News

Oct 18, 2021
Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky and Tarsus Group CEO Douglas Emslie will be celebrated for their incredible advocacy, support and achievements in the trade show industry at the 2021 TSNN Awards Dec. 1-2 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. Sedky has been named the 2021 TSNN Awards Industry Icon Award honoree, given to an individual in the trade show industry who has displayed exemplary leadership. Emslie will be celebrated at the awards with the inaugural Humanitarian Award for the incredible effort he put forth during a fundraiser he spearheaded to raise more than $42,000 for… more
Oct 15, 2021
Regional government representatives from Southeast Asia, trade association leaders and major global exhibition organizers joined together Oct. 5-7 at the Fullerton Hotel in Singapore for the Joint Leadership Summit (JLS), aimed at paving the way for the return of in-person exhibitions in the region. Supported by Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and co-organized by Singapore Association for Convention & Exhibition Organizers & Suppliers (SACEOS), Association of Event Organizers (AEO), Society for Independent Show Organizers (SISO) and UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition… more
Oct 15, 2021
While some exhibition companies are doubling down on fine-tuning their existing events and waiting for 2022 to re-launch their in-person experiences, some are seeing this challenging period in our industry’s history as the perfect time to debut brand-new trade shows for underserved markets. Case in point: U.K.-based Raccoon Events, which will be kicking off three large-scale running expos for the U.S. consumer market next year— The Run Show USA Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles—modeled after its award-winning National Running Show in the U.K. TSNN sat down with CEO Mike Seaman to hear why the… more
Oct 14, 2021
Ensuring the health and safety of attendees, exhibitors and employees working at host venues has become a paramount priority as the industry returns to in-person events. An increasing number of organizers are opting to implement COVID-19 vaccine mandates or negative test requirements in addition to several other health and safety measures. With these trends, the need for streamlined ways to verify proof of health status electronically is on the rise. The following four health-screening solutions are designed to ease the verification process for everyone involved and, in some cases, provide… more
Oct 13, 2021
Taffy Event Strategies, a female-owned, full-service trade show and event planning firm based in Arlington, Va., appointed well-known industry veteran Jennifer Heinold to the newly created position of chief operating officer. In collaboration with Taffy President Jennifer Hoff, Heinold will oversee the day-to-day operations of the company and ensure that the needs and expectations of current and future clients are met and exceeded by building growth strategies for shows and leading new product development. Heinold brings a wealth of experience in serving diverse communities; connecting… more
Oct 13, 2021
Meetings, events, travel and tourism industry leader, Connect, is gearing up to welcome a pre-pandemic number of event professionals to its signature summer marketplace conference and trade show in Detroit next year. Set for Aug. 8-10, 2022 at TCF Center, Connect Detroit expects to attract approximately 4,000 decision-making planners and suppliers, who will gather together to meet, network, do business and experience all that the city has to offer for meeting and event groups. The annual August conference will once again draw in attendees from four main market segments: corporate,… more
Oct 12, 2021
Over the last year, we have seen how virtual events are evolving to become not just a short-term replacement for the traditional in-person events, but a clear impetus that seemingly overnight digitized the events industry. The future, now, will be fueled by our imagination. Imagine attending a tradeshow with no awkward lingering or strained networking, just personalized journeys, and valuable matchmade meetings. Imagine a sales kickoff that wasn’t motivation and inspiration squeezed into a 3-day jaunt, but an evergreen team connection with more impactful training and inspiration. And imagine… more
Oct 11, 2021
While the Delta variant has certainly thrown a wrench in the industry’s recovery machine, major trade shows are continuing to happen in person—pandemic or no pandemic. Check out two recent events that not only took place safely and successfully but also exceeded expectations.  Utility Expo As the largest premier event for utility professionals and construction contractors, The Utility Expo (formerly ICUEE) is known for showcasing the latest and greatest in cutting-edge industry technologies, innovations and trends. This year, the biennial event not only did just that but also in an… more
Oct 08, 2021
Spaceshop Commerce and ReedPop have partnered to launch “The Haul,” a virtual pop culture and fandom marketplace, built with Adobe Commerce. The Haul integrates ReedPop’s digital and live events with a product marketplace featuring some of the biggest brands in pop culture, along with exclusive items from artists and retailers, replicating the fan-to-exhibitor discoverability found on the showfloor at their live conventions. "The Haul represents a transformational digital first initiative, and what the future of commerce looks like for live events and beyond,” said Brandy Alexander-… more
Oct 08, 2021
CEDIA Expo, the leading trade event in smart home technology, joined the list of other shows that returned to an in-person format this year, pulling off a safe and impactful event that was amplified by a successful influencer program.  Held at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Sept. 1-3, CEDIA Expo 2021, produced by Emerald, brought residential technology integrators, designers and trade professionals together face-to-face for the first time in two years to connect and discuss topics within the industry.  “For the return of this year’s in-person show, we selected a powerful… 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.