News
Oct 17, 2018
Steady growth is the meetings and event industry’s “new normal” according to the American Express Meetings & Events (M&E)2019 Global Meetings and Events Forecast, released on Oct. 15 at IMEX America.
For the fourth consecutive year, the events industry has achieved consistent growth in both spend and attendees. In 2019, global meetings activity is expected to continue to grow, accompanied by small increases in budget allocation for meetings and events. This matches data from CWT Meetings & Events’ 2019 Meetings & Events Future Trends report, released earlier this month.
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Oct 17, 2018
The trade show mergers and acquisitions market shows no sign of slowing down any time soon, with two more buys recently taking place; Emerald Expositions bought ST Media Group International and Hospitality Media Group’s portfolio of shows that includes BDNY (Boutique Design New York) and Access Intelligence scooped up P3C Media’s event portfolio.
Now in its ninth year, BDNY is a leading trade show and conference for boutique hospitality design professionals, primarily serving the eastern United States, Canada and Europe.
BDNY was ranked No. 145 on the 2017 TSNN Top Trade Show list and… more
Oct 16, 2018
Today is opening day for IMEX America 2018, the country’s worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events. Held annually at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, IMEX America runs Oct. 16-18.
Smart Monday, the MPI-powered free educational day immediately prior to the main IMEX activities, broke attendance records yesterday, and keeping in line with the industry predictions for an event size increase, IMEX America’s showfloor will be its largest yet with more than 3,500 exhibitors representing 150 countries.
Twenty-eight percent of returning exhibitors opted for… more
Oct 16, 2018
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) has partnered with event-data analytics company, Bear Analytics, to provide advanced data analytics solutions and a team of analysts to enhance attendance data management for Expo! Expo!, IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition, set for Dec. 11-13 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.
“IAEE is at the center of our industry – we are excited to bring our newest suite of solutions to grow the engagement, discussion and qualified attendance in New Orleans this year,” said Joe Colangelo, CEO and co-founder of Bear… more
Oct 14, 2018
The Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) has purchased the printing trade show Graphics of the Americas (GOA) from the Florida Graphics Alliance (FGA) (formerly the Printing Association of Florida). Following a transition period, GOA will relaunch in February 2020 in Miami Beach, Florida. SGIA acquired the show in August 2018.“GOA has a long history of bringing together an audience of exhibitors and attendees from North, Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean. These markets, though distinctly different in many aspects, are vital players in the larger printing community,… more
Oct 12, 2018
Vision Expo West celebrated its 30thanniversary by achieving a nearly double-digit increase in attendance compared to the year before.
Held Sept. 26-29 at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas, the annual eyecare and eyewear conference and exhibition attracted 12,579 ophthalmic professionals from across the globe, a sizable increase compared to 2017, when 11,790 attended the event.
The show’s attendance increased in nearly every category, particularly in Opticians and Optometrists, as well as in Independent OD and MD practices, multidisciplinary practices, chains/superstores and laboratories,… more
Oct 11, 2018
The 16th edition of Tarsus Group’s biennial trade show, Labelexpo Americas, was the largest in its history.
A total of 487 exhibitors were spread across the biggest floorspace yet, at 203,642 square feet, with almost 30 percent of exhibitors new to this year’s show.
During the course of the three-day show, which took place Sept. 25-27 at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago, an increase in attendees to 16,413 from 86 countries passed through its doors.
The Latin America region was especially strongly represented, with a 95-percent increase on its 2016 show attendee total.… more
Oct 11, 2018
Convention Data Services (CDS) has launched Reg Stands, an all-in-one onsite self-check-in solution that allows show organizers to provide their attendees with a quick, easy and efficient way to check in at events.
These custom-designed, manufactured registration stations combine all onsite registration functionality into a single, self-contained touchscreen unit that includes a touchscreen, tablet/laptop, scanner and credit card swipe – replacing the countertop laptop, mouse, scanner and card swipe.
The layout of the units can be designed for various configurations, such as traditional… more
Oct 11, 2018
The Professional Convention Management Association(PCMA) has cast its votes for the next generation of professional business event leaders. PCMA’s newest class of “20 in their Twenties” represent a wide variety of regions, industries and organization types.
Honorees were selected from a pool of applicants by a committee comprised of veteran industry professionals and “20 in their Twenties” alumni. Application was limited to full-time employees in the business events industry who would be no older than 29 on Jan. 9, 2019 and examples of industry leadership, a video statement and professional… more
Oct 09, 2018
In January of this year, Meet AC unveiled a new virtual reality (VR) experience that enables event planners, brands and prospective visitors to experience everything Atlantic City’s convention scene and visitor experience has to offer from the comfort of their chairs. Now, once again in partnership with YouVisit, the CVB has released new upgrades to the VR platform to help provide an even more engaging and enhanced visitor experience of the ocean-front city.
New immersive features include new 360-degree guided tour stops that highlight all the fun leisure activities visitors and planners… 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.