News

Jan 09, 2018
Visit Seattle has unveiled a new event planner-focused video that takes a unique and artistic approach in showcasing what the Pacific Northwestern destination has to offer. Using paper cut animation, “Seattle: A City Ready for You,” not only highlights typical events checklist items in Seattle such as walkability, convention centers, hotel supply and airlift, but also the myriad trailblazing collaborators and innovative companies clustered in the city’s bustling downtown. Created in collaboration with local Seattle creative agency PB&, the video is designed to be a new tool Visit… more
Jan 09, 2018
Hannover Fairs USA is gearing up to debut DOMOTEX USA, a new trade show and conference for the U.S. residential floor covering industry. Set for Feb. 28-March 2, 2019 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, the event is slated be a U.S. extension of Deutsche Messe’s global portfolio of flooring events, including DOMOTEX, launched in Hannover, Germany in 1988. DOMOTEX USA will include expo space, conferences and education, and feature flooring and flooring innovations, with exhibitors displaying the latest machine-made carpets, wall-to-wall carpeting, textile floor coverings,… more
Jan 08, 2018
Experiential events and exhibitions production company, Hargrove, has been acquired by the parent holding company of PSAV, a global provider of audiovisual and event experiences. No financial terms of the deal were disclosed. The acquisition not only brings together a premium experiential events and trade show company with one of the largest event experience providers in North America and Europe, but also marks PSAV’s ownership group’s entry into the global trade show market and the acceleration of its expansion into live experiential events. For Hargrove, the acquisition by PSAV will… more
Jan 05, 2018
The holiday spirit extended before and after the new year to the signing of plenty of new contracts for suppliers and venues serving the trade show industry. The Expo Group will provide event-related services to International Carwash Association as ICA seeks to boost the experience of their attendee, exhibitor and sponsor stakeholders at The Car Wash Show. The Car Wash Show is the largest convention in its sector, bringing together buyers and sellers from more than 30 countries. The Car Wash Show is ranked No.148 on the Trade Show News Network Top 250 list. “The Expo Group has the… more
Jan 04, 2018
In an effort to draw more top-tier trade shows to Boston, Teamsters Local 25 has launched the city’s first trade show worker training program. The goal of the program is to create more skilled workers while elevating Boston’s trade show business to match its bustling tourism industry, thus creating jobs and growing economic impact. “Boston is a top destination for international tourists and working together, we can make it a top destination for the most coveted trade shows,” explained Sean M. O’Brien, president of Teamsters Local 25. He continued, “Having an educated and well-trained… more
Jan 04, 2018
Event production company, Shepard, has made its second buy this winter with the acquisition of Northern Virginia-based Production Associates, a full-service audio-visual management, staging and consulting company that provides services to association, corporate and government events. “We are excited to welcome Production Associates to our growing Shepard AV family,” said Stuart Danneman, executive vice president of Shepard AV. “They bring to the team a strong service-based culture, innovative technology and a thriving presence in the Virginia, Maryland and DC markets.” According to Shepard… more
Jan 04, 2018
Apple has published updated App Store guidelines, adding specific arrangement for exhibition and event mobile applications. Apple uses the App Store Guidelines to work with app developers, to ensure that the programs offered through the company's App Store are in line with user experience standards. In June, Apple announced iOS 11 and introduced changes to its App Review Guidelines. Among the changes was a section that had the event industry concerned: Section 4.2.6: Apps created from a commercialized template or app generation service will be rejected. This change was interpreted by… more
Jan 03, 2018
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, recently opened a regional office in Latin America. Based in Bogota, Colombia, the new office will serve the growing number of UFI members across Latin America, and will be the base for collaborations with national and region industry associations like AFIDA, AMPROFEC, AOCA and UBRAFE. The position of the UFI Regional Manager for Latin America will be filled by Ana Maria Arango. "UFI is the global association for our exhibition industry. I am very pleased that we are now in a position to also have a permanent presence in Latin America… more
Jan 02, 2018
More than 70 senior exhibitions industry executives converged on Dec. 6 at Savoy Place in London for Transform Europe, a conference focused on event data, analytics and digital strategy. Organized by strategy consultancy AMR International, the event provided delegates with critical insights into a range of top-of-mind topics including the commercial benefits and competitive advantage of implementing General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR); how the “customer-first” mantra needs to apply to data and analytics initiatives for valuable impact; the importance of fostering a culture of… more
Jan 02, 2018
The Phoenix Convention Center recently has completed several energy efficiency upgrades by converting outdated lighting to energy efficient LED lighting technology. Last year, the PCC participated in Arizona Public Service’s (APS) Solutions for Business energy rebate program, resulting in more than $175,000 in rebates for the LEED-silver certified facility. The PCC took full advantage of the APS rebate program by converting to LED lighting in several areas of the campus including meeting rooms, loading docks, stairwells, food court, garages, production kitchens and its grand Atrium. “… more
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.    Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.    Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.   The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.    MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.     MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.