Oct 25, 2016
In a room last week at IMEX America in Las Vegas, 135 people gathered to learn about the official launch of the Exhibitions and Meetings Safety and Security Initiative (EMSSI), which was founded to address safety and security concerns at venues around the United States. “Everywhere we go in (the trade show and meetings industry), safety and security keeps us up at night,” said International Association of Exhibitions and Events President and CEO David DuBois. The initiative is a joint effort between IAEE, International Association of Venue Managers, and the Exhibition Services &… more
Oct 24, 2016
October is set to be the busiest MICE month at Marina Bay Sands as the integrated resort welcomes 17 major tradeshows and key conferences. It is the highest number of tradeshows and conferences to be held at Marina Bay Sands in a single month since its opening in 2010. More than half of these events at Sands Expo and Convention Centre are repeat shows and they include notable names such as ITB Asia, Singapore International Energy Week and Franchising & Licensing Asia. The biggest airline passenger experience trade show in Asia, comprising Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX)… more
Oct 24, 2016
The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (“HKCEC”) celebrated a major milestone Oct. 14. During the world’s largest electronics fair – the Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition), the HKCEC welcomed the 100,000,000th visitor since its opening in 1988. Nicholas J McVeigh from the United Kingdom was surprised by a flashmob made up of a group of uniformed staff of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited (“HML”), the operating and management company of the HKCEC.  He was then officially welcomed by  Monica Lee-Müller, HML’s managing director,… more
Oct 24, 2016
October is set to be the busiest MICE month at Marina Bay Sands as the integrated resort welcomes 17 major tradeshows and key conferences. It is the highest number of tradeshows and conferences to be held at Marina Bay Sands in a single month since its opening in 2010. More than half of these events at Sands Expo and Convention Centre are repeat shows and they include notable names such as ITB Asia, Singapore International Energy Week and Franchising & Licensing Asia. The biggest airline passenger experience trade show in Asia, comprising Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX)… more
Oct 24, 2016
U.K.-based UBM will bring a licensing expo to Shanghai, China in 2017. Licensing Expo China will be open on 18-20 July at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC), Shanghai, China. Licensing Expo China will feature over 100 brands and properties from China and overseas. The show will connect the most influential entertainment, character, fashion, art and corporate brand owners and agents with consumer goods manufacturers, licensees and retailers from all product categories across Asia. "China's licensing industry is growing faster than all other… more
Oct 24, 2016
Tarsus Group has appointed Mark Temple-Smith as CEO Asia. Temple-Smith has more than 20 years’ experience in the global exhibitions industry and has led and developed successful businesses in Europe, Africa and Asia. Temple-Smith will be joining Tarsus from ITE Group plc, where he is Regional Director for Asia. During the past four and a half years, he has grown ITE’s Asian business from start-up to some 50 exhibitions and over 400 employees in India, South East Asia and China. Prior to joining ITE in 2012 Temple-Smith was a member of the management team at Canon Communications LLC. He is… more
Oct 23, 2016
Karen Gebhart, vice president Business Development, Helicopter Association International, has spent more than 25 years in the trade show industry, even though, like most – it was entirely by accident. Now, she oversees HAI HELI-EXPO, the world’s largest vertical flight trade show and conference. HAI HELI-EXPO produces more than $2 billion in floor sales annually for the vertical flight industry and attracts attendees from 90-plus countries. Under her direction, Gebhart also leads HAI’s membership, marketing, sales and business development departments. Prior to HAI, Gebhart served as executive… more
Oct 21, 2016
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research released the final two reports of its series, 2016 Changing Environment of Exhibitions. This study consists of 10 fact sheets articulating the power of exhibitions from the perspective of exhibitors, including its most recent: Use of Exhibitions and Exhibitor Sales Channel and Exhibitor Profile – Overall Compared to Power Users. Use of Exhibitions and Exhibitor Sales Channel reflects positive linkage between sales channels and participation in business-to-business exhibitions. Exhibiting companies aiming to increase use of a… more
Oct 20, 2016
Greenbuild International Expo and Conference was held Oct. 5-7 at the Los Angeles Convention Center and brought in more than 18,000 attendees and 530-plus exhibitors for its 15th year to a showfloor of approximately 139,000 square feet of exhibit space.   Both attendees and exhibitors alike were focused on all things green at the show. “There was such a need for a show like this when it was formed, and grew in 2007 to one of the largest 200 trade shows in the US,” said Lindsay Roberts, group director at Informa Exhibitions, which runs the show. “The show appeals to a deeper cause, and to… more
Oct 18, 2016
Moving into the last quarter of 2016, bringing on new employees and promoting from within, especially in the executive ranks, still is occurring at a swift pace in companies from several trade show sectors. U.K.-based Tarsus Group has appointed Mark Temple-Smith as CEO Asia. Temple-Smith has more than 20 years’ experience in the global exhibitions industry and has led and developed successful businesses in Europe, Africa and Asia.  He will be joining Tarsus from ITE Group plc, where he is regional director for Asia. During the past four and a half years, Temple-Smith has grown ITE’s… 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.