News

Aug 24, 2014
    Mobile event app developer DoubleDutch announced the close of $19 million in Series D funding led by Mithril Capital Management. Previous investors Bessemer Venture Partners, Index Ventures and Bullpen Capital also participated, along with Singapore-based Enspire Capital. Ajay Royan, co-founder and managing general partner of Mithril, joins the DoubleDutch board.   In a press release announcing the funding, Lawrence Coburn, CEO of DoubleDutch is quoted as saying, “More than three years into our journey, we continue to see signs that the market for data… more
Aug 24, 2014
    Mobile event app developer DoubleDutch announced the close of $19 million in Series D funding led by Mithril Capital Management. Previous investors Bessemer Venture Partners, Index Ventures and Bullpen Capital also participated, along with Singapore-based Enspire Capital. Ajay Royan, co-founder and managing general partner of Mithril, joins the DoubleDutch board.   In a press release announcing the funding, Lawrence Coburn, CEO of DoubleDutch is quoted as saying, “More than three years into our journey, we continue to see signs that the market for data… more
Aug 22, 2014
There really wasn’t a slowdown in hiring this summer; in fact, August saw plenty of new hires for suppliers and trade show organizers. Cygnus Business Media appointed Brian Cassell as group show manager for Firehouse events. Brian will be responsible for the overall performance of Firehouse Expo in Baltimore, Md, and Firehouse World, in San Diego. Cassell is a 20-year fire service veteran, serving on the marketing team for fire apparatus manufacturer KME for 10 years and as a volunteer firefighter with the Tamaqua, Penn., Fire Department. In addition to his experience both as a manufacturer… more
Aug 21, 2014
Last year was a successful one for the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in its first time as part of Design & Construction Week, held in January in Las Vegas and anchored by the National Association of Home Builders’ International Builders’ Show. Momentum has continued to build, and this year is tracking to be even stronger, with a 25-percent uptick so far in exhibitors for the show on tap Jan. 20-22 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. According to show producers, Emerald Expositions, and show owners, the National Kitchen & Bath Association, 500 exhibitors already have signed on, and… more
Aug 19, 2014
Every workplace right now likely is experiencing a similar situation; there are not only one or two different generations working together, but there could be up to four, all trying to relate to each other in an effective manner. Gen Y, Gen X and Baby Boomers, only missing a Millennial, recently were part of a panel discussion at the Society of Independent Show Organizers’ Executive Leadership Conference, held Aug. 11-13 in Atlantic City. Led by Ali Hall, founding partner and manager of Versa Ventures, the panel discussed several different aspects of their views on the workplace. Not… more
Aug 19, 2014
Association Forum of Chicagoland's Board of Directors has selected Michelle Mason, CAE, FASAE, as the organization's new President and CEO. Mason will assume responsibilities Sept. 15, succeeding Christie A. Tarantino, FASAE, CAE, who stepped down in March to join the Institute of Food Technologists. Mason has been the managing director, Strategic Developments and Innovation, at the American Society for Quality, a global community of people dedicated to quality who share ideas, tools and best practices, since 2006. ASQ has an annual budget of $42M, which includes two subsidiaries, two… more
Aug 18, 2014
Trade Show News Network will be offering another complimentary webinar in its well-regarded series – “Sustainable Trade Shows: Look Good, Feel Good, Do Good”. The webinar will be held Aug. 21 at 1 p.m. EST and you can register HERE. Trade shows are often seen as one of the highest producers of waste and carbon in the event world. They are also known for heavy energy consumption of electricity, water and fuel for transportation. Today, trade show organizers and exhibitors can risk their corporate image if their audience perceives them as not being good stewards of the planet. Trade shows are… more
Aug 18, 2014
Music City was an undeniable draw, with nearly 6,000 overall attendees and the highest number of association executives coming to the 2014 American Society for Association Executives’ Annual Meeting & Exhibition, held Aug. 9-12 in Nashville, Tenn., since the 2007 event in Chicago. The final attendance breakdown included 3,159 executives, 1,897 exhibitors, 919 others, including guests, spouses, press, volunteers, vendors and staff, for a total of 5,975. “We had the highest number of association executives since we were in Chicago in 2007, and more than two-thirds of our members had never… more
Aug 17, 2014
Latisys, a leading international provider of hybrid cloud hosting and data center solutions, has made an IT infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) agreement with Emerald Expositions. Previously owned by the Nielsen Company, Emerald had served as Nielsen's trade show division until it was acquired by Onex Partners in 2013 to form Emerald Expositions. The acquisition included certain requirements and deadlines for establishing Emerald as an independent business -- including the complete separation of its IT infrastructure from Nielsen. Focused on rapid business growth, both organically and… more
Aug 17, 2014
Ovation Hall in Atlantic City’s Revel Hotel and Casino was filled with the who’s who of independent show organizers earlier this week.   They were gathered there to witness the second annual SISO Executive Conference Event Innovation Battlefield in which three event technology companies would try to convince the audience their product was most deserving of being named the overall winner. Spectators were taking their seats and the tension was mounting in the back of the hal,l as competitors were putting the final touches on their presentations and getting mic’d up. With… 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.