By Angelica Dimapindan, Yashita Arora, Zoë Galanis, Sofia Borregon, Daniel Lange

Last month, our team had the opportunity to attend the Canadian Meetings + Events Expo (CMEE) in Toronto — and we left energized, inspired, and full of ideas to bring back to LOMA. From insightful sessions, an engaging exhibition floor, to some truly creative activations, CMEE reinforced that the events industry and need for in person connection is not slowing down, only ramping up!

Key Session Takeaways

Leveraging Authenticity to Evolve Your Brand  
Eden Grinshpan reminded us that passion projects matter — they’re often where real growth happens. Her biggest message: evolution is key, but consistency only comes from authenticity. Staying true to your purpose and who you are is what maintains a strong brand.

AI as a Co-Pilot, Not a Replacement
Leanne Calderwood’s AI Lab was one of our highlights. She positioned AI as a co-pilot that can speed up workflows without losing your voice. By training AI with your tone, values, and target audience, you can repurpose content (blogs, captions, posts) while keeping the content authentic. The key: never settle for the first draft, always refine and review.

Events Are Shifting From Planning to “Moment Design”
Julius Solaris brought high energy (despite a red-eye flight) and equally high-impact insights. His forecast: Gen Z and Millennials are redefining events. Shorter sessions, streamlined registration, non-alcoholic beverage options, and interactive networking experiences are the new standard. FOMO continues to drive attendance, but content and purpose are now just as critical. Perhaps most memorable was his reminder that event professionals are “dopamine managers” — responsible for keeping attendees engaged not just onsite, but throughout the planning journey.

Ideas From the Exhibition Floor

The exhibition hall was buzzing with vendors who brought energy, creativity, and fresh ideas. With over 250 booths and 6,000 attendees, the expo was a true reflection of the global meetings and events landscape.

A few standouts:

• Iris Booth – A professional headshot station with built-in lighting and instant email delivery. Functional, memorable, and something attendees can leverage long after the event.
• BATL Grounds – Axe throwing and archery in a safe, interactive setup. High energy, approachable, and unforgettable.
• DMA Events – Innovative photo & video activations, including 360 booths, AI-enhanced headshots, and live mosaic walls.
• Destination Exhibitors – Immersive booths from Banff to Puerto Rico reminded us of the power of a place in storytelling.
• Proforma & Instyle Activities – From branded swag to themed activations, they offered tools that scale across multi-day events.
• Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) – A curated network of 250+ luxury hotels and resorts. Their team connects planners with venues that deliver personalized service and seamless group experiences.
• Transcend Cruises – Luxury river cruises designed for corporate charters and incentive events. Their custom-built ships and curated experiences stood out as truly one-of-a-kind.
• Wordly – Real-time AI translation for dozens of languages. Fast, scalable, and perfect for multilingual meetings—no interpreters needed.
• Hopskip – A hotel sourcing platform that simplifies RFPs. Efficient, transparent, and built to save planners time.

While we did feel that the digital signage for the show floor could have been more detailed/user-friendly, the mix of interactive and informative booths kept the experience engaging throughout.

 Ideas for LOMA’s Upcoming Events

Attending CMEE inspired a range of ideas we’re eager to explore and potentially incorporate into future events.

• Experience-first design – shorter schedules, more intentional moments, and an emphasis on interactive networking opportunities.
• AI-powered marketing – using AI to create fast, relevant, and personalized event content.
• High-value activations – Provides attendees with a professional takeaway.
• Impactful speakers – thought leaders who inspire and challenge audiences, much like CMEE’s lineup.
• Memorable goodbyes – not just great welcomes, but thoughtful parting touches that close the event on a high note.

Final Thoughts

The CMEE Expo was a powerful reminder of why this industry is so exciting. Events are becoming smarter, and more focused on authentic experiences — but at their core, they remain about connection, community and impact.

We had a great day bonding as a team, came away with new ideas, and fresh inspiration to design events that aren’t just attended but remembered.  Congratulations to the CMEE planning team – looking forward to next year!