News
Nov 15, 2011
The Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show, owned by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and held Oct. 17-20 in Toronto, not only scored a 10-percent increase in attendance, compared with its 2009 event, but it also debuted a larger showfloor, sold out its conference and had 80 percent renewals for the next show.
All of these successes reflect the growing optimism of the Canadian manufacturing industry in general, according to CMTS show organizers.
“We took some big steps this year, using the latest in social media to create a more personalized experience for delegates, while… more
Nov 15, 2011
After 30 years serving as the head of the Religious Conference Management Association, Dr. DeWayne Woodring has announced his departure as the organization’s executive director, effective Dec. 31.
The RCMA board unanimously appointed its vice president of the board, Rev. Harry Schmidt, as the new executive director. Schmidt has served as president of Christian Life College, Mt. Prospect, Ill., for almost two decades.
Replacing Schmidt as RCMA board vice president is Melvin Tennant, president and CEO of Meet Minneapolis, Official Convention and Visitors Association, marking the… more
Nov 10, 2011
In a little over one year, West Conshohocken, Pa.-based SMG has won its fourth public bid to manage the Jekyll Island Convention Center on the Georgia Coast, which is set to open in the second quarter of 2012, giving the management firm more than 14 million square feet of prime space it now oversees.
The newest win was from the Jekyll Island Authority that selected SMG among three respondents to a request for proposals for management.
Earlier this year, SMG was selected to manage Chicago’s McCormick Place Complex, the largest convention center in North America, as well as the… more
Nov 10, 2011
In a little over one year, West Conshohocken, Pa.-based SMG has won its fourth public bid to manage the Jekyll Island Convention Center on the Georgia Coast, which is set to open in the second quarter of 2012, giving the management firm more than 14 million square feet of prime space it now oversees.
The newest win was from the Jekyll Island Authority that selected SMG among three respondents to a request for proposals for management.
Earlier this year, SMG was selected to manage Chicago’s McCormick Place Complex, the largest convention center in North America, as well as the… more
Nov 08, 2011
Trade Show News Network is pleased to announce the debut release of the TSNN Top 50 Canadian Trade Shows list of rankings.
Culled from show management and data supplied to TSNN, the list represents the top 50 trade shows held last year in ranked by net square footage in Canada. The full list can be found at http://www.tsnn.com/datasite-cdn.
Snagging the No. 1 spot was Regina Exhibition Association’s Western Canada Farm Progress Show, with a whopping 1,189,783 net square foot showfloor. Despite overall negative economic trends, the showfloor grew in 2010 from 969,783 sq. ft. at the… more
Nov 07, 2011
More than 2,100 exhibitors from 31 countries and regions – a new exhibitor record at the show – took part in the Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition), which ran Oct. 27-30 October at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Exhibitors from the Cayman Islands, Finland and Sweden participated for the first time, according to HHKTDC officials.
The fair also welcomed more than 70 buying missions from 60 countries and regions, representing more than 5,530 buyers and companies such as Colinter… more
Nov 07, 2011
When the biennial Dubai Airshow opens Nov. 13-17 at the United Arab Emirates city’s Airport Expo, it will be the biggest show yet, with more than 1,000 exhibitors and nearly 55,000 trade visitors, a 4-percent increase, compared with the 52,978 attendees and 890 exhibitors at the 2009 event.
In addition, 100-plus aircraft will be appearing at the show for the first time in the Middle East.
Making its Middle East debut is the Boeing 787 Dreamliner , and it will be joined on the static display park, among others, by the Pakistan Air Force’s JF17 Thunder fighter, the Bell/Boeing… more
Nov 07, 2011
UBM Asia has opened an office in Shenzhen, which will focus on sales and marketing functions for UBM Asia’s jewelry portfolio comprising exhibitions, publications and Web sites.
China has a fast-growing jewelry market and in Shenzhen has become a center for manufacturing, especially in Shuibei, Luohu District, which houses over 1,500 jewelry companies.
"We have 14 jewelry fairs: three in mainland China including one in Shenzhen, five in Hong Kong and the rest are in Japan, India and Turkey,” said Jimé Essink, president and CEO of UBM Asia.
He added, “Our… more
Nov 07, 2011
In the year leading up to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2011 Leaders’ Meeting, which kicks off Nov. 12-13 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center in Honolulu, the venue will have hosted nine major international events.
The nine events collectively drew more than 50,000 attendees, including medical professionals, science and technology experts, environmental policy makers and cultural scholars from more than 100 countries.
“The Hawai‘i Convention Center works proactively with meeting organizers to ensure that they are effectively able to reach global… more
Nov 07, 2011
UBM Asia has opened an office in Shenzhen, which will focus on sales and marketing functions for UBM Asia’s jewelry portfolio comprising exhibitions, publications and Web sites.
China has a fast-growing jewelry market and in Shenzhen has become a center for manufacturing, especially in Shuibei, Luohu District, which houses over 1,500 jewelry companies.
"We have 14 jewelry fairs: three in mainland China including one in Shenzhen, five in Hong Kong and the rest are in Japan, India and Turkey,” said Jimé Essink, president and CEO of UBM Asia.
He added, “Our… more
Partner Voices

Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors.
TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders.
Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA
With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role?
Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”
These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.
Allegiant Stadium
As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward?
Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees.
What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events?
We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.
Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city.
Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.
What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization?
We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.
What are your favorite ways to recharge?
My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.
Valley of Fire
What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing?
I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.