Aug 08, 2016
ASD Market Week’s recent show saw buyer attendance up 10 percent, compared with last year’s August event, with a compound annual growth of 12 percent, compared with the last two years.
“ASD Market Week is the comprehensive consumer goods trade show in United States,” explained Karalynn Sprouse, executive vice president of Merchandise, International Sourcing and Manufacturing Groups for Emerald Expositions.
She added, “We are a one-stop shop for retail store owners, buyers as well as distributors and importers to source, discover and purchase the largest assortment of merchandise from around… more
Aug 07, 2016
Global Experience Specialists’ parent company Viad continued to perform better than expectations, with its second-quarter earnings results showing a $7.7 million revenue increase to $324.7 million, compared with the same quarter last year.
Management previously had guided for a revenue decline of $4 million to $17 million, primarily due to show rotation and exchange rate variances.
GES’ 2Q revenues were down slightly to $285.4 million, compared with $286.6 million during the same quarter the year before.
“GES exceeded guidance for the second quarter with stronger than expected growth from… more
Aug 05, 2016
Light Reading, a content-driven media business focusing on the telecom industry, has been sold to Informa, a global business intelligence, academic publishing, knowledge and events business. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Light Reading will join Informa’s Knowledge & Networking Division, which currently consists of a portfolio of specialist content, data products and high quality confexes in several key verticals, including TMT. This acquisition is part of an expansion of Informa’s TMT capabilities.
One of Light Reading’s larger events is the Cable-Tec Expo, on tap Sept. 26-29… more
Aug 02, 2016
TSNN’s annual report on the Top 250 Trade Shows is an industry standard that is used by trade show producers to benchmark show performance and as a resource to industry suppliers.
Bear Analytics and TSNN have now taken the rich Trade Show performance dataset and created a series of Top 250 performance dashboards that allow users to interact with the data, draw comparisons, and explore the trends driving the industry’s top Trade Shows.
“The TSNN Top 250 Trade Show list ranks the top shows by net square footage,” said TSNN President Rachel Wimberly. “Bear Analytics was able to take this… more
Aug 02, 2016
Emerald Expositions has acquired The International Gift Exposition in the Smokies (IGES) from M&M Gift Shows.
Started in 2000 by Susan Mills and Jerry Mayer, IGES now is one of the largest gatherings of wholesale souvenir, resort and gift buyers in the United States.
The show encompasses two events – IGES and The Souvenir Super Show (SSS), the latter focusing on custom souvenirs.
Both take place concurrently in November each year at two locations in eastern Tennessee - Pigeon Forge and Sevierville - which are only seven miles apart.
“For the longest time we’ve had great respect for the… more
Aug 01, 2016
NY NOW, the Market for Home, Lifestyle + Gift, will see a significant uptick of international presence on its showfloor when it opens in a few weeks at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York.
The show, owned by Emerald Expositions, will see a whopping a 73 percent increase in the number of international companies represented on the exhibit floor, as well as a 10 percent increase in the total number of countries represented.
Of those international companies, almost 50 percent will be presenting at NY NOW for the first time.
“NY NOW has always had an extensive international presence… more
Aug 01, 2016
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events™ (IAEE) is accepting nominations for its 20 Under 30 program, which affords young professional exhibitions and events organizers, who may not be supported by their companies, the opportunity to attend Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition held 6-8 December in Anaheim, Calif.
The 20 Under 30 program provides education for professional growth in the exhibitions and events industry and helps program participants become better, more productive employees.
It is sponsored by the Austin Convention and… more
Aug 01, 2016
This year, the International Association of Venue Managers leadership made three distinct decisions that have changed the associations’ course and has its members excited.
The first decision was the hiring of a new president and CEO - the long-standing, forward-thinking industry leader Brad Mayne, CFE.
The other two, critical decisions are the interwoven “Re-Brand” and “Conference Strategy” initiatives, both of which have been a year in the making.
“It was essential that the new IAVM brand have many fingerprints on it—and it does.” said Lauren Wanski, design manager with Gensler’s brand… more
Jul 31, 2016
Vinnie Polito has spent more than 25 years in senior leadership positions in the trade show industry, including nine with Reed Exhibitions.
During his career, he’s had two international postings, launched events on five continents and developed highly specialized conferences in technology, life sciences and healthcare. Polito also is the past chairman of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events and a recipient of the organization’s highest honor, the Pinnacle Award, in 2014.
He currently co-Owns mdg with Kimberly Hardcastle. mdg is the tradeshow industry’s… more
Jul 28, 2016
In the past few weeks alone, terrorist activities have wreaked havoc around the world at places ranging from an airport to a nightclub to an outside festival to even inside a church.
With the need for strengthened security for venues serving the trade show industry in mind, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events, along with the Exhibition Services & Contractors Association, have given their full support to provide industry guidelines and standards created by the industry, for the industry, to the Safety Act Office of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“Convention… 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.