News

Mar 31, 2017
Just two months after Emerald Expositions was rumoured to be going on the sales block for an estimated $2 billion, the company switched gears and has filed with the SEC to raise an estimated $250 million in an initial public offering, according to a regulatory filing today.   The San Juan Capistrano (Calif.)-based company generated $323.7 million of revenue, $22.2 million of net income, $63.6 million of adjusted net income and $89.6 million of free cash flow in 2016. Emerald President and CEO David Loechner declined to comment at this time. According to news reports, Emerald said all of… more
Mar 31, 2017
A record 300-plus C-level executives, sponsors and guests spent a few sun-drenched days at The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Fla., for the 2017 Society of Independent Show Organizers’ CEO Summit. “The SISO CEO Summit is the largest and more important event of the year for the for-profit side of the global exhibition/event industry and the most valuable part of the event are the participants, they make the event the success it is,” said SISO Executive Director David Audrain. He added, “The majority of the program is an open dialogue and contribution from our members/participants, and it is… more
Mar 31, 2017
Visit Anaheim has harnessed the power of virtual reality by launching its first VR video showcasing authentic Anaheim experiences for the meetings and events industry. The immersive video is the newest addition to the destination marketing association’s set of marketing tools it is leveraging to educate show organizers and meeting planners about the southern California destination, as well as give them a sense of what it’s like to be an event attendee in Anaheim. The video’s storyline begins at the Anaheim Convention Center and moves throughout four other diverse locations… more
Mar 31, 2017
By Elizabeth Johnson Leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies chose INTERPHEX 2017 to launch their newest products, with 20 companies debuting new technology at the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry trade show held March 21-23 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.  In its 38th year, INTERPHEX offered attendees a mix of content including more than 104 conference education sessions, INTERPHEX Live discussions, hundreds of exhibits and product launches. The show experienced attendee growth, compared with 2016, and attributes much of that to its robust… more
Mar 30, 2017
Nursing mothers now have a couple of private sanctuaries to retreat to when attending conventions and meetings at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. The SMG-managed facility has installed two portable lactation suites for female attendees and exhibitors wishing to breast feed their infants or use breast pumps in privacy. “We are offering the new lactation suites during conventions, meetings, and trade shows to offer comfort and convenience for our guests,” said Mark J. Leahy, general manager of the HCCC. He continued, “Young mothers have had to utilize public restroom spaces or… more
Mar 29, 2017
By Elizabeth Johnson Aisles of pipe and drape; panels, roundtables, keynotes; networking mixers and the standard preshow marketing of emails, postcards and social media updates – safe to say, there is a tradeshow model. However, this model can make it hard for an attendee to differentiate one show from another. What can tradeshows do to stand out, change the attendee experience and see different results in terms of attendance numbers and exhibitor sales and leads? Personalize it. “Event attendees look for an experience that is tailored to helping them achieve their goals: making the right… more
Mar 29, 2017
Kaon Interactive’s new augmented reality solution, Kaon AR, made a big splash in Las Vegas – so much so it won the EXHIBITORLive 2017 New Product Showcase Buyer’s Choice Award. Kaon AR was one of 44 products debuted in the New Product Showcase at EXHIBITOR, an annual event for trade show and corporate event marketers that took place March 12-16 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. The software company was one of five innovators to take home the annual award that recognizes the top product innovations of the year.  “We are honored to have been recognized as the… more
Mar 28, 2017
In order to meet the growing needs of convention groups, retain existing clients and compete with other similar-sized destinations for group business, more and more cities and their convention and visitors bureaus are recognizing the importance of investing in convention center upgrade and expansion projects. The city of Cincinnati, Ohio is such a destination. The Queen City is setting its sights on expanding the 49-year-old Duke Energy Convention Center, which was renovated in 2006 but hasn’t undergone a significant exhibition space expansion in nearly three decades. At the Cincinnati USA… more
Mar 27, 2017
Global events strategy consultancy AMR International and U.S.-based event organizer Lippman Connects will partner to launch Transform, a new conference that will tackle the data, analytics and digital strategy revolution of the exhibition industry. The conference will provide critical insight to senior leaders of U.S. exhibition organizers, as the industry struggles to embrace data, analytics and digital technologies. The Transform conference follows on from AMR’s Data and Digital Event Strategy Symposium held in London. “This event comes in response to the industry’s ongoing reluctance to… more
Mar 25, 2017
It’s not about registration types or membership categories when it comes to acquiring attendees for your events. Attendees are motivated by what is important to them, personally, professionally, at the time of clicking “register here.” On this week’s #ExpoChat we’re going to unpack what Personas are, why they are important, and how you can use them to enhance attendee acquisition and retention. Here are some questions that will be discussed: ·       What are “Attendee Personas” and how are they different from membership or registration types? ·   … 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.