News

Dec 11, 2018
Leaving a destination better than one found it isn’t just a theme that’s been resonating with many events lately – it’s been inspiring some convention and visitors bureaus to do their part, too. Case in point is the Barcelona Convention Bureau (BCB), which teamed up with 13 of its partners for a Volunteer Day consisting of a full-day park clean up at Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah prior to IMEX America, held last October in Las Vegas. With corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives a top priority for BCB and its partners, the activity was created to showcase BCB’s CSR initiative… more
Dec 11, 2018
Houston First Corporation (HFC) is continuing to reinvigorate Houston’s convention center campus and the city’s Downtown area with its latest public art installation, LOOP.  A cross between a music box, a zoetrope and a railway handcar, LOOP is a retro-futuristic machine that spans more than six feet in diameter and creates animated fairy-tale loops.  Through the combined efforts of visitors working the hand lever, the image cylinder spins and lights up, creating the illusion of motion in the drawings. “The artistry and creativity of LOOP elevate the Downtown Houston visitor experience,”… more
Dec 11, 2018
Freeman has expanded its offerings to clients even more by acquiring mdg, a full-service event marketing and public relations agency. The acquisition enhances the Freeman spectrum of services from pre-event marketing and on-site user experience to post-show communications based on data-informed insights. “The events business is undergoing a significant transformation - one that requires a sophisticated degree of integration around the convergence of brand strategy, data and content,” said Bob Priest-Heck, president and CEO, Freeman. He added, “Our ability to translate strategy and data… more
Dec 10, 2018
The Exhibition Services & Contractors Association Extended its management agreement with Augusta Group Management through 2023.  “The Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA) is pleased to extend the management agreement with Augusta Group Management (AGM). Executive Director Larry Arnaudet and his team have proven value year after year with membership growth and support as well as executing the most successful conferences in the association’s history, said Rich Curran, ESCA president. He added, “We have been extremely happy with the success of the Worker Identification… more
Dec 07, 2018
Emerald Expositions has canceled next year’s Interbike International Expo that was scheduled to run Sept. 18-20 in Reno, Nev. Instead, the company says it will research alternative plans for 2020 and beyond, including the opportunity to launch events featuring bicycling and bike-related components within or alongside its various multi-sport trade show franchises. “The past four years have been difficult for the U.S. bicycle market,” said Darrell Denny, executive vice president of Emerald Expositions’ Sports Group. He added, “The substantial increase in tariffs on bike related imports… more
Dec 07, 2018
It’s no wonder that Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting and Exhibition is considered the “show for shows.”  This annual trade show for trade show professionals draws in upwards of 2,500 exhibition professionals – 60 percent exhibition organizers and 40 percent suppliers – to engage with one another, learn about the latest industry trends and technology, and push the events industry forward. Taking place Dec. 11-13 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, the event offers a plethora of cutting-edge education (a whopping 142 education sessions on and off the showfloor!); 289… more
Dec 06, 2018
Despite uncertainty on where U.S. trade negotiations stand with China, coupled with an unstable stock market and the global economy slowing down overall, the latest Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) reports that the recent growth of the exhibition industry continued during the third quarter of 2018. Performance of the industry, as measured by the CEIR Total Index, posted a modest year-over-year gain of 1 percent, although it underperformed the macroeconomy. While the performance during the third quarter was weaker than the first two quarters of the year, it was a significant… more
Dec 06, 2018
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) will feature a series of emerging technology solution use cases at Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition, taking place Dec. 11-13 in New Orleans.  Already proven in the exhibitions and events marketplace, these Tech Use Cases are designed to give exhibition and event producers an opportunity to explore a wide range of solutions to answer the challenges they face in the fast-paced and ever-changing landscape that is the exhibitions and events industry. IAEE’s Technologies Committee comprises technology domain experts… more
Dec 04, 2018
By Kai Hattendorf, UFI CEO 2018 has become a memorable year for the exhibition and business events industry around the world – with much of the attention on M&A, on changing event formats or “festivalisation”, and on a changing global landscape. As every year, the UFI team has used our association’s Global Congress as well as many separate conversations all around the world to isolate and identify the core themes that we feel will impact the global exhibition industry in 2019. So today, let me share with you “UFI’s 5 trends to watch in 2019”: Shifting trade patterns and a jittery… more
Dec 04, 2018
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), in partnership with Balluun, has launched CONEXPO Connect, an online B2B marketplace serving the global construction industry.  The new platform was unveiled at the AEM Annual Conference, held Nov. 28-30 at the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, Ca. Powered by Balluun’s digital market network solution, CONEXPO Connect is an online destination that allows equipment manufacturers and contractors to connect and engage 24/7, 365 days a year.  By bringing the most valuable parts of AEM’s CONEXPO-CON/AGG trade show online, CONEXPO Connect… more
Partner Voices
  MGM Resorts is renowned for its exceptional service and diverse venue options across Las Vegas, Detroit, Springfield, National Harbor, Biloxi, and Atlantic City, providing flexible spaces for meetings of any size. Beyond these offerings, MGM Resorts distinguishes itself through a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for your next meeting.  At the core of MGM Resorts' company values is its platform, "Focused on What Matters," dedicated to meeting customer needs while advancing socially responsible practices. This commitment is evident in several key areas:  Protecting Natural Resources  MGM Resorts is home to industry-leading recycling, renewable electricity and water conservation programs. Some highlights include a cogeneration power plant at ARIA, producing ultra-efficient electricity; one of America’s largest contiguous rooftop solar arrays atop the convention center at Mandalay Bay; and onsite wells that provide water for the celebrated Fountains of Bellagio, avoiding reliance on precious Colorado River water. These efforts and many more save on natural resources while boosting attendee satisfaction.  Committed to Community  Always striving to be good neighbors, MGM Resorts works to avoid food waste and combat food insecurity with the Feeding Forward program. In partnership with local food banks, they safely divert unserved food to food insecure members of the community. Since 2016, over 5 million meals have been provided, highlighting MGM Resorts' commitment to minimizing food waste and addressing community needs.  MGM Resorts supports clients in their responsible-meetings efforts, not only with efficient venues but also waste-reducing décor and signage; sustainable food and beverage options; and outreach to help planners communicate sustainability efforts to attendees. What’s more, they offer a Mindful Meetings series that puts attendee wellness first—through fitness and mindfulness activities, and in give-back events with local charity organizations.   Fostering Diversity & Inclusion  To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.  MGM Resorts offers unparalleled service and venue options while standing out for its proactive approach to sustainability and community engagement. Choosing MGM Resorts for your next meeting means aligning with a company that values social responsibility, efficiency, and attendee satisfaction, ensuring a meaningful and impactful event experience.