News

Sep 05, 2012
Overall unemployment in the United States still might be down, but hiring in the trade show industry has continued to pick up speed though the summer and into the fall. L.A. Mart proudly recently brought back Frank Joens as senior vice president and general manager of the venue in Los Angeles. Joens returns to the L.A. Mart after a brief break in his decade-long tenure of service with the building. He began his career at the L.A. Mart in 2001 as director of marketing and then two years later was promoted to director of leasing, where he helped his team achieve a more than 90 percent… more
Sep 04, 2012
The National Association of Black Journalists and the National Society of Black Engineers both signed contracts with the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority to bring their events to Boston in 2014 and 2016. “Over the last several years, the MCCA and city leaders have made a concerted effort to recruit minority events to come to Boston, allowing people from across the country and around the world to see our city in a new light,” said James Rooney, executive director of the MCCA. He added, “And it’s working. After the National Urban League and Blacks in… more
Sep 03, 2012
Twenty young professionals under the age of 30 will have the opportunity to take part in the International Association of Exhibitions & Events’ Expo! Expo! through a sponsorship by the Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau and Austin Convention Center. The professionals, who may not have had the financial resources to attend otherwise, will be invited to attend the event Dec. 4-6 in Orlando. IAEE's 20 under 30 program provides industry education for professional growth in the exhibitions and events industry and helps participants establish a stronger career path and become… more
Sep 03, 2012
IAAPA Attractions Expo 2012, which takes place Nov. 12-16 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., will offer more than 85 educational seminars, luncheons, roundtable discussions, behind-the-scenes tours, daylong institutes and half-day symposiums designed to keep attractions industry professionals up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in attractions management. Owned by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, the event attracts supervisors, managers, senior executives, and CEO’s, who will all benefit from participating in the… more
Sep 03, 2012
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, named Amsterdam RAI the winner of its debut competition on the theme “Best Sustainable Development Strategies“. Amsterdam RAI was selected as the winner from among six short listed finalists: Artexis Group, Cape Town International Convention Centre, Messe Frankfurt, Palexpo and UBM Live Amsterdam. The jury also decided to award an honorable mention to UBM Live Amsterdam for their systems management approach to sustainable development. Each finalist was invited to present its case study at the UFI Focus Meeting on… more
Aug 29, 2012
George Little Management’s New York International Gift Fair has beat the recessionary retail blues and posted strong numbers for not only the size of its showfloor, but also saw a boost in the pace of its sales activity.     The show, held Aug. 18-22 at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York and Passenger Ship Terminal’s Piers 92 & 94, was the largest one since 2009, according to show officials, with 545,000 net square feet of exhibit space across the three venues.   Total overall NYIGF attendance of 33,000 represented retailers from… more
Aug 28, 2012
Across the United States, farm-to-table restaurants with a focus on locally grown produce are all the rage, and now convention centers are getting into the sustainable food movement. Atlanta’s Cobb Galleria Center enlisted the help of staff volunteers to construct two large raised beds on the campus behind the venue’s kitchen, which have been filled with a variety of herbs. Altogether, there are 20 different fully developed plants ranging from sage, mint, rosemary and several variations of basil in the garden. The herbs yield large quantities of ingredients regularly used in… more
Aug 27, 2012
Dedicated to bargain apparel, accessories and footwear, OFFPRICE Show may have gained its momentum during the economic downtown, but it continues to have a strong presence even as things begin to turn around. Held Aug. 19-22 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas, the event spanned 125,000 net square feet and attracted approximately 500 exhibiting companies, which is on par with its February numbers of 126,000 square feet and 497 exhibiting companies. August attendance was also close to the 11,500 that attended the previous event, according to show officials. The show has… more
Aug 27, 2012
Reed Exhibitions has been busy since it bought All-Energy, the U.K.'s largest renewable energy exhibition and conference, in July 2011. First, it spun off the show into Australia in early 2012, and now, Reed Exhibitions is expanding into the North American renewables market with the launch of All-Energy Canada. The new show is scheduled Oct. 2-3, 2013, at Exhibition Place in Toronto. All-Energy Canada will be held in conjunction with the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association and, like the two other All-Energy events, will encompass all aspects of renewable and sustainable energy and… more
Aug 26, 2012
The 3rd Annual TSNN Awards: Celebrating Trade Show Excellence, on tap Nov. 2-4 in Louisville, will feature a luncheon keynote given by legendary University of Louisville Cardinal’s Basketball Head Coach Rick Pitino. An accomplished coach and leader, Pitino is the first coach in NCAA history to take three different teams to the NCAA Final Four. In 27 seasons as a collegiate head coach at five different schools, he has compiled a 629-234 record, a .729 winning percentage that ranks him 11th among active coaches.  His current contract ties him with U of L through the 2016-2017… 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.