Mar 26, 2019
The first quarter of 2019 has been a busy one for business acquisitions in the trade show industry, with a bevy of event and event-related companies scooping up shows and companies in the quest to strengthen and expand their market reach.
Last week, Marketplace Events, known as the largest producer of B2C home shows in North America, purchased two Arizona Bridal Shows from Townsquare Live Events.
Held annually at the Phoenix Convention Center in January and June, the shows represent the first foray into consumer bridal events for Marketplace, which produces 43 consumer home shows in the U.… more
Mar 25, 2019
A well-built brand gives consumers an expectation for the experience they will have. For example, we expect different offerings from The Ritz-Carlton than Motel 6, because these hotel chains have established brands that clearly communicate their unique selling propositions. Branding differentiates their hotel from the competition and makes consumers’ purchasing decisions easier.
The same principles apply to trade shows. The need for trade shows to differentiate themselves and clearly communicate their value to participants through a distinctive brand has never been greater. Merely promoting… more
Mar 22, 2019
Today in Atlantic City, N.J, an announcement was made through a group of family, friends and associates of Gary Musich that they will produce several fundraising activities on Gary’s behalf.
Gary is a long-time member of the MeetAC team with deep roots in the convention and meeting industries.
He recently was diagnosed with cancer and is currently undergoing aggressive treatment.
As part of the ongoing effort to solicit donations to help the Musich family with their high medical expenses, the group announced Fishing for a Cure, which is a concert being held at the Steel Pier in Atlantic… more
Mar 21, 2019
Trade Show News Network unveiled the 2018 TSNN Top Trade Shows list, with the CES show, held in January in Las Vegas, snagging the No. 1 spot.
The Consumer Technology Association’s show spanned 2,784,167 net square feet and drew 111,854 attendees to venues that included the Las Vegas Convention Center, Sand Expo Convention Center and several others in the city.
The 2018 TSNN Top Trade Shows complete list can be found HERE.
"This recognition from TSNN speaks to the expansion of the tech industry and the way that CES continues to change and adapt to welcome new exhibitors and attendees,"… more
Mar 19, 2019
Strategic events and meetings management firm MCI has launched its Investment & Management Partnership initiative, designed to help U.S. associations accelerate the growth and market impact of their event portfolios.
Events are a critical revenue driver for associations. MCI’s Investment & Management Partnership frees association partners from the responsibility of planning and executing their events so they can focus on membership, education, advocacy and other areas of expertise that differentiate them in the market.
Meanwhile, MCI is able to implement efficiencies and introduce… more
Mar 18, 2019
For any event organizer worth his or her salt, safety and security is always top of mind. In light of last week’s tragedy in New Zealand and today’s in the Netherlands, as well as many others — including the Las Vegas shooting outside Mandalay Bay in October 2017 — having an action plan in place in event of a security threat has never been more important.
Demonstrating this fact, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority will host the one of the industry’s largest, most comprehensive active shooter exercises to date at Boston Convention & Exhibition Center this Friday, March 22.… more
Mar 15, 2019
The $130 million, 250,000-square-foot expansion of MGM Grand Conference Center is now complete, meaning MGM Resorts now offers a total of 4 million square feet of meeting and convention space on the Las Vegas Strip. (For reference, that’s more than all the convention space in Manhattan combined.)
“With our expansion, upgraded amenities, new outdoor space and user-friendly connectivity packages, we provide our convention customers an enhanced meeting experience with more options,” said Ernest Stovall, vice president of Sales for MGM Grand.
He continued, “I’m proud that many of our clients… more
Mar 13, 2019
Sitting on your trade show floor is an exhibitor who is spending quite a bit of money to be there, but he or she may be thinking, “For this type of investment, I could be doing an amazing brand activation out of the confines of this booth.”
Or, “We really would like our products to be seen by our end-users, the consumers, but they aren’t allowed into this show.”
As a result, some shows are losing major exhibitors, such as E3 — the big video gaming show held annually in Los Angeles that’s had several major gaming companies drop out wanting to use their marketing dollars in other ways.
A… more
Mar 13, 2019
You could say the team members behind MAD Event Management are masters of creativity. Based in Warwick, New York, they’re owners and operators of several large pop culture conventions, from Long Beach Comic Expo to C3: Comic Creator Conference. As such, they’re frequently managing events that involve large numbers of attendees dressed in costume, as well as in-depth education sessions designed to help high-level comics creatives learn and grow in the industry.
Yet for its latest challenge, MAD stepped into a similar, yet different role in a new location: Havana, Cuba. Working with the… more
Mar 12, 2019
In response to the enthusiastic feedback of its attendees and exhibitors, LIGHTFAIR International will return to Las Vegas for its next West coast show in 2020.
Staged alternately on the East and West coasts, the annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference returns to the Las Vegas Convention Center after a six-year absence.
The last time the massive show was in Vegas, in 2014, LIGHTFAIR set new West coast occupancy and attendance records, according to Bob Maricich, CEO of International Market Centers.
“LIGHTFAIR and Las Vegas are natural partners with a strong… 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.