News
Jan 04, 2018
Event production company, Shepard, has made its second buy this winter with the acquisition of Northern Virginia-based Production Associates, a full-service audio-visual management, staging and consulting company that provides services to association, corporate and government events.
“We are excited to welcome Production Associates to our growing Shepard AV family,” said Stuart Danneman, executive vice president of Shepard AV. “They bring to the team a strong service-based culture, innovative technology and a thriving presence in the Virginia, Maryland and DC markets.”
According to Shepard… more
Jan 04, 2018
Apple has published updated App Store guidelines, adding specific arrangement for exhibition and event mobile applications.
Apple uses the App Store Guidelines to work with app developers, to ensure that the programs offered through the company's App Store are in line with user experience standards.
In June, Apple announced iOS 11 and introduced changes to its App Review Guidelines. Among the changes was a section that had the event industry concerned:
Section 4.2.6: Apps created from a commercialized template or app generation service will be rejected.
This change was interpreted by… more
Jan 03, 2018
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, recently opened a regional office in Latin America.
Based in Bogota, Colombia, the new office will serve the growing number of UFI members across Latin America, and will be the base for collaborations with national and region industry associations like AFIDA, AMPROFEC, AOCA and UBRAFE.
The position of the UFI Regional Manager for Latin America will be filled by Ana Maria Arango.
"UFI is the global association for our exhibition industry. I am very pleased that we are now in a position to also have a permanent presence in Latin America… more
Jan 02, 2018
More than 70 senior exhibitions industry executives converged on Dec. 6 at Savoy Place in London for Transform Europe, a conference focused on event data, analytics and digital strategy.
Organized by strategy consultancy AMR International, the event provided delegates with critical insights into a range of top-of-mind topics including the commercial benefits and competitive advantage of implementing General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR); how the “customer-first” mantra needs to apply to data and analytics initiatives for valuable impact; the importance of fostering a culture of… more
Jan 02, 2018
The Phoenix Convention Center recently has completed several energy efficiency upgrades by converting outdated lighting to energy efficient LED lighting technology.
Last year, the PCC participated in Arizona Public Service’s (APS) Solutions for Business energy rebate program, resulting in more than $175,000 in rebates for the LEED-silver certified facility.
The PCC took full advantage of the APS rebate program by converting to LED lighting in several areas of the campus including meeting rooms, loading docks, stairwells, food court, garages, production kitchens and its grand Atrium.
“… more
Dec 21, 2017
More than 1,000 association and industry professionals converged at ASAE’s 2017 Technology Conference & Expo, held Dec 11-13 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.
Designed to meet the needs of an increasingly technology-driven community, the event hosted 1,060 CIOs, CEOs and technology and association professionals, who participated in 25 high-level education sessions and walked a sold-out expo hall featuring 132 exhibiting companies.
“The conference content strategy was focused on key elements of effective tech initiatives,” explained said… more
Dec 21, 2017
The Air Force Association (AFA) broke attendance records and sold out exhibit space for a second consecutive year at its most recent Air, Space & Cyber Conference and Technology Exhibition, held Sept. 18-20 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.
Produced and managed by NTP Events in conjunction with AFA, the annual conference and trade show for military, defense and aerospace professionals who plan, design, operate, maintain and manage military technology and infrastructure attracted 9,066 attendees, a 24 percent increase over 2016, when the… more
Dec 21, 2017
This article is the third in a series we have been running throughout the holiday season to shine a bright, well-deserved spotlight on companies that are #GivingBack.
December has been a busy month for several trade show industry vendors wanting to make the holidays a little brighter for people in their communities and beyond.
Earlier this month, Convention Data Services kicked off its annual Season of Giving Program designed to assist the local community, industry and employees who could use a little extra holiday cheer.
As part of CDS’s Corporate Giving Program, the initiative will… more
Dec 20, 2017
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has released its full 2017 report on the World Map of Exhibition Venues.
The report analyzes indicators on key regional trends and includes the largest venues for all 28 markets with a total capacity exceeding 200,000 square meters (more than 2 million sq. ft.) of gross indoor exhibition space.
It has been six years since UFI last produced this global exhibition venue census. This year’s release shows a capacity increase in the majority of markets around the world.
According to report data, global venue space has grown by 1.2… more
Dec 20, 2017
After years of seeing technology revolutionizing the meetings industry and accelerating the rate of change in how people live and work, there will be a return to a focus on humanity in 2018, according to IMEX Group.
The global event producer believes that while new technological innovations will continue to transform the world around us, individuals throughout the events industry and in society are asking questions about whether people – along with their lives, feelings, aspirations, health and minds – are receiving enough priority as society deals with tremendous challenges and adapts to… 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.