News

Mar 28, 2024
What experiences do event attendees value most? During the Women in Exhibitions Network North America session, “New Audience Insights From Freeman,” on Feb. 16, Freeman Senior Vice President of Strategy Ken Holsinger provided a deeper dive into the 2024 Attendee Intent and Behavior, which garnered 3,200 respondents across a blend of events. The one-hour online meeting covered the full report, but here are the top 11 things that attendees want from in-person events, according to the Freeman survey. When planning your event or exhibit and budgeting your spend, it’s helpful to know what… more
Mar 27, 2024
How do leading exhibit designers and builders create an appealing booth environment? Check out these design trends and traffic-generating tips from ExhibitorLIVE, which was held Feb. 27-28 at the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center in Nashville. The annual trade show offered a window into what is the latest in effective exhibit strategy — at a show where the exhibit managers are the target buyers.  Our team walked the exhibit hall floor to scout design, lighting and tech trends attracting the most traffic from buyers. Here are 10 booths that stood out: Hamilton ExhibitsRetro revival.… more
Mar 26, 2024
Celebrated every March, Women’s History Month is an opportune time to celebrate the female achievers of the trade show and corporate events industry. In this (first-CEN/third-TSNN) in a series of exclusive interviews with several outstanding female industry professionals, we had the pleasure of speaking with Kitty Ratcliffe, president of Explore St. Louis and Kathy Springstead, general manager, convention center operations for Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, to find out how their organizations are supporting women, whether they believe we are making progress when it comes to gender diversity… more
Mar 25, 2024
Filling all three halls at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) for the first time in its 12-year history, MODEX, a biennial manufacturing and supply chain trade show for North and South America, pulled off its largest event ever in Atlanta.  Held March 11-14, this year’s event attracted 48,733 registered manufacturing and supply chain professionals and 1,164 exhibitors showcasing the latest supply chain technology and innovation across 580,000 net square feet of exhibit space. Boasting an uptick of 32% more registered visitors than MODEX 2022, which drew in 37,047 registered attendees,… more
Mar 22, 2024
Celebrated every March, Women’s History Month is an opportune time to celebrate the female achievers of the trade show and events industry. In this second in a series of exclusive interviews with several outstanding female industry professionals, we had the pleasure of speaking with Janet Dell, president and COO of Freeman, and Maverick Payments Creative Director Jessica Reinhardt, to find out how their organizations are supporting women, what they advise for the next generation of female leaders and who are the up-and-coming women leaders to watch in our industry. Janet Dell, President,… more
Mar 21, 2024
Ask about Visit Salt Lake (VSL) President and CEO Kaitlin Eskelson’s long and accomplished career in the travel and tourism industry and prepare to be impressed. As the organization’s youngest chief executive and only the fourth person to hold the leadership role in its 36-year history, she has made her mark through passionately crafted programs and strategies designed to secure a strong future for business events and tourism in Salt Lake City and Utah. Since taking the helm at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic on March 16, 2020, Eskelson’s achievements to build back the city’s meetings and… more
Mar 20, 2024
Exclusively sponsored by Honeycomb Strategies. When events adopt sustainability goals such as reducing water and energy, organizers are then tasked with finding host venues that have the systems in place to support such goals. We’ve compiled this guide for event planners on what to look for and which questions to ask when reviewing convention centers and meeting spaces for sustainability. 1. Certifications Sustainability certifications show that the building’s operations and infrastructure have been reviewed and approved by an established third-party authority. They are a great shorthand… more
Mar 19, 2024
Are you attending Connect 2024 Spring Marketplace in Las Vegas? Considering it?  Connect Spring Marketplace is scheduled for April 2-4 at The Venetian, Las Vegas. Designed for event professionals, Connect Spring Marketplace is expected to draw more than 2,000 leaders who produce association, citywide, corporate, sports, eTourism and diversity events. We’ve got the scoop on what you need to know before you take off for this popular desert destination for trade shows. Speed date with suppliers. Engage in personalized 1:1 sessions with representatives from top destinations, hotels and vendors… more
Mar 19, 2024
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) reported a significant recovery in the U.S. business-to-business (B2B) exhibition industry for the fourth quarter (Q4) 2023, citing a 15% year-over-year increase in overall exhibition performance that measures exhibitors, net square footage, attendees and real revenues.  The industry’s performance is nearing pre-pandemic levels, with the Q4 2023 results showing only an 8% lag compared to the same period in 2019, according to the latest CEIR Total Index. This represents a significant improvement from the 41% and 20% shortfalls observed in Q4… more
Mar 18, 2024
Informa, the international B2B events, digital services and academic markets company (owner of TSNN, Exhibit News Now and Corporate Event News), confirmed a 30% increase in underlying revenue (excluding acquisitions and disposals) for the full-year 2023 and increase in its guidance for 2024 with more than £500m ($626m) revenue already delivered so far this year, according to its earnings statement. (Using the exchange rate of GBP/USD 1.25 on March 10) During an investor presentation on March 8, Informa Group Chief Executive Stephen Carter (pictured right) said: ”Informa’s final results… more
Partner Voices
  MGM Resorts is renowned for its exceptional service and diverse venue options across Las Vegas, Detroit, Springfield, National Harbor, Biloxi, and Atlantic City, providing flexible spaces for meetings of any size. Beyond these offerings, MGM Resorts distinguishes itself through a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for your next meeting.  At the core of MGM Resorts' company values is its platform, "Focused on What Matters," dedicated to meeting customer needs while advancing socially responsible practices. This commitment is evident in several key areas:  Protecting Natural Resources  MGM Resorts is home to industry-leading recycling, renewable electricity and water conservation programs. Some highlights include a cogeneration power plant at ARIA, producing ultra-efficient electricity; one of America’s largest contiguous rooftop solar arrays atop the convention center at Mandalay Bay; and onsite wells that provide water for the celebrated Fountains of Bellagio, avoiding reliance on precious Colorado River water. These efforts and many more save on natural resources while boosting attendee satisfaction.  Committed to Community  Always striving to be good neighbors, MGM Resorts works to avoid food waste and combat food insecurity with the Feeding Forward program. In partnership with local food banks, they safely divert unserved food to food insecure members of the community. Since 2016, over 5 million meals have been provided, highlighting MGM Resorts' commitment to minimizing food waste and addressing community needs.  MGM Resorts supports clients in their responsible-meetings efforts, not only with efficient venues but also waste-reducing décor and signage; sustainable food and beverage options; and outreach to help planners communicate sustainability efforts to attendees. What’s more, they offer a Mindful Meetings series that puts attendee wellness first—through fitness and mindfulness activities, and in give-back events with local charity organizations.   Fostering Diversity & Inclusion  To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.  MGM Resorts offers unparalleled service and venue options while standing out for its proactive approach to sustainability and community engagement. Choosing MGM Resorts for your next meeting means aligning with a company that values social responsibility, efficiency, and attendee satisfaction, ensuring a meaningful and impactful event experience.