Feb 14, 2017
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has launched its 2017 Next Generation Leadership (NGL) grant and is inviting talented events professionals from around the world to apply. UFI will award grants to up to five future leaders who have shown exceptional initiative in driving change and innovation in their area of the exhibition industry. Together, the winners will investigate the future of exhibitions, working closely with the team at UFI headquarters in Paris. They will present their findings in a special session at the 84th UFI Global Congress in Johannesburg (South… more
Feb 13, 2017
As the leading global destination and online streaming platform for Japanese anime and East Asian media, Crunchyroll is about to take its first foray into the event world with the launch of Crunchyroll Expo. Scheduled Aug. 25-27 at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, Calif., the new event will offer everything ardent fans have come to expect from the popular brand wrapped into three jam-packed days of anime, manga, games and cosplay, as well as unique exhibits, immersive activations and guest appearances by some of the biggest personalities in Japan and the U.S. Crunchyroll Expo… more
Feb 12, 2017
GES had a good 2016, with the division of the parent company Viad closing out the year with $1,054.7 billion in revenues, compared with $976.9 million in 2015 – an 8-percent uptick. Fourth-quarter revenues also saw a slight increase, up to $246.2 million from $244.5 million during the same time period in 2015, a 0.7-percent increase. “GES delivered solid fourth quarter results to finish the year in line with our prior guidance,” said Steve Moster, Viad president and CEO, president of GES.  He added, “For the full year, positive show rotation, continued underlying business strength and… more
Feb 10, 2017
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events, the association for the exhibitions and events industry, has chosen Louisville as its host destination in December of 2020. This will be the first time this large industry event is held in Louisville and will utilize the expanded convention center and downtown hotel properties. IAEE’s annual meeting and exhibition, Expo! Expo!, is considered “a trade show for trade show professionals.” This annual event brings upwards of 2,500 exhibition professionals together - 60 percent exhibition organizers and 40 percent suppliers - to exchange… more
Feb 09, 2017
Last year was a good one for Las Vegas, according to the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority’s recently released 2016 Executive Summary. Driven by strong demand in both the leisure and convention segments, the city experienced another record-breaking year for convention attendance and visitation. For the third year in a row, Las Vegas broke its visitation record, welcoming 42.9 million people to the destination, a 1.5% increase compared with 2015, while nearly 22,000 meetings attracted more than 6.3 million attendees to the city, a 7.1 percent increase compared to the year before… more
Feb 08, 2017
The 62nd edition of Professional Convention Management Association’s Convening Leaders, which took place Jan. 7-10 at Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn., welcomed 4,457 participants from 45 countries – a year-over-year increase of 7 percent - setting a new attendance record for the annual event. Of the total attendance, 54 percent were Business Events Strategists - PCMA members and non-members drawn from the association and corporate sectors (80 percent and 20 percent, respectively) - and 43 percent industry suppliers. On top of the in-person attendance in Nashville, 1,604 participants… more
Feb 08, 2017
After operating in Indonesia for four years, Tarsus Group has announced significant expansion plans of its event portfolio in Indonesia in 2017. Tarsus’ flagship event in Indonesia, Indonesia Infrastructure Week (IIW) will feature three elements, covering a wide range of categories from project delivery and infrastructure technology. InfraTraffic Indonesia, a new event in 2017, will be held as part of IIW 2017, with a three-day exhibition and two-day conference program. According to Tarsus, this is the only event in Indonesia focused on the traffic sector. InfraTraffic Indonesia will bring… more
Feb 08, 2017
In preparation for the Shenyang New World EXPO soft opening on March 1st, EXPO's senior staff completed final training at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center in December. EXPO General Manager Diane CHEN said she is confident that the staff is prepared to meet the demand of EXPO’s initial customers. "EXPO’s association with HKCEC as a “sister venue” and our direct access with its senior management teamare enormous benefits to EXPO and Shenyang. Three prestigious exhibitions will be held in March followed by 3 more in April,” Chen said. She added, “This specific… more
Feb 08, 2017
Trade shows dedicated to the poultry, beef and firearms industries have been enjoying extra boosts in attendance recently.  The Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show shattered its previous attendance record of 8,200 attendees by attracting 9,331 participants to its most recent event, held Feb.1-3 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, TN. As the largest national trade show for the beef industry, the event drew 359 exhibiting companies spanning 268,000 net square feet of exhibition space. Last year, the show… more
Feb 08, 2017
UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has released the results of its 18th UFI Global Barometer survey. After two years of relatively stable levels of operating profit, majority of interviewed companies indicated that they expect increased turnover in 2017. The survey shows an ongoing expansion in the industry’s business activities globally, both in the survey companies’ home market as well as in new geographical markets. The majority of the companies surveyed plan to develop new activities. About 40% also plan to develop operations in new countries. “Some economists are… 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.