Apr 29, 2013
If the activity on the showfloor at LIGHTFAIR International (LFI) is any indication of the health of the trade show industry, expos are back in business.
Not only were the aisles and booths crowded, but also what really stood out was the amount of people walking around with a smile on their face and a jaunt in their step.
While some of this positivity could be attributed to the foosball and table tennis in one showfloor lounge, it certainly cannot take all the credit.
LFI, which ran April 23-25 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, had in excess of 233,000 net square feet… more
Apr 29, 2013
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers is setting it sites on the growing Latin American market with the planned launch of CONEXPO Latin America in 2015 in Santiago, Chile.
Plans for CONEXPO Latin America were unveiled during an AEM press conference April 18 at the bauma trade fair in Munich, Germany.
AEMhas signed a letter of intent with the Chilean Chamber of Construction to collocate CONEXPO Latin America with the Chamber’s Edifica exposition to be held October 2015.
“We value our longstanding relationship with the Chamber, and this collocation complements our mutual… more
Apr 29, 2013
The American Society of Association Executives recently introduced the first Diversity + Inclusion (D+I) tool for associations called the Association Inclusion Index.
It is an online, diagnostic tool that evaluates D+I policies, philosophies and practices against community standards.
The tool offers strategies and solutions for expanding an organization’s reach, relevance and reputation through practicing inclusive excellence.
“It’s critical for organizations to understand how diversity and inclusion plays a practical role in staffing, recruiting, retaining, and engaging… more
Apr 28, 2013
a2z's Quarterly Tradeshow Industry Index report, which analyzes data through the first three months of the calendar year 2013 (Q1 of CY 2013) has just been released for Q1.
The Index reflects a stronger-than-expected 3.1 percent quarter-over-quarter growth in net square footage in Q1 of CY 2013. This is a stronger gain than was predicted at the end Q4 of 2012.
The Index also forecasts NSF growth to come in at a significantly higher rate of 5.9 percent for Q2 of FY 2013. This is good news for the tradeshow industry, given the fact that the U.S. economy is projected to grow at a more… more
Apr 27, 2013
The first quarter of 2013 started out on a positive note for Global Experience Specialist’s parent company Viad, with revenues seeing an increase from $268.8 million in the first quarter of 2012 to $285.2 million this year.
The Marketing & Events Group, of which GES is a part of, also saw revenue increases in the first quarter this year, with $276.8 million, compared with $262 million in the same quarter last year.
Steve Moster, GES’ president, said the uptick came from not only positive show rotation, but also higher than forecasted same-show growth and cost-cutting… more
Apr 24, 2013
One of the many highlights planned for the 4th Annual TSNN Awards: Celebrating Trade Show Excellence, on tap Nov. 1-3 in Reno, Nevada, includes the only time this year both the chairs of the Society of Independent Show Organizers and International Association of Exhibitions and Events will be on the same stage at the same time speaking on a “State of the Industry” panel during the event’s Saturday Executive Conference.
"The industry is growing again and there are a lot of opportunities for positive changes in the way we develop and grow our shows, so I am excited to be speaking at the… more
Apr 23, 2013
ASD Las Vegas is about to get a little bit bigger, with the debut of a new event – SourceDirect – Aug. 4-7 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas.
SourceDirect will be geared toward Importers, Distributors, Wholesalers, Designers, and Production Professionals, who will be able to meet face-to-face with contract manufacturers and factories from around the world.
“By aligning supply chain leaders in front of the key decision makers to [ASD] a show they already attend, business opportunities are made that weren’t possible before now,” said Chris McCabe,… more
Apr 22, 2013
For the very first time, the Human Genome Meeting will be held at a U.S. Destination – Houston – in 2016 through joint efforts by the Texas Medical Center and Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau.
“The Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau worked hand-in-hand with Texas Medical Center to secure this high profile medical conference,” said GHCVB President and CEO Greg Ortale.
He added, “The Texas Medical Center is certainly unique with its concentration of medical, research, and educational institutions. Houston is the obvious location for… more
Apr 22, 2013
The Professional Convention Management Association will launch its inaugural PCMA Global Medical Meetings Summit July 17-20 at ExCeL London convention center.
The summit is an invitation-only event for senior medical meeting professionals and medical association CEOs.
“PCMA was founded as a medical meetings organization,” said Deborah Sexton, president and CEO, PCMA.
She added, “While our membership has greatly diversified since our first annual meeting in 1956, we have continued throughout the years to provide robust education and resources to the medical meetings sub-… more
Apr 21, 2013
H. H. Backer, which runs what was once called the Pet Industry Christmas Trade Show every fall in Rosemont, Ill., has not only renamed the show – Backer’s Total Pet Expo – but also launched several new event features and debuted a new Web site.
This year’s event will be held Sept. 20-22 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
"Our goal is to help attendees get a jump on the competition for 2014 and finalize their holiday season buying for the year, which will be easier now that we have September dates," said Colette Fairchild, the show's director… 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.