News
Oct 16, 2024
In December 2023, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) unveiled a feature at its Expo! Expo! annual show that could benefit event organizers as well as exhibitors: facial analysis of attendees.
Developed by technology firm Zenus AI, the system of sensors and cameras was set up in Expo! Expo! educational theaters and activation areas to collect anonymous data on attendees’ engagement—their dwell time, facial expressions, and energy levels. The data that’s gathered is far below the threshold needed to identify a person, and the data is aggregated in order to find… more
Oct 15, 2024
The 13th edition of IMEX America is a wrap. The booths and signage have come down at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, and the show's record-setting 15,500 participants, including more than 5,500 buyers, have headed home. Now comes the work of maintaining the connections and acting on the education and experiences delivered at the October 8-10 event.
Here are four ideas and two trends from IMEX America that focus on thinking a bit differently about event planning.
Great Idea: Hands-On A.I.
“Wow,” “Oh my goodness!,” and spontaneous clapping: Those were some of the audience reactions during the… more
Oct 14, 2024
The UFI Americas Conference, held Sept. 10-12 at Cintermex, brought together 170 exhibition industry leaders from across North, Central, and South America for a landmark event in Monterrey, Mexico. This union marked a significant milestone as it was the first occasion where UFI members and industry experts from these regions were brought together under one event.
TSNN's Danica Tormohlen sat down with Martha Donato, regional director of UFI North America, to delve into the event's highlights, challenges, and future prospects.
Read six takeaways from our conversation and watch or live to the… more
Oct 11, 2024
September was another busy month for the trade show industry, especially among industry suppliers, with organizations across the U.S. welcoming new leadership, promoting hard-working staff, and naming seasoned professionals to executive teams.
TSNN’s take on the biggest move in September: Jennifer LeMaster assumed the helm of the Seattle Convention Center (SCC) as its new president and CEO on September 16. As the first female CEO in the venue’s 36-year history, she replaced Jeff Blosser, who retired earlier this year.
The big picture: LeMaster joins the SCC from the Georgia World… more
Oct 10, 2024
In September, Amazon CEO Andrew Jassy told workers they must come into the office five days a week starting in January.
This announcement by the tech giant that employs more than 1 million comes on the heels of new data that reveals a majority (83%) of CEOs surveyed globally predict that companies will shift to require a “full” return of employees to in-office work in the next three years, an increase from 64% the prior year. This is according to global tax, audit and advisory services firm KPMG, which reported on the findings of a survey of 1,300 chief executives conducted in July and… more
Oct 09, 2024
As Hurricane Milton, a powerful Category 4 storm, barrels toward Florida’s Gulf Coast, the impact on the state’s business events industry is already being felt. With winds reaching up to 150 miles per hour, Milton is projected to make landfall in the Tampa Bay region, potentially disrupting major conferences, conventions, and trade shows across Florida.
Several key events in destinations like Tampa, Orlando, and Miami have already been canceled or rescheduled, dealing a blow to an industry that plays a crucial role in the state’s economy. As Florida braces for what could be its strongest… more
Oct 08, 2024
Dreamforce made headlines last month after the now-viral moment when comedian John Mulaney roasted Salesforce’s “imminently replaceable” workforce for wearing “fleece vests” and embodying all of the other corporate tech bro stereotypes.
“The fact that there are 45,000 ‘trailblazers’ here couldn’t devalue the title any more,” Mulaney added during his 45-minute set, throwing in that the Salesforce workers filling the audience around him looked “like a group who looked at the self-checkout counters at CVS and thought, ‘This is the future.’”
The reality is that hiring a comedian for an event… more
Oct 07, 2024
A host of event technology companies have been forming strategic partnerships and adding new services to help trade show organizers and exhibitors streamline their events and elevate ROI.
RainFocus Acquires WebEvents Global
Event marketing platform RainFocus has acquired WebEvents Global, an established event technology and data analytics firm. The acquisition will allow RainFocus to extend its leading event marketing position through WebEvents Global’s strong client relationships with leading enterprise technology organizations and long-standing industry expertise, according to… more
Oct 04, 2024
Trade Show News Network (TSNN) opened nominations for its 14th annual TSNN Awards, recognizing trade show excellence and innovation across 12 categories. For the first time, TSNN and the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) are uniting to co-locate and present dual industry awards programs on Monday, Dec. 16, at The Novo during Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting and Exhibition® in Los Angeles. The joint awards celebration will honor and celebrate the industry's finest on a stage that's hosted music legends.
“This collaboration showcases the best of what TSNN and IAEE… more
Oct 03, 2024
As IMEX America 2024 approaches, IMEX Group CEO Carina Bauer joined TSNN’s VP of Group Content Danica Tormohlen for an insightful preview of what attendees can expect at this year's event, which will be held Oct. 7-10 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
Bauer told us she expects this year's IMEX America to surpass last year's success in terms of both size and attendance. The event's app, equipped with advanced navigation features akin to Google Maps, will be integral in helping attendees navigate the expansive show floor.
Related: IMEX DEBUTS GROUNDBREAKING DIGITAL WAYFINDING… 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.