News
Aug 15, 2012
This week, the American Society of Association Executives wrapped up their annual convention in Dallas on a high note, showing a 12-percent increase in their numbers and the most-attended event since it was held in Chicago six years earlier.
This year’s annual meeting was the highest seen since 2007. The final attendance breakdown includes 2,780 executives, 1,861 exhibitors and 1,369 others, including guests, spouses, press, volunteers, vendors and staff, for a grand total of 6,010.
The 2011 event in St. Louis drew 5,368 attendees.
It was noted at the press… more
Aug 13, 2012
In good news for the travel industry, the U.S. General Services Administration has decided to not change the calculating method for lodging per diems that the U.S. Travel Association said would cost the industry $885 million in revenue and thousands of American jobs.
In a statement released by USTA, Roger Dow, the association’s president and CEO, said,
“Thanks to the joint advocacy efforts of travel industry associations, local hotel owners, national lodging chains, destination marketing organizations and many others, we were able to defend against a policy proposal that would… more
Aug 13, 2012
The International Woodworking Fair, which kicks off Aug. 22-25 at Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center, looks to be on track for a successful show, with preregistration topping 11,000 attendees, more than 40-percent higher than the 2010 show.
All 50 states and more than 60 countries will be represented at the show, with 45 of the states seeing increased registrations, compared with 2010’s show.
“We are up across the board, more exhibits, more products and more buyers,” said Michael Burdis, IWF 2012 chairman and president of James L. Taylor Manufacturing Company.… more
Aug 10, 2012
When Messe Frankfurt’s Texworld USA recently wrapped up Texworld USA July 24-26 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York, it saw an increase in both attendees and exhibitors.
This year’s three-day show drew 5,285 attendees, a 5-percent increase, including the attendees from the collocated International Apparel Sourcing Show and Home Textiles Sourcing Expo shows, compared with the July show last year.
There also were more exhibitors on the floor, 328 from 15 countries, a 2-percent increase, compared with July’s show last year.
“The attendee number and… more
Aug 08, 2012
SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association and the Society of Plastics Engineers have teamed up on the next three annual SPE ANTEC conferences in an effort to attract more corporate exhibitors and sponsors, as well as increase attendance.
ANTEC’s annual conference was collocated with SPI’s triennial NPE2012, but there wasn’t the ANTEC trade show, which traditionally is held every year alongside the conference.
The new agreement between SPE and SPI combines SPE’s expertise as the organizer of plastics technical conferences with SPI’s strength… more
Aug 08, 2012
Another hurdle recently was cleared that would allow more meeting and trade show business to come into the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, with the Massachusetts State Legislature passing an annual budget bill that included language lifting a ban on building any hotels south of Summer Street next to the venue.
The ban was first enacted in 1997 to assuage concerns by South Boston residents of the impact too many hotels would have on the neighborhood.
After several community meetings and talks with local legislators and leaders, the new language passed by the state legislature… more
Aug 06, 2012
Have you ever wondered as an exhibitor where the money goes? The Center for Exhibition Industry Research has released an updated version of its 2007 report “How the Exhibit Dollar Is Spent.”
Among the report's findings were that 99 percent of exhibitors find unique value delivered by business-to-business exhibitions, which is not provided by other marketing channels, as well as 36 percent of the exhibitors’ dollars, the biggest piece of the pie, are spent on exhibit space.
"The data in this report is a much needed resource for exhibiting companies to plan and budget the cost of their … more
Aug 06, 2012
Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Services has appointed Arun Madhok as its new CEO, a role he has assumed on an acting basis since former CEO, Pieter Idenburg, left the venue after seven years to explore other opportunities.
“Arun has been an integral part of Suntec Singapore’s management team for the past few years and his appointment assures continuity for the team running one of Singapore’s premiere address for MICE events both locally and globally,” said John Lim, Group CEO of ARA Asset Management, which owns the venue.
He added, “… more
Aug 06, 2012
The Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) reported strong performance for the first nine months of fiscal year 2011-2012.
From October 2011-July 2012, the industry experienced significant growth, according to TCEB officials.
Part of that growth came from Thailand’s win of bids to host three megashows, including the AFECA AGM 2012, Inter Expo 2012 and World Stamp 2013.
The strong positive trend in the exhibition and trade show industry in the first three quarters are the result of continuous economic growth in Thailand and the country’s strong potential as the… more
Aug 06, 2012
In a unique partnership model, U.S.-based ITN International and Australia-based Info Salons Group worked together to provide registration, access control and lead retrieval for London-based organizer GSMA’s Mobile Asia Expo.
Mobile Asia Expo attracted more than 15,500 visitors to its first large event in mainland China at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre.
ITN International provided GSMA the technology needed to support advance registration, onsite check-in, onsite registration, event access control and lead retrieval.
“We enjoyed an ideal partner in working with… 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.