News
Jan 31, 2024
Raccoon Media Group, which was acquired by Cuil Bay Capital (CBC) in September 2023, has expanded in the U.S. with the acquisition of Abilities Expo, a series of seven exhibitions owned by industry veterans Lew Shomer and David Korse. In 2023, Abilities Expo attracted more than 30,000 attendees to its events in seven U.S. cities last year.
The announcement brings Raccoon’s U.K. and U.S. show portfolio to 17 events, and the purchase bolsters Raccoon’s footing in the health and wellbeing market, joining Snowbound Expo, The Boston Run Show and The Boston Outdoor Expo in the company’s U.S.… more
Jan 30, 2024
On Jan. 10, American Psychological Association Senior Director, Meetings and Events Desirée Knight, who served as 2023 PCMA Chair, officially passed the gavel to Visit Indy President and CEO Leonard Hoops on the main stage at Convening Leaders 2024 (CL24) in San Diego.
Hoops, the first destination marketing organization (DMO) leader to chair the association, addressed the audience, which peaked at more than 4,200 during the three-day annual event – the largest ever, according to PCMA President and CEO Sherrif Karamat.
Prior to taking the stage, Hoops sat down with us at the Visit Indy… more
Jan 29, 2024
A group of six trade show industry associations have joined forces to form the Exhibitions Industry Collective, a coalition created to drive awareness on crucial, top-of-mind issues within the exhibitions ecosystem such as workforce development, sustainability and health and safety.
The new Collective comprises key organizations including the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA), Experiential Designers & Producers Association (EDPA), International Association of Exhibitions & Events (IAEE), International Association of… more
Jan 26, 2024
CES 2024 Attracts Record International and Startup Participation, Shares Strategic Growth Strategies
Displaying everything from flying cars and transparent TVs to ice cream robots and artificial intelligence-enhanced products, CES 2024 was a triumph. Spanning over 2.5 million square feet (pending an audit) — an estimated 15% increase from last year’s 2.2 million net square feet — the 57th annual CES was the largest such show since COVID-19 decimated live events.
The number of exhibitors jumped to more than 4,300, up from 3,200 in 2023, while more than 135,000 attendees gathered at a dozen venues, including the Las Vegas Convention Center, for the Jan. 9-12 show, compared to 115,000… more
Jan 25, 2024
ASM Global’s Sustainability Conversion of U.S. Venue Portfolio Moves Forward With Voltus Partnership
Venue management company and live event producer ASM Global and distributed energy resource (DER) platform and virtual power plant operator Voltus Inc. announced a partnership designed to help ASM Global reduce energy consumption across all its convention and entertainment venues located in wholesale and regulated power markets in the U.S.
Voltus helps deliver less expensive, more reliable and more sustainable electricity, paying energy users to reduce or shift electricity use in response to grid stress, high prices and high emissions. Its commercial and industrial customers, as well as DER… more
Jan 24, 2024
Exclusively sponsored by Honeycomb Strategies.
Start here: Take our 5-question carbon quiz! Test what you already know about carbon emissions, then scroll down to read more about our answers.
1. Freight logistics
Question: Which method of shipping to an event is the most carbon intense?
Correct Answer: Airplane.
This answer may not surprise you, but maybe you don’t know about the alternatives. Freight via container ship is 94% less carbon-intensive than air, and rail shipping is even less, though they require more transit time. For final-mile transportation, local electric fleets and… more
Jan 23, 2024
Originally contracted for Sept. 16-24, 2024 at Detroit’s Huntington Place, the annual Detroit Auto Show will move to Jan. 10-20, 2025. Following a three-year hiatus, the show was held in September in 2022 and 2023, but it will move back to its January timeframe and not be held in 2024.The Detroit Auto Show was launched in 1899 and held in January through 2019.
“Our primary goal is to create an impactful auto show and showcase our great city and industry,” said Detroit Auto Show and Detroit Auto Dealers Association Executive Director Rod Alberts in a post on LinkedIn.
He continued, “After… more
Jan 22, 2024
In its first deals since the $4.6 billion acquisition by Blackstone last year, Cvent has acquired Jifflenow, a B2B 1:1 and group appointments scheduling solution, and iCapture, a lead capture solution. With these acquisitions, Cvent’s goal is to offer enhanced capabilities to enable sales and marketing teams to improve trade show performance and ROI through automated appointment scheduling and universal lead capture.
Related: Blackstone to Acquire Cvent for $4.6 Billion
“Over the past nearly 25 years, we’ve helped power global meetings and events programs, and these acquisitions highlight… more
Jan 19, 2024
Informa, the international B2B events, digital services and academic markets company (owner of TSNN, ENN and Corporate Event News), reported a 30% increase in underlying revenue for the full-year 2023 and the merger of Informa Tech’s digital businesses with U.S.-based TechTarget.
During an investor presentation on Jan. 10, Informa Group Chief Executive Stephen A. Carter said the company’s 2024 guidance targets high single-digit underlying revenue growth, with reported revenue of £3,425m-£3,475m ($4,332m-$4,395m) and adjusted operating profit of £945m-£965m ($1,195m-$1,220m).
By the… more
Jan 18, 2024
What do attendees want in 2024? The good news: More events, according to the latest Freeman Trends Report, “2024 Attendee Intent and Behavior.” In fact, 92% of respondents said they will attend more in-person events in 2024 than in 2023, according to a comprehensive behavioral assessment of B2B events by global events company Freeman.
Building on the findings and insights of Freeman’s Q1 2023 Trends Report that identified attendee gaps, analyzed sentiment and revealed expectations, the 2024 report surveyed attendees to find out what’s changed, what’s remaining the same and what to expect… 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.