News
Mar 12, 2024
Trade show and event-related organizations in the U.S. and abroad are appointing new leadership, elevating staff and welcoming new industry professionals to their teams this month.
Consumer Technology Association
The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has tapped Kinsey Fabrizio as its new and first female president in the association’s history. Relinquishing the president title, Gary Shapiro, current CTA president and CEO, will continue in the latter role.
Elevated from senior vice president CES and membership, Fabrizio now sits on the association’s executive board and will be… more
Mar 11, 2024
If your trade show or event organization works with independent contractors, it’s important to know how a new employment rule that takes effect on March 11 could impact labor costs for businesses that rely on contract labor or freelancers, such as trucking, manufacturing and more.
The industry sector most likely to be impacted: general service contractors, AV companies, freight companies and other suppliers that rely on independent contractors.
Why it matters: Increased costs for suppliers could be passed on to event organizers or exhibitors, who were already facing increases of 7%-30% for… more
Mar 07, 2024
Edlen Electrical Vice President Business Development Julie Pazina was elected Nevada State Senator of District 12 in 2022, and she served in her first legislative session last year. As a first-term Senator, she had eight pieces of legislation signed into law — the most of any freshman legislator.
Related: EDLEN ELECTRICAL EXHIBITIONS' JULIE PAZINA SWORN IN AS NEVADA STATE SENATOR
The Nevada State Legislature has 63 members — 21 senators and 42 assembly people. They meet in session in Carson City for 120 days every other year, so there’s a lot to accomplish in a short period of time.
From… more
Mar 06, 2024
The Events Industry Council (EIC) awarded a water quality trade show and an events destination with its highest level of the Sustainable Event Standards for environmental and social responsibility within the global events industry.
Created by the EIC Sustainability and Social Impact Committee in partnership with industry professionals and leading sustainability practitioners, the EIC Sustainable Event Standards are a collection of eight specific standards that assess events and industry suppliers on a wide range of sustainability criteria, including organizational management, marketing,… more
Mar 05, 2024
Exclusively sponsored by Honeycomb Strategies.
The United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals, adopted in 2015, “recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.” If that sounds like all-encompassing, world-changing rhetoric… well, it’s the U.N. That’s their job.
But it’s our job as sustainability consultants to help our clients ladder up to the U.N.’s lofty goals. And in doing so, we… more
Mar 05, 2024
EXHIBITORLIVE 2024, an annual event for exhibitors produced by Exhibitor Group, reported a more than 20% bump in total attendance and 40% increase in buyers year over year, according to David DuBois, president and CEO of Exhibitor Group and publisher of EXHIBITOR magazine, who joined the privately held company in October after serving for 11 years as president and CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE).
Related: David DuBois to Retire From IAEE at the End of 2023
Held Feb. 25-28 in Nashville, the event featured four days of education, networking opportunities… more
Mar 04, 2024
U.S. trade show producer Emerald Holding, Inc. reported a 17.5% year-over-year revenue increase to $382.8 million in 2023, growth attributed to event expansion, new launches and acquisitions, according to its financial results for the fourth quarter (Q4) and full year of 2023 that were released on Feb. 29.
Despite this good news, the company reported a net loss of $8.2 million for the year, contrasting with 2022’s net income of $130.8 million. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) stood at $97.8 million for 2023, down from $239.6 million in 2022,… more
Mar 01, 2024
In an effort to become more inclusive, more venues are offering services to accommodate the needs of autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals. In Q4 2023, The Huntington Center and Glass City Center, both located in Toledo, Ohio, were designated as a Certified Autism Center (CAC) by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).
The venue teams completed a comprehensive training and certification process to better understand and accommodate the needs of autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals.
Glass City Center offers a 75,000-square-foot expo… more
Feb 29, 2024
Event producers and suppliers across the country have been inking new business agreements and forming partnerships to improve their offerings and grow market share. Here’s our monthly roundup on trade show industry deals and partnerships.
CloserStill Media
Business events, exhibitions and conferences producer CloserStill Media has acquired a majority stake in the Trailblazer Summits event group in Hamburg, Germany. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Why it matters: Now set to become one of Germany’s largest independent event operators, the group produces a series of two-day, content-… more
Feb 28, 2024
Taking place each February, Black History Month is an ideal time to honor and celebrate the achievements of Black trade show and event industry professionals and renew our commitment to continue fostering diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
We want to recognize and highlight Black industry leaders and share their experiences. This week, we are featuring Julie Coker, president and CEO of San Diego Tourism, Emile Davis, managing director, business development for the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Al Hutchison, president and CEO of Visit Baltimore. Find out how their… 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.