Association Show News
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Jan 09, 2023
PCMA announced several major acquisitions, alliances and partnerships designed to forge a path forward for the global business events industry while furthering its role as a leading platform for meeting and trade show professionals. The announcements were made on the first day of Convening Leaders 2023, taking place Jan. 8-11 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. At a press conference, PCMA and CEMA President and CEO Sherrif Karamat outlined the association’s strategic plan, which is based on four foundational pillars supported by various key initiatives.
“As of today… more
Jan 05, 2023
In 2022, in-person U.S. trade shows enjoyed a steady comeback, attendees and exhibitors returned to showfloors to meet face-to-face again, event-related organizations went on hiring and promoting sprees, and industry professionals expressed a tone of optimism that hadn’t been heard since before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with rumblings of a possible recession on the minds of many business event professionals this year, how are industry leaders feeling about the future in 2023?
“The general expectation among industry members is that 2023 will build on the industry’s performance in 2022… more
Jan 04, 2023
As part of its commitment to creating a healthy environment for attendees and exhibitors to conduct and further global business, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) is offerig a more touchless venue experience at CES 2023, taking place Jan. 5-8 at 11 official venues in Las Vegas, including the Las Vegas Convention Center, The Venetian Convention and Expo Center and ARIA.
According to CTA officials, health and safety measures being executed across all CES venues include increased fresh air flow and filtration systems, hand sanitizing stations, door greeters and touchless public… more
Dec 14, 2022
According to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), the U.S. B2B exhibition industry continues to rebound, demonstrated by a continued improvement in Q3 2022 from the previous 10 quarters. This welcome news was announced by CEIR officials on Dec. 14 during Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting and Exhibition, taking place Dec. 13-15 in Louisville, Ky.
The in-person event cancellation rate remains low, although it increased slightly from 2 percent in Q2 to 3.1 percent in Q3, demonstrating a substantial improvement from 97.8 percent in Q3 2020 and 20.6 percent in Q3 2021, according… more
Dec 08, 2022
Learning and engagement opportunities will abound both on and off the show floor at this year’s Expo! Expo!, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events’ (IAEE) Annual Meeting & Exhibition, set for Dec. 13-15, at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, Ky.
With a 2022 theme of “Expo! Expo! is THE PLACE TO BE,” the ever-popular “Show for Shows” will once again offer a jam-packed schedule of not-to-miss educational content, networking events and collaborative opportunities, while a vibrant trade show floor will feature more than 200 industry suppliers… more
Dec 05, 2022
Major players in the meetings, trade show and events industry have been quietly securing new business deals and renewing existing partnerships as they set their sights on a strong and prosperous future for their respective businesses and premium event experiences for the audiences they serve. Take a look!
Tarsus Group
London, U.K.-based B2B events and media company Tarsus Group (Tarsus) and Fern Exposition Services, LLC (Fern), a leading national marketing support and trade show services provider, recently formed a multi-year partnership.
Under the terms of the agreement, Fern… more
Nov 21, 2022
Destinations International, the world’s largest resource for official destination organizations, convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards, recently unveiled its Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) pilot program, “Tourism for All.” Announced at the 2022 Destinations International Advocacy Summit, held Oct. 26-28 in Bloomington, Minn., the new initiative is designed to support CVBs in being more inclusive, welcoming and accessible to prospective visitors, including event attendees, and tourism businesses.
Launched in partnership with the Charlottesville… more
Nov 14, 2022
Understanding how to design events that are welcoming and inclusive for attendees with disabilities has become essential for today’s event planners. According to Forbes Magazine, the disability community is larger than the size of China, with 1.85 billion people, and if you add in their friends, family and caregivers, that adds up to an additional 3.4 billion people.
But creating in-person or virtual experiences that are inviting and accessible for everyone can be a challenge for many event organizers, planners and producers, who may lack the knowledge, tools and strategies to do… more
Nov 01, 2022
According to new analysis released on Oct. 6 by U.S. Travel Association economists, the U.S. Department of State’s low prioritization of visitor visa processing is severely hindering the U.S. economic recovery, preventing an estimated 6.6 million potential visitors from traveling to the U.S. in 2023 at a loss of $11.6 billion in projected spending.
Wait times for visitor visa interviews now exceed 400 days for first-time applicants from top source markets, a huge deterrent that is sending millions of potential visitors – including business event delegates—and billions in traveler spending to… more
Oct 31, 2022
With mainstream media overflowing with negative news, it’s refreshing to focus on the positive—in this case, how the trade show industry is giving back to host communities and lending a helping hand to vulnerable populations. Read on to learn how two trade shows and one leading venue management organization are making a positive difference in the lives of those who need it most.
Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show
When Hurricane Ian hit Florida in late September, hundreds of restaurants and hotels were destroyed by the catastrophic storm and severe flooding. This impact was felt… 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.