Press Release // San Diego, CA - Nov. 26, 2019- Soundings Connect, an innovative network of freelance meeting & event talent, is excited to announce its partnership with ECPAT-USA, a trailblazing organization committed to raising awareness, advocating for policy and providing community education about human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children around the world.

Did you know that each year there are 40 million victims of sex-trafficking globally? As meetings and events professionals who travel regularly throughout our careers, we are in the unique position to help combat the commercial sexual exploitation of children in the United States and around the world.

The news is in. The gig economy is going strong. According to the latest Deloitte study on Global Human Capital Trends, self-employment is expected to triple by 2020. That means 42 million independent workers will be available for hire.

MPI Blog // If meeting professionals have learned anything from the Great Recession, it’s that the travel industry is hit hard during an economic downturn. Throughout the recession, companies made significant cutbacks on corporate travel expenses. As a result of the reductions in spend, major meetings were canceled and non-revenue-generating departments such as meeting planning were downsized.

I’m always interested in learning more about how innovative technology is elevating events. Soundings Connect was founded on the idea that we can reshape events through leveraging technology and strategically building the best teams possible to serve our clients.

The Meeting Professional magazine // In case you haven’t heard, the gig economy is here to stay. Small businesses and freelancers alike are reaping the benefits of a modern-day labor market that celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit. In a recent LinkedIn study, 70 percent of small businesses surveyed had hired freelancers in the past. Of those companies, 81 percent plan to hire freelancers again in the future.

MPI Blog // After Mexico’s new president shut down the country’s Tourism Promotion Council of Mexico earlier this year, IBTM Americas attendees share their thoughts on the importance of having this two-day show take place in Mexico City.

SITE SoCal // Tracy Judge led an educational session on decision-making strategies through Data Driven Event Design as part of the San Diego State University Senior Professional Master’s Series.

How do we confidently place freelancers with our customers to deliver on our brand promise? We looked beyond work experience and developed a model based on massive amounts of research and detailed conversations with HR professionals, behavioral scientists, business leaders, employees, and freelancers.

It’s everyone’s favorite time of the year again…tax season! Instead of looking back on the past year (I am sure you are spending enough time on that as you prepare to file) I asked my tax accountant Jessica Estrada, Tax Partner at PacWest Accounting, to share some advice on how to prepare for the future.

Many industries have started to turn to the gig economy for talent, elevating the entrepreneurial spirit to an all-time high. Rather than working for a steady paycheck, skilled professionals are working for a specific purpose: to excel with their unique skillsets and live freely as solopreneurs. Does this sound like the type of person you want on your team?