Dec 10, 2013
This year’s International Association of Exhibitions and Events’ Expo! Expo! Annual Meeting & Exhibition in Houston reflected the overall continued optimism in the trade show industry, with 2,047 trade show organizers and suppliers  flocking to the city for the three-day event. The unaudited attendance numbers indicated at least a 3-percent attendance jump, compared with last year’s numbers. There also were 250 exhibitors, representing destinations, general service contractors, event technology, transportation and many other supplier categories on the showfloor at… more
Dec 10, 2013
MAC Events, a consumer and trade show producer with shows in New Jersey, Virginia and Pennsylvania, has been acquired by Greenwich, Ct.-based Townsquare Media. “To partner with a company that shares our vision, and who operate the premier media assets in our home market is the perfect way for MAC Events to thrive for the next 40 years,” said Kevin McLaughlin, a partner at MAC Events.  He added, “I am excited about the future as the combination of Townsquare and MAC Events will strengthen both our offering for exhibitors and attendees.” McLaughlin has joined… more
Dec 09, 2013
As part of a new strategic plan to have a stake in launching new shows in Boston, the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority has partnered with Sitarian Corporation to debut the Advanced Audio + Applications Exchange (A3E). A3E is an international tradeshow, conference and social network exchange focused on the exploration of new technologies that are transforming the music industry and the creative processes of musicians and audio professionals. “A3E marks the start of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority’s strategic partnership with new and exciting events, a game-… more
Dec 09, 2013
Advanstar Communications’ Licensing Expo has made a lot moves to evolve the show, with the most recent being the decision to expand its showfloor at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas to include a Motorsports segment. The new area will be 5,000 square feet and in addition to changes made at the show this year that saw the exhibit floor reconfigured into four new areas: Art and Design, Characters and Entertainment, Agents and Brands and Fashion. The Motorsports Café in the Brands and Agents section of the show will be home to the several of the sanctioning bodies in the… more
Dec 07, 2013
Turkey continues to be a hotbed for foreign trade show investment with two companies – Germany-based Messe Frankfurt and U.K.-based UBM Live – both expanding in the country. Messe Frankfurt planted another flag for its Texworld brand, Texworld Istanbul, which is  planned to take place in November 2014 for the first time at the Lütfi  Kirdar International Convention & Exhibition Center in central Istanbul. The following year, the show will enter the traditional cycle of fashion fabrics fairs and will take place twice a year in Istanbul. ”The launch of… more
Dec 05, 2013
If you logged onto the 2013 IMEX America homepage during recent trade show and conference in Las Vegas, you instantly got a taste of what was happening on the showfloor in real time through IMEXLive. It was like getting hooked on reality TV. The overlay (or pop-up) page featured a live webcam, a number of appointments currently in session, and search of exhibitors and educational sessions, as well as a live stream of content pulled with show-related hashtag searches from Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Google+ and Instagram. The show itself had a strong social media presence and generated its… more
Dec 03, 2013
The Association for Advancing Automation’s (A3) biennial Automate 2015 recently launched a new Web site in advance of its highly anticipated event, scheduled March 23-26, 2015, at McCormick Place in Chicago. Highlights of the new Web site include responsive design for easy viewing on mobile devices; an interactive exhibit hall floor plan; a redesigned new product showcase; and a new site search feature. Automate 2015 also will have an app available for mobile devices in the future. The 2013 event saw 80 percent of the exhibit floor space rebooked onsite and about 25 percent of the… more
Dec 02, 2013
Steady manufacturing recovery and an increasing need for faster, cheaper and better production drove record numbers at FABTECH 2013, a metal forming, fabricating and welding event, that took place Nov. 18–21 at McCormick Place in Chicago. A total of 40,667 attendees visited 1,573 exhibitors to see live equipment demonstrations, compare products side-by-side to find cost-saving solutions at product displays spread across a 650,000 square foot showfloor. That is an 11 percent increase in attendance, a 19 percent increase in exhibitors and a 25 percent jump in square footage, compared… more
Dec 02, 2013
When several thousand trade show organizers and suppliers gather this week in Houston for the Expo! Expo! International Association of Exhibitions and Events’ Annual Meeting & Exhibition, there not only will be a changed format to a two-day showfloor, but also plenty of networking and educational opportunities to keep everyone busy. The multiday event kicks off with the CEM Program with the following subjects: Event Operations, Finance, Budgeting and Contracts, Security, Risk and Crisis Management, Selecting Service Contractors and Strategic Planning and Management. The next day… more
Dec 01, 2013
SIBICO International’s ECWATECH and WasteTech trade shows in Russia have a new partner, with U.K.-based Reed Exhibitions signing on to join forces with SIBICO to further develop the two shows. ECWATECH was launched in 1994 and is the leading water technology forum and exhibition. WasteTech was launched in 1999 and is the leading event for waste management, recycling, renewable energy and environmental technologies. “Having known SIBICO for more than two years, we have been very impressed by their continuous drive to innovate and keep the events modern and focused on the needs 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.