News

Jan 28, 2016
Not only do business leaders say in-person meetings are beneficial to operations, according to a new survey released by the national coalition Meetings Mean Business, but also face-to-face is critical to career development. As a result, corporate leaders are making in-person meetings a financial priority and report increasing investment in face-to-face meetings in 2016. “The survey looks at how face-to-face meetings help drive top-line growth and bottom line results for the business community, said Richard Harper, executive vice president at HelmsBriscoe and co-chair of Meetings Mean Business… more
Jan 26, 2016
The CHA Mega Conference and Trade Show, the annual show for the Craft & Hobby Association that was held Jan. 7-12 at the Anaheim Convention Center, celebrated its 75th year, and the attendees were ready to create, connect and learn in this $30 billion world-wide industry. “There is such a passion for this industry, and our attendees reflect this passion,” said Maureen Walsh, vice president of marketing for the Craft & Hobby Association. She added, “The energy we see when the exhibit floor is about to open is what we see throughout the industry and the conference. It is like our Black… more
Jan 26, 2016
Dallas-based Freeman has acquired another general service contracting company, Metropolitan Exposition Services.  Located in Moonachie, N.J., and founded in 2001, Metro produces more than 300 shows nationwide annually. “New York market is very important to Freeman’s clients. We are honored to have the opportunity to support Metro and its clients through this transition,” said Joe Popolo, CEO of Freeman. He added, “The Metro team has built a lot of strong client relationships with a team of highly skilled professionals who share our values of integrity, empathy, and a commitment to… more
Jan 25, 2016
Coex, the biggest exhibition organizer in Korea, will be expanding its exhibition organizing business in 2016, with the opening of the Stylish Life Show in Chengdu, China. Scheduled Nov. 5-9 at the New Century Exhibition and Convention Centre, Stylish Life will be co-organized with the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), Korea Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises and the Sichuan Bureau of Expo Affairs. Stylish Life marks Coex’s fourth international expansion, adding to its three shows in Vietnam: the Vietnam Baby Fair, The Vietnam Retail and Franchise Show and the Vietnam… more
Jan 25, 2016
ITE Asia has acquired a 70 percent stake in the organiser of the Fastener Expo in Shanghai and Guangzhou. Fastener Expo Shanghai is an annual event held at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center. Fastener Expo Guangzhou, was launched in 2013 and has just held its third edition at the Guangzhou Poly Trade Expo Center. The acquisition further expands ITE’s business in Asia where it has growing interests, principally in China, India and Indonesia. The current management team including Mr Yang Jungfeng, will stay with the business. Commenting on the acquisition, ITE’s Chief… more
Jan 25, 2016
The 2016 edition of Yarn Expo Spring now is less than two months away, and nearly 250 exhibitors from 12 countries and regions, including China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Lithuania, Pakistan, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey and Uzbekistan, have already confirmed their participation. The exhibitor number and the scale of the fair have surpassed the organizers’ expectation, and to accommodate the increased size, the fair will now occupy hall 5.1 of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) March 16-18. The gross area of 14,000 square meters is an expansion of… more
Jan 25, 2016
The Incheon Convention & Visitors Bureau, located in Incheon, South Korea, has become the latest convention and visitors bureau to be certified to an international sustainability standard for the meetings and event industry. The Incheon CVB achieved certification to the ASTM Standard pertaining to the Evaluation and Selection of Destinations for Environmentally Sustainable Meetings, Events, Trade Shows and Conferences. The Destinations standard is one of the nine standards developed by the meetings, conventions, exhibitions and events industry to provide event planners and suppliers… more
Jan 25, 2016
In spite of the recent terrorist bombing in Jakarta, the industry is optimistic about the business travel sentiments in Indonesia. There have been no major event cancellations. Comments from various industry players show they remain confident. Rajan, president & CEO of U.S.-based Air Safety Equipment, also sees no impact on his company’s business travel to Jakarta. “We are organising a Boeing aircraft equipment product launch in Jakarta in September 2016 and there have not been any concern from participants regarding their safety and well-being in the destination.” Terrorism has been a… more
Jan 25, 2016
Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) held four co-located trade shows from 11th to 14th January at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The largest show is HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair. The others were Hong Kong Baby Products Fair, Hong Kong International Licensing Show and Hong Kong International Stationery Fair. The Stationery Fair was jointly organised by the HKTDC and Messe Frankfurt. Together, the four fairs featured over 3,100 exhibitors, setting a new record. The four shows attracted 117,000 buyers, up 5.5% compared with last year. More than 45,000 buyers… more
Jan 25, 2016
The IMPACT Exhibition & Convention Center in Bangkok unveiled a “new facilities enhancement plan,” which involves an investment of more than 3.5 billion Baht (US$96 million) over the next two to three years. Paul Kanjanapas, managing director of Impact Exhibition Management Co., commented: “In the near future, we are going to see some of the biggest investments in mega projects in Impact’s history including a 200-million-baht [US$5.5 million] theme park sitting along the shore of the lake.” The theme park is expected to be completed by late 2017 or early 2018. IMPACT also plans to boost… 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.