News

Aug 25, 2015
The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) has chalked up a busy first half in its 10th year of operation with a recorded 661 events drawing a total 778,414 delegates and visitors and an economic impact contribution of RM264 million Jan. 1-June 30, 2015. The achievement is on the back of a record 2014 performance, when the number of events jumped 11 percent from the 2013 record of 1,565 to 1,759. On the calendar for the remainder of the year, General Manager Alan Pryor said there are “over 25 events with an expected total turnout in excess of 420,000 people. And this does not include… more
Aug 25, 2015
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) hosted an opening ceremony for its new Singapore branch office on 17th August, with over 400 business guests from Hong Kong and Singapore in attendance. The Singapore branch office will offer support to the HKTDC in helping Hong Kong small- and medium-sized enterprises assessing and entering ASEAN markets. Including the new office in Singapore, the HKTDC now has 46 offices around the world – of which 24 are in Asia. Speaking at the event, Margaret Fong, Executive Director of the HKTDC, highlighted the business and investment opportunities… more
Aug 25, 2015
Meet Taiwan, the MICE promotion programme led by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, recently conducted a roadshow in Japan, visiting the cities of Osaka and Fukuoka. Targeting corporate meeting planners and key product suppliers in Japan, Meet Taiwan organised business-matching meetings, presentations and networking activities – linking six Taiwanese MICE organisations with Japanese partners. The initiative also resulted in the confirmation of an incentive group which will bring over 1,000 Japanese delegates to Taiwan. Japan is one of Taiwan’s largest MICE visitor source markets. Last year,… more
Aug 25, 2015
Aloysius Arlando, Chief Executive Office of SingEx, the management company of the Singapore Expo Convention and Exhibition Centre, was elected as vice president of International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC) at last month’s APIC Annual Conference. The appointment reflects the increasing influence of Asian venues and growing importance of Asian market. Aloysius was the first Asian to be elected to the APIC board in 2012 and he was also elected as one of the vice chairman of the Asia-Pacific Chapter of the UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry. Aloysius commented, “… more
Aug 24, 2015
Several companies scored new or renewed business contracts as the summer months came to a close, including Convention Data Services, Spargo and ConvExx. The international society for optics and photonics has renewed their contract with Convention Data Services, their preferred registration partner for the past 20 years. The contract calls for CDS to provide registration and lead retrieval services for SPIE’s events: Photonics West, Advanced Lithography, DSS, Optics & Photonics and Optifab. "SPIE is pleased to once again renew our contract with CDS as they provide a commitment to our… more
Aug 23, 2015
The first show to take advantage of all of the extra space at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center was one it long-time clients, UBM Advanstar’s MAGIC, which ran last week in Las Vegas. The $70 million project added 350,000 square feet onto the center, allowing shows like MAGIC to not only expand, but also opening up more space for shows looking in the city. “We have enjoyed working with the professionals at Mandalay Bay throughout the years and appreciate their willingness to help us create the most positive, productive experiences for our customers,” said Tony Calanca, executive vice… more
Aug 23, 2015
The Virtual Edge Institute (VEI) will be hosting their annual Virtual Edge Summit on Sept. 17. This annual, day-long event delivers senior-level education for both meetings professionals who produce hybrid and/or digital events and those who desire to learn more about this advancing discipline. Online virtual participants will have the opportunity to radically reduce their learning curve and get the latest industry insights and education. Sessions on tap this year include: Insights from the C-Suite: How to have "the talk" about going digital Making Money with Digital Events… more
Aug 23, 2015
The Virtual Edge Institute (VEI) will be hosting their annual Virtual Edge Summit on Sept. 17. This annual, day-long event delivers senior-level education for both meetings professionals who produce hybrid and/or digital events and those who desire to learn more about this advancing discipline. Online virtual participants will have the opportunity to radically reduce their learning curve and get the latest industry insights and education. Sessions on tap this year include: Insights from the C-Suite: How to have "the talk" about going digital Making Money with Digital Events… more
Aug 20, 2015
Trade Show News Network (TSNN) has unveiled the TSNN Top 50 Canadian Trade Show list of rankings. Culled from show management and data supplied to TSNN, the list represents the top 50 trade shows held last year ranked by net square footage in Canada. The full list can be found at: http://www.tsnn.com/toplists-cdn. Snagging the No. 1 spot once again was Regina Exhibition Association’s Canada's Farm Progress Show, with a whopping 1,232,670 net square foot showfloor at Evraz Place in Regina, Saskatchewan. The show, held last year in June, also drew 852 exhibiting forms, 5,368 exhibiting… more
Aug 19, 2015
Cracking down ever further, the Federal Communications Commission recently fined Smart City $750,000 for blocking consumers’ Wi-Fi at various convention centers around the United States. Last year, the FCC also fined Marriott International $600,000 for illegally blocking personal users’ Wi-Fi signals at its Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center property in Nashville. Smart City, an Internet and telecommunications provider for conventions, meeting centers and hotels, had been blocking personal mobile “hotspots” that were being used by convention visitors and exhibitors who used their… 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.