Association Show News
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Feb 11, 2025
What’s the outlook for the U.S. and global exhibition industries? UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has released the 34th edition of its flagship Global Exhibition Barometer report, which takes the pulse of the industry.
Zooming out: For the global exhibition industry, revenues in 2024 and 2025 are expected to grow by a respective 16% and 18% year on year. Globally, 46% of companies declare they plan to increase their workforce in the coming six months, while another 51% declare that they will keep current staff numbers stable.
Context: “UFI’s Barometer research has… more
Feb 07, 2025
After officially announcing the once glorious E3 Show dead in December 2023, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has unveiled the launch of the Interactive Innovation Conference (iicon), an invitation-only event designed to bring together visionaries, thought leaders, and innovators across industries that intersect with interactive entertainment.
Set to take place April 27-30, 2026, at the Fontainebleau Resort in Las Vegas, iicon hopes to capitalize on the global video game industry that is set to surpass $300 billion in projected revenue by 2027, according to a statement released… more
Jan 30, 2025
With 3,800 attendees registered for the in-person event and 4,500 total registrants, PCMA Convening Leaders (CL25) landed in Houston for the first time in its 70-year history of gathering convention and business events industry professionals at its annual meeting held this year from Jan. 12-15. By comparison, the 2024 Convening Leaders drew more than 4,200 industry professionals to San Diego. This year’s theme: Go beyond your orbit.
“Because we convene people, we have the power to use business events to impact economic and social change,” said PCMA and CEMA President and CEO Sherrif… more
Jan 28, 2025
In the face of people’s changing perceptions toward alcohol consumption, fueled by an increasing focus on health and wellness, the growing “sober-curious” social moderation movement appears to be picking up steam as people are re-evaluating their relationship with alcohol.
Between 2016 and 2023, the share of Americans who view moderate drinking as “good for health” dropped from 19% to 10%, whereas the share who perceive it as “bad for health” increased from 26% to 39%, according to Gallup. Americans are drinking less than they used to--with the average number of drinks consumed falling… more
Jan 24, 2025
With the help of 4,500 exhibitors—1,400 of which were startups—in front of 141,000 attendees, the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show lived up to its reputation as one of the world’s leading tech events by underscoring AI's intersection with humanity, highlighting accessibility-focused tech, and debuting energy transition and quantum computing conference tracks.
Attendance figures at CES 2025 marked a roughly 2% yearly increase compared to the previous year, when CES 2024 drew 138,000 participants.
A spokesperson for the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), which produces the annual tech… more
Jan 21, 2025
Two trade show industry organizations announced key launches and initiatives recently.
ESCA Gears Up for New Leadership Summit
The Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA) is gearing up to launch a new event designed to empower and educate the next generation of exhibitions and events industry leaders. Set for February 4-5 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, the 2025 Rising Leaders Summit will provide an engaging educational experience designed specifically for young professionals and emerging leaders.
The conference marks the first major initiative… more
Jan 20, 2025
Since stepping into her role as President and CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) in December 2023, Marsha Flanagan has hit the ground running. With a focus on innovation, community building, and sustainability, she is setting ambitious goals for the association in 2025.
In this exclusive Q&A with TSNN, Flanagan shares her vision for IAEE, outlines key initiatives, and discusses how the association is adapting to meet the evolving needs of its members and the exhibitions industry.
Vision for IAEE in 2025
Tormohlen: As you step into 2025, what is your… more
Jan 16, 2025
To kick off the new year, TSNN sat down with some of our industry’s most well-respected leaders to gain insights into what we can expect for trade shows in 2025. While none of them claimed to be clairvoyants, their extensive expertise in producing impactful, high-value events to meet the needs of growing audiences has convinced us that these veteran professionals know what they’re talking about.
In this third installment of our series running throughout the month of January, we spoke with Freeman CEO Janet Dell, who shared her expectations for the events the company serves as well as the… more
Jan 14, 2025
Hearts and minds around the world are surely with the Los Angeles area, which has experienced catastrophic damage from wildfires that started last week and have ravaged idyllic neighborhoods like the Pacific Palisades and Altadena. As of publication time, approximately two dozen people have died, and more than 12,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed. Experts say that this could become the costliest wildfire disaster in U.S. history, according to the Los Angeles Times.
In the world of events, Los Angeles is a particularly special place. Countless planners, creatives, agencies, and… more
Jan 13, 2025
Trade Show News Network (TSNN) is set to debut the exclusive Citywide Track at the Connect Spring Marketplace 2025. Taking place from April 22–24 at the Forbes Five Star luxury hotel and casino Wynn Las Vegas, the program is designed to foster collaboration and innovation among trailblazers, decision-makers, and thought leaders in the events industry.
The Citywide Track promises three immersive days of networking, professional development, and idea-sharing tailored specifically for event organizers managing large-scale events. With participation limited to 75 hand-selected professionals,… 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.