News

Apr 29, 2013
If the activity on the showfloor at LIGHTFAIR International (LFI) is any indication of the health of the trade show industry, expos are back in business. Not only were the aisles and booths crowded, but also what really stood out was the amount of people walking around with a smile on their face and a jaunt in their step. While some of this positivity could be attributed to the foosball and table tennis in one showfloor lounge, it certainly cannot take all the credit. LFI, which ran April 23-25 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, had in excess of 233,000 net square feet… more
Apr 29, 2013
PMMI, the owner and producer of the PACK EXPO trade shows, will launch a new event, PACK EXPO East, which will be held Feb. 2-4, 2015, in Philadelphia’s Pennsylvania Convention Center. “There’s a real need in the market for first-class events that are a bit closer to home,” says Rick Fox Jr., president, Fox IV Technologies, who chairs PMMI’s Board of Directors. He added, “About 18 months ago, PMMI commissioned Westat, a leading research firm, to reach out to customers about the need for a regional event, and if they would support one. The results were… more
Apr 29, 2013
Cleveland-based I-X Center’s decision to buy the Cleveland AUTO-RAMA show and combine it with its existing I-X Piston Power Show for the first time this year paid off, with 35,000 attendees getting the opportunity to check out more than 1,000 piston-powered vehicles during the three-day event. The newly named show - Summit Racing Equipment I-X Piston Powered Auto-Rama – was held March 15-17 and covered 1 million square feet at the I-X Center. “Tens of thousands of enthusiasts came to the show, including many fathers and sons, mothers and daughters and grandchildren,… more
Apr 29, 2013
The American Society of Association Executives recently introduced the first Diversity + Inclusion (D+I) tool for associations called the Association Inclusion Index. It is an online, diagnostic tool that evaluates D+I policies, philosophies and practices against community standards. The tool offers strategies and solutions for expanding an organization’s reach, relevance and reputation through practicing inclusive excellence. “It’s critical for organizations to understand how diversity and inclusion plays a practical role in staffing, recruiting, retaining, and engaging… more
Apr 28, 2013
a2z's Quarterly Tradeshow Industry Index report, which analyzes data through the first three months of the calendar year 2013 (Q1 of CY 2013) has just been released for Q1. The Index reflects a stronger-than-expected 3.1 percent quarter-over-quarter growth in net square footage in Q1 of CY 2013. This is a stronger gain than was predicted at the end Q4 of 2012. The Index also forecasts NSF growth to come in at a significantly higher rate of 5.9 percent for Q2 of FY 2013. This is good news for the tradeshow industry, given the fact that the U.S. economy is projected to grow at a more… more
Apr 28, 2013
The significance of creating relevant page titles is often overlooked by webmasters focused on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for their Web sites. Well-planned page titles can considerably enhance a website’s usability, as well as SEO. When we search on a search engine with a keyword or phrase, words in the page title are bolded if they match the search query. This can help users quickly gauge whether the page is likely to be relevant to their search. It stands to reason that a page title should resonate with your audience and give them a compelling reason to click on the link to… more
Apr 28, 2013
The significance of creating relevant page titles is often overlooked by webmasters focused on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for their Web sites. Well-planned page titles can considerably enhance a website’s usability, as well as SEO. When we search on a search engine with a keyword or phrase, words in the page title are bolded if they match the search query. This can help users quickly gauge whether the page is likely to be relevant to their search. It stands to reason that a page title should resonate with your audience and give them a compelling reason to click on the link to… more
Apr 27, 2013
The first quarter of 2013 started out on a positive note for Global Experience Specialist’s parent company Viad, with revenues seeing an increase from $268.8 million in the first quarter of 2012 to $285.2 million this year. The Marketing & Events Group, of which GES is a part of, also saw revenue increases in the first quarter this year, with $276.8 million, compared with $262 million in the same quarter last year. Steve Moster, GES’ president, said the uptick came from not only positive show rotation, but also higher than forecasted same-show growth and cost-cutting… more
Apr 24, 2013
One of the many highlights planned for the 4th Annual TSNN Awards: Celebrating Trade Show Excellence, on tap Nov. 1-3 in Reno, Nevada, includes the only time this year both the chairs of the Society of Independent Show Organizers and International Association of Exhibitions and Events will be on the same stage at the same time speaking on a “State of the Industry” panel during the event’s Saturday Executive Conference. "The industry is growing again and there are a lot of opportunities for positive changes in the way we develop and grow our shows, so I am excited to be speaking at the… more
Apr 24, 2013
At the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society’s Annual Conference and Exhibition, held March 3-7 in New Orleans, show organizers used several high-tech tools that allowed their onsite space draw to not only book more space, but also be a more efficient process. Using iPads for the first time at the front door as people checked in was just one way things went much smoother this year, according to Elli Riley, HIMSS director of exhibits and meeting services. Once exhibitors were in the room, they were directed to a table where, based on a point system, they were able to… 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.