Rachel Wimberly
Rachel Wimberly is Executive Vice President of Business Development at Tarsus Group, US. Follow her on Twitter @TSNN_Rachel.
The U.S. Trade Show Industry ‘Positively’ Will Return Again
July 21, 2020
Running a news organization that is focused on trade shows and corporate events, both of which have been stopped in their tracks since mid-March when COVID-19 firmly took hold in the United States, I view our main responsibility to not only report on what is happening in our industry, but also try to highlight as much of the “positive” news as possible.
Once the first wave of cancelled shows came in one right after another, and we reported on several of them for TSNN and Corporate Event News, it became clear the hits would keep on coming, so we switched our focus.
More reports were released indicating COVID-19’s severe impact on trade shows, meetings, hospitality, travel and the overall economy in the U.S.
Again, we wrote up articles on some of those, albeit the reports were depressing and told everyone what they likely already were experiencing in their own companies. But then, there were small lights that started to shine at the end of what initially seemed was a very, long tunnel.
The GBAC Star Accreditation Program launched indicating a pathway forward for venues to ensure they were following strict health and safety standards once people came back to events onsite.
The Go Live Together coalition was formed with thousands of companies signing on to support, funding taking place and a high-powered lobbying group hired to advocate for moving trade shows out of Phase 5 for “mass gatherings” in most states (among other efforts).
Shows started to run again in early May in China, the epicenter of the initial cases, with attendees flocking back to events including the Hunan (China) Auto Show that drew 62,000 attendees.
Countries in other parts of the world like Germany, Switzerland and most recently the United Kingdom released dates that events could start up again.
The Las Vegas Strip opened its casinos, and cities, venues, suppliers to the industry and hotels overall started releasing detailed health and safety plans.
In the past few weeks, trade shows like the ones that were held at the Dallas Market Center in June, started to slowly pop up again, and there have been more since.
The Together Again Expo is happening this week in Orlando, bringing together suppliers and trade show/meeting planners in a safe environment to learn how to have their own “safe” events.
I have posted quite a bit of this “good news” on LinkedIn along the way. I felt it was important to be a “cheerleader” for the industry as much as possible during what are incredibly challenging times.
It has been utterly heartbreaking seeing the profound impact on so many incredible companies and individuals, and I hope business can get rolling again as soon as possible for everyone. I proudly have written on the trade show and events industry for more than 15 years, and I have no doubt whatsoever it will be back here in the U.S.
The people I have met along the way are some of the smartest, most creative and resilient professionals possible, and I cannot wait to see them face-to-face once again.
Partner Voices
Just when it seems like Las Vegas can’t get any bigger, brighter or more exciting for groups, MGM Resorts raises the bar again. The company continues to invest and innovate across its portfolio of Las Vegas resorts, with new attractions and upgraded experiences for attendees of all interests.
Remodeled Guest Rooms
MGM Grand is the largest single hotel in the world with over 5,000 guest rooms and an 850,000-square-foot conference center. It is home to the newly remodeled MGM Grand Studio Tower—700 reimagined guest rooms with a fun mid-century vibe. Nearby, the iconic New York-New York Las Vegas Hotel & Casino recently completed a $63M redesign and remodel of its 1,830 guest rooms and 155 suites.
Down the street, Bellagio Las Vegas is sporting renovated rooms in the Spa Tower with sunrise-inspired decor and luxurious soaking tubs in Premier King rooms after a $110-million transformation.
Reinvented Luxury Experiences
The Luxury Meetings District, made up of Bellagio Las Vegas, ARIA Resort & Casino, Vdara Hotel & Spa, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas, is now more connected than ever before. A new interior walkway opened this October for a seamless attendee experience – connecting Vdara, Bellagio, and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, guests can now walk from Park MGM to Bellagio in around 15 minutes.
New on the scene in the Luxury Meetings District is Cathedrale at ARIA, TAO Group’s upscale establishment specializing in exquisite French-Mediterranean cuisine offering elevated private dining experiences that opened in May.
Heralded by World’s Best 50 Restaurants, GQ and VOGUE, LPM at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is opening this fall and will deliver its signature spontaneity and imaginative celebration of France’s Mediterranean cuisine, art, and culture to the unique luxury resort in impeccable fashion.
A “New Wave for Mandalay Bay
A new wave of enhancements and experiences has arrived at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, including Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar, an 8,445-square-foot restaurant that opened this June, perfect for pre- and post-game eats and drinks. Event planner’s favorite, Chef Michael Mina’s StripSteak, received a full renovation and now includes one of the largest private dining rooms on The Strip. Retro by Voltaggio debuts a one-year residency with a fun take on pop culture of the 80s and 90s with classic American dishes. An exciting addition planned for 2024 is Swingers, a 40,000-square-foot oasis of street food, miniature golf and art at Mandalay Bay.
Most exciting for meeting planners, the 2.1 million-square-foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center is undergoing a complete refresh, with lightened space, added eye-catching art, and improved technology infrastructure for even more flexible space. Energy-efficient digital signage now leads the way with faster internet speeds and new AV options.
From renovated guest rooms and meeting spaces to celebrated dining options and dedicated teams, MGM Resorts is dedicated to delivering exceptional and innovative meeting experiences.
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