News

May 21, 2012
When the American Psychiatric Association Heart Rhythm Society recently held their annual meetings, they decided to leave a lasting impact and give back to the local host communities. The APA’s meeting was held May 5-9 at Philadelphia’s Pennsylvania Convention Center and the association made a pledge to make a group donation to the Philadelphia Mental Health Center at the culmination of the event. Donations were made throughout the convention, and the APA matched every dollar that was donated by attendees. The APA 2012 Meeting also featured host Edward M. Kennedy, Jr. as the… more
May 21, 2012
The Exhibition and Events Association of Australasia (EEAA) will seek additional funding from the State Government of Victoria for the expansion of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). The EEAA has been critical of the state’s latest budget plan, which overlooked funding for the exhibition industry.   Industry players hoped the US$1 billion redevelopment of Darling Harbour in Sydney, which includes 40,000 sq. m. of exhibition space, would spur further expansion activities. According to the EEAA, expanding the MCEC will increase business tourism spend by an… more
May 21, 2012
According to the Thailand Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MoTS), the under-construction US$62 million Chiang Mai convention centre is now more than 99 percent complete and will reportedly open by December this year. The project has come under criticism for delays in its completion and not finding a suitable management company before its opening. The MoTS has appointed Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) as interim management of the convention centre until a long-term management solution is found, with the involvement of Thai or foreign partners reportedly being considered. Meanwhile, NCC… more
May 21, 2012
Trade show organiser Reed Exhibitions Japan announced the launch of two new trade events in Tokyo – COSME TOKYO and Wind Expo 2013. COSME TOKYO – International Cosmetics Trade Fair, held concurrently with COSME INNOVATION, INTERPHEX JAPAN and PHARMA JAPAN, will run June 27-29 at Tokyo Big Sight. Five hundred exhibitors are expected to showcase products ranging from ingredients, OEM, packaging to finished products for the cosmetics industry. Part of the World Smart Energy Week, the 1st edition of Wind Expo – International Wind Energy Expo & Conference will launch in… more
May 21, 2012
CIFF is jointly organised by the China National Furniture Association, China Foreign Trade Centre (Group), Guangdong Furniture Association, and the Hong Kong Furniture & Decoration Trade Association. Held at the China Import & Export Fair Complex, phase one of CIFF received 1,600 exhibitors and occupied more than 350,000 sq. m. from Matrch 18-21 this year. The show included the events of CIFF-Home Furniture, Homedecor & Housewares China, Intertextile Guangzhou-Hometextile China and Outdoor & Leisure Guangzhou. Phase two of CIFF, which ran March 27-30, included the CIFF-Office… more
May 20, 2012
The Face2Face Series is sponsored by MarketArt. Imagine your typical trade show executive and you’ll most likely picture a high-powered, type-A individual with a commanding persona, not someone as easy-going and down-to-earth as Sandy Voss. If anything, she seems more like the kind of person you’d envision running a small organic farm or leading hikes through the Colorado mountains rather than running the exhibitions group and lifestyle division of trade show and conference producer Penton Media. “I’m a real, pretty laid-back, approachable kind of person, and I… more
May 16, 2012
Longtime trade show industry veteran Paul Mackler has launched Eagle Eye Expositions and already has started growing his portfolio with the purchase of the Border Security Expo from E.J. Krause & Associates. Mackler is CEO and president of the new company that was formed by former trade show and media entrepreneur investors. “There were certain dynamics and growth characteristics that really attracted me to Border Security Expo,” Mackler said of the acquisition. He added, “This is a large, growing, global and sustainable multi-billion dollar marketplace. I look… more
May 15, 2012
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events Public Events Council released its “Public Events Industry 2011” survey report and “Supplemental Report: How the Public Event/Consumer Show Engages with the Younger Generations/Professionals.” In 2009, the Public Events Council distributed a survey to public event organizers across 22 public events industry sectors to examine overall industry performance. The report identified which public event industry sectors fared well, which sectors struggled and their expectations for the future. As a follow-up to that… more
May 15, 2012
The Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute is giving attendees to PACK EXPO International 2012, Oct. 28-31 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, a two-for-one lecture special with James Carville and Dennis Miller taking part in a joint session. “We’ll be barely a week away from the 2012 Presidential election,” said PMMI president & CEO Charles D. Yuska. He added, “No matter which way you vote, this pair of pundits will offer unique perspectives on the elections and the issues in the national spotlight.” Dennis Miller is one of America’s premiere… more
May 15, 2012
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research will hold its 2nd Annual Predict Conference Sept. 13 in New York City at the Time Warner Center. The event will be limited to C-level executives and will focus on the results of the CEIR Index, which provides an objective measure of the annual performance of the exhibition industry, measuring year-over-year changes and predictions through 2014. Attendees will interact with presenters and colleagues throughout the day to share best practices, ideas and future strategies including projected event growth, merger and acquisition strategies and… 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.