Dec 22, 2016
Tarsus Group has made another acquisition this month and its second recent acquisition in China, with a 65-percent stake of Foshan Huaxia Home Textile Development Co., Ltd. ("Foshan Huaxia") from the Guangdong Home Textile Association and Association Member shareholders. Foshan Huaxia owns the Home Furnishing Expo (Hometex), the leading biannual home textiles exhibition in China. The acquisition of 65 percent of Foshun Huaxia was made for an estimated cash consideration of RMB174m (approximately £19.3m and $23.8 million). "Following the recent acquisition of Intex in Shanghai, we… more
Dec 22, 2016
Marketplace Events continued to expand its fast-growing home shows portfolio with the purchase of six more events from Southern Shows All events in this transaction are located in North Carolina: two home shows in Raleigh, two in Charlotte and one in Greensboro, along with the Southern Christmas Show in Charlotte.   Southern Shows will continue to own and produce their 11-show Women’s Show Series and the Southern Farm Show.  In a transition agreement, Southern Shows will continue to manage through completion the three home shows that take place in the first quarter of 2017 on… more
Dec 20, 2016
The Georgia International and Maritime Trade Center Authority (GIMTCA), which governs the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center (SITCC), has selected Songy Highroads, LLC., in partnership with Omni Hotels & Resorts, to develop a convention headquarters hotel. It will be located on Hutchison Island adjacent to the riverfront convention center, which is managed by the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA). The next step of the agreement, which was unanimously approved by the GIMTCA board at its Dec. 14 meeting, is to work through development agreements, said Sherrie… more
Dec 19, 2016
The 22nd edition of the China (Shanghai) International Boat Show (CIBS 2017) will make its debut at its new location, the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, April 26-29, which promises to be its biggest exhibition yet. The longest-running and most comprehensive boating event in China, CIBS has firmly established itself as the leading platform for the regional leisure maritime industry with over 40,000 marine industry leaders and enthusiasts from over 50 countries set to attend the event. The new venue will provide easy access for the increasing number… more
Dec 19, 2016
Based on its successful 2016 edition, Shanghai Hospitality Design & Engineering Expo (HDE) 2017, hosted by UBM Sinoexpo, will expand to over 45,000 sqm of exhibiting space and 90,000 visitors together with the concurrent Hotel Plus Mockup Room Show (Hotel Plus). With four months to go, the preparation work for HDE 2017 is in full swing and the organizers will continue to work closely with all partners concerned to make the April show perfect. A trendy hospitality design event, Hotel Plus attracts more hotel groups and designers to join HDE.… more
Dec 19, 2016
History was made today when Hainan Airlines’ first flight from Beijing to Las Vegas touched down at McCarrran International Airport filled with excited Chinese travelers, media and company officials. A traditional water arches salute greeted the aircraft as it taxied to the gate. "We have just made history," said Hou Wei, senior vice president of Hainan Airlines, "flying the first commercial aircraft from Mainland China to Nevada, finally linking the capital of the People's Republic of China with the Entertainment Capital of the World, Las Vegas!" With China considered to be one of the… more
Dec 17, 2016
Attendee registration was an incredibly manual and time-consuming process back in 1986 when Doug Fletcher saw the need to modernize it. So, he created Convention Data Services to benefit show management, exhibitors and attendees. Fletcher worked with a business partner who built the software that eventually led to the CDS registration platform. Yankee Dental Congress, Metalcon, Build Boston and SPIE were some of the early clients. The company grew from two to 15 employees within a few years. Working at the Cape Cod office in those early days had the feel of a start-up company — everyone… more
Dec 16, 2016
By Elizabeth Johnson A lot of unknowns face the exhibitions and events industry in 2017. Recently, the industry’s leading marketing experts weighed in on how trends and current events will impact the event industry in the coming year. Kevin Miller, president and chief strategist, Frost Miller “In 2017, we will see organizers use data more effectively for trade show marketing. Conferences and trade shows live or die by the quality of their data. Old or disorganized data about attendees and prospects yields slow or no growth. Good data—both accurate existing data and creative sources of new… more
Dec 14, 2016
Emerald Expositions is on a buying streak, snagging another show recently - the American Craft Retailers Expo (“ACRE”) from IndieMe. “I’m so proud of how far we’ve come with the ACRE events, and what we’ve done to help all constituents within the Maker Movement,” said Nancy Vince, president of IndieMe and founder of ACRE. She added, “The timing was right for IndieMe to focus on our online marketplace, while handing over the ACRE reins to a first-class event company that can help it grow and add value for all who exhibit and attend.” This is the fourth recent acquisition for Emerald. They… more
Dec 13, 2016
Detroit’s Cobo Center recently completed a $2 million technology upgrade, which included an upgraded Nortel core switch that distributes the WiFi signal and along with several new Nortel edge switches located throughout the center. “For the visitors that use our WiFi network, these upgrades will be like moving from a one lane highway to a three lane super-speedway,” said Claude Molinari, general manager of SMG/Cobo Center. System improvements also include upgrading WiFi access points to 802.11ac Aruba APs and increasing the number of APs to 400 throughout the facility. The network location of… 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.