Apr 09, 2012
After an earthquake struck Japan last year, followed by a devastating tsunami and nuclear crisis, there were several events that were canceled. But, despite the adversity, the International Congress on Thrombosis and Haemostasis went forward with their event and, as a result, the organization recently was awarded the 2011 International Association of Professional Congress Organizers International Client Award. The statue was given March 9 to Yasuo Ikeda, chairman of the Japanese Organization Committee of the 23rd International Congress on Thrombosis and Haemostasis. Other participants in… more
Apr 09, 2012
The recent SPS – Industrial Automation Fair Guangzhou, held March 7-9 at the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou – drew a record number of exhibitors and visitors. There were 22,189 visitors from 60 countries and regions, an increase of 14 percent, compared with last year. Chinese visitors numbered 21,312 and 877 were international visitors. Exhibitors represented 438 companies from 15 countries and regions, up 24 percent, compared with last year. Some of the exhibitors included Siemens, Lenze, Phoenix Contact, Harting, Weidmueller, Beckhoff, Pilz, ifm, Pepperl+Fuchs,… more
Apr 09, 2012
In an effort to secure more business events for the country and make it Asia’s events hub, the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) recently announced two key appointments to its corporate sales and industry services team. Tan Lay Teng joined the team as sales manager of corporate and incentive sales team and Jennifer Ong Jan-Ni as Industry Services Manager. Tan has an established background of twelve years in developing international business in the meetings, incentives, conventions and events industry. At MyCEB, she will lead her team to generate more sales leads and… more
Apr 09, 2012
With a change in ownership structure and the recession starting to finally recede, Hanley Wood has decided old is new again and brought back Peter Goldstone as CEO of the company. Goldstone, who previously was president of the company before he departed in 2010, will step into Frank Anton’s shoes, who will transition into a chairman role. Both changes will take place in early May.  "After spending over 20 great years with Hanley Wood in positions of increasing operational responsibility and following the successful completion of our recent balance sheet recapitalization, I… more
Apr 08, 2012
With more and more smartphones and other devices on the showfloor that require additional Wi-Fi and mobile bandwith, convention and meeting venues’  existing networks are being tasked with keeping up with the demand. To address this issue, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events released its White Paper, “Wi-Fi and Mobile Challenges in the Exhibitions and Events Industry”, in response to bandwith concerns expressed by various segments of the industry. The IAEE Wi-Fi and Mobile Bandwidth Task Force was created to work on this effort. "The… more
Apr 07, 2012
Charles Ahlers has spent 40 years in the convention and visitors bureau business, most recently serving as president at the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau, but he’s now decided to move on at the end of this year. “I have been fortunate to be able to realize many accomplishments during my four decade career in this industry,” Ahlers said. He added, “I have worked for five distinct destination marketing organizations, and it seems fitting at this time to finish my visitor industry career on a high note. This Anaheim Resort community and all of… more
Apr 04, 2012
While it can’t be easy being a consumer show representing a distressed industry, the Progressive International Motorcycle Show Tour proved that a creative reinvention strategy can go a long way in maintaining and building attendance. Owned by Advanstar Communications, the 17-week event for motorcycle enthusiasts, which converges annually in 12 cities November to March, recently concluded its 2011/2012 tour, boasting an overall attendance of nearly 500,000 people, according to show officials. Last year, the show drew approximately 470,000 attendees, and for the past two years, has… more
Apr 03, 2012
Aviation Week’s MRO Americas 2012 Conference has resumed one day after more than a dozen tornadoes struck the Dallas/Fort Worth region and disrupted the event's showfloor that was set to open for  5,000 attendees at the Dallas Convention Center "I was impressed with the professionalism and the communication from the staff at the DCC," said Lydia F. Janow from the MRO Americas 2012 Conference. She added, "The evacuation went smoothly, and staff was with me through the duration of the storms keeping me abreast of updates." Center security ushered all of the… more
Apr 03, 2012
Patricia Farias-Barlow has been selected as the International Association of Exhibitions and Events’ 2012 "Legend of the Industry" for this year's IAEE Krakoff Leadership Institute to be held May30-June 1 at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, D.C., as part of IAEE's Mid-Year Meeting. The Krakoff Leadership Institute provides professional development for a group of industry professionals who were selected by the Krakoff Leadership Institute Committee as the industry's future leaders based on their application and extensive review. "Being selected as this year… more
Apr 02, 2012
One big meetings and events supplier bought another, with St. Louis-based Maritz Travel acquiring Twinsburg, Ohio-based Experient. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Maritz Travel is a global leader in providing full-service meeting, event and incentive travel programs to corporate clients, and Experient is a provider of meeting and event services to associations, tradeshows, corporations and the U.S. government. “As a result of this deal, Maritz Travel will lead the industry in four key areas – corporate, association, tradeshow and strategic meetings management. Coming… 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.