Oct 27, 2014
Venue management company SMG has had a busy few months, scoring three new venue contracts, as well as forming a joint venture with Europe-based Artexis easyFairs.
The three venue contracts all occurred in the past three months and include not only a long-awaited new convention center in Albany, N.Y., but also the highly anticipated new Minnesota Vikings Stadium and the Tucson (Ariz.) Convention Center.
The Tucson Convention Center, Tucson Arena, Tucson Music Hall and Tucson Leo Rich Theater contracts began Oct. 1. The firm was selected after a recent “… more
Oct 27, 2014
By Alexa Newman and Benjamin Rabe
Exhibitor X has been a staple in your trade show – and your show’s budget – for years. But Steve, the new marketing manager, is questioning his company’s sponsorship next year. “We’re not seeing enough return on investment,” Steve writes in his evaluation.
That’s worse-case scenario. Hopefully, you’re already addressing Steve’s concerns before it goes to an eval form.
Still, the more your team works on giving sponsors and exhibitors access to your attendees, the more success your show will enjoy. Following are some tips that will help attract and retain… more
Oct 25, 2014
NRG Energy and MGM Resorts International teamed up to unveil the installation of the world’s largest rooftop solar array on a convention center.
Covering approximately 20 acres atop the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, the 6.4 megawatt (MW dc) [5.0 megawatt ac (MW ac)] photovoltaic array will produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of approximately 1,000 U.S. homes annually and is the first of its kind on the Las Vegas Strip.
MGM Resorts and NRG also plan to build an additional 2 MW dc (1.5 MW ac) photovoltaic array atop a future expansion of the Mandalay Bay… more
Oct 23, 2014
If you wanted to know everything there is around the produce industry and learn about it in one place, the Produce Market Association (PMA) 2014 Fresh Summit International Convention and Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center was the right place to be.
All facets of the industry, from seeds, packaging, equipment, shipping, import/export, growers, distributors, retailers and more were represented, with the more than 1,090 exhibitors on 265,300 square feet of exhibitor space (a record for space, and evidence of the show’s growth).
The attendance also set a record for the Anaheim… more
Oct 22, 2014
Ted Bahr, president and CEO of Melville, N.Y.-based BZ Media, said now is the right time to launch a new show his company’s been strategizing about for a while: InterDrone, the International Drone Conference and Exposition will debut Sept. 9-11 next year in Las Vegas.
“We have been tracking this market closely for two years and are convinced that this growing industry needs an event 100 percent focused on the commercial drone market and that the right place for that event to thrive and grow is Las Vegas,” Bahr added.
He said, “Our goal is the build the largest dedicated commercial drone event… more
Oct 21, 2014
Exhibit Surveys and Lippman Connects recently released the second annual report: “Issues and Trends in Exhibit Space and Sponsorship Sales”.
According to the survey of event organizer executives, growth in both exhibit space and sponsorships sales appears healthy.
Improvements in the economy and support by industries represented by the events were cited as the primary reasons for growth in both areas.
Even with the positive news for both exhibit and sponsorship sales, Sam Lippman, president and founder of Lippman Connects, pointed out there was room for improvement.
He said senior… more
Oct 20, 2014
The publisher of Popular Science, Outdoor Life, Field Stream and Cycle World magazine titles recently acquired The Promotion Company – Family Events that produces shows such as the Hot Bike Tour, Off-Road Expo, Monster Truck Nationals and 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals, many of which have exhibit floors.
“This strategic acquisition will allow Bonnier to extend its high-value enthusiast audience by leveraging robust event opportunities,” said Matt Hickman, vice president of brand strategies, Bonnier Corp.
He added, “We view event audiences, both spectators and participants, as truly… more
Oct 20, 2014
Since 2000, The Expo Group Show Manager of the Year awards has been presented by The Expo Group, and this year’s class of honorees has been unveiled.
All of the winners will be feted during a gala awards celebration at the 2014 TSNN Awards: Celebrating Trade Show Excellence Nov. 14-16 in Cleveland.
Congratulations to the 2014 SMOTY winners:
· Tier I, 150 booths or less: Katie Herritage, CMM, CMP, CSEP of Amazon Web Services, Inc.
· Tier II, 151-300 booths: Katie Stern of UBM Tech
· Tier III, 301-700 booths: David Grindle of United States Institute for Theatre Technology
·… more
Oct 18, 2014
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Choose Chicago President and CEO Don Welsh, members of Chicago-area organized labor and Microsoft general manager Julia White recently joined together to announce that Microsoft Ignite, a new technology conference, will take place May 4-8 in Chicago at McCormick Place.
Approximately 20,000 attendees are expected to attend the convention that could bring in more than $47 million in estimated spending.
“Microsoft Ignite will play an important role in helping us reach our goal of attracting 55 million visitors in Chicago annually by 2020,” said Mayor Emanuel.
He added… more
Oct 15, 2014
Trade Show News Network is pleased to announce that the 2nd annual TSNN Awards $5,000 Student Scholarship awardee is Shauna H. Clark, a student pursuing event management at the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality.
The scholarship is sponsored by the Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority (Reno Tahoe USA), and Clark will receive the funds and be feted during the celebration gala dinner at the 5th Annual TSNN Awards Nov. 14-16 in Cleveland, Ohio.
“I am so grateful and honored to have been selected as the second ever recipient of this generous award,” said… 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.