Emerald Expositions Launches on Latisys' Cloud-Enabled Systems Infrastructure Platform

August 17, 2014

Latisys, a leading international provider of hybrid cloud hosting and data center solutions, has made an IT infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) agreement with Emerald Expositions.

Previously owned by the Nielsen Company, Emerald had served as Nielsen's trade show division until it was acquired by Onex Partners in 2013 to form Emerald Expositions.

The acquisition included certain requirements and deadlines for establishing Emerald as an independent business -- including the complete separation of its IT infrastructure from Nielsen.

Focused on rapid business growth, both organically and via acquisitions, the new Emerald Expositions needed a highly flexible and scalable infrastructure that can easily synthesize and accommodate new and disparate IT environments.

Following a thorough evaluation of leading IaaS providers, Emerald chose Latisys for its ability to rapidly move and re-establish Emerald's systems as part of a comprehensive IT infrastructure solution built upon Latisys' enterprise-grade and compliant Cloud-enabled Systems Infrastructure (CESI) and delivered from Latisys' ultra-secure data center in Irvine, Ca.

In a matter of weeks, Latisys was supporting all of Emerald's backend systems and powering Emerald's trade show and exposition services for large corporate clients.

Latisys also serves as the backbone for Emerald's enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems. The company will add resiliency by deploying Latisys' Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) solution from Latisys' data center in Ashburn, Va.

"Emerald Expositions was created literally overnight with an immediate need to establish a highly secure, high performance IT infrastructure to power our critical backend systems," said Bill Charles, Chief Information Officer, Emerald Expositions. "Latisys was instrumental in getting our systems up and into production -- enabling us to rapidly move our applications from the previous environment onto the Latisys platform in a way that was completely seamless and transparent to our customers."

With security as a priority, Latisys engages external audit firms to perform assessments in support of customers' diverse compliance requirements.

These accredited examinations span SOC 2, SOC 3, PCI DSS and HIPAA, affirming Latisys' commitment to meet the highest standards for availability and security.

"Emerald Expositions is a high-growth enterprise that requires a combination of performance, flexibility and speed to market," said Pete Stevenson, CEO, Latisys. "Latisys is committed to serving as an extension of Emerald's IT team, and they can count on both our infrastructure and our team of experts to deliver."

With high-density data centers located in every U.S. time zone, Latisys' national reach enables multi-site redundancy, managed backup and secure disaster recovery including cloud-based DR solutions.

Latisys' Tier III facilities are designed for the business continuity of mission-critical operations, offering the power densities, cooling, backbone network and managed services with an eye toward reducing capital expenditures for storage and ongoing maintenance.

Add new comment

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.