News

Sep 23, 2012
If trade shows are a reflection of the business sectors they represent, the recently concluded International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) at Chicago’s McCormick Place offered up some very good news about manufacturing.   The biennial exhibition posted attendance of 100,200 - the highest number since 2000 - and featured four new emerging technologies.   Peter Eelman, vice president of exhibitions and communications at the Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT), the organization that produces mega event, said he believes that the strong showing of IMTS bodes well… more
Sep 22, 2012
I read a funny blog post on ‘Did you pack your trade show tool kit?’  It made me think that there are probably a few more items that need to be added to this list to make it complete.   1. Fabric softener mix – I learned from a competitor of mine a few years ago that the best way to remove the static that is on carpets after the plastic is taken off (and after many shoes traverse the booth) is a 50/50 mixture of fabric softener and water. Have a spray bottle and just go to work. It kills the static, smells great and won’t mess up the carpet. You do… more
Sep 19, 2012
The latest report in the Center for Exhibition Industry Research’s series, “The Role and Value of Face-to-Face Interaction”, indicated that attendees and exhibitors believe it is vital to meet in person on the showfloor. CEIR surveyed 885 exhibitors and 9,215 attendees about the importance of the face-to-face process in general during each stage in the purchasing process and customer relationships. Attendees placed high importance on face-to-face interactions at all pre-purchase stages, with two-thirds or more ranking these interactions important for investigating,… more
Sep 17, 2012
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events recently unveiled this year’s recipients of the IAEE Individual Awards.   IAEE’s awards program recognizes professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the exhibitions and events industry.   The winners will be honored at the IAEE Annual Networking Luncheon and Awards Presentation to be held during Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition Dec. 4-6 in Orlando. "The IAEE Awards Committee looks forward to recognizing these outstanding individuals during Expo! Expo!," said 2012… more
Sep 17, 2012
Liza Mundy, award-winning reporter and New York Times best-selling author of three books including, “The Richer Sex and the Rise of Women’s Economic Power", will be the luncheon speaker at the 2012 In Honor of Women (IHOW) event, which celebrates women who have made an impact in the association industry through their leadership and contributions. The full-day educational program and awards luncheon is Oct. 31 at the Capitol Hilton in Washington, DC.  Mundy will discuss her newest book, “The Richer Sex and the Rise of Women’s Economic Power”, which… more
Sep 17, 2012
The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and the American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA) decided collocating their shows under one roof next year was a good move for both trade groups.   From July 10-12 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, ASA’s International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, better known as ICAST, and AFFTA’s International Fly Tackle Dealer Show, known as IFTD, will be together for the first time. "By joining forces with ICAST and ASA to bring IFTD to Las Vegas in 2013, we are collectively creating what will truly be the largest… more
Sep 16, 2012
The Penn Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (PANTS) will make a big move in 2013 from its current home at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pa., to the newly expanded Pennsylvania Convention Center in downtown Philadelphia. The move is part of an effort to give PANTS more visibility, according to show officials. “We want to put the sizzle back in this show and make it an event that no one in the green trades will want to miss,” said MAC Events partner Kevin McLaughlin. He added, “Attendees who come to PANTS will not only find new ideas, products and educational… more
Sep 13, 2012
At the Center for Exhibition Industry Research’s Predict Conference, more than 130 C-level trade show industry leaders, M&A representatives, financiers, economists and sponsor suppliers gathered Sept. 13 in New York City and looked into a crystal ball to try and determine the future of the industry.  What they discovered was the overall sentiment in the room was one of cautious optimism. While the U.S. economy still is slowly growing, the possible collapse of the Eurozone could have a profound effect on any recovery. In addition, recent slowdowns in other emerging markets… more
Sep 11, 2012
On the first day of U.K.-based Tarsus Group’s biennial Labelexpo Americas, the aisles were not only packed with more attendees than the 2010 show, but also the showfloor itself was bigger than two years earlier.   Pre-registration was up 7 percent, compared with the 2010 show, according to Labelexpo Americas Event Manager Tasha Ventimiglia.   The 2010 show came in at just more than 12,500 attendees, but this year's ended up drawing 14,355 attendees.   In addition, the showfloor grew from 170,000 net square feet in 2010 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in… more
Sep 09, 2012
The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre continues to be one of the busiest venues in the region, hosting 1,224 events, 116 of which were exhibitions held by 52 organizers in FY 2011/12.   Of these organizers, 28 were from outside Hong Kong: 17 were international companies with local representative offices, 10 were overseas organizers and one was from Mainland China.     Nearly all of the exhibitions held in the FY2011/12 were recurrent events.   Nine of the year’s 116 exhibitions werefirst-time events at the HKCEC, all new ventures by different organizers… 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.