Jul 14, 2014
After being hit hard by increased competition with legalized gambling proliferating throughout the East Coast, Atlantic City, N.J., which used to be one of the very few places to play the slots or tables in the U.S., is going through a major reinvention.
The past few weeks have been filled with tough news for the city, with the storied Showboat Casino slated for closure, as well as the just-announced Trump Hotel and Casino and the possibility of the two-year-old, $2.4 billion Revel casino property as well, if it doesn’t find a buyer.
“The fact is that Atlantic City is a destination in… more
Jul 14, 2014
Nominations now are being accepted online for the longstanding awards program honoring show managers who exemplify excellence in their field.
Since 2000, The Expo Group Show Manager of the Year (SMOTY) Awards have been presented to “individuals who are creating amazing experiences with their exhibition and in their marketplace community,” according to TEG officials.
"Our independent panel of judges struggles annually to choose winners from among the group of smart, talented professionals," said Ray Pekowski, president and CEO of The Expo Group. "We need your help to make it just as hard… more
Jul 09, 2014
June was a very good month for the city of Boston, with the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority signing 38 contracts for events, breaking the previous best-month record of 30 events booked in December 2005.
The events signed in June are expected to generate 472,787 future hotel room nights in the city, which also tops the December 2007 previous high month of 435,484 room nights by 8.5 percent.
“As we celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the BCEC this summer, it’s nice to also celebrate yet another record-breaker,” said James E. Rooney, executive director of the MCCA.… more
Jul 09, 2014
Trade Show News Network (TSNN) has unveiled the 2013 TSNN Top 50 Canadian Trade Show list of rankings.
Culled from show management and data supplied to TSNN, the list represents the top 50 trade shows held last year ranked by net square footage in Canada. The full list can be found at: http://www.tsnn.com/toplists-cdn.
Snagging the No. 1 spot once again for 2013 was Regina Exhibition Association’s Canada's Farm Progress Show, with a whopping 1,232,670 net square foot showfloor at Evraz Place in Regina, Saskatchewan.
The show, held last year in June, also drew 843… more
Jul 08, 2014
Starting next month and expected to take a year to complete, the Los Angeles Convention Center will receive a $10 million upgrade designed to “enhance the customer experience and to help attract new shows,” according to Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board officials.
Work will occur around shows and events scheduled in the center.
“The planned changes inside the Convention Center complement the changes taking place outside the Center, including new hotels, restaurants, shopping and cultural offerings throughout Downtown L.A.,” said Ernest Wooden Jr., president… more
Jul 07, 2014
There seems to be no slowing down for the Chinese exhibition industry, with the country posting the most growth in five years, as well as a plethora of new centers being built.
UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, released the 10th edition of its annual Report on the Trade Fair Industry in Asia, and net space sold in the overall Asian trade show market jumped by 6.6 percent in 2013 to more than 17.3 million net square meters (186 million net square feet), compared with 16.31 million net sq. m. (175 million net sq. ft.) in 2012.
Of that total, more than 55 percent was sold… more
Jul 06, 2014
In the past 23 years, as Galaxy evolved to modern-day Experient, Mike Godsey has not only seen the once omnipresent magstripe come to life, but also its demise, followed immediately by its evolution into what is being used today for lead retrieval on the showfloor.
When Galaxy first started in the event registration business 30 years ago, Godsey, who is Experient’s senior vice president of market development, said, “there used to be registration forms that were mailed in and one by one keyed into a rudimentary computer system.”
With the advent of computers came data… more
Jul 03, 2014
You know you are giving your event attendees the type of content they want when no one is in line for the open bar at a meet-and-greet, but instead all are busy clamoring for information. That’s exactly what happened last week in Las Vegas at the very first SHOT (The Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade) Show Exhibitor Academy.Just more than 100 attendees representing SHOT Show exhibiting companies arrived in Las Vegas to spend two days learning how to get more out of their presence at the event, which is owned by the National Shooting Sports Foundation.“The exhibitor academy was something that… more
Jul 02, 2014
June marked a month filled with people news that included long-time industry veterans announcing they were retiring, other trade show professionals being promoted and new hires into some companies.
Tom Mobley, who has served as Global Spectrum senior vice president of Convention Centers since January of 2006, has retired, effective June 30.
Before joining Global Spectrum, Mobley served as general manager and CEO of the Washington Convention Center Authority in Washington, D.C.
He also spent 11 years as general manager of the largest convention center in the U.S., the McCormick… more
Jul 01, 2014
Elvis and Liberace used to live there and its one of the few properties right next to the Las Vegas Convention Center, but now the hotel most recently known as the LVH – Las Vegas Hilton was bought by Florida-based Westgate Resorts.
The hotel will be renamed the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.
"Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino will set the standard for service in Las Vegas,” said David Siegel, founder and CEO of Florida-based Westgate Resorts.
He added, "We are very excited to be taking this important part of Vegas history and reinventing it for the… 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.