Mar 04, 2025
In its 39th year, Vision Expo East ditched its longtime roots in New York City for Orlando, Fla., where thousands of eyecare and eyewear professionals descended on the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) from Feb. 19-22. Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council, which produces the show alongside RX, told TSNN that the move south “reflected consistent feedback from the industry and key stakeholders” after the 2024 iteration of the show saw an uptick in Florida-based professionals and attendees from Latin America and Puerto Rico.
“Our inaugural Orlando event showed tremendous success with… more
Feb 28, 2025
Hosted buyer/1-to-1 partnering events are currently the most attractive events model for independent organizers, with 18% of survey respondents planning an imminent launch and 32% indicating an interest in the model, according to results of the Events Sector Benchmarking 2024, a report from Collingwood and the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO).
What types of hosted buyer events are independents planning? According to the survey, 81% are currently producing or considering launching roundtables with multiple buyers, sellers, and potential partners, while 69% are currently… more
Feb 27, 2025
Since its inception as a golf tournament car trunk show in 1954, the PGA Show has certainly come a long way. Considered the $102 billion global recreational golf industry’s longest running and largest annual B2B event, the expansive trade show and conference recently pulled off its largest edition since 2009.
Held January 21-24 for the 39th time at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, Fla., the 72nd annual event expanded in multiple categories, attracting 33,000 golf industry professionals from 94 countries and 1,040 exhibiting companies spanning 371,403 square feet of… more
Feb 26, 2025
Two event technology companies recently introduced AI-powered analytics and event optimization tools to enable show organizers to analyze and elevate event performance, demonstrate ROI, and enhance attendee experiences.
Map Your Show Unveils AI-Powered Analytics for Smarter Event Planning
Trade show operating technology provider Map Your Show (MYS) launched MYS Insights, a new data science and AI-powered analytics tool designed to help show organizers track and predict revenue, retain exhibitors, and improve event performance.
Instead of relying on fragmented data to gauge their event’s… more
Feb 25, 2025
Think event email marketing is dead? Think again, said Jay Schwedelson, founder of GURU Media Hub and podcast host of Do This, Not That: For Marketers, during a recent Women in Exhibitions Network (WIEN) North America meeting in January.
Back story: In the last 12 months, Schwedelson has participated in or hosted more than 2,000 webinars and 157 in-person events. His company produces the Guru Conference, which attracted more than 24,100 marketers, and the Delivered Conference that drew more than 7,400 marketers. In June, he’s launching Eventastic, which is touted as the largest event about… more
Feb 24, 2025
The Savannah Convention Center (SCC) in Savannah, Ga., has completed a massive, $276 million expansion that has positioned the venue to not only serve long-standing events wishing to grow but also attract new and larger-scale meetings and conventions to the historic coastal destination.
Started on March 17, 2021, and completed on February 6, the transformative project has doubled the facility’s size to 660,000 square feet, with enhancements to existing spaces featuring modernized design elements, refreshed color schemes, and premium technology upgrades.
“The enhanced functionality and… more
Feb 21, 2025
Two leading global trade show and conference organizers kicked off 2025 by announcing strategic acquisitions.
Closerstill Media Scoops Up Digital Health Intelligence
Business events, exhibitions, and conferences producer CloserStill Media acquired Digital Health Intelligence (DHI), a London-based media business that serves the UK’s digital health community. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Announced on January 17, the deal adds Rewired, DHI’s flagship digital health event, to CloserStill’s growing healthcare portfolio, which includes healthcare-focused hosted buyer events run by… more
Feb 20, 2025
Fans of fiction and fantasy are not the only ones patiently waiting for the opening day of Universal Orlando Resort's Epic Universe on May 22. Organizers with events and trade shows planned in Orlando, Fla., in the back half of 2025 are clamoring to offer new experiences to their exhibitors and attendees.
From the much-anticipated opening of new attractions like Epic Universe to substantial expansions at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC), Orlando continues to lead as a hub for meetings and conventions. In fact, the OCCC hosted 189 events that attracted 1.7 million attendees during… more
Feb 19, 2025
Black History Month marks a significant moment to celebrate Black leaders in the event and trade show industries. It’s our mission to always spotlight the strategies, experiences, and insights of Black industry professionals—especially during a time when attacks on DEI programs have become prominent across business sectors.
Melissa K. Montes, vice president, Airport Experience News (AXN) and Womenswear in Nevada (WWIN), and diversity, equity and inclusion business (DEIB) lead at Clarion North America, is one leader who is committed to embedding DEI as a core value across business operations… more
Feb 18, 2025
Concerned about pressing issues currently facing the industry, such as tax reform, the next-gen workforce, inbound travel restrictions, and decarbonization? Then it’s time to make your voice heard at Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA)’s 2025 Legislative Action Day, taking place on Thursday, May 29 in Washington, DC.
Background: Held annually, ECA’s Legislative Action Day brings together leaders and advocates from across the business and professional events industry to Capitol Hill to meet with their elected officials in support of ECA’s top public policy priorities. Established in… 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.