News

Jul 19, 2018
On July 16, Caesars Entertainment Corporation broke ground on its newest development: the CAESARS FORUM Las Vegas conference center. Slated to open in 2020, it will feature 550,000 square feet of flexible meeting, event and convention space. As the emcee for the ground-breaking ceremony, Roger Dow, president and CEO of U.S. Travel Association and long-time meetings industry veteran, spoke about how when he was first starting in the industry, the meetings market was an afterthought for Las Vegas. Forty years later, the city is now the leading destination for meetings within the U.S.   … more
Jul 18, 2018
It goes without saying that trade shows can be frontiers of innovation and creativity, an incredible forum for viewing what industries are developing as the next best products or ideas. In only a matter of days, a leading trade show can display hundreds or even thousands of products, services and ideas in front of a global audience.  Yet all this added exposure on the showfloor can also serve as a catalyst for intellectual property disputes, including over trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and patents on developing inventions and designs. So, what can exhibiting companies do to protect… more
Jul 18, 2018
UFI, the Global Association for the Exhibition Industry, has released the latest edition of its flagship Global Barometer research, taking the pulse of the industry. One of the key findings: for the first time in the past 10 years, all four global regions have reported a positive turnover development simultaneously. In terms of operating profit, most companies maintained a good level of performance in 2017, and more than 40 percent of companies from all regions declared an increase of more than 10 percent, compared with 2016. However, the prospects for 2018 are currently lower globally… more
Jul 17, 2018
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) has released the fourth and final report in its new “How to Grow Attendance” series for event attendee marketers. By uncovering attendee marketer commitments to improve existing approaches and evolve with fast-changing marketing norms, Report Four: Plans on Where to Improve Approach in Near-term Future offers a look at the most popular marketing approaches and the characteristics that are tied to success in attendee growth. “This is the last report in the series,” explained Nancy Drapeau, CEIR senior research director. “It provides… more
Jul 13, 2018
As the sun rose over the Detroit River on the morning of May 23, employees, event attendees and members of the Detroit community helped jump-start Cobo Center’s 2018 community engagement series, Cobo Cares, with “Sunrise Riverfront Yoga,” held on the outdoor terrace of Cobo’s Grand Riverview Ballroom. Launched in 2017 as part of Cobo’s commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, Cobo Cares offers free exercise, networking and community engagement opportunities for the local downtown community, facility employees and onsite event attendees. Ongoing during the spring, summer and… more
Jul 12, 2018
etouches is now known as Aventri, a new name that stems from three ideas: avenue, events and entry. The rebrand combines these three elements as part of the company’s continuing effort to transform the event experience through products, people and innovation. Aventri’s new tagline “Connect Better” reflects the company’s mission to foster deeper relationships with event, meeting and strategic marketing professionals and enable them to create deeper and more meaningful relationships with their own networks.  “Our rebranding project was ignited by the desire to take our former name and… more
Jul 12, 2018
The Meetings Mean Business Coalition (MMBC) is working to reinforce the value of face-to-face meetings by reframing its Worth Meeting About campaign during the 2018 midterm election cycle.  Continuing the success of the campaign, the coalition will highlight numerous ways that candidates rely on face-to-face meetings to connect with constituents as well as inform, persuade and recruit supporters, including talking to voters one-on-one, participating in town hall discussions, canvassing neighborhoods, hosting fundraising events or participating in onstage debates with their political… more
Jul 12, 2018
Mexico City will soon have its very own fan event for comics, pop culture, cosplay, anime, K-Pop, gaming and entertainment. Set to debut March 21-24 at the Pepsi Center, WTC, the inaugural Mexico City Comic Con will offer Latin American fans a plethora of features to get excited about, including 200 exhibits, original content with creators, publishers and authors in several tracks of programming, and entertainment including Q&A sessions, live bands and pavilions with interactive activities such as RPG play, card gaming tournaments, video gaming and anime content. Produced in… more
Jul 11, 2018
Encore Event Technologies, a global provider of audiovisual (AV), event technology and production services for some of the world’s largest hotels and corporate clients, has aligned Staging Connections’ name and brand with Encore. Earlier this year, Encore announced the rebranding of ETG Staging Connections in China to the Encore brand. The addition of the Staging Connections team in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji completes the rebranding process. Staging Connections is the region’s leading provider of in-house event services, technology and event staging services. Becoming aligned under… more
Jul 11, 2018
Several trade show management companies and event solutions providers have been spending their summer renewing long-term partnerships and acquiring new business.  Event producer, Reed Exhibitions, has renewed its contract with CompuSystems through 2019. CompuSystems, provider of registration, data management and lead retrieval services, has been providing full-service registration for Reed for the past 33 years.  “We are excited to continue our long-running partnership with Reed Exhibitions,” said Chris Williams, president of CompuSystems. “Our team remains focused on providing innovative… 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.