May 26, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has event organizers rethinking every component of live events, including food and beverage. With convention centers such as Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta winding down makeshift hospital operations as they prepare to reopen for meetings, conventions and trade shows later this year, catering companies are being forced to address every component of how they’ll serve guests again, too. But will event F&B ever be the same? What’s on the plate may look similar, but how it’s served will be forever changed. For starters, catering teams are going to be charged… more
May 20, 2020
TSNN is pleased to share some good news and unveil the 2019 TSNN Top Trade Shows list. All of the shows on the list are based in the United States and are ranked by overall net square footage. Please CLICK HERE for the 2019 TSNN Top Trade Shows list. The Consumer Technology Association’s 2019 CES took the top spot on the list, boasting a 2.9-plus million net square foot showfloor that drew more than 180,000 total attendees to various venues around Las Vegas. “CES 2019 connected every major industry across the world and illustrated that every tech company is a tech company,” said Karen… more
May 19, 2020
The Food Processing Suppliers Association, owners of PROCESS EXPO, has tapped the North American subsidiary of Frankfurt, Germany-based Messe Frankfurt to handle all aspects of the show’s management including sales, marketing, operations and sponsorships.  Set for October 12-15, 2021 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, PROCESS EXPO is the U.S.’s largest biennial food equipment and technology trade show for the food and beverage processing industry. The event attracts approximately 15,000 food and beverage processing and packaging professionals, as well as 500 exhibitors displaying the latest in… more
May 18, 2020
At least a third of event organizers have postponed all events to 2021, according to the latest report by CEIR. It makes sense, given the fact that many Americans are experiencing a growing hesitation to travel again. Data from the U.S. Travel Association and MMGY Travel Intelligence shows that as the pandemic continues, travel plans that were once postponed are increasingly being canceled. However, as industry stakeholders like hotels, convention centers and airlines are stepping up to announce new cleanliness protocols, they’re also aiming to convince travelers that it will be safe to… more
May 12, 2020
The Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO) announced support for Go LIVE Together, a coalition dedicated to enabling essential safety guideline and protecting the trade show and live events industry in the wake of COVID-19. In addition to joining the coalition, SISO announced it is investing $250,000 to aid with legislative advocacy efforts to support industry recovery and to help government officials understand the true impact events have on economies and job creation. “SISO and Go LIVE Together will provide the industry with a stable platform and strong voice so that when it’s… more
May 12, 2020
ASAE has canceled its face-to-face 100thAnnual Meeting & Exposition, originally set for Aug. 8-11 at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. A virtual version of the show will take place instead. The association will deliver its first-ever Virtual Annual Meeting & Exposition the week of Aug. 10 and is working with scheduled speakers, sponsors and industry partners to create a reimagined digital experience. Registration information, exact dates and industry partner opportunities will be announced to the ASAE community by the first week of June, while the ASAE Board of… more
May 12, 2020
The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau has appointed Gregg Caren to the position of president and CEO. Caren most recently served as the executive vice president of sales and strategic business development for ASM Global (formerly SMG), operator of more than 350 venues worldwide. He also served in various senior leadership positions while with SMG for 20-plus years. Caren has more than three decades of industry experience and will join the PHLCVB on June 8. “Gregg brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership from many facets of our industry, including prior sales, marketing and… more
May 11, 2020
With many events pivoting to virtual right now, event planners are working overtime to make sure their digital event programming is packed with premium educational content. But what about those valuable extras that attendees come to an event to experience, such as high-profile speakers and entertainers? As with live events, quality keynote presentations can help transform virtual events into unforgettable experiences, too. However, working with speakers for a digital event is, in some ways, different than a live talk on stage.  TSNN talked with two speakers’ bureau executives – Corey Shapoff… more
May 11, 2020
Just over a week after announcing the creation of the APEX COVID-19 Business Recovery Task Force, the Events Industry Council has released a full list of task force members. Chair Paul Van Deventer said the EIC is seeing a number of industry-wide efforts focused on developing standards to ensure the safety and wellness of attendees and protocols essential to reinforce attendee confidence in attending live business events. “The work of this task force is crucial to curate those efforts and present them in a comprehensive way that translates into practical solutions for professionals across… more
trade show, trade shows
May 08, 2020
There have been several recent big steps taken that give an indication of a path forward here in the United States for the trade show industry to start up again soon. Amongst the many initiatives, big hotel brands such as Hilton outlined new cleanliness standards and ISSA’s GBAC STAR accreditation program for venues to fight COVID-19 was released. Overseas, the news is even more encouraging, with governments in both Germany and China paving the way for trade shows to open. In addition, UFI, The Global Association for the Exhibition Industry released guidance on re-opening trade shows and… 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.