Aug 30, 2018
As the exhibitions industry continues to surge full speed ahead, more and more destinations are recognizing the need to upgrade, revamp and expand their convention centers in order to compete for major trade shows and events.
These days, myriad facilities are celebrating ground breakings, undergoing new construction projects or anticipating grand openings, while others have put their plans on hold. Here are some of the major U.S. convention centers proposing, building and completing bigger, better, state-of-the-art spaces.
Caesars Forum
On July 16, Caesars Entertainment broke ground on … more
Aug 29, 2018
The most recent edition of the 2018 Connect meetings series, which collocated Connect Association, Connect Corporate, Connect Sports, Connect Expo and Connect Specialty and was held Aug. 23-25 in Salt Lake City, Utah, added several new dimensions to the traditional hosted-buyer model of 1:to:1 meetings between industry suppliers and meeting planners.
“If you’ve got different buyer groups, you’ve got some scale and some opportunity for a lot of cross-fertilization and learning and a different experience that some people like,” said Doug Emslie, managing director at Tarsus Group, which owns a… more
Aug 23, 2018
Production equipment and engineering support provider, VER, has emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy as a reorganized company via a merger with and under the leadership of global entertainment technology and services company, Production Resource Group (PRG).
Led by PRG Chairman and CEO Jere Harris and controlled by The Jordan Company, GSO Capital Partners and PRG Management, the jointly owned companies create the largest entertainment equipment and services provider globally.
As a global company that provides equipment to the film and TV industry as well as audio gear and engineering for the… more
Aug 22, 2018
Buyers and sellers traveled from as far away as Australia, South and Central America and Europe to convene at the 48thedition of OFFPRICE, the biannual trade show that serves the off-price retail industry.
Held Aug. 11-14 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas, the OFFPRICE Show takes place every August and February during Las Vegas Fashion Week and is known as the largest off-price show in the country, boasting more than 500 vendors and nearly 1,300 booths that attracts more than 12,000 buyers.
According to OFFPRICE officials, the main topic of conversation buzzing around… more
Aug 21, 2018
Emerald Expositions continued to grow its portfolio even more with the acquisition of EH Media, which focuses on technology events and a group of complementary technology intelligence brands, for approximately $28 million.
“We are thrilled to welcome the EH Media team and their highly valuable brands and assets to Emerald. Ken Moyes has built an impressive group of interconnected, technology-oriented brands that are focused on the integration of audio, video, communications, IT, security and energy management products into buildings of all types,” said David Loechner, Emerald’s president… more
Aug 20, 2018
We are currently lining up topics for the Fall season of #Expochat, resuming Sept. 5 at 1 p.m. ET and as a vital part of our trade show community, we want to know what topics YOU want to see covered!
Sponsored by TSNN, #Expochat is a live, hour-long Twitter-based conversation that covers some of the hottest and most pressing topics impacting the trade show industry today. Held most Wednesdays at 1 p.m. Eastern Time, this lively online chat tackles a single topic each week: a recurring pain point, innovative ideas, evolution of the industry, best practices and what works or doesn’t work. … more
Aug 16, 2018
Even with a slight dip in revenues for GES in the second quarter this year mainly due to negative show rotation, from $320.1 million to $315.3 million, that’s not what may have caught someone’s attention after their latest earnings call.
As is the trend with what used to be traditional general service contracting companies, GES continues to go outside of this core offering and grow its business in a myriad of ways.
“During our earnings call, I … shared that we’re strengthening our partnerships with clients through our offerings that enhance the attendee experience,” said GES/Viad President… more
Aug 16, 2018
Thanks to the flexibility and modern allure of the newly expanded Anaheim Convention Center, trade shows including the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) and Natural Products Expo West have booked the facility for multiple years.
Completed in September of last year, the ACC expansion provides an additional 200,000 square feet of meeting space allowing for an even greater variety of event uses at what is known as the West Coast’s largest convention center.
Having met in Anaheim for almost 40 years, NAMM will make ACC its home through 2023. The association’s 2018 show in the… more
Aug 15, 2018
Many attendees of NY NOW at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City made their way north to West 46thStreet, where a new home and gift event with a fresh approach was launching at the Metropolitan West.
Shoppe Object is a new semiannual home and gift trade show created by Jesse James, founder of the showroom and agency Aesthetic Movement, and Deirdre Maloney and Minya Quirk, two founders of the apparel trade show, Capsule.
The event is intended to be a well-curated, stand-alone showcase for the gift market.
“It felt like it was time to create a smaller, elevated, hyper-edited… more
Aug 14, 2018
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority Board of Directors selected Steve Hill as the next Chief Executive Officer, effective Sept. 1.
Hill will be the ninth leader of the LVCVA, succeeding the retiring CEO, Rossi Ralenkotter.
“I am honored the Board of Directors selected me as CEO of the LVCVA,” Hill said. “The Authority is an integral part of the Southern Nevada economy.”
He added, “I look forward to working with our tremendous team and our mission partners to innovate, improve access to and around the destination and drive growth to keep Las Vegas the number one choice for… 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.