News
Dec 06, 2024
UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, welcomed 600 delegates to its 91st Global Congress in Cologne, Germany. By comparison, last year’s UFI Global Congress drew 500 delegates to Las Vegas. Held Nov. 20-23 and hosted by Koelnmesse, the 2024 UFI Global Congress attracted members from more than 55 countries and regions, who reunited for four days of networking and knowledge sharing.
“The strength of our industry lies in its ability to bring people together. The past few days in Cologne have impressively demonstrated what we can achieve when we unite our ideas, knowledge, and… more
Dec 05, 2024
Nearly 120 exhibition industry professionals gathered in Milan, Italy, for the 2nd annual Women in Exhibitions (WIE) World Summit. Held Nov. 18–19 Nov at the Chiostri di San Barnaba, the event’s theme was “Building Bridges, Breaking Ceilings.”
Looking back: In 2023, the WIE World Summit attracted about 80 exhibition industry professionals to MECC Maastricht, when the event was held June 13–14, 2023 in the Netherlands.
Context: Founded in 2018 by Oana Cipca, WIE provides professional development for women working in exhibitions and opportunities to meet and network. WIE currently has… more
Dec 04, 2024
In less than two weeks, thousands of exhibition and event professionals from across the globe will gather in Los Angeles for the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) Annual Meeting and Expo! Expo!
The influential gathering of trade show organizers and suppliers will be held December 16-19 at the iconic Los Angeles Convention Center.
Whether you’re a seasoned attendee or a first timer, planning your schedule ahead is critical to maximizing the experience on the ground.
What do you need to know before you go? We caught up with IAEE VP Events and Experiences Jason… more
Dec 03, 2024
Privately owned event and exhibition industry organizer Clarion Events North America has promoted Liz Irving to CEO. Since joining the company in May 2018, Irving has steadily moved up the ranks, assuming the helm as the company’s first-ever president, North America in August 2023.
The announcement, made on December 2, recognizes Irving’s exceptional leadership and transformative vision that have significantly contributed to the company’s growth and industry collaboration, according to Clarion officials.
“Liz has consistently demonstrated an ability to identify new opportunities, navigate… more
Dec 02, 2024
As a meeting professional, knowing the average pay for colleagues in the industry is invaluable when you find yourself in the market for a new job or when it comes time to ask for a raise.
The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) is on the job, providing the industry with its annual Convene Salary Survey. The 2024 report analyzed data from 462 event professionals, providing information on their average salaries, role, experience, job satisfaction, and more.
PCMA reports meeting-industry salary averages in several ways, the most relevant being by job title and by… more
Nov 29, 2024
Held Nov. 3-6 in Chicago, the biennial PACK EXPO International went down in the history books as the largest to date, as well as the biggest event hosted at McCormick Place in 2024, according to officials from The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (PMMI), which produces the show.
The packaging and processing industry trade show and conference brought together 48,000 attendees and 29,500 exhibitor personnel, reaching 77,500 in total attendance with a 19% increase in international attendance. The trade show reported a record number of 2,700 exhibitors occupied more than 1.… more
Nov 29, 2024
As one of the fastest-growing U.S. cities in terms of population (according to an analysis by Exploding Topics), Nashville continues to develop and enhance its event offerings, and the city presents a dynamic landscape for trade show producers.
Whether it's hosting massive conventions in the new stadium, leveraging its musical heritage, or tapping into international markets, Nashville offers a vibrant and diverse stage for unforgettable events. With opportunities as endless as the music-filled air, Nashville remains a city that promises and delivers excitement.
Recently, we caught up with… more
Nov 27, 2024
The Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC), which generated more than $500 million in economic impact for Toronto and the Province of Ontario during its 2023/24 fiscal year, appointed Kathy Haley as its new president and CEO, effective November 26. She takes over the position from MTCC Interim President & CEO Ron Pellerine, who held the position for the last year.
Haley, who most recently served as chief customer experience officer for the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ), makes history as the first woman to hold this position at the MTCC, which is celebrating its… more
Nov 27, 2024
Exclusively sponsored by Honeycomb Strategies
As we approach the end of the year, many of us are planning corporate holiday gifts and budgeting for next year’s event swag and merchandise purchases. So now is a good time to consider what we’re purchasing and make thoughtful decisions or substitutions based on attention to manufacturing impact, shipping, disposal, and humane conditions in the supply chain.
We consider experiential gifts (a massage, a performance, a party, a discount or perk) to be the gold standard for gifting, both for the impression they make on the receiver and for their… more
Nov 26, 2024
Apple’s AirTag tracking devices have been around since mid-2021, but meeting professionals may be more interested than ever in the button-like units, with a new feature the company announced on November 11 called Share Item Location.
The new feature allows users to share the real-time coordinates of lost or misplaced items with third parties.
Apple is rolling out partnerships with 18 airlines to allow the system to more quickly locate missing luggage. However, meeting professionals might also consider an AirTag for exhibits and boxes of critical event materials that get shipped around the… 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.