Oct 23, 2015
The Las Vegas Convention Center’s need for renovations and new exhibit and meeting space should have already occurred was the consensus among top trade show organizers who spoke Oct. 22 to the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee. In a candid fact-finding session, they urged the 11-member committee to think strategically about the Las Vegas future and its position not just as a U.S., but also as a global trade show destination. The session was the third of five the committee was conducting before making decisions on what would be priorities for next year. The panel of trade show… more
Oct 21, 2015
Trade show organizers and venues continued to ink new deals with suppliers as summer turned into fall. The National Shooting Sports Foundation extended its relationship with CSG Creative to serve as the official marketing agency of SHOT (Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show ) Show through 2019. Based in Alexandria, Va., CSG Creative specializes in marketing campaigns for trade shows and member associations. "For the last four years, CSG Creative has played a key role in the growth of the SHOT Show," said Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president and CMO. "Those efforts have resulted… more
Oct 21, 2015
Taking a major step to expand its overseas footprint, Dallas-based Freeman, a global provider of brand experiences, has acquired New South Wales, Australia-based Staging Connections Group Limited, a global event services company.  Founded in 1986, Staging Connections is an international business with offices in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and China. With its 15 offices and 600 employees throughout ANZPAC, Staging Connections provides Freeman with an immediate presence throughout the region, according to Freeman officials. “As our clients are expanding globally, they want… more
Oct 20, 2015
By Wendy Helfenbaum When Kathie Canning first started working at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center in the mid 1980s, it was a bit of a circus. Literally. “At that time, we were the only concert venue; we did a lot of civic events, and we did the circus every year. It was very interesting when Avon came in to do a meeting right after the elephants left,” said Canning, now the OCCC’s executive director. “Many things have changed drastically since then; it’s been quite an amazing transformation.” Today, as convention centers worldwide explode in number, size, and technology, Orlando… more
Oct 16, 2015
The Expo Group Show Manager of the Year Awards winners for 2015 emerged from a field of hard-working nominees committed to their craft. Created in 2000, the “SMOTY” Awards recognize show organizers who are creating amazing experiences with their exhibition and in their marketplace community. "The dedication, innovation and downright determination of the people in this business continually impresses me and the judging panel, as well," said Ray Pekowski, president and CEO of The Expo Group. He added, "We began this program to give back to the community by honoring unsung heroes, and I am… more
Oct 15, 2015
As the 5th IMEX America wrapped up in Las Vegas, records were broken across the board, with a total of 3,100 companies representing 150 countries exhibiting, including 80 new booths and 56 expanded booth. In addition, the IMEX hosted buyer program brought a record 3,000 buyers from 54 countries to the show, for a total 10,600 people participating in the event. There were 66,000 business appointments of which more than 57,000 were one-to-one appointments and booth presentations. More than 40 leading buyers from the corporate sector also came for the annual Executive Meetings Forum. With senior… more
Oct 14, 2015
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and the Consumer Electronics Association have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the World Trade Center Las Vegas and the World Trade Center Seoul that will help enhance international business relationships.  The WTC Seoul is owned and operated by the Korea International Trade Association, which is the largest business organization in Korea with more than 71,000 member companies. Through the agreement, Las Vegas and Seoul can co-market under the World Trade Center brand creating access to key trade information, market research… more
Oct 14, 2015
The fifth edition of Vitafoods Asia, the only event dedicated to the nutraceutical, functional food and beverages and dietary supplement industries in Asia, attracted 2,345 visitors to the AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong. Visitors represented brands such as Dole, Vitasoy, A.S. Watsons, Blackmores, and PepsiCo, as well as an increasing number of distributors actively seeking ingredients, raw materials and finished products.  “There were some recurring themes in our conversations with people at the event, such as the idea of managing transitions between life stages, the probiotics segment, and… more
Oct 14, 2015
Emerald Expositions has acquired HOW Design Live and the HOW Interactive Design Conference series (“HOW Design Events”) from F+W Media, Inc., a Content and e-Commerce company, for an undisclosed sum. HOW Design Live is the largest graphic design conference and expo in the nation, combining five separate conferences into a single event focused on creativity, business and inspiration for designers. F+W’s retained HOW Media Brands, including HOW Magazine, Print Magazine and HOW University, will continue to work closely with Emerald’s HOW Design Events.  “Our strategy of supplementing… more
Oct 14, 2015
ibtm china’s Knowledge Programme, which took place at the China National Convention Centre (CNCC) in Beijing last month, was the best attended to date.   “We are extremely pleased with the attendance at this year’s Knowledge Programme in China,” said Cici Chen, ibtm china Event Manager. He added, “Furthermore, in-depth analysis and research has confirmed that primary reasons for increased attendance were the sessions’ relevance to participant’s needs and the reputation of the presenters delivering the sessions. These findings confirm that as an event we are delivering a programme that… 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.