Association Show News
Sponsored by
Jun 02, 2015
The 2015 Exhibition & Convention Executives Forum, held May 27 in Washington, D.C., drew more than 200 trade show organizers and suppliers to a packed room at the J.W. Marriott to take part in a day filled with engaging sessions.
In its 14th year, ECEF drew not only a record number of registrants, but also a record number of sponsors and participating publications, according to ECEF Founder Sam Lippman.
“This year has been a great year,” he added.
The full day kicked off bright and early with a keynote by Scott Schenker, general manager, Events and Production Studio,… more
Jun 02, 2015
The 96th annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show and the collocated BAR (Beverage Alcohol for Restaurants) at NRA Show, held at Chicago’s McCormick Place on May 16-19, posted record exhibit space and a 3 percent uptick in registration in the key buyer category of restaurant and foodservice operators.
“Across all three halls and all four days of NRA Show and BAR, the optimism of the restaurant and hospitality industry could be felt around every corner,” said John Metz, Jr., 2015 NRA Convention Chair and Executive Chef, CEO and Co-founder of Marlow’s Tavern.
He… more
Jun 01, 2015
The severe winter weather in much of the U.S. didn’t put a damper on the trade show industry, with the Center for Exhibition Industry Research’s quarterly CEIR Index Report tracking growth to be 4.6 percent in Q1 2015, compared with the same time period in 2014.
It is the highest increase since the second quarter of 2007, in other words, before the recession hit.
"The performance in the first quarter was remarkable considering that the east coast was frequently paralyzed under severe winter weather," said CEIR Economist Allen Shaw, Ph.D., Chief Economist for Global Economic Consulting… more
May 25, 2015
Trade Show News Network (TSNN) has signed an agreement to become an official Media Partner and member of UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.
Rachel Wimberly, President/Editor-in-chief, and Paul Woodward, Managing Director of UFI signed the agreement that will help disseminate the work carried out by the international body.
“TSNN is very excited about this new partnership with UFI," Wimberly said. "UFI's role as the global association for the exhibition industry is the perfect complement to TSNN's broad reach into the industry worldwide."
UFI is the premier global… more
May 20, 2015
The 2015 SEMA Show will expand into a new area to accommodate additional exhibitors during the show Nov. 3-6 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Located in the outside area on the south side of the venue (adjacent to the Renaissance Hotel), this new First-Time and Featured Exhibitors area also will include a transportation hub and serve as a primary thoroughfare into the SEMA Show.
"Industry professionals value and rely on the SEMA Show to do business," said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of events and communications. "The expansion areas make it possible for businesses in the… more
May 18, 2015
Meeting Professionals International (MPI) has selected Atlantic City, N.J., as the destination for its 2016 World Education Congress (WEC).
The conference will be held June 11-14 at the Harrah’s Atlantic City Waterfront Conference Center, a Caesars Entertainment property.
“We look forward to hosting our World Education Congress in Atlantic City next year,” said Paul Van Deventer, president and CEO of MPI. “When selecting venues for MPI events, we look for destinations that provide great infrastructure, world-class facilities and memorable experiences. Having grown up spending my summers… more
May 17, 2015
The latest in a series of webinars on TSNN is "Beyond the Hype: Discussing Effective Use of Trade Show Technology", on tap May 21 at 1 p.m. EST. Please register HERE.
The use of technology in trade shows and expos has become ubiquitous. Event apps, paperless meetings, and social media walls are just par for the course. Our discussion in this webinar will be on the most effective ways to use technology at our trade shows and expos.
Our panelists will discuss how they are using technology to build community, to market to attendees and exhibitors, and to gain insights into their audience. We… more
May 14, 2015
Spurred on by the tremendous response to the recycle program at this year’s NPE2015, SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association decided to launch a new show next year – re|Focus: Recycling Summit and Expo.
The goal of the show, according to organizers, is to assist brand owners, processors and the plastics supply chain to take their environmental goals from aspirational to operational.
At NPE2015, which was held in April at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center, 82 exhibitors participated in the program to recycle processing scrap generated on the showfloor, twice as many as at NPE2012… more
May 13, 2015
After conducting an official attendance audit, the Consumer Electronics Association released final numbers for the 2015 International CES, with a record-breaking 176,176 attendees flocking to the show in January in Las Vegas.
At the same time, the association also unveiled plans to institute measures to cap next year’s show at 176,000 attendees in “an effort to ensure that attendees continue to have a quality experience,” according to show officials.
“With the growth of the consumer technology industry and the parallel growth of the International CES comes an increase in the… more
May 11, 2015
The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International has rebranded its industry event for unmanned systems, drones and robotics to Xponential.
With nearly 600 exhibitors and 8,000 attendees, AUVSI's event attracts leaders in all aspects of the industry, from manufacturers to end users.
"Xponential encapsulates the tremendous growth and innovation in the unmanned systems industry, as well as the broad societal benefits of the technology," said Brian Wynne, president and CEO of AUVSI.
He added, "Xponential will help the world understand the potential of this industry by… 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.