National Restaurant Show Sees Record 8-percent Uptick on Showfloor in Chicago

The 96th annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show and the collocated BAR (Beverage Alcohol for Restaurants) at NRA Show, held at Chicago’s McCormick Place on May 16-19, posted record exhibit space and a 3 percent uptick in registration in the key buyer category of restaurant and foodservice operators.

LIGHTFAIR International 2015 Breaks Showfloor, Attendance Records in New York City

In its 26th year, LIGHTFAIR International 2015’s show broke attendance and showfloor records across the board when it was held May 5-7 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York.

“The convergence of light and technology is a defining factor in LFI’s 2015 unprecedented success,” said Jeffrey L. Portman, Sr., vice chairman, president and chief operating officer of LFI managing partner AmericasMart® Atlanta.

Informa Exhibitions Adds to U.S. Portfolio with Dwell on Design

After its purchase of Hanley Wood Exhibitions last November, U.K.-based Informa Exhibitions is adding onto its residential, commercial design and construction portfolio in the United States with the acquisition of Dwell on Design from Dwell Media.

Dwell on Design has two annual events in New York and Los Angeles and will be run by Informa Exhibitions U.S., Construction and Real Estate division.

The buy cements a formal partnership between Dwell Media and Informa with the goal of expanding the existing shows’ scope and taking it international.

Reed Exhibitions Buys Miami-based Jewelers International Showcase

Adding to its jewelry portfolio, Reed Exhibitions has acquired Miami-based Jewelers International Showcase (JIS).

JIS runs three events all held at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Thousands of retailers attend the JIS Events from the United States, Caribbean and Latin America to do business with almost 700 exhibitors.

"This is an exciting opportunity to expand our jewelry portfolio, offering our customers broader reach to retailers in the Caribbean and Latin American markets,” said Yancy Weinrich, senior vice president, JCK.

Experiential Marketing Summit 2015 Tackled the New Marketing Landscape

More than 1,500 attendees were on hand for the he Experiential Marketing Summit (EMS), held in San Francisco May 11-13, to hear from a wide range of fantastic speakers on new topics and issues facing the industry.  And, it was clear that when it comes to marketing, experimentation has never been more important.

In the morning keynote, CMO of Bacardi, Dima Ivanov discussed how Bacardi reviewed their brand and the customer experience in an effort to get back to the roots of the company.

New Business Contracts: CDS Renews with Massachusetts Dental, Spargo Picks Up American Society of Nephrology, Vision Source Selects Experient

The winter thaw finally has occurred in some parts of the United States and that includes a flurry of new business contracts being signed in the past few months.

The Massachusetts Dental Society extended its contract with its preferred registration partner, Convention Data Services, through 2017.

Under the agreement, CDS will continue to provide full registration services, membership integration, CEU application, lead management and exhibitor services for the annual Yankee Dental Congress.

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.