Association Show News

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Feb 29, 2024
Event producers and suppliers across the country have been inking new business agreements and forming partnerships to improve their offerings and grow market share. Here’s our monthly roundup on trade show industry deals and partnerships.  CloserStill Media  Business events, exhibitions and conferences producer CloserStill Media has acquired a majority stake in the Trailblazer Summits event group in Hamburg, Germany. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.  Why it matters: Now set to become one of Germany’s largest independent event operators, the group produces a series of two-day, content-… more
Feb 26, 2024
Pink is out, red is in. If that’s too bold, neutral “quiet luxury colors” are still going strong. Those were just some of the fashion trends featured at the apparel-focused trade shows MAGIC, Project and Sourcing at MAGIC that took place Feb. 13-15 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.  Days before the shows opened, Informa Markets Fashion, which owns and operates the events, announced the group’s brand transition to MMGNET Group and the launch of MMGNET (pronounced “magnet”), the new insights and resources-powered parent brand designed to support the wider fashion industry and connect the… more
Feb 21, 2024
What’s the latest at UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry? On Feb. 14, we checked in with UFI CEO Kai Hattendorf and UFI North America Regional Director Martha Donato to get the inside scoop on UFI’s Global CEO Summit, held Jan. 31–Feb. 2 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and the UFI Global Barometer, a biannual report that was released in January (our take on the data and a link to the full report is here).  Here are 11 takeaways from our conversation. Listen or watch the full interview here. Recap of the UFI Global CEO Summit The vibe: “I think it's fair to say that there… more
Feb 15, 2024
Viad Corp., parent of Global Experience Specialists (GES) and Spiro, said it is moving into 2024 with momentum after revenues for the company’s experiential marketing and exhibition management services surged in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2023, helped by increasing demand for in-person events by corporate clients and exhibiting companies.  On Feb. 8, the company posted revenue of $291.7 million for the last three months of 2023, up 17.6% from the prior-year period. Viad’s full-year 2023 revenues increased 9.9% YOY, from $1.1 billion in 2022 to $1.2 billion in 2023, according to the company’s… more
Feb 14, 2024
Last August, Freeman announced a rigging safety initiative that impacted exhibitors and event organizers with hanging signs, video walls that have overhead support and all other tie-offs. The rigging rule could have potentially affected thousands of exhibiting companies and events across the U.S. with higher costs and longer timelines.  In response, Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA), The Exhibitor Advocate and Experiential Designers & Producers Association (EDPA) collaborated with Freeman to roll back some of the requirements, making it faster, easier and cheaper… more
Feb 13, 2024
The New Year started with a bang in January as some of the nation’s largest trade shows expanded in terms of exhibitors, attendees, show floor size or some combination of those metrics.  Following three years of lackluster or canceled events in COVID’s wake, the growth demonstrated the importance of face-to-face trade shows, and how much they’re valued by audiences. As one exhibitor put it, “There is no substitute for meeting face-to-face with associates and customers.”  NRF ’24: Retail’s Big Show   What, When & Where: NRF ’24: Retail’s Big Show, Jan. 14-16, Javits Center, New York … more
Feb 08, 2024
Have you ever considered sponsoring restrooms at an event? At PCMA Convening Leaders 2024 (CL24) in January, Montreal Business Events worked with Les Cabinets for the fourth year in a row to deliver a unique and memorable activation in one of the women’s and men’s bathrooms at the San Diego Convention Center. We caught up with Les Cabinets Co-Founder Patrice Marier to get an inside look at the women’s bathroom activation to find out more about how his team manages the sponsorship and optimizes the attendee experience for events. Here’s what you need to know: How it worked: Montreal… more
Feb 06, 2024
Global exhibition revenues on average are projected to reach a comparable level to 2019, growing by an average of 15% compared with 2023 revenues, according to the the findings of the latest UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry Global Exhibition Barometer, the association’s biannual flagship report designed to take the pulse of the worldwide exhibition industry. “Our report shows that the exhibition industry hasn’t just reached pre-pandemic levels in 2023 but is also planning to grow in 2024, and many new jobs in exhibitions are coming up around the world,” said Kai… more
Feb 01, 2024
Returning to its traditional January dates for the first time since the pandemic, the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show brought together more than 62,000 attendees who are part of the $17 billion music products industry — a double-digit increase over last year’s attendance numbers. Held Jan. 25-28 at the Anaheim Convention Center (ACC), the NAMM Show featured more than 1,600 exhibitors displaying more than 3,500 brands. Comprising 15,000 global member companies and individual professionals, NAMM produced its largest event since 2020. The music industry has experienced… more
Feb 01, 2024
The 2024 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), which opened Jan. 30 and runs through Feb. 1, features 620,000 square feet of exhibit space with 1,434 exhibitors — the largest trade show floor in IPPE’s history, covering all four halls of the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.  The vast trade show floor showcases the latest technology, equipment and services used in the production and processing of animal food, meat and poultry and egg products. About 30,000 visitors from 120 countries are expected to attend, but final numbers won’t be available until after the show… more
Partner Voices
  MGM Resorts is renowned for its exceptional service and diverse venue options across Las Vegas, Detroit, Springfield, National Harbor, Biloxi, and Atlantic City, providing flexible spaces for meetings of any size. Beyond these offerings, MGM Resorts distinguishes itself through a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for your next meeting.  At the core of MGM Resorts' company values is its platform, "Focused on What Matters," dedicated to meeting customer needs while advancing socially responsible practices. This commitment is evident in several key areas:  Protecting Natural Resources  MGM Resorts is home to industry-leading recycling, renewable electricity and water conservation programs. Some highlights include a cogeneration power plant at ARIA, producing ultra-efficient electricity; one of America’s largest contiguous rooftop solar arrays atop the convention center at Mandalay Bay; and onsite wells that provide water for the celebrated Fountains of Bellagio, avoiding reliance on precious Colorado River water. These efforts and many more save on natural resources while boosting attendee satisfaction.  Committed to Community  Always striving to be good neighbors, MGM Resorts works to avoid food waste and combat food insecurity with the Feeding Forward program. In partnership with local food banks, they safely divert unserved food to food insecure members of the community. Since 2016, over 5 million meals have been provided, highlighting MGM Resorts' commitment to minimizing food waste and addressing community needs.  MGM Resorts supports clients in their responsible-meetings efforts, not only with efficient venues but also waste-reducing décor and signage; sustainable food and beverage options; and outreach to help planners communicate sustainability efforts to attendees. What’s more, they offer a Mindful Meetings series that puts attendee wellness first—through fitness and mindfulness activities, and in give-back events with local charity organizations.   Fostering Diversity & Inclusion  To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.  MGM Resorts offers unparalleled service and venue options while standing out for its proactive approach to sustainability and community engagement. Choosing MGM Resorts for your next meeting means aligning with a company that values social responsibility, efficiency, and attendee satisfaction, ensuring a meaningful and impactful event experience.