News
Dec 18, 2023
With a portfolio of nearly 8,700 properties, Marriott International has introduced neuroinclusive practices at events hosting 250 people or more, aiming to accommodate approximately 15-20% of the world's population with neuro differences, including conditions like ADHD, autism, dyslexia and epilepsy.
Previewed at Marriott’s Corporate Partnership Customer Conference, THE EXCHANGE, which was held Nov. 28-Dec. 1 at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, Marriott’s neuroinclusive measures will include dedicated quiet rooms, sensory and fidget toys, noise-canceling earplugs, printed… more
Dec 15, 2023
Maritz, an experience design company that provides event registration services, has partnered with CLEAR, an identity platform with 19 million members, to launch an identity verification solution for trade shows, corporate events and conventions. The goal: Deliver friction-free, secure customer experiences for on-site event registration.
At the recent International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) Expo! Expo!, we caught up with Maritz Vice President Product Management Aaron Dorsey and CLEAR Senior Director Channel Partnership Sam Adeyemi to find out the scoop on the new… more
Dec 14, 2023
People News: VISIT Denver, IBTM World and More Elevate Seasoned Professionals, Grow Leadership Teams
An array of show organizers, CVBs, event agencies and industry associations have been steadily hiring and promoting staff while bolstering their executive teams as they look ahead to a busy New Year.
VISIT DENVER
Twenty-five-year hospitality industry veteran Lee Ann Benevidez has joined VISIT DENVER as its new senior vice president and chief sales and services officer. In her new role, she leads and directs convention and meeting sales efforts, including driving convention bookings for the newly expanded Colorado Convention Center and overseeing the organization’s destination strategy… more
Dec 13, 2023
Geopolitics and political uncertainty now pose the greatest risk to business growth, according to a recent survey of more than 1,300 CEOs of the world’s largest businesses. The persistent flux in global politics, trade dynamics and international relations has required a new level of resilience from business leaders, who have been tasked with re-assessing their strategic priorities, focusing on the rise of generative AI, talent management and elevated stakeholder expectations in addressing environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues.
Derived from the KPMG 2023 CEO Outlook — the annual… more
Dec 12, 2023
Held in conjunction with the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) Expo! Expo! Annual Meeting & Exhibition, the Exhibition Services and Contractors Association hosted its Winter Celebration and Awards on Dec. 4 at the House of Blues in Dallas. ESCA announced its 2023 Award Winners, surprising former Fern CEO Aaron Bludworth with the ESCA Lifetime Achievement Award.
This year’s ESCA President Damon Ross, who serves as senior group vice president for CORT Events, officially handed over the association’s leadership to 2024 ESCA President Taylor Vriens, who serves as… more
Dec 11, 2023
Article exclusively sponsored by Meet Ribbon
It’s a conversation happening behind closed doors, in boardrooms and on the showroom floor: how have online wholesale platforms changed the trade show industry? We wanted to lift the curtain on this debate and have an honest conversation on the impact of Faire and similar platforms. So we brought in a panel of experts from all over the retail ecosystem: sales agency owners, exhibitors, trade show organizers and retail buyers to give their opinion on what it all means and how the industry should pivot.
Ribbon’s Co-Founder and CEO Vinit Patil… more
Dec 11, 2023
Q4 2023 has been a busy time for the trade show industry, with event-related organizations across the country inking new business deals, extending partnerships and consolidating companies as they prepare for a robust start to 2024.
STAR Group
Experiential marketing and trade show exhibit company STAR Group recently acquired Exhibit Edge, a Washington, DC-based exhibition and events company.
According to STAR Group officials, the combined expertise of both companies will not only elevate the level of creativity, innovation and client-focused solutions for the exhibits, environments and… more
Dec 08, 2023
AWS re:Invent 2023, a conference and expo hosted by Amazon Web Service (AWS) for the global cloud-computing community, attracted tens of thousands customers, partners and AWS team members to Las Vegas Nov. 27-Dec. 1. AWS, producer of one of the largest U.S. corporate events of the year, generated Q3 revenues of $23.06 billion, according to a statement. The cloud unit, which CNBC calls the world’s top provider of computing and storage services, grew revenue 12% year over year for the quarter.
“Generative AI took center stage during keynotes, race cars and robots wowed at the expo, and no one… more
Dec 07, 2023
Beginning in 2024, The Venetian Resort Las Vegas will begin a $188 million renovation of its meeting and convention facilities as part of an extensive $1 billion capital investment project. Set to be completed in stages through 2026, the renovation of the 2.25-million-square-foot Venetian Convention Center and Expo will include an elegant new color palette, luxury lounge spaces for meetings and state-of-the-art technology.
“Embarking on a refresh of a convention center that hosts back-to-back events year in and year out is no easy task, but our promise is to provide our guests a best-in-… more
Dec 06, 2023
Exclusively sponsored by Honeycomb Strategies.
When it comes to sustainable innovations, one thing that sets apart Greenbuild International Conference + Expo is its sophisticated exhibitor engagement programs. Interlacing strategies for operations and communications have allowed Greenbuild to convince exhibitors of their stake in a sustainable event and to garner acclaim, awards and a stellar reputation. Along with their signature exhibitor requirement, the Greenbuild Mandatory Exhibitor Greening Guidelines (GMEGG), Greenbuild and show partner U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) launched a… more
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is renowned for its exceptional service and diverse venue options across Las Vegas, Detroit, Springfield, National Harbor, Biloxi, and Atlantic City, providing flexible spaces for meetings of any size. Beyond these offerings, MGM Resorts distinguishes itself through a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for your next meeting.
At the core of MGM Resorts' company values is its platform, "Focused on What Matters," dedicated to meeting customer needs while advancing socially responsible practices. This commitment is evident in several key areas:
Protecting Natural Resources
MGM Resorts is home to industry-leading recycling, renewable electricity and water conservation programs. Some highlights include a cogeneration power plant at ARIA, producing ultra-efficient electricity; one of America’s largest contiguous rooftop solar arrays atop the convention center at Mandalay Bay; and onsite wells that provide water for the celebrated Fountains of Bellagio, avoiding reliance on precious Colorado River water. These efforts and many more save on natural resources while boosting attendee satisfaction.
Committed to Community
Always striving to be good neighbors, MGM Resorts works to avoid food waste and combat food insecurity with the Feeding Forward program. In partnership with local food banks, they safely divert unserved food to food insecure members of the community. Since 2016, over 5 million meals have been provided, highlighting MGM Resorts' commitment to minimizing food waste and addressing community needs.
MGM Resorts supports clients in their responsible-meetings efforts, not only with efficient venues but also waste-reducing décor and signage; sustainable food and beverage options; and outreach to help planners communicate sustainability efforts to attendees. What’s more, they offer a Mindful Meetings series that puts attendee wellness first—through fitness and mindfulness activities, and in give-back events with local charity organizations.
Fostering Diversity & Inclusion
To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.
MGM Resorts offers unparalleled service and venue options while standing out for its proactive approach to sustainability and community engagement. Choosing MGM Resorts for your next meeting means aligning with a company that values social responsibility, efficiency, and attendee satisfaction, ensuring a meaningful and impactful event experience.