News

Nov 28, 2023
Freeman, a global events company, has revealed its CEO succession plan. Janet Dell, currently serving as the company’s president and COO, is set to step into the role of CEO, effective July 1, 2024, succeeding Bob Priest-Heck, who will retire after a remarkable 15-year tenure. He will continue as a member of Freeman’s board of directors. Dell, who joined Freeman in 2018, has held various key positions within the company and currently oversees the execution of its long-term strategy on a global scale. Her leadership during the pandemic notably involved rehiring 95% of furloughed employees,… more
Nov 28, 2023
Global Diversity Alliance (GDA), a new global LGBTQ+ community association committed to fostering a world that celebrates and embraces diversity in all its forms, released its whitepaper, “Banning the Boycott – How to Do Business in Times of Discrimination (BTB).”  The new resource, a comprehensive guide for meeting planners, hospitality and destination professionals to build more inclusive and diverse events for all stakeholders, offers pathways to navigate through the challenges of planning events in destinations with discriminatory legislation. The resource-rich, data-driven document also… more
Nov 27, 2023
Las Vegas welcomed a groundbreaking addition to its bustling entertainment landscape with the official opening of the Sphere on Sept. 29, kicking off with a performance by the iconic band U2. Sphere is a next-generation, immersive state-of-the-art entertainment medium and venue, as well as the world’s largest spherical structure, according to officials from live media and entertainment company Sphere Entertainment. Sitting 336 feet tall and 516 feet wide, the eye-catching orb features a wraparound exterior spanning 580,000 square feet that can be programmed to create dynamic and massive LED… more
Nov 22, 2023
What do you need to know before you attend Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition? After chatting with IAEE Vice President, Marketing and Communications Nicole Bowman and scrutinizing the full schedule of programming, TSNN put together this list of new and notable networking and education events to help you plan. Scheduled for Dec. 5-7 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center (KBHCCD), Expo! Expo!, which was held in Louisville, Ky. in 2022, is on pace to draw 2,000 event professionals to Dallas, the hometown headquarters of the association.  The KBHCCD, which is set to… more
Nov 21, 2023
While audience participation is a critical aspect of any effective and engaging virtual meeting or event, it’s important for event managers to properly vet and prepare guest speakers for panels or live Q&As to protect their event’s integrity and brand image. To help solve this challenge, virtual events company GlobalMeet recently launched Centerstage, a platform for virtually handling and screening guest speakers during digital events, such as investor meetings, town halls, internal HR meetings and more. With this new feature, pre-selected speakers or audience members can be promoted to… more
Nov 21, 2023
Two industry veterans — Robyn Duda and Marco Giberti — have teamed up to launch RacquetX, a B2B conference with a B2C component for all racquet sports under one roof. Debuting March 24–26, 2024, in Miami during the middle weekend of the Miami Open, RacquetX is hoping to capitalize on the recent boom in racquet sports including tennis, pickleball, padel, squash, table tennis and more.  “Tennis has experienced a 33% boom in participation since 2020,” said Duda. “Pickleball is taking North America by storm with the number of people playing growing by 59% over three years, reaching a total of 8.… more
Nov 21, 2023
Two public companies in the trade show industry, Viad and Emerald, reported financial results for the third quarter that ended September 30, 2023. Here are two key highlights: Emerald reported revenues of $72.5 million for Q3 2023, an increase of $10.1 million, or 16.2% over Q3 2022, primarily due to growth in events that staged in both Q3 2023 and Q3 2022, new launches and acquisitions. Total Q3 revenue for GES, a division of Viad, was $179.0 million, a decrease of 18.3% from the Q3 2022, primarily due to the timing of major non-annual shows and the sale of ON Services, which impacted year… more
Nov 20, 2023
Eighteen years after the massive hotel development was first announced, Fontainebleau Las Vegas is gearing up to open its doors on Dec. 13 and is accepting reservations ahead of its grand opening.  Named after its sister hotel, Fontainebleau Miami Beach, the $3.7-billion luxury resort and casino resides on 24.5 acres on the northern end of the Las Vegas Strip adjacent to the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) District’s West Hall, making it a convenient hotel and conference space option for attendees and exhibitors participating in meetings and trade shows at the LVCC.  Representing the… more
Nov 17, 2023
Are you planning to attend the Experiential Designers and Producers Association (EDPA) Access 2023?  TSNN has everything you need to know about EDPA Access 2023 — whether you are a first-timer or regular attendee.  Founded in 1954, EDPA serves the experiential, exhibit and event industry, representing more than 300 corporations across 18 countries. The three-day annual event typically draws about 300 attendees who are C-level executives of large and small companies. With event registration open and hotel deadlines quickly approaching, we caught up with EDPA Executive Director Dasher Lowe… more
Nov 16, 2023
Trade show and corporate event organizers now have a new way to tap into the increasing popularity of blended travel while elevating their in-person events with Jampack, a new bundling platform that curates unique and memorable host-city experiences for attendees and exhibitors.  Using the Jampack platform, event-goers can explore and purchase exclusive destination experiences, such as networking-focused dining events, excursions or golf outings, hotel accommodations and stay-the-weekend packages before, during and after trade shows and conferences — setting the stage for elevated networking… more
Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here. New Wave Experiences Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, drawing inspiration from the award-winning chef’s childhood in Egypt and with flavors and décor inspired by the spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns, as well as Caramá by Wolfgang Puck, bringing the essence of Italy and spirit of Wolfgang into one concept, are recent additions. The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also experienced a recent remodel of all 424 rooms. Swingers, a high-end, adults-only golf and entertainment concept will debut in Fall 2024. Enhanced Technology Creating a truly effective conference venue requires careful thought into what a business needs: the right technology, capacity, and inspiration to bring ideas to the next level. As part of the resort’s refresh, Mandalay Bay implemented state-of-the-art technology upgrades, installing cutting-edge Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center. This advancement doubles the frequency of data transmission, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 9400% faster. The convention center now boasts 11 dynamic digital walls, spanning up to 24' x 13', strategically positioned for brand placements, sponsorships and targeted event messaging. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 20 double-sided 55" mobile flexible display units, facilitating effortless navigation to meeting rooms and events. RFID locks were installed on all meeting room doors, and over 200 motion detection cameras have been placed throughout the space. Refreshing New Design & Fine Art The newly remodeled convention space provides a bright and vibrant atmosphere that complements Mandalay Bay's tropical-inspired brand. Featuring white-washed walls and ceilings adorned with bold floral patterns in cerulean and coral tones, the space is complemented by warm walnut accent walls. In addition to the redesign of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, Mandalay Bay's 1 million square feet of exhibit space has undergone a rejuvenation, including new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights. Sustainable Spectacles Mandalay Bay is committed to Focused on What Matters and creating more responsible meetings. Refillable water stations all available around the resort, cutting unnecessary plastic usage from single-use bottles. The Mandalay Bay campus’ recent upgrades represent a bold step forward in redefining the Las Vegas experience. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Mandalay Bay sets a new standard for excellence in business hospitality. Whether you're seeking cutting-edge conference facilities, world-class dining options, or simply a luxurious retreat, an unparalleled meeting experience awaits.