News
Sep 13, 2024
New convention facility offerings, fresh and extended partnerships, and philanthropic activities comprise the latest developments for several North American convention centers as summer turns to fall. Take a look:
Anaheim Convention Center Opens New Marshaling Yard
The Anaheim Convention Center (ACC) recently opened the Claudina Marshaling Yard, located on 6 acres of on-grade asphalt within 2 miles of the facility on the corner of Anaheim Boulevard and Claudina Way.
Serving as a staging ground for the coordination of deliveries and shipments, the new yard provides optimal space for… more
Sep 12, 2024
A record number of business event professionals are now working full-time as freelancers, according to a recent study designed to highlight the motivations, demographics, and work values of independent workers in the events industry.
In fact, across all industries, the independent workforce trend has significantly increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, with 36% of the U.S. workforce across all industries engaging in freelance work in 2023, an increase of 4 million total professionals from 2022, according to a December 2023 study conducted by leading online freelance marketplace Upwork. … more
Sep 11, 2024
At this year’s ASAE conference in Cleveland, one exhibitor took the concept of “breakout session” to a whole new level. On Aug. 13, the final day of the annual meeting, Destination Canada used a free afternoon to fly 13 lucky attendees to Pelee Island on Lake Erie, which is about a 25-minute flight from Cleveland—and located over the border in Ontario, Canada.
The idea for the excursion, the first of what the DMO is calling “Breakout-Breakout Sessions,” came from Destination Canada’s new marketing campaign, “Leave Inspired. Not Tired.”
“We all go to conferences, and there’s so much content… more
Sep 11, 2024
Sponsored by MGM Resorts
The most successful events, conferences and trade shows always have something new to offer attendees—new insights, opportunities, and experiences. That’s why MGM Resorts is at the forefront of keeping it fresh in Las Vegas. Here are five things your attendees are sure to love:
STYLISH STAYS
With 13 iconic destinations on the Las Vegas Strip, you don’t have to worry about variety at MGM Resorts. Chic, new standouts include remodeled rooms within MGM Grand’s Studio Tower; a $63 million redesign and remodel of guest rooms and suites at New York-New York, and a… more
Sep 10, 2024
This summer, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), a 4,000-member trade group based in Boulder, Colo., and Outdoor Retailer, a biannual trade show owned by Emerald, agreed to conclude their exclusive 30-year partnership.
Outdoor Retailer provides a platform for face-to-face commerce, product launches, networking, and industry education to enhance business and support the outdoor recreation economy that reached $1.1 trillion in spending in 2022 in the U.S., a 19% jump from 2021, according to data by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). U.S. outdoor businesses earned $563.7 billion in 2022… more
Sep 09, 2024
From LED dance floors and AI Ping Pong to branded bar carts and immersive floral walls, event activations are a powerful way to engage attendees and create memorable experiences that are also Instagram-worthy.
At the recent corporate event hosted by Shepard Expositions, SandboxLIVE attracted 150 industry partners, speakers, customers, and prospective customers. Established in 1905 in Atlanta, the employee-owned trade show contracting company brought these activations and more to life July 15-17 at the Loews Atlanta Hotel in midtown Atlanta.
“It's all about getting creative with the spaces… more
Sep 06, 2024
In August, global trade show and event companies, suppliers, and industry organizations announced a slew of seasoned industry talent acquisitions and executive promotions. Plus, an industry association appoints new leadership.
eMerge Americas
TSNN’s take on the biggest move in August: Global technology conference and expo company eMerge Americas has appointed Greg Topalian, chairman of Clarion Events North America and founder of On Deck Ventures LLC, as a partner and strategic advisor. Held annually in Miami, eMerge Americas connects startups, investors, global tech organizations, and… more
Sep 05, 2024
In general, attendees go to conferences based on content, potential contacts, and convenience, not the attributes of the host convention center. However, the conference experience, which is strongly influenced by the venue, can be an important factor in an attendee’s decision to return to that event in the future.
So, what do attendees want and expect in a conference experience?
Convention center management company ASM Global recently explored that question, specifically looking at preferences of Millennial and Gen Z attendees. The growing under-40 audience, ASM says, represents 42… more
Sep 04, 2024
Bringing together more than 70,000 sports fans and collectors, the first-ever Fanatics Fest took over New York City’s Javits Center August 16-18. The turnout was a staggering 20,000 more attendees than the so-called “ComicCon of sports” initially anticipated.
The event was the brainchild of Michael Rubin, the founder and CEO of Fanatics—a digital sports merchandise and collectibles company valued at a cool $31 billion—who ensured that there was something for every sports fan. He tapped event agency Freeman to execute his vision, which included opportunities to get autographs and take… more
Sep 04, 2024
At events, capturing memorable moments is more important than ever. In a recent interview for Tech Talk, CEN’s Danica Tormohlen sat down with Jonathan Jow, director of strategy for BoothEasy, to delve into how the company is elevating event experiences with its instant photo and video services.
For event organizers looking to not only raise the bar on the attendee experience but also create FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) on social channels, photo and videos services like BoothEasy offer a compelling blend of technology and creativity to make every moment count.
At the recent DMC Network… 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.