News

Jul 21, 2013
Despite the Chapter 9 bankruptcy filed by the city of Detroit last week, the meetings and conventions business won’t be impacted, according to Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau officials. They added that events already held in the city or ones that are considering Detroit for the first time will find their experience ‘seamless’. Detroit is the largest U.S. city to file for bankruptcy protection in federal court, laying the groundwork to help the city recover from an $18 billion deficit, loss of population and tax revenues. The meetings and conventions… more
Jul 21, 2013
From crazy nail designs to textured curls and wrinkle erasers, the spirit of style and rejuvenation was in the air at Cosmoprof North America, the annual trade show and conference for beauty professionals held July 14 -16 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Sporting a new look and feel in partnership with Global Experience Specialists, the show boasted an increase in numbers across the board, compared with 2012. Attendance was up 8 percent at about 26,000, space was up 5 percent at 209,358 net square feet and the number of exhibitors also increased 5 percent to 892. In… more
Jul 21, 2013
Online communication plays a crucial part in your marketing efforts and sizable piece of this consists of email messages. I was reminded of the importance of how these emails are designed by a recent article on http://www.business2community.com that highlighted 25 interesting email statistics. The statistics that stood out for me included: 64% of people say they open an email because of the subject line. Subject lines with 30 or fewer characters performed above average in opens and clicks. The subject line is SO important and yet is often given the least amount of attention when… more
Jul 21, 2013
Online communication plays a crucial part in your marketing efforts and sizable piece of this consists of email messages. I was reminded of the importance of how these emails are designed by a recent article on http://www.business2community.com that highlighted 25 interesting email statistics. The statistics that stood out for me included: 64% of people say they open an email because of the subject line. Subject lines with 30 or fewer characters performed above average in opens and clicks. The subject line is SO important and yet is often given the least amount of attention when… more
Jul 18, 2013
Freeman’s chief sales officer, Bob Priest-Heck, will step into the president and COO role when John O’Connell, the company’s current president, retires June 30, 2014. The leadership transfer will be in phases, with Priest-Heck assuming the COO role Aug. 1 of this year and reporting to O’Connell and Freeman CEO Joe Popolo. When O’Connell retires, Priest-Heck will step in his new president role, overseeing the Freeman Companies, overseeing Freeman’s Exposition business, as well as Freeman AV and FreemanXP. "As a family and employee-owned business, we… more
Jul 17, 2013
There’s no doubt that the ability for consumers to directly book their own travel online has been a game-changer, and at the top of that game is Travelocity.com, billed as one of the largest online travel agencies in the world. TSNN is proud to announce that attendees to the 4th Annual TSNN Awards Nov. 1-3 in Reno will have the opportunity to hear a keynote from Terry Jones, founder of Travelocity, board chair of Kayak.com and board member of LuxuryLink, Smart Destinations and Rearden Commerce. In other words, when it comes to the evolution of online travel booking, Jones has been at… more
Jul 16, 2013
In 2014, not only will the OFA – The Association of Horticulture Professionals and American Nursery and Landscape Association combine, but also the OFA Short Course show will expand its showfloor by 50,000 square feet at next year’s show. Additional educational and networking opportunities will be offered to serve the increasing attendance. “For years, OFA Short Course has been a preferred destination for independent garden retailers, florists, growers, and installers. Our 7-acre trade show sells out every year, and it already includes numerous companies that provide… more
Jul 16, 2013
The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association has made Atlanta the home for its International Production & Processing Expo for more than six decades, and it doesn’t plan to go someplace else any time soon, signing on to the city through 2020. The deal recently was completed with the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We have been courted by other cities, but at the end of the day Atlanta is the best choice for IPPE. Through discussions with the hotel community, the Georgia World Congress Center and the ACVB we have arrived at a commitment that will take us through 2020,… more
Jul 16, 2013
For the first time, the annual SEMA (Specialty Equipment Marketing Association) Hot Rod Industry Alliance Education Day will be held in conjunction with the Detroit Autorama – the 60-year old custom cars show taking place in March at Detroit’s Cobo Center. The program will consist of 24 sessions, each led by a hot rod parts manufacturer who will educate attendees about the products’ features, benefits and installation guidelines. “For more than 10 years, HRIA Education Day has proven to be a key event for helping manufacturers share detailed, and sometimes technical… more
Jul 15, 2013
With the darkest days of the recession fading and attendee numbers already seeing healthy increases at trade shows, it only was a matter of time before exhibitors would up their booth space, exhibit at a show for the first time or return if they had been away. Second-quarter net square footage for the hundreds of shows tracked by a2z's Quarterly Tradeshow Industry Index Report is up 5.7 percent, compared with the same time period last year. The uptick for the second quarter continued the trend from the first quarter of this year, which saw a quarter-over-quarter net square footage… 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.