Jul 24, 2018
International Market Centers (IMC) and AmericasMart Atlanta have completed an agreement to create world’s largest owner and operator of top-tier permanent showroom space for the furniture, gift, home décor, rug and apparel B2B industries.
Operating under the name “International Market Centers,” the combined corporate entity now owns and operates nearly 20 million square feet of permanent showroom space in Las Vegas, High Point, N.C. and Atlanta, as well as more than 20 annual events.
Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The individual Markets and their respective venues… more
Jul 23, 2018
The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) will move out of the crowded car show fall/winter timeframe and into summer starting in 2020 in Detroit.
In addition, the show will transform into one that was traditionally held just inside the Cobo Center, to taking on more of a ‘festival’ environment and holding events in venues around the city, including outdoors.
“Our show is undergoing its most significant transformation in the last three decades,” said Rod Alberts, Executive Director, NAIAS.
He added, “Detroit will continue to be a global stage for some of the world’s most… more
Jul 20, 2018
Puerto Rico’s newly established destination marketing organization has been officially dubbed Discover Puerto Rico.
Established July 1, the new DMO will be responsible for all global marketing, sales and promotion of Puerto Rico as a premier destination for leisure and business travelers.
Brad Dean, CEO of Discover Puerto Rico unveiled the entity's new name during the Destinations International Annual Convention, a yearly gathering that attracts more than 1,600 destination marketing and management professionals from across the globe, held July 10-13 at the Anaheim Convention Center in… more
Jul 19, 2018
On July 16, Caesars Entertainment Corporation broke ground on its newest development: the CAESARS FORUM Las Vegas conference center. Slated to open in 2020, it will feature 550,000 square feet of flexible meeting, event and convention space.
As the emcee for the ground-breaking ceremony, Roger Dow, president and CEO of U.S. Travel Association and long-time meetings industry veteran, spoke about how when he was first starting in the industry, the meetings market was an afterthought for Las Vegas. Forty years later, the city is now the leading destination for meetings within the U.S. … more
Jul 18, 2018
It goes without saying that trade shows can be frontiers of innovation and creativity, an incredible forum for viewing what industries are developing as the next best products or ideas. In only a matter of days, a leading trade show can display hundreds or even thousands of products, services and ideas in front of a global audience.
Yet all this added exposure on the showfloor can also serve as a catalyst for intellectual property disputes, including over trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and patents on developing inventions and designs.
So, what can exhibiting companies do to protect… more
Jul 18, 2018
UFI, the Global Association for the Exhibition Industry, has released the latest edition of its flagship Global Barometer research, taking the pulse of the industry.
One of the key findings: for the first time in the past 10 years, all four global regions have reported a positive turnover development simultaneously.
In terms of operating profit, most companies maintained a good level of performance in 2017, and more than 40 percent of companies from all regions declared an increase of more than 10 percent, compared with 2016.
However, the prospects for 2018 are currently lower globally… more
Jul 17, 2018
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) has released the fourth and final report in its new “How to Grow Attendance” series for event attendee marketers.
By uncovering attendee marketer commitments to improve existing approaches and evolve with fast-changing marketing norms, Report Four: Plans on Where to Improve Approach in Near-term Future offers a look at the most popular marketing approaches and the characteristics that are tied to success in attendee growth.
“This is the last report in the series,” explained Nancy Drapeau, CEIR senior research director. “It provides… more
Jul 12, 2018
The Meetings Mean Business Coalition (MMBC) is working to reinforce the value of face-to-face meetings by reframing its Worth Meeting About campaign during the 2018 midterm election cycle.
Continuing the success of the campaign, the coalition will highlight numerous ways that candidates rely on face-to-face meetings to connect with constituents as well as inform, persuade and recruit supporters, including talking to voters one-on-one, participating in town hall discussions, canvassing neighborhoods, hosting fundraising events or participating in onstage debates with their political… more
Jul 12, 2018
Mexico City will soon have its very own fan event for comics, pop culture, cosplay, anime, K-Pop, gaming and entertainment.
Set to debut March 21-24 at the Pepsi Center, WTC, the inaugural Mexico City Comic Con will offer Latin American fans a plethora of features to get excited about, including 200 exhibits, original content with creators, publishers and authors in several tracks of programming, and entertainment including Q&A sessions, live bands and pavilions with interactive activities such as RPG play, card gaming tournaments, video gaming and anime content.
Produced in… more
Jul 11, 2018
Several trade show management companies and event solutions providers have been spending their summer renewing long-term partnerships and acquiring new business.
Event producer, Reed Exhibitions, has renewed its contract with CompuSystems through 2019. CompuSystems, provider of registration, data management and lead retrieval services, has been providing full-service registration for Reed for the past 33 years.
“We are excited to continue our long-running partnership with Reed Exhibitions,” said Chris Williams, president of CompuSystems. “Our team remains focused on providing innovative… 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.