casual conversation zones for spouses to mingle, recharge, or connect with others in the same boat.

Make It Social

Plan one or two low-pressure, high-enjoyment social events that include both attendees and their guests—sunset cocktails, a private museum visit, or even a game night can do wonders for building community.

At the end of the day, happy spouses = happy attendees. And when your event is remembered not just for the content, but for the care put into every guest’s experience, you’re not just planning a meeting—you’re building loyalty.

Level-Up Tips for Pro Planners:

💡 Create a Spouse Advisory Board

Engage a few past attendees’ spouses ahead of your event to help shape activities and preferences. They’ll offer insights you might not expect—and may even serve as on-site ambassadors.

💡 Integrate Subtle Networking Touchpoints

Don’t overlook the spouse’s professional life. Offer optional experiences that gently allow for business cross-pollination—like a “plus-one professional mixer” or a shared-interest panel (wellness, entrepreneurship, sustainability) that invites broader participation.

Need a fresh perspective or a moment to recharge? ALHI’s two standout podcasts—Beyond the Meeting Room and Connecting the Dots—offer smart, candid conversations designed to inform, uplift, and inspire meeting professionals like you. Whether you’re commuting, planning, or in need of a mindset reset—these are must-listens.

Beyond the Meeting Room

This April 2025 episode features Top Chef star Carla Hall. She shares how food connects us all, why she believes in always “cooking with love,” and how embracing feedback can lead to personal and professional breakthroughs. This is a feel-good listen with takeaways that resonate well beyond the kitchen.

Listen to Carla Hall’s Episode

Connecting the Dots

Dives into timely topics shaping our industry. Recent episodes feature a thoughtful reflection on how to breathe during uncertain times, and a behind-the-scenes look at Destination Capitol Hill. These episodes offer insight into how advocacy, leadership, and resilience shape our industry’s future.

Explore Connecting the Dots

Have a problem? Sleep on it!

Your brain continues to work while you’re sleeping. Although brain activity is highest during deep sleep stages, researchers found high creativity levels following a 15-minute nap, in which dreams are hallucinogenic with cognitive control.

It’s intel you already have. You just need to access it.

For more creativity or a solution to a problem, you can add a fresh perspective to your waking knowledge by simply recalling your dream. Upon waking, you still have all the neurochemistry of sleep lingering in your brain. Do not move or open your eyes. Focus instead on all aspects in your dream and examine how it fits into your current issue.

When was the last time you truly slept on a problem?

Meeting professionals juggle a million details—from contract negotiations to contingency plans—and sometimes, the best way forward isn’t brute force but quiet insight. Research shows that our brains remain highly active during sleep, especially in dream-rich states. In fact, even a short nap can unlock fresh perspectives and unconventional ideas.

Sleep: Your Untapped Creative Partner

During deep sleep and even light dozing, the brain continues processing information. Studies have found that a 15-minute nap—just long enough to tap into dream states—can boost creative thinking. Dreams offer surreal imagery and unexpected associations, all rooted in your existing knowledge and experience. That’s why the advice to “sleep on it” isn’t just a cliché—it’s cognitive science.

Dream Recall as a Planning Tool

When you wake up, your brain still lingers in that chemically altered, idea-rich state. Before checking your phone or hopping out of bed, try this:

Stay still. Don’t open your eyes.

Focus on recalling the emotional tone and key elements of your dream.

Ask yourself: How might this relate to my current project or challenge?

It might sound abstract, but many breakthroughs—artistic, strategic, or logistical—start this way. Your subconscious is constantly working behind the scenes, making connections your waking mind might miss.

Bringing Insight to Event Planning

From finding the perfect keynote speaker to solving an attendee engagement issue, the next “a-ha” moment might come from your dreams. Make it a habit to give your brain space—and trust that insight will follow. Whether you’re planning a board retreat or a large conference, sleep just might be your new favorite strategy session.

Next time you’re stuck on a planning challenge—try doing nothing. Let your subconscious lead. Your next best idea might be one nap away.