News
Jan 09, 2015
In the past few weeks, our inboxes have been inundated with predictions and trends for 2015. At a2z, we have tuned in to what the experts are saying, and a picture is emerging of the shape that content sharing and marketing will take in 2015. Previously Content was King, but if this was still the case, then we would have many, way too many, rulers. 2015 will require brand owners to not only share content with target audiences, but also present it in a way that breaks through the clutter.
Four ways to make your content count that will be big this year:
1.Video
Video is easier and faster… more
Jan 08, 2015
The good news is that of companies polled for UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry’s 14th Global Barometer Survey, the majority of them have seen positive turnover since 2011. However, 41 percent of those surveyed didn’t think the worldwide economic crisis was over as of yet.
In addition, while there were profits in 2014, less than one company out of two saw annual profits rise more than 10 percent.
“In a globally fragile economic environment, the exhibition industry continues to demonstrate a fairly good performance, except in some countries with specific current issues,”… more
Jan 06, 2015
Several thousand convention managers and suppliers to the industry will be heading to the Windy City’s McCormick Place Jan. 11-14 to take part in the Professional Convention Management Association’s annual Convening Leaders event.
This year will have a lot to live up to, with last year’s event in Boston drawing the highest attendance in the event’s history, nearly 4,000 attendees.
Chicago is a major base for associations, so there likely will be once again a huge turnout to this year’s event.
Convening Leaders kicks off Sunday with an opening party – Hyde Away Chicago – at the Museum of… more
Jan 06, 2015
Last year was a good one for Atlanta, with the city’s convention and visitors bureau unveiling that the city not only had a record number of citywide conventions, but it also hit milestones in hotel occupancy.
Atlanta hosted 21 major citywides in 2014 that generated more than $750 million in direct economic impact and drew nearly a million convention and event attendees, according to the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau.
By year-end, occupancy levels for Atlanta neared 70 percent, a high not seen in the city in more than a decade.
As of November 2014, Atlanta ranked No. 1 for the… more
Jan 06, 2015
The American Society of Association Executives held its 2014 CIO Pre-Conference Workshop and Technology Conference & Expo Dec. 15-17 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center at National Harbor, Md.
With a total of 1,203 total participants, this year’s event was one of the highest attended conferences in its history.
Participants took part in 30 high-level practical education sessions within five pathways, a sold-out Expo Hall and learned about new technologies and how they could possibly use them within their organization.
The final attendance breakdown for this year’s… more
Jan 06, 2015
New and returning exhibitors of the Automate 2015 show already have secured more than 150 percent of exhibit floor space, compared with the last show in 2013, according to the Association for Advancing Automation.
Automate 2015, which takes place March 23-26 in Chicago, Ill., recently was named one of the “Top 10 Manufacturing Shows” in the United States.
“Today’s automation industry is rapidly growing with new innovations, markets and technology,” said Jeff Burnstein, president of A3.
He added, “The growth of Automate 2015 reflects the… more
Jan 04, 2015
The IMEX Group, organizers of the annual IMEX in Frankfurt and IMEX America trade shows for the global meetings, incentive travel and events industry, have identified four key trends for the year ahead in the meetings and trade show industry.
Whether it’s being more ‘playful’, the further integration of apps into an event, meetings’ formats evolving to possibly even go outside and creating a healthier attendee at events, all four ideas are sure to continue to appear throughout 2015.
‘Play’ Gives New Meaning to Profit
2014 was the year that ‘play’ as a tool for unlocking creativity and… more
Jan 01, 2015
Nashville-based SouthComm Business Media bought the rest of Cygnus Business Media’s portfolio, including 10 trade shows, 10 publications and five Web sites.
“This transaction represents the remaining business owned by Cygnus Business Media. This is the fifth and final transaction for this company, concluding a one-and-a-half year process,” said Nick Curci, president of Corporate Solutions.
SouthComm had previously bought from Cygnus 11 publications, seven Web sites. There also was a trade show portion of the sale that consisted of seven events, including Firehouse Expo; Firehouse World… more
Dec 30, 2014
Just three months after Greg Topalian, former senior vice president at Reed Exhibitions and founder of New York Comic Con, and Business Journals Inc. formed a partnership to launch a new venture together they teamed up with another partner for their first outing, JD Events, on Audio Expo North America.
Founded in 2009 by Stephen Davis, AXPONA has quickly become the premier event for audiophiles and music lovers. JDE acquired the show in 2013 with an eye to grow the event even more.
The new partnership with Leftfield Media further accelerates the growth plans for this consumer event… more
Dec 28, 2014
The Healthcare Convention and Exhibitors Association’s 2015 Marketing Summit, on tap Jan. 21-22 at the Hyatt Regency Boston, has an education program that will feature several relevant sessions.
Here are the sessions being offered:
Healthcare Professionals Panel
This panel of healthcare professionals will share their unique opinions on a variety of questions most industry associations/suppliers have wondered for years. What are they thinking when walking through an exhibit hall? Do they visit the exhibit hall while at conventions? If not why not? How are millennials and boomers… 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.