News
Oct 23, 2023
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg kicked off the 10th annual Meta Connect developer conference on Sept. 27 at the company’s headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif. At the company’s first in-person conference since the start of the pandemic, Zuckerberg told the audience of developers, employees and journalists that Meta is “focused on building the future of human connection.”
Registration for the in-person Connect conference was limited, but the event was open to the public virtually. The in-person experience included access to networking events and demos. Virtual attendees didn’t need to register in… more
Oct 19, 2023
Post-COVID, the majority (57%) of trade shows have been able to achieve 7% annual price increases for booth space, significantly greater than pre-pandemic price increases, according to new research by SmartXpo and Profisy. Further, the research reveals that strong exhibition event portfolios were able to match prices with inflation post-pandemic.
In the U.S., the annual inflation rate was 7% in 2021 and 6.5% in 2022, according to the U.S. Labor Department. The good news: It continues to trend down. The annual inflation rate for the U.S. was 3.7% for the 12 months that ended in August,… more
Oct 18, 2023
Exclusively sponsored by Honeycomb Strategies
When Honeycomb Strategies talks to planners and venues about sustainability, the first challenge we hear about is cost. Naturally, to start up any operational change requires investment. But it’s a myth that sustainability is more expensive than operations-as-normal. In fact, we’re increasingly seeing cost savings from sustainable practices both in the short and long term.
Let’s start with some sustainable solutions with short-term benefits for event planners. To reduce energy costs, contract with venues that have undergone improvements and… more
Oct 17, 2023
Reflecting a rapidly growing industry projecting no sign of slowing down any time soon, Plant Based World Expo (PBW) North America returned to the Javits Center in New York City for its annual edition, held Sept. 7-8. This year’s PBW attracted 3,168 attendees, including an uptick in qualified retail and food service buyers compared to years prior and approximately 200 exhibiting companies showcasing hundreds of new plant-based food brands across 25,000 square feet of exhibit space.
Touted as North America’s only 100% plant-based trade show and conference designed exclusively for food service… more
Oct 16, 2023
For the attendees and exhibitors of Toy Fair, North America’s largest trade show and conference for the $40 billion toy industry, there’s no place like its home in the Big Apple for more than a century. After The Toy Association announced on Oct. 1 that it was moving the Toy Fair from New York’s Javits Center to the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center for three years starting in 2026, the association quickly reversed course when faced with overwhelming community outrage. The Toy Fair will stay in New York City in its traditional Q1 time frame, returning March 1-4, 2025, to the… more
Oct 13, 2023
The Vendry, an online event venue and vendor search platform for corporate event planners, has made searching for venues and vendors even faster, easier and more efficient with the launch of a new search engine that enables planners to discover venues and vendors in one centralized place.
Powered by The Vendry’s database, the new search experience brings more than 1 million data points on global venues and vendors together with live insights from The Vendry’s community of corporate event professionals to display the most relevant and comprehensive set of results, according to The Vendry… more
Oct 12, 2023
The U.S. trade show industry appears to be continuing its robust hiring momentum as summer turns to fall. Check out all the industry professionals getting hired and moving up at event-related organizations, companies and venues throughout the country.
Visit Salt Lake
Visit Salt Lake (VSL) recently welcomed two experienced industry professionals to its growing team: Stuart Webber as director of convention sales and Celina Sinclair as director of strategic alliances.
In his new role, Webber will pursue citywide conventions with 1,700+ attendees from the health, medical, public… more
Oct 12, 2023
TSNN is beyond delighted to announce that Hollywood and Broadway Legend Rita Moreno will be the keynote for the 2023 TSNN Awards Education Conference luncheon, sponsored by Discover Puerto Rico.
Moreno has won all four of the most prestigious awards in show business: an Oscar, a Tony, two Emmys and a Grammy. Her countless credits span more than eight decades, beginning with her Broadway debut at age 13.
She will be interviewed by Mariem Perez, the director and producer of the New York Times critic’s pick documentary "Rita Moreno, Just A Girl Who Decided To Go For It,” which acquired a… more
Oct 10, 2023
Touted as the largest AI event in the world, Dreamforce returned Sept. 12-14 to Moscone Center in San Francisco, but Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff told the San Francisco Chronicle it could be the last in the city if the conference was “impacted by the current situation with homelessness and drug use.”
The 21st annual event drew an estimated 40,000 Salesforce customers, partners and employees who gathered for three days of learning, fun, community building and philanthropy.
Dreamforce was projected to generate $89.3 million in local spending. A CoStar Group report revealed a 93.6 percent… more
Oct 09, 2023
After 35 years, the National Association of Consumer Shows (NACS) is closing its doors. Founded in 1988 for the advancement of the consumer show industry and to further the growth and professionalism of those involved in consumer show production, including show organizers, venues, decorators, advertising agencies and insurance companies, NACS focused on meeting the needs of its membership through advocacy, education and networking.
According to NACS President Jacqui McGuinness, the somber decision to shutter the organization, recently made by its board of directors, followed extensive… 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.