News
Nov 03, 2016
ABC Kids Expo, organized by All Baby & Child Corporation, welcomed more than 12,000 attendees and 900-plus exhibitors to its 1 million square foot showfloor Oct. 18-21 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Virtually every significant manufacturer and distributor of products for infants and small children, as well as many startups by parents, showed off their products, ranging from furniture and strollers to smudge-free chalk, timers for milk bottles and a sandwich cutter that turns pb&j into minions.
“We had to expand the new product showcase to accommodate the record number of entries… more
Nov 03, 2016
By Elizabeth Johnson
Recent research from Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) uncovered that just seven percent of exhibition organizers and 12 percent of exhibitors rate their digital offerings as effective in enhancing the attendee experience. Given the shared confidence level is so low, the October International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) webinar, “Using Digital to Rock Your Attendees’ Trade Show Experience” is certainly timely.
During the hour-long webinar, Nancy Drapeau, PRC, director of research, CEIR, moderated a panel of experts; David Saef, CTSM,… more
Nov 02, 2016
As the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, UFI serves around 50,000 employees of exhibition organizers, venues, service providers and industry associations in close to 90 countries around the world.
To deliver and improve the growing roster of events, committee activities, and other industry initiatives, the association is bringing on board two new hires: Nicolette Elia-Beissel, and Jana Hofmann.
Nicolette Elia-Beissel is joining UFI as program manager. She became part of the exhibition industry when she joined RAI Exhibitions and Events (now known as Thebe Reed Events &… more
Nov 02, 2016
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events has selected this year’s honorees of its 20 Under 30 recognition program, which affords young professional exhibition organizer members who may not be supported by their companies the opportunity to attend Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition to be held Dec. 6-8 in Anaheim, Calif.
This program provides industry and leadership education for professional growth in the exhibitions and events industry, and helps program honorees become better, more productive professionals. It is sponsored by the Austin… more
Nov 01, 2016
U.K.-based UBM scooped up a new show in the U.S., The Battery Show North America, from another UK-based company - Smarter Shows.
The Battery Show and collocated events will be part of UBM’s Advanced Manufacturing Group.
“The Battery Show has tremendous synergies with UBM’s existing advanced manufacturing business and we see great opportunity for growth on both sides as the brands serve many of the same industry sectors - including medical, aerospace, consumer goods, electronics and automotive, to name just a few.” said Scott Schulman, CEO, UBM Americas.
The Battery Show… more
Oct 31, 2016
If you have not been to the TSNN Awards to participate in the industry's original weekend for Celebrating Success, let us help you gain some of the same Education and Inspiration by taking part in #Expochat – an industry Twitter chat session – Nov. 2 at 1pm ET.
Here are some questions that will be discussed:
1. Theme Parties: What makes them work or not work? Is this the kind of tribal event that can be a boon for attendee retention and word-of-mouth marketing?
2. Keeping Your Exhibitors: An all-star panel of CTSMs shared insights for how they like to work with trade… more
Oct 31, 2016
More than 100 show organizers, their guests, as well as even more trade show suppliers and association executives all took part in the 2016 TSNN Awards, Oct. 28-30 un Atlantic City, with ICSC New York National Deal Making Conference and TRA Marketplace winning overall fastest-growing awards for net square footage and attendance, respectively.
“I have an amazing, fabulous, wonderful team,” said Andrea Bahr, vice president Exposition and Events - Texas Restaurant Association/TRA Marketplace, when she accepted the award for overall fastest-growing show in attendance at the gala celebration… more
Oct 30, 2016
It’s not often that a round of golf inspires the launch of an international business, but that’s what happened to Jamshed “Jim” Khodayar in 1989.
Khodayar had been wanting to start his own business when he learned about the shipping industry from a golfing buddy. He opened Transit Air Cargo on Nov. 1, 1989, in Garden Grove, Calif.
While his experience was engineering, not logistics, he was an enthusiastic salesperson.
In those early days, there were only about five employees in a small office with a few pieces of furniture. Everyone had to chip in and wear multiple hats to get… more
Oct 30, 2016
During this year’s IMEX America, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (L.A. Tourism) launched Virtual Discovery L.A., a new virtual reality travel platform that provides meeting professionals with immersive 360-degree viewing experiences of more than 50 only-in-L.A. venues and locations across Los Angeles – the most comprehensive virtual tour of any destination in the world.
In partnership with XplorIt, one of the nation’s leading pioneers in virtual technology, L.A. Tourism’s exciting new platform takes meeting professionals throughout the city’s… more
Oct 29, 2016
Trade show industry veteran Ken McAvoy was named to a new position, executive vice president, Corporate Development of Global Exhibitions Division of Informa.
In that role, McAvoy will have responsibility for corporate development, operations and procurement, including venue/hotel selection and negotiations and other vendor management, with a particular focus on North America.
“Ken is a proven leader in our industry and his capabilities will further strengthen and broaden our senior management team as we accelerate growth in North America and globally,” said Charlie McCurdy, president… 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.