News
May 13, 2012
It’s an extraordinary time in the world of DMOs, with three large city’s bureaus - the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, the Anaheim/Orange County Convention & Visitor Bureau and Visit Orlando - currently looking to find someone to fill their top posts.
After nine years running the bureau in Los Angeles, Mark Liberman recently announced he is going to retire to spend more time with his wife, Karen, as well as increase his work with the Alzheimer’s Association.
“The friendships, experiences and rewards have been many,” Liberman said.
He added,… more
May 13, 2012
Optimism on the showfloors from wide-ranging industries continues to abound with two more shows – the Offshore Technology Conference and Coverings – both posting substantial increases in attendance and other metrics.
The Offshore Technology Conference, held April 30-May 3 at Reliant Park in Houston drew a 30-year high attendance of 89,400, the third highest in show history and up 14 percent from last year.
Attendance surpassed the 2011 total of 78,645, and the sold-out exhibition was the largest in event history at 641,350 square feet with the addition of the outdoor pavilion,… more
May 12, 2012
Go to enough trade shows and you’ll notice that every event seems to have its own personality, flavor and attitude. Some shows are innovative and visually appealing, some lively and fun, while others more focused and serious.
LIGHTFAIR International, the world’s largest annual trade show and conference for the architectural and commercial lighting industry, could be described as all of the above.
Held May 7-11 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the 23rd annual LFI attracted more than a projected 20,000 attendees and more than 500 exhibitors spanning 200,000-plus net square feet… more
May 10, 2012
A week ago, the trade show industry was shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Gary Sain, president and CEO of Visit Orlando.
Below are the memorial and other arrangements to honor Gary.
Visitation will take place from 3-7 p.m. on Friday, May 11, at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, 301 N.E. Ivanhoe Blvd., Orlando, FL 32804; 407-898-8111.
Additional visitation will take place at 10 a.m., immediately prior to the Celebration of Life and Funeral Service set for 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 12, at Northland, A Church Distributed, located at 530 Dog Track Road, Longwood, FL 32759; 407-949-… more
May 09, 2012
Even after a mild winter this year, exhibitors for next year’s SIA Snow Show are betting on good times, buying out all of the space on the showfloor nine months in advance.
The announcement came during SnowSports Industries America’s annual spring board of directors meeting that was held in conjunction with the National Ski Areas Association National Convention & Trade Show in San Antonio, Texas.
The SIA show, on tap Jan. 31-Feb. 3 at Denver’s Colorado Convention Center, will not increase its space and booth fees will stay the same for the seventh year in a… more
May 09, 2012
Mary Pat Heftman, executive vice president for the National Restaurant Association’s NRA Show 2012, remembers the exact day - July, 26, 2011 - she was told the event was going to have to move off of its traditional late-May show dates at Chicago’s McCormick Place for what was then supposed to be the G8 Summit (now NATO Summit) coming to town.
“We were 80-percent sold out,” Heftman said. “We saw 8-percent attrition (of exhibitors) at that point.”
The show’s dates were moved to May 5-8, but with a lot of hard work by the NRA show staff, the numbers… more
May 08, 2012
The overall unemployment figures still might be down in the United States, but the trade show industry job market seems to be very busy with several new hires and promotions announced in the first part of May.
After a three-month nationwide search, the Tacoma Regional Convention + Visitor Bureau recently selected Bennish Brown as the organization’s new president and CEO.
Brown has a strong background in the destination marketing industry and served the past 12 years as the executive director of Rock Hill/York County Convention and Visitor Bureau in South Carolina.
Brown… more
May 08, 2012
To honor the ‘unsung heroes’ of the trade show industry, The Expo Group has launched the Exhibit Manager of the Year Awards.
Nominations will be accepted through June 8 and the top exhibit managers will be feted at the TSEA-EACA Red Diamond Congress Gala July 11.
Demonstrating value, marketplace engagement and multi-channel initiatives are among the criteria that will be subjectively judged by an independent panel of industry notables.
“I personally am eager to hear about the accomplishments of the exhibit managers nominated,” said Ray Pekowski, president and CEO of… more
May 07, 2012
The Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre recently scored four awards in the national Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) Awards for a second consecutive year.
The Centre’s wins were across a broad range of categories including in-house AV services, banquet and catering, as well as Corporate Social Responsibility and Education.
The venue’s CEO Ton van Amerongen said he “was tremendously proud of the awards which were testament to the skill and professionalism of the Centre’s staff.”
He added, “Our team is the fabric of the Centre and it is their… more
May 07, 2012
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions’ Asian Attractions Expo 2013 will head back to Singapore June 4-7 at the Marina Bay Sands.
After holding the show in Singapore in 2011, Malaysia the year before and it’s on tap in Hong Kong this year, exhibition organizers decided to take the show back to Singapore next year.
“We are excited to bring Asian Attractions Expo back to Singapore in 2013,” said Andrew Lee, IAAPA’s vice president of Asia-Pacific Operations.
He added, “Marina Bay Sands provides the ideal convention facilities, 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.