News

Feb 11, 2017
Transdev, the public transit management company that manages operations for the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) in New Orleans, demonstrated its self-driving shuttle, the EZ10, at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Mayor Mitch Landrieu gave remarks, along with representatives from the RTA, Easy Mile and Transdev. The EZ10 is a driverless and electric shuttle that can transport up to 12 people. The shuttle has no steering wheel and neither a dedicated front nor back. The EZ10 operates autonomously following a virtual line mapped and loaded in the software of the vehicle. The… more
Feb 10, 2017
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events, the association for the exhibitions and events industry, has chosen Louisville as its host destination in December of 2020. This will be the first time this large industry event is held in Louisville and will utilize the expanded convention center and downtown hotel properties. IAEE’s annual meeting and exhibition, Expo! Expo!, is considered “a trade show for trade show professionals.” This annual event brings upwards of 2,500 exhibition professionals together - 60 percent exhibition organizers and 40 percent suppliers - to exchange… more
Feb 10, 2017
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has named the UBM EMEA – Sleep Event as winner of the 2017 UFI Marketing Award. The theme for this year’s UFI Marketing Award was “From show organizers to industry gurus – Success stories from evolving business”. This award was designed to recognize outstanding success stories from businesses that have built on their roles as event organizers to become valued exhibition industry experts. In order to be successful, this evolution requires the right strategy, the right talent – and tremendous effort. The UFI Marketing Award jury… more
Feb 09, 2017
For the first time in 50 years, SECO International will move SECO, the annual conference providing the optometry industry educational opportunities since 1924, out of Atlanta and to New Orleans. This move marks the first time SECO has held a meeting outside of Atlanta since 1957. SECO 2019 will take place Feb. 20–24 at the New Orleans Ernest Morial Convention Center. “We’re excited to bring SECO to a new city and believe the move will energize the conference on all fronts, giving us the creative luxury to reimagine the event strategy to ensure the show is meeting the business and education… more
Feb 09, 2017
Last year was a good one for Las Vegas, according to the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority’s recently released 2016 Executive Summary. Driven by strong demand in both the leisure and convention segments, the city experienced another record-breaking year for convention attendance and visitation. For the third year in a row, Las Vegas broke its visitation record, welcoming 42.9 million people to the destination, a 1.5% increase compared with 2015, while nearly 22,000 meetings attracted more than 6.3 million attendees to the city, a 7.1 percent increase compared to the year before… more
Feb 08, 2017
The 62nd edition of Professional Convention Management Association’s Convening Leaders, which took place Jan. 7-10 at Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn., welcomed 4,457 participants from 45 countries – a year-over-year increase of 7 percent - setting a new attendance record for the annual event. Of the total attendance, 54 percent were Business Events Strategists - PCMA members and non-members drawn from the association and corporate sectors (80 percent and 20 percent, respectively) - and 43 percent industry suppliers. On top of the in-person attendance in Nashville, 1,604 participants… more
Feb 08, 2017
In preparation for the Shenyang New World EXPO soft opening on March 1st, EXPO's senior staff completed final training at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center in December. EXPO General Manager Diane CHEN said she is confident that the staff is prepared to meet the demand of EXPO’s initial customers. "EXPO’s association with HKCEC as a “sister venue” and our direct access with its senior management teamare enormous benefits to EXPO and Shenyang. Three prestigious exhibitions will be held in March followed by 3 more in April,” Chen said. She added, “This specific… more
Feb 08, 2017
After operating in Indonesia for four years, Tarsus Group has announced significant expansion plans of its event portfolio in Indonesia in 2017. Tarsus’ flagship event in Indonesia, Indonesia Infrastructure Week (IIW) will feature three elements, covering a wide range of categories from project delivery and infrastructure technology. InfraTraffic Indonesia, a new event in 2017, will be held as part of IIW 2017, with a three-day exhibition and two-day conference program. According to Tarsus, this is the only event in Indonesia focused on the traffic sector. InfraTraffic Indonesia will bring… more
Feb 08, 2017
Taiwan's first comprehensive agriculture technology exhibition, Asia Agri-Tech Expo & Forum 2017, will take place Sept. 28-30 at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center. It is being co-organized by the "Council of Agriculture (COA), Executive Yuan of Taiwan government", and UBM Asia Ltd., Taiwan Branch (UBM Taiwan).  Held concurrently with Livestock Taiwan Expo & Forum 2017 and Aquaculture Taiwan Expo & Forum 2017, the event is positioned to be a one-stop comprehensive international B2B trading platform, showcasing innovative, eco-friendly and… more
Feb 08, 2017
UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has released the results of its 18th UFI Global Barometer survey. After two years of relatively stable levels of operating profit, majority of interviewed companies indicated that they expect increased turnover in 2017. The survey shows an ongoing expansion in the industry’s business activities globally, both in the survey companies’ home market as well as in new geographical markets. The majority of the companies surveyed plan to develop new activities. About 40% also plan to develop operations in new countries. “Some economists are… 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.